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

First, select 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 select.

When they arrange 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 a number of 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 not installed correctly you may not get the best performance.

Here are a few other questions to help you make the best selection while researching your HVAC contractor.

Are They Certified?

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

Have you seen references or referrals?

A professional HVAC company should be able to provide you with a list of recent customers that you can chat with and verify the quality of their company’s work. Call 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 look at the consumer ratings of an HVAC contractor and you’ll view 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 trade and will be able to provide referrals for previous work.

Another route is crowdsourcing referrals from your friends and neighbors or on your social media networks. These are normally the most valuable recommendations because they are coming from people you know. You’ll find out who to talk with 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 backs 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 nearly all of them do. It’s easy to search online to determine if your state requires a license so you know whether or not to ask for one when receiving quotes from a contractor. The reason a lot of states require licenses is simply to guard 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 best to look elsewhere to help get around any potential problems.

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 checked out while it’s operating as usual and schedule your yearly maintenance.

Your family’s health, comfort and safety is our business at Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling in Athol. Our HVAC experts would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. Call us at 208-561-1226. We look forward to becoming your partner in keeping your system running safely and efficiently.