No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, which includes the decision of choosing an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to find a contractor that will listen to you and make sure they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a good candidate to be a DIY project. It’s important to secure a contractor that is highly skilled in multiple areas. They will figure out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to ensure local codes are met, check to pipe, and a whole slew of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system doesn’t get a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get subpar performance from your system.
The team at Temp Air System Inc. has put together some questions to ask to help you on your quest of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
When deciding to work with a company they should be able to furnish you with a list of recent customers that can authenticate the quality of their work. Once you receive that you can call and inquire about their recent HVAC projects, if they are satisfied with the results and if they would work with the company again in the future.
There are other sources you can look into like the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Searching a contractor on BBB will allow you to see consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that employs the knowledge of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that are a part of ACCA are serious about their profession and will enthusiastically provide you with referrals.
Another option is requesting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are received from people you know and trust. You’ll most likely not only get feedback on what contractors to use but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for recommendations from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a social network of your neighbors.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified, you can trust you’re getting a contractor that meets the highest standards in installation and service. NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is a non-profit organization for HVAC technicians. To achieve NATE certification a technician has to pass specialized and real-world tests that were developed by a committee of top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Just about every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This assists in protecting consumers from companies that use inexperienced workers. A short online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you reside in a state that requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to avert any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The ideal time to locate a quality HVAC contractor is before a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s running properly and get your regular maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Building a relationship based on trust and experience is important to us at Temp Air System Inc. in La Puente. Our professionals will happily answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.
