Finding the right air conditioning repair company from the dozens of them on the market can be a challenge for many. The process doesn’t necessarily have to be as complicated as many would like to think. Outlined below are a few tips on finding the right HVAC contractor and some of the critical factors to consider. 

 

Has your air conditioner not been working well lately? Maybe it’s not shutting off? Or maybe your AC is leaking water or not cooling your house properly? Have you tried troubleshooting it to no avail? It’s time to call in a certified HVAC contractor. An HVAC contractor comes professionally trained to handle everything related to the air conditioner, hence your best bet to getting your AC unit up and running again. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) companies are experts in installing, repairing, and maintaining air conditioning and heating systems. These companies have what it takes to install and service your HVAC system, leaving it in the best working condition possible. 

1. Find A Reputable Air Conditioning Repair Company  

i. Ask your friends and family for recommendations: This is one of the easiest ways to find a good contractor. If any of them have used one before, they definitely will share the contacts with you. While they (your friend or family) might have been satisfied with their work, this isn’t a guarantee you will. However, it is an excellent starting point. 

 

ii. Search online: Most HVAC companies have an online presence. Running a search on your favourite search engine for HVAC companies should give you dozens of hits. Type “AC repair companies near me” or “HVAC contractor near me” and hit search.  

 

iii. Search in online directories: Angie’s List, Yellow Pages, Yelp, and the BBB are great places to start. 

 

iv. Request recommendations on Facebook and other social networking platforms. 

 

Watch below the top ten central air AC problems and how to troubleshoot the most common AC problems.

 

2. Call an AC Repair Company

With the list of potential contractors for the job, now is time to call each to learn more about them. You only need to ask the right questions during the call. It’s worth noting that the technicians will need access to your home – ensure everyone inside will be safe with the technicians around. 

 

What Happens When You Call an Air Conditioning Repair Company?

Most HVAC companies will have a representative ready to answer your call. Introduce yourself first, then ask if they offer HVAC-related services (to be sure). Once confirmed, ask about their services and everything else related to such. Some of the things you’ll need to verify with the representative before setting up a service call include: 

 

a. How long they have been in business

b. Are they licensed and insured?

c. Has the Better Business Bureau granted them an A+ rating?

d. Do they run background checks on all their technicians and employees?

e. Are the technicians’ drug tested? 

3. Request for An AC Installation Estimate or AC Repairs

Only do this after doing your due diligence and with the company you’ve shortlisted. Be sure to request a visit on the first phone call too. 

 

What Happens on Their First Visit? 

• See if they arrived on time.
• Confirm the identity of the technicians (See if they display their credentials and confirm their Photo ID matches).
• Verify they indeed work with the company you booked
• Keep an eye on the technician throughout their visit. Please pay attention to what they do.

While this amount of detail may seem unnecessary, it isn’t. Remember, you’re allowing strangers into your home; hence you need to know something about them before letting them in. Knowledge will help protect you from con artists masquerading as techs. 

4. Ask The Technician Some Questions

While it would be advisable to ask questions in some areas, especially if it is a large project, it isn’t necessarily for minor repairs and maintenance tasks. Some of the questions you can ask for more significant projects include: 

 

• Do they handle all permits?
• Will the system be the right size for my house/office according to the load calculation?
• Will you check for leaks in the ductwork?
• Are guarantees 100%? 
• Does the manufacturer warranty cover all system parts? 
• Do the warranties have limits?

5. Understand HVAC Guarantees and Warranties

Every component of an HVAC unit, from venting, air conditioning and heating, plays a crucial role in ensuring the system performs optimally. The furnace or air compressor can be and is quite expensive. That said, you want to understand the warranties and guarantees that come with every new installation (furnace, air handler, furnace repair, ductwork, HVAC repair, etc.). A technician may make a mistake causing the components to fail prematurely or worse. You thus want to know the manufacturer warranties and contractor guarantees. 

 

If the company covers money-back guarantees on labour or products, get it in writing. Understand the validity of the guarantee and know precisely when it will expire. Will the company pay 100% moneyback, or does it reduce by a certain percentage over time? The equipment warranties should last a couple of years as well. 

 

Check to see if the company covers damage to your property during installation. Accidents can happen on-site, such as the technicians accidentally damaging the door as they maneuver around. Confirming that they’ll indeed foot repair costs should this happen would be a wise move. 

 

Confirm what temperatures the HVAC system will be able to deliver. A good air conditioner should live as per the parameters set to help keep your home as comfortable as possible. While HVAC equipment can have limitations, it should at least be able to cool your home, especially if it is blazing hot outside. 

Conclusion – Finding the Right Air Conditioning Company

Many people take their HVAC system for granted, not until a component breaks down, exposing them to harsh weather elements. Even though the contractors did an excellent job with the installations and installed the right sized system for your home, neglecting it even for a few months will cause it to start malfunctioning. Regular servicing and maintenance are the keys to ensuring that the system performs optimally for many years. All you need to do is find a good HVAC contractor to handle the installation and perform regular servicing to keep it at its optimal working condition.