How to Choose an HVAC Contractor

Choosing an HVAC contractor is an important decision that you shouldn’t make without doing some investigating to make certain you’re making the correct choice.

First, choose a contractor who will ask you about your wants and needs and actually listen to you. With that tidbit, they should be able to show you up to four options from which you can pick.

When they set up your installation, is it when you want it done, or when they can fit you in? Will your contractor pull a permit on every job? Doing so will make certain that it meets all of your local codes.

HVAC system installation is not a DIY job, and a successful installation requires a contractor that is skilled in a variety of areas, from load calculation to piping and a bunch of steps in between. You could get the highest rated system, but if it’s not installed correctly, you may not get top-of-the-line performance.

Here are some other questions to help you make the best selection while researching your HVAC contractor.

Are they NATE-certified?

NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is the largest nonprofit certification organization for HVAC technicians. Certified technicians have verified their knowledge in the HVAC industry by passing real-world and rigorous tests developed by a committee of industry professionals. NATE-certified contractors have met the highest industry standards for knowledgeable installation and service. NATE certification will give you peace of mind knowing your contractor has finished intense professional training.

Do they have references or referrals?

A professional HVAC company will be able to provide you with a list of recent customers that you can talk to and verify the quality of their company’s work. Talk to their list of references and ask about their project and if they’d recommend their work.

There are also official sources online such as the Better Business Bureau and ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). The BBB allows you to read the consumer ratings of an HVAC contractor and you’ll view any customer complaints against a company. The ACCA is a nonprofit organization of more than 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors found on ACCA are sure to be dedicated to their profession and will be able to give referrals for previous work.

Another route is crowdsourcing referrals from your friends and neighbors or on your social media networks. These are usually the most valuable recommendations because they are coming from people you know. You’ll find out who to check out and which contractors to avoid. If you’re on nextdoor.com you can literally ask for recommendations from people right next door. Contractors count on positive word-of-mouth, so if someone you trust recommends them it’s likely they’ll do great work for you too.

Are they properly licensed and insured?

Not all states require licensure for heating and cooling contractors, but practically all of them do. It’s easy to search online to see if your state requires a license so you know whether or not to ask for one when receiving quotes from a contractor. The reason a lot of states require licenses is simply to protect you from using a company that uses less than qualified workers.

If you live in a state that requires licenses and the contractor, you’re talking to doesn’t have one, it’s probably better to look elsewhere to help get around any potential problems.

When is the best time to ask these questions?

The best time to ask questions and find an HVAC contractor is right now, before something occurs with your system. Get your furnace checked out while it’s running as usual and arrange your annual maintenance.

Your family’s health, comfort and safety are our business at Southeast Heating & Cooling in Sugar Hill. Our HVAC experts would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. Call us. We look forward to becoming your partner in keeping your system running safely and efficiently.