No major decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of deciding on an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to seek out a contractor that will listen to you and ensure they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation is not something you want to try to DIY. It’s important to find a contractor that is highly skilled in multiple areas. They will work out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to ensure local codes are met, check piping and a bunch 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 inferior performance from your system.
The experts at Clean Air HVAC have put together some questions to ask to assist 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 furnish you with a list of recent customers that can verify the quality of their work. After obtaining that you can call and ask them about their recent HVAC projects, if they are pleased 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 look through consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that enlists the expertise of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that are a part of ACCA are serious about their profession and will gladly provide you with referrals.
An additional option is enlisting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are received from 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 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 have confidence 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 put together by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Almost all states require licensure for HVAC contractors. This assists in protecting consumers from companies that use inexperienced workers. A simple 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 find a quality HVAC contractor is before you experience a breakdown. 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 Clean Air HVAC in Pacheco. Our professionals will happily answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 925-233-6238 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.