How To Find The Best HVAC Repair Contractor

When searching for an HVAC contractor in your area, there are a few things you have to take into consideration. The biggest consideration you have to account for is qualifications. A serious problem with HVAC contractors is lying about their qualifications. They may claim that they are licensed professionals, but you should ask to see their NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification. If they are not willing to show you their NATE certification, you should look for another contractor. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is very helpful if you want to double check the consumer ratings of an HVAC contractor. The website shows whether there have been any customer complaints against the specified company. Contact your local BBB office with any inquiries you may have.

Certifications and Licenses...

Along with the proper certification, you should also make sure he is properly insured. Providing proof of insurance is one of the steps in order to become licensed by the EPA. If your HVAC technician has his certifications and proof of insurance, the next step is to get an estimate. Most businesses may offer a free estimate and will only require a half hour- an hour of your time for the estimate. After you have gotten one estimate, make sure to get comparative estimates as well. If your HVAC contractor knows that you are only getting one estimate, who is to say he won’t overcharge you. Informing your contractor that you have received other quotes may also drive down the cost if he really wants to compete.

The first thing your contractor should prepare is a load bearing calculation. The contractor will walk through the house and inspect your existing furnaces and HVAC units. If you do not have either of these and it’s a brand-new house, he will look for the best place on your property. HVAC contractors sometimes will recommend oversized units for your house. This can cost you thousands of dollars in the short term, but also the long term. In the short term, a larger HVAC unit will cost more than a smaller unit. In the long term, a larger unit costs more per month which will run up your energy bill.

Reviews Are A Great Way To Find A Trusted HVAC Contractor...

Consulting online reviews can be a good resource, but also a poor resource. If a company has one bad review and they only have three total reviews, this does not accurately reflect the true value of the company. Certain people may also be more inclined to write a bad review just because of one bad experience. One bad experience once again does not reflect the total quality of the company. What about the other one hundred people who had a great experience and didn’t write a review? But not all online reviews are bad. Just be sure that you the reviews you are reading online are accredited, and not negative reviews written by competitors to discredit a company.

One of the best ways to find a trusted HVAC contractor is to trust reviews from friends and family. Most of the time they will give you an honest review, but be wary of friends and family who have vested interests in companies.

An HVAC replacement is extremely important to do correctly, and a serious financial decision. Never skimp out on your unit by hiring the cheapest contractor. You could end up paying more for it in the future if your unit is not properly installed or the equipment is cheap. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand the role that heating and cooling play in your house. Without air conditioning in your house, mold and mildew build up because of the hot humid temperatures in your house. Without heat in your house, your pipes would freeze and you would have to pay more than $10,000 to repair a broken pipe. Nobody enjoys walking around in a jacket in their house during January because their heater doesn’t work.