No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of choosing an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to secure a contractor that will listen to you and make certain they are meeting all your home comfort needs.
HVAC installation is not something you want to try to DIY. It’s important to secure a contractor that is highly skilled in multiple areas. They will figure out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to make sure local codes are met, check piping and plenty of steps in-between. If your top-of-the-line system doesn’t get a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get inferior performance from your system.
The team at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc have put together some questions to ask to guide you on your quest of finding your ideal HVAC contractor.
Do they have references or referrals?
When deciding to work with a company they should be able to give you a list of recent customers that can authenticate the quality of their work. Once you receive that you can call and find out about their recent HVAC projects, if they are happy with the results and if they would hire 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. Searching a contractor on BBB will allow you to read through 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 happily provide you with referrals.
An additional option is asking for the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are coming from 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 suggestions from your neighbors, nextdoor.com is literally a a social network comprised only of your neighbors.
Are they NATE-certified?
If your contractor is NATE-certified you can have confidence 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. Before becoming NATE-certified a technician has to pass specialized and real-world tests that were created by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Almost every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This provides protection for consumers from companies that use less than qualified workers. A simple online search will show you whether your state requires a license or not. If you are living in a state the 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 find a quality HVAC contractor is before anything breaks down. If you get your system checked when it’s functioning properly and get your annual maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Relationships built on trust and experience is important to us at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc in Oxford. Our professionals would be happy to answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 662-281-1231 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.