When contracting with an HVAC company, there are several things to look for. Before choosing a contractor, one must first decide on the main areas of repair, remodeling, and general maintenance. These three topics are usually the basis for interviewing potential contractors.
Interviewing an HVAC contractor begins with a complete review of the heating, cooling, and plumbing systems in the home. In addition, a thorough check of the furnace, water heater, and the hot water tank is necessary to ensure that these critical systems are operating properly. Additionally, routine maintenance must be performed on all refrigeration units, air conditioners, and heaters to ensure optimal efficiency.
Interviewing HVAC contractors begins by checking to see if the contractor works with qualified technicians. Interviewing technicians, who will be working in the HVAC system, ensures that the contractor has knowledge of repair jobs and understands how to do them correctly. After an interview, it’s time to request periodic inspections from the HVAC company. Repair and inspection tasks vary depending on the size and age of the heating, cooling, and plumbing components.
Once HVAC contractors are decided, interviewing them continues with specifics about the services offered. One must decide what types of repairs and maintenance are necessary, and what services the homeowner needs. For example, a homeowner might require the services of HVAC technicians to troubleshoot and repair the furnace and ductwork; whereas, other homeowners may be in need of HVAC technicians to perform routine maintenance on their air conditioning unit.
Once HVAC technicians have been hired, homeowners must determine what appliances or equipment they need to be repaired or replaced. If homeowners are replacing appliances, it’s essential to find out which ones need replacement or are near the end of their lifespan. By knowing the average lifespan of various appliances, HVAC contractors can determine if they should repair heating and cooling systems as well. Since many companies offer a lifetime warranty on their heating and cooling products, this is an important factor to consider before hiring a contractor.
The homeowner should also consider whether HVAC contractors should be called for routine maintenance, or if they should be called in for emergency situations. Some HVAC systems are designed to operate at normal operation without regular maintenance. In these cases, it’s not necessary to call in HVAC technicians on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The homeowner can self-insure by checking for leaks or faulty connections every month. Newer HVAC products feature advanced technology that makes it easier to detect problems. However, some HVAC products, such as ductwork and air conditioning filters, are extremely sensitive to damage and cannot be repaired by a novice.
When contacting HVAC contractors, it’s important to ask what type of training they have. While there are numerous HVAC technicians who have no experience at all in repairing or maintaining heating systems, there are plenty of highly skilled professionals with years of experience. For instance, an experienced contractor will usually begin by performing a visual inspection of the air conditioning system to determine its overall condition. If there are any obvious issues, such as leaking ductwork or faulty air conditioning units, the contractor will then be able to determine if a replacement is necessary.
Once HVAC contractors are decided on, the homeowner should inquire about scheduling a free consultation. Many contractors offer consultations free of charge, and this is a great way to learn more about the services they provide. During the consultation, the technician will be able to estimate the cost of the repair job. Some contractors require detailed measurements, such as for the ductwork, and some simply ask for a written list of items needing repair. If the homeowner has any specific ideas about how the money saved from buying a new furnace could be used to repair other parts of the house, the technician can let them know.