No important decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of choosing an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to secure a contractor that will listen to you and make certain they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a project you want to attempt to DIY. It’s important to find a contractor that is highly skilled in many areas. They will work out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to make sure local codes are met, check piping and a whole slew of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system doesn’t receive a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get inferior performance from your system.
The experts at Anderson Heating & A/C 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?
If you’re looking to work with a company they should be able to furnish you with a list of recent customers that can corroborate the quality of their work. After obtaining 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.
You can also check with sources like the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Finding a contractor on BBB will allow you to read through consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that utilizes the know-how of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that belong to the ACCA are serious about their profession and will gladly provide you with referrals.
One other option is asking for the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are given by people you know and trust. In most cases you’ll not only get feedback on what contractors to use, but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for endorsements from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a your neighborhood’s own social media site.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified you can guarantee that 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 created by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Almost every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This assists in protecting consumers from companies that use unqualified workers. A quick online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you are living in a state the requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to prevent any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The best time to find a quality HVAC contractor is before anything breaks down. If you get your system checked when it’s functioning properly and get your annual maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Building a relationship based on trust and experience is important to us at Anderson Heating & A/C in Carson City. Our professionals will gladly answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 775-230-7628 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.