In our last blog we mentioned the importance of having an in-home visit by a trained HVAC professional contractor to help you choose the right central heating and cooling system for your home and to ensure the system is installed correctly and safely. Today we here at GAMA Air want to provide some tips to help you select the right HVAC professional contractor so your family is comfortable and happy.
Three important topics to analyze in a potential HVAC Contractor
Reputation – A professional HVAC Contractor will always have a good reputation. Ask for a list of customers and check out the references. You may even wish to call the Better Business Bureau to see what information they have on the contractor. Contractors who are members of professional contractor groups (such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and/or the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association) are more likely to be committed to professional standards and ethical business practices. You can also call the Wholesale Distributor in your area for names of dependable, reputable contractors.
Credentials – It is important to question a potential contractor about certifications. Most states, provinces, cities, and towns require HVAC contractors to be licensed. You should check the local requirements and be sure your contractor has the required certifications. You should also ask about recent training received (all professional contractors regularly invest in professional HVAC technical training to stay current). The HVAC industry’s leading authority for technical certification of HVAC technicians is North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification. The NATE certification program is the only one of its kind that’s operated, owned, developed and governed by the HVAC/R industry. When a professional HVAC technician holds a NATE certification, you can have confidence that this individual is highly experienced, well-trained and knowledgeable in his or her field. The best contractors have some level of NATE certification and proudly display their credentials on their websites and in their advertising.
Commitment – A professional contractor should also be someone you see as active, present, and involved in your local community. That is, you want a contractor who is close by, who cares about your needs, who has a commitment to your community, and is able to provide fast, dependable, convenient service when you and your family need it. So look for a contractor who will be there in your hometown tomorrow to help maintain and service what you purchase today.
We hope this information helps. Stay tuned for our next blog where we’ll provide you a list of 20 questions to ask a potential HVAC contractor before you decide to sign the dotted line.
And if you have additional questions or concerns that just can’t wait, give us a call here at (310) 651-6936 or use our online form to schedule a visit. We want to help you choose the best HVAC contractor for your needs.
Do you have other questions about your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner? Visit our “Ask an Expert” page, fill out the form, and our resident expert will get back to you quickly.