HVAC is an abbreviation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. An HVAC contractor, therefore, specializes in the installation, repair, and maintenance of boilers, furnaces, heat pumps and central air conditioning units. If you have an HVAC system that is more than 10 years old, you are probably looking at doing a replacement in a couple of years. If you already have one that is newly installed, you want to ensure it is functioning at its optimal and this you do with scheduled annual maintenance. In other words, you will always need to have an HVAC consultant by your side in every stage of your life to help ensure all is running smoothly. Here are the top areas of consideration when searching for the right HVAC contractor.
Being amongst the most expensive units in a typical home, you cannot afford to have a quack working on your HVAC system now can you? At the very least you must ensure you are dealing with a highly qualified and experienced contractor that is fully knowledgeable on HVAC systems installation and maintenance. Most States require proper licensing for HVAC contractors and to obtain this license a contractor must have had several years of working experience before getting approved for licensure. Take note of the fact that experience doesn’t necessarily translate to being in the industry for the longest possible time. In this case, it could mean finding a stable HVAC company whose business has exhibited some high level of stability as this is an indicator that something is going right.
Any potential HVAC contractor should be in a position to conduct a thorough home evaluation to ensure the most appropriate heating and cooling solution is found. A good contractor should be thorough enough to factor in such things as square footage, R-value of insulation as well as the number of doors and windows that the home has. Once the evaluation is done, a prospective contractor should present you with a written, well-itemized estimate so you can compare costs, energy efficiency, warranties, etc. from different prospective candidates. Be advised that price alone has never an indicator of quality when it comes to HVAC systems. You may be surprised that an expensive unit with an efficient furnace can be very affordable in the long run with the consumption of less fuel.
You can always seek out referrals by asking neighbors, family, and friends or co-workers. You can also ask for recommendations from your local trade organizations or even talk to other contractors in the building and construction industry. The internet also has a huge role to play in helping you find reliable service providers near you.