Choosing an HVAC contractor is an important decision that you shouldn’t decide upon without doing some investigating to make sure you’re making the right choice.

First, select a contractor who will ask you about your wants and needs and actually listen to you. With that tidbit, they should be able to offer up to four options from which you can pick.

When they set up your installation, is it when you wish to have it done, or when they can get to it? Will your contractor pull a permit on every job? Doing so will make certain that it meets all of your local codes.

HVAC system installation is not something you can do yourself and a successful installation requires a contractor that is skilled in many areas, from load calculation to piping and a bunch of steps in between. You could get the top-of-the-line system, but if it’s improperly installed you may not get top-of-the-line performance.

Here are some other questions to help you make the best decision while finding your HVAC contractor.

Are they NATE-certified?

NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is the largest nonprofit certification organization for HVAC technicians. Certified technicians have demonstrated their knowledge in the HVAC industry by passing real-world and thorough tests designed by a committee of industry authorities. NATE-certified contractors have met the highest industry standards for knowledgeable installation and service. NATE certification will give you peace of mind knowing your contractor has completed rigorous professional training.

Do you have access to references or referrals?

A professional HVAC company should be able to provide you with a list of recent customers that you can talk to and tell you about the quality of their company’s work. Chat with their list of references and ask about their project and if they’d recommend the company.

There are also official sources online such as the Better Business Bureau and ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). The BBB allows you to read the consumer ratings of an HVAC contractor and you’ll have the ability to see any customer complaints against a company. The ACCA is a nonprofit organization of more than 60,000 professionals and 4,000 businesses. Contractors found on ACCA are sure to be serious about their work and will be able to provide referrals for previous work.

Another option is crowdsourcing referrals from your friends and neighbors or on your social media networks. These are normally the most useful recommendations because they are coming from people you know. You’ll find out who to check out and which contractors to avoid. If you’re on nextdoor.com you can literally ask for recommendations from people right next door. Contractors count on positive word-of-mouth, so if someone you trust stands by them it’s likely they’ll do good work for you too.

Do you know if they’re licensed and insured?

Not all states require licensure for heating and cooling contractors, but nearly all of them do. It’s easy to search online to find out if your state requires a license so you know whether or not to ask for one when gathering quotes from a contractor. The reason a lot of states require licenses is simply to keep you from using a company that uses less than qualified workers.

If you live in a state that requires licenses and the contractor you’re talking to doesn’t have one, it’s probably better to look elsewhere to help get around any potential issues.

When do I bring up these questions?

The best time to ask questions and pick an HVAC contractor is right now, before something happens to your system. Get your furnace inspected while it’s operating properly and set up your annual maintenance.

Your family’s health, comfort and safety is our business at Age Heating & Cooling in Sandpoint. Our HVAC experts would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. Call us at 208-603-2210. We look forward to becoming your partner in keeping your system running safely and efficiently.