Selecting an HVAC contractor is an important decision that shouldn’t be made without doing some investigating to be sure you’re making the right 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 choose.

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 something you can do yourself and a successful installation requires a contractor that is skilled in many areas, from load calculation to piping and a lot of steps in between. You could get the highest rated system, but if it’s not installed correctly you may not get the best performance.

Here are a couple other questions to help you make the best choice while finding your HVAC contractor.

Are they NATE-certified?

NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is the largest nonprofit certification organization for HVAC technicians. Certified technicians have demonstrated their knowledge in the HVAC industry by passing real-world and specialized tests developed by a committee of industry authorities. 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 rigorous professional training.

Can they provide references or referrals?

A professional HVAC company ought to be able to provide you with a list of recent customers that you can chat with 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 the company.

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 be shown 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 committed to their trade and will be able to provide referrals for previous work.

Another route is crowdsourcing referrals from your friends and neighbors or on your social media networks. These are typically the most useful 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 rely upon positive word-of-mouth, so if someone you trust backs them it’s likely they’ll do good work for you too.

Are they properly licensed and insured?

Not all states require licensure for heating and cooling contractors, but nearly all of them do. It’s easy to search online to find out if your state requires a license so you know whether or not to ask for one when receiving quotes from a contractor. The reason many 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 in your interest to look elsewhere to help get around any potential concerns.

When is the best time to ask these questions?

The best time to ask questions and choose an HVAC contractor is right now, before something goes wrong with your system. Get your furnace looked at while it’s operating as usual and set up your routine maintenance.

Your family’s health, comfort and safety is our business at Clean Air HVAC in Pacheco. Our HVAC pros would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. Call us at 925-233-6238. We look forward to becoming your partner in keeping your system running safely and efficiently.