Finding Quality HVAC Companies

It can be daunting to find an HVAC company that you trust. The majority of HVAC professionals are honest and hardworking, but they can have different levels of knowledge, skills and pay structures. It is important to find a company that fits your specific needs and desires.

Hiring an HVAC company for yearly routine maintenance not only gives you an opportunity to establish a relationship before a new system is discussed, but also improves the life of your current system.

Routine maintenance is best done in late spring or early fall, as temperatures are not at extremes and HVAC companies are less busy. Maintenance may include checking the mechanical operations of system fans, cleaning the coils, ensuring proper airflow, checking the condition of the duct system and checking the refrigerant charge. By performing maintenance before the HVAC unit breaks, you will know that most components are functioning, and it will only be a matter of diagnosing and fixing specific problems. If you wait until the unit is no longer operating properly, you may be at the mercy of the technician’s diagnostic skills.

To find an HVAC company, ask friends and family members who have had recent HVAC work done. Also, check with the Better Business Bureau and read online reviews. Your electric utility may also provide HVAC maintenance or replacement programs that include rebates, preferred contractors and homeowner comments/ratings.

If possible, find an HVAC company that specializes in your brand of equipment. A good technician can work on any model, but a company that specializes in a particular brand is often able to purchase the parts cheaper than a company that does not sell that brand.

Additionally, request a technician that has attended a technical college or has been certified by a nationally recognized training provider, such as North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Ask for the individual’s name and ID number, and then contact NATE to verify his or her certification, knowledge and training. For more information about NATE, visit http://hvacradvice.com/.

Feeling confident about your HVAC company can ensure your system is getting appropriate care throughout its life, and especially in its later years.