When it’s time for the major change in seasons, i.e. summer to winter and vice versa, this is when you want to start assessing the functionality of your HVAC systems. There’s nothing worse than turning on your AC to warm your home, only to realize it’s blowing cold air, and you can’t find an available HVAC repair service.
Don’t make the mistake of leaving it to the last minute. During the spring or the fall is when you want to test out your HVAC system and decide whether it needs attention. DIY service or repair is also something you want to avoid as you don’t want to risk losing your warranty.
You will want to enlist the help of a professional to assist with proper maintenance and repairs. If you’re searching for the perfect HVAC services in Temple, TX for repair to your system, here’s how to settle on the right company for the job in any area local to you.
1. Look for Relevant HVAC Repair Experience
You know the saying ”you get what you pay for”? Well, this applies to almost any type of service you can hire. Just because an HVAC contractor charges you less, doesn’t mean that their service or experience is up-to-standard. And vice versa.
You can learn more here about what to expect from HVAC service and replacement costs.
What you want to look for when hiring an HVAC repair company is relevant experience for the repair or maintenance job you need. Any contractor worth their weight in gold should not hesitate to list their work experience and offer testimonials of their work.
Along with experience you also want to ensure the HVAC company and its employees have the right education behind them. Make sure they attended a recognized trade school (and actually graduated). Research how long their training lasted, their school grades, and the amount of experience they have since graduating.
Ask about any other apprentice work they’ve completed, additional courses, education, or notable work experience that’s worth mentioning.
2. Assess Their Technical Skills
Before you hire an HVAC company, you need to ensure they have the technical skills to vouch for their experience. While it’s all good and well to talk about work experience, how much of this experience resulted in top-quality workmanship?
Any well-trained HVAC contractor should list the following technical skills on their resume:
- Troubleshooting issues with both heating and cooling systems
- Thorough installation knowledge of heating and cooling systems
- Sourcing all HVAC-related issues with precision
- Having a thorough knowledge of the correct replacement parts for all repair work
- A detailed knowledge of how to replace and install these parts
- The safe and efficient handling of power tools
- Detailed knowledge on the maintenance of air and water treatments within your HVAC system
- A good knowledge of preventative maintenance
Not only this, but an HVAC contractor should also make mention of their level of customer service. Make sure that they pride themselves on the type of service they offer — it should be a priority to them!
3. Certifications Count
Remember that each state might have its own certification requirements for HVAC contractors to operate. It’s important that you have knowledge of what these certifications are before you hire them to work on your HVAC system.
For example, an important certification that all HVAC contractors should have is the EPA 608 Technician Certification. If this is not listed on their resume, this is a red flag!
Some certifications aren’t mandatory in order to operate. But the more certified a contractor is, the better peace of mind you have. Along with this, make sure you do your homework on contractor licensing, proof of insurance, and bonding relevant to your state.
All of this information should be readily available to you when you ask for proof of it. Always opt for an HVAC contractor with a NATE certification. This stands for North American Technical Excellence and says a lot about their knowledge and efficiency.
4. Do Some Research on Their Reputation
Reputation speaks volumes about what to expect from any type of contractor you hire. In fact, for any business out there, reputation is everything. When it comes to the reputation of the contractor you hire, make sure to do your own research, first.
One of the best resources for this is speaking directly to previous customers that your contractor worked with before you. As well as online review sites, such as Yelp and Google, and doing some research on the Better Business Bureau.
Your contractor should happily provide references when you ask for them.
5. Do They Offer a Free In-Home Estimate?
While this is not exactly a mandatory requirement, it still says so much about the type of service the contractor offers. You want to opt for an HVAC company, that goes above and beyond to secure your patronage.
Bear in mind that the in-home estimate should not be a half-and-half job, either. It should be detailed and include a thorough inspection of your home and HVAC equipment. If a contractor refuses to offer a free estimate, it’s worth moving on because there are plenty of others that will!
6. Their Service Should Be Versatile
You don’t want to hire a contractor that’s a one-trick pony. Any HVAC technician worth your time should be offering a complete range of HVAC services and have a decent amount of versatility when it comes to working with HVAC models, equipment, and different brands.
They should also have a decent knowledge of up-to-date, energy-efficient HVAC models and processes. This is a good sign that a contractor focuses on helping you save money, where you can.
7. Do They Offer Fair Pricing?
Finally, pricing is something you want to closely consider, too. As mentioned earlier, just because a contractor is cheaper than another, doesn’t mean you’ll get to same quality end-product.
The same goes for paying more. Some contractors might overcharge you in the hopes that it will translate to better quality workmanship. At the end of the day, their pricing should match up to what other reputable contractors offer. That’s why it’s important to get 2-3 estimates before you settle on one specific HVAC contractor.
If their pricing seems too good to be true — it generally is!
Take Charge of Your Household
If you’re in need of HVAC repair, don’t make the mistake of settling on any old contractor without doing your research beforehand. In the long run, it’s this research that can save you precious time and money.
If you’re a rookie homeowner and want to get on top of your home’s maintenance tasks, be sure to explore the rest of this site. We offer articles on household management, finance, health, entertainment, and more!
