Choosing an HVAC contractor is an important decision that shouldn’t be made without doing some homework to make certain you’re making the correct choice.

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

When they schedule your installation, is it when you want it done, or when they can squeeze you in? 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 a DIY job and a successful installation requires a contractor that is skilled in a number of areas, from load calculation to piping and quite a few steps in between. You could get the top-of-the-line system, but if it’s installed incorrectly you may not get top-of-the-line performance.

Here are a couple other questions to help you make the best decision while searching for your HVAC contractor.

Are They Certified?

NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is the largest nonprofit certification organization for HVAC technicians. Certified technicians have verified their knowledge in the HVAC industry by passing real-world and thorough tests developed by a committee of industry experts. 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 intense professional training.

Have you seen references or referrals?

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

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 dedicated to their profession and will be able to offer referrals for previous work.

Another route is crowdsourcing referrals from your friends and neighbors or on your social media networks. These are usually 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 rely upon positive word-of-mouth, so if someone you trust recommends them it’s likely they’ll do reliable work for you too.

Are they properly licensed and insured?

Not all states require licensure for heating and cooling contractors, but almost all of them do. It’s easy to search online to see if your state requires a license so you know whether or not to ask for one when gathering quotes from a contractor. The reason many states require licenses is simply to protect 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 in your interest to look elsewhere to help circumvent any potential concerns.

When is the best time to ask these questions?

The best time to ask questions and find an HVAC contractor is right now, before something goes wrong with your system. Get your furnace checked out while it’s working properly and set up your yearly maintenance.

Your family’s health, comfort and safety is our business at Halverson Brothers Inc in Menomonie and western Wisconsin. Our HVAC experts would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. Call us at 715-352-4052. We look forward to becoming your partner in keeping your system running safely and efficiently.