December 19, 2016
No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of picking an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to find a contractor that will listen to you and make sure they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation isn’t a good candidate to be a DIY project. It’s important to find a contractor that is highly skilled in a number of areas. They will evaluate your home’s load calculation, pull permits to guarantee local codes are met, check piping, and a bunch 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 mediocre performance from your system.
The professionals at Winters Heating and Cooling 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?
When deciding to work with a company they should be able to furnish you with a list of recent customers that can authenticate the quality of their work. After obtaining that you can call and ask them about their recent HVAC projects, if they are satisfied with the results and if they would choose the company again in the future.
Some other sources to check with are the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Finding 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 know-how of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that are members of ACCA are serious about their profession and will enthusiastically provide you with referrals.
Another option is enlisting 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 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 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 assists in protecting consumers from companies that use inexperienced workers. A quick online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you reside in a state that requires a license and your contractor doesn’t have one, look elsewhere to avoid any issues.
When to Ask These Questions?
The perfect time to locate a quality HVAC contractor is prior to a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s running properly and get your annual maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Relationships built on trust and experience are important to us at Winters Heating and Cooling in Franklin & South Indy. Our professionals would be happy to answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 317-406-5382 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.