How can I choose the right heating and air conditioning contractor?

For heating and cooling projects big or small, it’s critical that you select the right HVAC contractor. The value you receive, the efficiency and performance of your system, and your family’s comfort depend on it.

Qualities to look for

Licensing: Protect yourself by only working with licensed and insured HVAC technicians and installers. Choose a contractor who is licensed in your state, if required, and holds any necessary licenses for working in your city or county.

NATE-certification: NATE, or North American Technician Excellence, is an organization which certifies those in the HVAC industry. Technicians must pass rigorous testing in order to become certified, and re-certify every two years. NATE testing includes service and installation, as well as a number of specialties. Look for a contractor who employs NATE-certified technicians; they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide elite technical work as well as quality customer service.

Thorough inspection: In order to propose quality solutions which will meet your needs, heating and air conditioning contractors need to be thorough. They’ll need to inspect your home or equipment, ask you questions, and perform diagnostics in order to determine which products or services will best keep you comfortable; if a contractor will give you a quote without doing these things, they clearly are not thorough.

Written estimate: A good contractor will also be thorough in answering any questions you may have about the products or service they are offering! They will provide you with a written estimate so you can see exactly what you’ll be receiving — just upfront, honest pricing. Always ask for a written estimate when searching for the right heating and air conditioning contractor.

How to find a reputable HVAC contractor

When looking for a heating and cooling contractor, start your search by asking friends and relatives for recommendations. Turn to people you trust to give you honest opinions of contractors who they have worked with before. Good HVAC technicians and installers strive to provide excellent workmanship and customer service in order to gain the trust of their clients and future referrals; if a contractor has treated your friends or loved ones well in the past, you can expect the same service when working with them.

Many homeowners look to online review sites such as Yelp.com for information about heating and air conditioning contractors. When doing so, beware that the reviews, particularly negative ones, may not paint an accurate picture of the company. Instead of relying solely on the opinions of strangers, look to see if the contractor has responded to the claims, which will give you valuable clues regarding their character:

• Are they responding to both positive and negative reviews?
• Were their responses professional?
• Did they offer to discuss negative matters further with the reviewer?

For friendly and professional advice on the sales, service and maintenance of HVAC equipment; contact Parkers Heating and Cooling today or call us at 615-355-9137.