You only miss your heater or air conditioner when they don’t work; otherwise, you likely don’t think about them much. Every summer, you flip your thermostat to cool and expect comfortable indoor temperatures despite the sweltering heat outside. Every winter you do the opposite. To keep your unit – or units if you have separate heating and air conditioning – functional, you must have them maintained twice a year in the spring and fall. Here are some tips to help you find a reliable HVAC contractor.
Experience Counts
This is a no-brainer, admittedly, but experience counts when looking to hire any contractor. You might be tempted to give a newly licensed HVAC tech a chance, but it’s better to hire someone who’s been working in this industry for a while. Heating and cooling services aren’t as across-the-board as you might think. As with all technology, heaters and air conditioners evolve constantly to improve energy-efficiency while also improving indoor comfort.
A company that has over two decades of experience has experience working with an older model that might be in your home as well as newer HVAC systems. The average lifespan of an HVAC system is generally not longer than 20 years. If you hire a heating and air conditioning contractor that has been in business since the mid-1990s, you hire a contractor that has – no doubt – worked on your heater, air conditioner, or both. In fact, look for one that works on many different makes and models.
Its Mission Counts, Too
If you are of the mindset that mission statements are baloney, think again. A business that is proud to give its purpose is one that knows its customers can hold it accountable to it. A company cannot boast its purpose is to provide the best service and quality to its customers unless it intends to do so; otherwise, the mission statement will be held against it through negative testimonials on online review websites. A quality contractor will also provide client references, as it has nothing to hide.
A heating and air conditioning contractor that has built its business from the ground up is one you can count on for your HVAC installation and maintenance needs. There are three primary things that grow any business successfully: excellence, hard work, and knowledge. Look for a contractor committed to these three things, and look at the company’s growth to confirm that commitment. If the company has remained stagnant over the last two decades, there’s something questionable with its operation.
Variety Is the Spice of Life
Finally, you want to hire a contractor that offers a variety of services. Even if you don’t need a majority of the offerings, the wider variety a company offers the more experience and skill it has. Your HVAC contractor should be able to install new heating and air conditioning units when necessary and maintain them throughout their expected life. The contractor should also be able to maintain your existing unit. The contractor should perform air duct and air filter maintenance and repair, too, as this is crucial.
All technicians should be properly certified, insured, and licensed to install and maintain dual fuel, forced air, gas furnace with central air, heat pump, hybrid, zoned cooling and heating, or other systems. The technician can discuss your concerns with you, inspect your living space, and determine the best heating and cooling system for your home. This includes the size and power of your unit. His primary concern should be to enhance the indoor comfort of your abode for you and your family.
Finally, reliable heating and air conditioning contractors will help you improve the indoor air quality to make certain you and your family remains happy and healthy all year long. Nothing is worse than suffering from allergies and/or illness caused by your indoor environment. If you think all of this will cost you an arm and a leg, think again. Reliable HVAC contractors will take costs into account and work with your budget.