Heating and cooling systems are something that many people take for granted—that is, at least until these systems begin to experience issues. Going even just a few days without air conditioning in the heat of summer can often be unbearable.
If you live in a place that experiences four distinct seasons, such as Colorado, then having a reliable heating and cooling service provider on hand is an absolute must. In order to make sure all future HVAC problems are resolved as quickly as possible, it may be a good idea to select an HVAC company in advance.
Because HVAC systems exist in nearly every modern building, there are naturally many different service companies available for you to choose from. However, due to the fact that many of these companies appear quite similar to one another, identifying the provider that can best meet your needs can sometimes be rather difficult.
In this article, we will discuss the most important things for you to think about when selecting an HVAC service provider. By comparing your options and keeping this important checklist in mind, you can ensure you’ll have a comfortable living environment throughout the course of the year.
1. Full List of Services
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Naturally, instead of trying to find someone who to address each of these needs independently, you’ll be much better off finding a company who is capable of addressing all of these things at once. Making sure that your service provider is capable of taking care of related systems—thermostats, boilers, hot water heaters, swamp coolers, mini splits, etc.—will also help you get a much more thorough and complete service experience. Each of these systems are an essential part of your home’s overall well-being, meaning they probably should not be ignored.
2. Free In-Home Estimates
One of the first signs that a company you are considering working with will be problematic is when they ask you to commit to paying before telling you how much a new system or repair will actually cost. The best HVAC companies, on the other hand, are the ones who can stand by their product and offer a free in-home estimate. By coming up with a fair estimate and educating their clients why things cost what they cost, these companies can create a relationship based on trust and understanding. In the end, both parties will be better off.
3. Reasonable Prices
In addition to being told what you can expect to pay, you will also want to make sure that the estimate you received was actually reasonable. Because of this, we recommend getting an estimate from at least two different HVAC service providers before making any final decisions. If there is a company you are set on working with, having another estimate in hand may at least be helpful during the negotiation process. The price range for services within this industry is relatively wide, meaning it will be especially important to work to make sure you are getting a good deal.
4. Positive Reviews
While reading a company’s website can be a great way to learn more about their services, you are not exactly getting your information from an unbiased source. Because of this, you may want to put in the effort to read reviews from actual customers. These reviews can help you identify red flags such as faulty servicing, inconsistent pricing, systems issues, and various others. They can also help you learn about additional benefits and savings opportunities you may have otherwise not known about.
5. Experience in the Industry
Obviously, you probably don’t want to be the first home that the HVAC company you’re considering ever services. Instead, you are going to want to choose a partner that has substantial experience and actually knows the ins and outs of the industry. Most companies will tell you all about their background and time in the industry directly on their website. Reading about their level of experience, the company history, and any industry awards they’ve received can help you be much more confident in your final decision.
6. Licenses and Certifications
Making sure that each HVAC company you are considering is properly licensed and certified can help you avoid potential problems in the future. One of the certificates you should be looking for is the North American Technician Excellence certificate (also known as the “NATE” certificate). This certificate shows that the firm has received training that enables them to provide reliable, safe, and energy efficient HVAC solutions. Verification requirements may vary by state—you may want to look into the requirements that are specific to your area.
7. Detailed Tune-Ups
Beyond getting a good deal on your HVAC service, you will also want to make sure that you are getting a very thorough servicing as well. Otherwise, you may need to get help repairing your systems multiple times each year. Most service providers will gladly tell you about the multi-point tune-ups they are able to provide. These tune-ups typically involve a wide range of steps, including looking for common safety hazards, cleaning essential parts, testing emissions, and various others. The more detailed this process becomes, the more likely your HVAC systems will be able to remain intact.
8. Ability to Answer Questions
Lastly, as you will quickly discover when comparing available service providers in any industry, communication is one of the most important things to look for in a service provider. By making sure that each company you are considering can actively answer your questions, you can be confident that you are receiving the level of service you require.
· What is your experience in the HVAC industry?
· What systems are you currently able to service?
· Do you currently offer any pricing specials?
· Do you offer any discounts for bundling furnace and A/C tune-ups together?
· What does a system “tune-up” actually involve?
· How long do these services typically take to complete?
· Why should we choose you as our HVAC service provider?
By getting your questions answered in advance, you can make a final decision and quickly be on your way. Those in the HVAC industry know that the industry itself is far from intuitive—having a lot of questions about how these processes work is incredibly common.
Conclusion
While you are certainly hoping to have your HVAC system up and running as soon as you possibly can, that doesn’t mean you should hastily decide which company you end up working with. By taking the time to do just a little bit of research and get a few competitive quotes, you should be able to get the results you’ve been hoping for.
