Tips in Choosing an HVAC Contractor

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system could be the most expensive equipment in your home, and you want assurance that whoever works on it has appropriate training. With so many companies to choose from, the decision can be a bit intimidating. This guide will help you choose a professional heating and cooling contractor that is right for you. Knowing the right questions to ask and what to look for in a professional contractor will go a long way to help keep your home comfortable and heating and cooling system reliable.

References and Referrals

One of the best places to start looking for a contractor is by asking people you trust.  Friends and family can be a great resource! You can ask them when they had work done at their home, and if the contractor met their expectations. Was the cost of the work roughly what they had been promised by the contractor before the work took place? Were they provided with options? Were the technicians punctual and professional?

Online Reviews

Checking online reviews about a potential HVAC company is a good idea! You can use a variety of online tools including Google Reviews, Facebook Recommendations, Yelp, and Angie’s List. However, keep in mind that you should be more concerned about a company’s overall online presence rather than one or two complaints among many positive reviews. Is the contracting firm responsive to the complaints? Does there seem to be prompt and polite responses? These are important factors to look for as it shows the company takes pride in customer satisfaction.

Home evaluation

If you’re looking to have an HVAC system installed, contractors should offer a thorough home evaluation to determine the best heating and cooling solution. To accurately size a heating or cooling system, a contractor needs to know the square footage of the home, the R-value of insulation, and the number and size of the windows and exterior doors. Contractors may also inspect the duct system for leaks, loose segments and insulation. The sizing of a new system should not be done based on square footage alone, but rather on calculations. The contractor should also ask you about problems you are having with your existing system, where improvements can be made, and what you are hoping to get from a new system.

Check for licenses, certifications and insurance

Every state in the U.S. has a different set of requirements for contractors in the HVAC industry. It’s important to ask prospective contractors to provide copies of their current licenses or certifications. It’s also important to inquire about their minimal level of bonding and insurance. Insurance will protect homeowners in case of injury or accidental damage.

Further, ask if the contractor if they have relevant experience with your particular system. If you’re looking to have an HVAC system installed, ask the contractor if they carry top brands, and about their technicians training with these brands. Remember, each system/manufacturer is unique. A reliable company will ensure that technicians have had the right training to accurately service existing systems and optimize new installations.

Service Contracts and Payment Schedules

If you’re hiring a company for maintenance or having new equipment installed, ask the prospective contractor about service contracts. Enrolling in a company’s service contract program may give you added peace of mind. Service contracts ensure that the company services your HVAC system regularly. Ask the contractor to write out the details of the service. More than likely, a good contractor will ask you to sign a contract before beginning any projects. Important items to clarify are dates on which the work will be performed, the cost of all fees, labor and equipment, and when payment is due.

Get several opinions

Remember, you do not need to hire the first HVAC contractor that visits your home. Interview several contractors and, for new installations, collect several bids before making a decision. Be consistent in what you’re asking for, though. If you tell one contractor that you want a premium, high efficiency system, be sure to tell the other competing contractors the same. This will help you compare apples to apples.

Tax credits or rebates

Depending on the type of home heating or cooling equipment you are having installed, your new system may qualify for federal or state tax credits or rebates. Be sure to ask about what incentives are available for a new system and make sure the project is properly documented to meet federal, state or local incentive requirements.

Contractor locator tools

Many manufacturers of heating and cooling equipment provide a HVAC contractor locator tool for homeowners like Elmridge Air Comfort. Contractor locators are also a good place to start looking if you already know a brand that you would like to purchase. For example, we offer a contractor locator on our website in order to make it easier for you to find a reputable installer of U.S. Boiler brand products in your area.