The heating and cooling system industry can be complicated but is always in demand. Believe it or not, the HVAC system is considered to be one of the most complex systems that can be found in a home. It is vital that the local HVAC company you hire is highly trained and experienced to handle the most inherent safety aspects in the heating systems, including oil, natural gas, and electricity of the cooling systems which use toxic refrigerants like Freon.
A few years ago, before air conditioning at home was an issue, the job was known as “ductwork” or furnace repair was just an afterthought because the heat used to rise naturally and airflow was properly understood. Currently, ventilation is a technology in itself.
A local HVAC company will play a major part in your home’s safety, quality, and comfort. The following are some factors that you should consider when finding a reputable HVAC company in your area.
Requirements of the HVAC Contractor
Experience is a very important aspect to consider when hiring a qualified HVAC contractor. In most cases, you should only go for contractors with a minimum of 2 to 5 years’ experience working with the best HVAC systems. Experience is vital because the HVAC contractor should have a competent knowledge of how critical components such as airflow via the heating ducts, combustion systems, refrigerant, and electrical wiring all work together to add HVAC comfort to your home.
Besides the importance of comfort, safety is also vital–understanding the correct operations of home ventilation and exhaust systems when functioning with the furnace is critical to preventing injury or death from things like carbon monoxide poisoning, which can easily happen in case the HVAC system is incorrectly fitted or malfunctioning.
Check Licenses
Most states require HVAC companies to be licensed and most governments offer working license look-up sites where people can check the functionality of their HVAC company’s license. At times, individual municipalities and cities have their requirements for the HVAC companies.
Because HVAC work requires installing and renovating plumbing to deliver natural gas to the heating equipment, the HVAC contractor is also required to have a plumbers license or have the licensed plumber available for work.
Questions You Should Ask
If your furnace just malfunctioned or the air conditioner just died on a hot summer day? you will typically be happy to hire any local repairman who comes calling. However, if you are planning a costly or major upgrade to your home’s HVAC system, you should consider taking enough time to research and ultimately interview a few HVAC companies before you decide to hire one.
When interviewing local HVAC companies, always remember to ask about:
- Insurance, bond, and license
- References
- Estimates
- Brands carried
- Payment schedule
- Rebates or tax credits
- Experience with the system
- Service contracts
- Their previous contracts
Final Thoughts
The most important thing you need to do when trying to find a reputable local HVAC company is research and follow due diligence. We hope that all the tips outlined above will make it very easy for you to find one.
