How To Choose The Right HVAC Company

Most Arizonans agree that when your heating and air conditioning system fails, it’s almost always on the hottest or coldest day of the year. They also know that’s why it’s so important to have a good, professional, trustworthy and reliable HVAC company on speed dial.

The best HVAC contractors are helpful, reliable and focused on getting you up and running again as swiftly as possible, but a poor contractor can cost you money and time while creating years of issues.

Good word of mouth will go a long way toward helping you find the best professionals in your area, but there are some other factors you should bear in mind when it comes to selecting a great HVAC company.

Create a list of candidates and call the Better Business Bureau to check on their reputations. Likewise, since all HVAC installations require permits, your local city inspectors office will know which companies do things the right way and who cuts corners or produces shoddy results. Do they pull permits on all jobs, or only when they must, to avoid inspections where possible?

Online reviews are increasingly vital to customers. What do previous customers think? Google Reviews are some of the most trusted, since users must be logged in so companies cannot fake them. Beware of review sites that companies can pay in order to remove bad reviews. Make sure the company you select has not only a high average score out of five, but also a high number of reviews. This implies they have been around a long time and have a large customer base reviewing them.

How is their relationship with suppliers and manufacturers? During the Arizona summer, replacement parts can be in short supply. While a larger, more professional company will have more stock and great communication with their local supplier representative, and may even get them to your home if there was ever an equipment issue, smaller companies can often spend hours or days attempting to get answers or order parts, leaving you uncomfortable and frustrated.

If you are purchasing new equipment, find out if you need a separate service contractor or if routine maintenance and warranties are included in the price of installation. Do they have enough resources and employees to service you in good time? Or will they install your new system and disappear?

High quality HVAC companies are fully licensed, bonded and insured. If a worker is injured or causes damage to your property, that insurance should cover it. Otherwise, you could be liable for the damages.

Reputable HVAC companies will usually belong to recognized professional and trade organizations such as NATE or Arizona Construction Trades.

Have a heat load calculation done before installing a new system in any building. The best companies perform a thorough calculation rather than simply guessing based on square footage. It will affect the efficiency of any equipment. The HVAC company shouldn’t simply use the old unit to determine the proper size of a new one. If your old unit was inadequate, you may want to install a unit that is a different size. Speak with your HVAC installer to determine the right size and model for you.

Other tips include visiting the potential contractor’s office. Is it neat and professional, messy – or even worse – operating out of the owner’s garage?

Do employees wear booties on their feet to keep your floors clean? Are they drug tested and background checked? Are employees polite and professional when you call?

Do they focus just on the air conditioner, or pay attention to your whole home – cold and hot spots, air quality, allergies and energy efficiency? Are they participating contractors who can provide TEP or Unisource energy efficiency rebates?

How long have they been in business? Since buying a new system can be a 10-15 year partnership, ensure you select a contractor who has a long track record of success and is likely to still be in business years from now when you need them.

With these tips, you can choose a reliable HVAC business that will support your home comfort without pain or frustration.