The heat of summer or the cold of winter can make your life unbearable – if you don’t have a properly functioning air condition system. And, even if you have a good HVAC system, its performance is bound to decline as the seasons come and go.
This is why you need to have a competent HVAC expert on speed dial.
However, hiring the best HVAC professional isn’t as easy as switching your AC on and off. There are over 118,000 HVAC contractors in the U.S., but they aren’t created equal. You want a contractor who’s not only good at fixing HVAC systems but also has excellent customer service skills.
Read on to learn how to hire the best HVAC contractor.
Create a Shortlist of HVAC Experts
The first step to hiring the best HVAC expert is to create a list of about 3 to 5 contractors. This way, you’ll be in a better position to assess the qualities of each and zero in on the best expert.
A good place to start when you’re looking for contractors to put on your list is asking your neighbors or friends. If someone has had a good experience with an HVAC contractor, they’ll recommend their services.
You can also go online and look up “best HVAC professional near me.” The search engine will return a page with links to the websites of some of the top-rated HVAC professionals in your area. Browsing through the website of an HVAC contractor should give you an indication as to whether they deserve a spot on your list.
Technical Competence
Installing, maintaining, or repairing HVAC systems isn’t a layman’s task. It takes great technical training to become a competent HVAC technician.
As such, when you’re hiring HVAC experts the first thing you should look at is their technical competence. You can tell how competent an HVAC technician is by their professional certification. While HVAC techs have the same basic training, some pursue certifications, such as the Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5), to add to their competence or specialize in a specific HVAC field.
Also, consider the level of experience an HVAC contractor wields before you hire them. Someone who’s new to the professional can do some jobs alright, but some complex jobs require a steady hand that can only be achieved through years of experience.
Is the HVAC Contractor Insured?
Whether you’re hiring an HVAC company or an independent HVAC contractor, it’s vital that they have adequate liability insurance.
HVAC installation or repair is a job with many risks, especially electrocution. With an insured HVAC contractor, you won’t worry about being liable for their on-site injuries.
Resourcefulness
Your ideal HVAC expert should be resourceful. You want someone who goes above and beyond.
An HVAC professional shouldn’t mind educating you about various issues regarding your AC, even after they have done the job you hired them to do. For instance, they can advise you on how to care for your system, including recommending some of the line set covers you can buy to protect your equipment from the elements.
Hire the Best HVAC Expert
When you set out to hire an HVAC expert, you want the best; a professional who will do a quality job. There’s a lot that goes into finding such a professional, but the indicators fleshed out above should point you in the right direction.
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