No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of choosing an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to seek out a contractor that will listen to you and make certain they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation is not something you want to try to DIY. You’ll need to find a contractor that is highly skilled in many areas. They will figure out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to guarantee local codes are met, check piping and a whole slew of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system isn’t getting a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get mediocre performance from your system.
The team at AZ Air Conditioning and Heating have put together some questions to ask to guide you on your pursuit of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
Before you work with a company they should be able to provide you with a list of recent customers that can authenticate the quality of their work. Once you receive that you can call and find out about their recent HVAC projects, if they are satisfied with the results and if they would hire 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. Looking up 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 members of ACCA are serious about their profession and will happily provide you with referrals.
Another option option is enlisting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are given by people you know and trust. You’ll probably not only get feedback on what contractors to use, but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for suggestions 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. Before becoming NATE-certified a technician has to pass specialized and real-world tests that were put together by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Just about every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This helps protect consumers from companies that use unqualified workers. A quick online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you live in a state the 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 secure a quality HVAC contractor is before anything breaks down. If you get your system checked when it’s operating properly and get your yearly maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Building a relationship based on trust and experience is important to us at AZ Air Conditioning and Heating in Los Angeles. Our professionals will happily answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 800-296-5088 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.