No important decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of picking 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. You’ll need to find a contractor that is highly skilled in a number of 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 isn’t getting a top-of-the-line installation, you’re more likely to get inferior performance from your system.
The professionals at Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning 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?
If you’re looking to work with a company they should be able to give you a list of recent customers that can verify the quality of their work. From there you can call and ask them about their recent HVAC projects, if they are pleased with the results and if they would work with 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 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 knowledge of over 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors that are a part of ACCA are serious about their profession and will enthusiastically provide you with referrals.
Another option option is enlisting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are coming from people you know and trust. You’ll most likely not only get feedback on what contractors to use, but also who to avoid. If you’re looking for recommendations 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 trust 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 developed by a committee of the top industry experts.
Are they properly licensed and insured?
Almost all states require licensure for HVAC contractors. This assists in protecting consumers from companies that use less than qualified workers. A short 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 prevent any issues.
When to ask these questions?
The perfect time to find a quality HVAC contractor is prior to a breakdown. If you get your system checked when it’s operating properly and get your annual maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
A relationship built on trust and experience is important to us at Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning in York. Our professionals will happily answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 717-383-4479 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.