No big decision should be made without first doing your homework, that includes the decision of deciding on an HVAC contractor. You’ll want to find a contractor that will listen to you and ensure 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 many areas. They will figure out your home’s load calculation, pull permits to ensure local codes are met, check piping and a bunch 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 mediocre performance from your system.
The team at Faust Air Conditioning and Heating 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?
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 pleased with the results and if they would work with the company again in the future.
There are other sources you can look into like the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and the Better Business Bureau. Looking up a contractor on BBB will allow you to look through consumer ratings and will also show you any customer complaints lodged against a company. The ACCA is a non-profit that enlists the know-how 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.
An additional option is requesting the help of your friends on social media. These recommendations are given by 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 your neighborhood’s own social media site.
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. To achieve NATE-certification 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?
Just about every state requires licensure for HVAC contractors. This provides protection for 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 avoid 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 functioning properly and get your regular maintenance scheduled to keep it running properly.
Building a relationship based on trust and experience is important to us at Faust Air Conditioning and Heating in Wharton. Our professionals will gladly answer any questions you may have about home comfort. Give us a call at 979-323-6130 or set up an appointment with us using our online scheduler.