With more than 88% of American homes relying on air conditioning, you might find yourself in need of a new unit. As you look for air conditioning installation near you, you’ve probably come across dozens of HVAC technicians.
With so many options to choose from, how do you select the best company for your HVAC needs? There are multiple items to consider, including cost, reputation, experience, and more. You can even check out social media pages to see what other customers are saying and how prospective HVAC companies stack up with the competition.
This helpful guide explains what to look for in an HVAC company so you can make the most informed decision. Let’s begin!
Reputation Is Key
A great reputation is the first thing to look for when hiring an HVAC company to install an air conditioner in your home. You should always check their reviews on Google, Yelp, social media pages, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and more.
If you see that a company has BBB accreditation, you can feel confident using them. But first, check to see what their ratings are and look for anyone with 4-5 star reviews from customers and a B+ rating with the BBB or higher.
You can also look to see if anyone has filed any complaints with the BBB against the company you’re researching before you hire them.
Are They Certified and Licensed?
You can usually find the answer to this question by checking out an HVAC company’s website. However, if you can’t find the information, you can conduct a quick Google search or just ask the company for their licensing information when you speak with a representative.
No matter what state you reside in, an HVAC company needs to be licensed and insured for safety reasons, and this information should be readily available to you. If a company refuses to give you this information, don’t work with them. You can also ask to see about additional licenses or certificates that your prospective HVAC company might have.
Emergency Services
As you look to beat the heat (and with summer temperatures on the rise), you need an HVAC company that offers emergency services should your air conditioner malfunction. This includes nights, weekends, holidays, and more.
If your HVAC company offers 24/7 emergency services, be sure to ask what they charge for these after-hours services so you know ahead of time. You should also ask if there’s a special phone number you’d call after business hours.
Are They Knowledgeable?
Your HVAC technician should be knowledgeable and, if you suspect they don’t know what they’re talking about, take this as a red flag. Always ask to speak to a technician before they come to your home and charge you a service call.
You can ask questions about the type of available air conditioning units, their pros and cons, the cost to install them, and more. If they can’t answer all your questions, you should consider looking for a new HVAC company to contact (or at least ask to speak to a different technician).
Financing
The average cost to install central air can be as high as $8,000. Your location, product availability, and the size of your home all play a role in what you’ll spend.
For this reason, you need an HVAC company that is affordable and offers financing. Don’t be afraid to receive several estimates before making the decision to hire an HVAC company for this type of job.
The ideal contractor will be flexible and offer you some type of payment option. They may also have coupons available or different types of savings.
The lowest offer you receive might not be the best offer — think back to the adage of getting what you pay for. This doesn’t mean you want to accept the highest offer, either. Look for someone priced in the middle.
Home Inspections
An experienced HVAC company should always come to your home to assess the exact type of AC system you need. If they give you estimates over the phone, you might wind up paying more after the work is complete (and be completely unprepared for the bill). Look for companies that offer free estimates and always get your estimate in writing.
Exceptional Customer Service
Look for companies that focus on customer service. If you have an issue arranging a time for a technician to give you an estimate, think of the hassle you’ll deal with come installation day.
Whoever you speak with should return your calls promptly, have accurate information to provide you with, and be polite and professional.
Experience
If you’re trying to choose between two companies, it may come down to experience. The longer a company has been in business, the more knowledgeable they are. This might mean you’ll work with a technician who has the skills to complete a job quicker, so always ask for the most experienced technician a company has.
Professional Air Conditioning Installation
As you look for air conditioning installation, follow the tips and tricks in this helpful guide. Work with experienced technicians and always check that your HVAC company is licensed and insured. You should also look for reviews online to see what people are saying about the HVAC company you want to hire.
No matter what type of HVAC services you need, Premier Comfort can help. We offer air conditioning, heating, heat pumps, and more. We also offer financing and special coupons and rebates. Contact us today to set up a time to meet with one of our experienced technicians.
