How to Find a Quality Contractor

It’s never too soon to establish a relationship with a professional contractor. If you’re like most people, you take your heating and cooling system for granted until something goes wrong.

It’s a good idea to be ready, especially if your system is older. It’s also a good idea to have regular maintenance on your central air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace. Preventive maintenance saves you money in the long run by keeping your system at peak operating efficiency and prolongs the equipment’s life.

A quality heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) contractor …

• Complies with state and local codes and regulations and carries the proper business and workers' compensation insurance.

• Is prompt, courteous and provides fast, reliable service while attempting to perform service at your convenience.

• Has the skill and knowledge to not only service your equipment, but if necessary, to design and install the right system for you.

• Is up-to-date on the newest developments in equipment, technology, and design.

• Designs a system to suit your needs, selecting each part of the system individually so that everything works at top efficiency to provide the comfort you need.

• Listens to your problems and cares about your comfort.

• Finds out if any rooms are too drafty or dry during the winter, or too hot or damp in the summer.

• Helps determine if your home or building is prone to indoor air pollution problems, which can be caused by bio-organisms, resins, vapors, insufficient air turnover, or high humidity.

• Asks you if anyone in your home has allergies and recommends heating and air conditioning system accessories that may prevent or alleviate the conditions that adversely affect health and comfort.

• Is concerned about protecting the environment. The chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used in air conditioners and heat pumps have been linked to the destruction of the earth’s ozone layer. A quality contractor won’t release the refrigerant into the atmosphere and is trained and certified in the proper techniques for recovering, recycling, reclaiming, and disposing of used refrigerant.

• Will show you how to care for your system and will explain how to change the filter and how to operate the thermostat. He or she will advise you about symptoms that could signal that there might be a problem with the equipment. He or she will let you know when your system should be serviced again.

• If you need a new system, will perform a Manual J® load calculation and explain any changes that might be necessary in your duct system, and give you advice that will help you make the best decision.

• Offers planned preventive maintenance service to maximize the life of your equipment and honors the terms of the warranty on the equipment throughout the warranty period.

• Will follow up with you to make certain that you are satisfied with the service and with your new system.

Remember that price is not the only thing to consider when you’re choosing an HVAC system. A quality contractor will tell you about energy efficiency, reliability, ease of maintenance, and, most important, how any particular system will affect your comfort and the quality of the air you breathe.

Sometimes a more expensive system will save you enough on your energy bills to warrant the up-front cost. People with allergies or asthma may need special air filters. Pets can also impact indoor air quality. A professional contractor takes all of these variables into consideration when designing or recommending a system that’s right for you.

Before You Sign on the Dotted Line …

• Ask the contractor for references. Find out if other customers were satisfied.

• Ask the contractor about his or her license. If a license is required in your area, ask for the license number.

• Ask the contractor if he or she is a member of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. ACCA members have access to the latest technical information regarding HVAC systems. Through ACCA, contractors learn how to make quality an integral part of their company operations.

• Ask the contractor if his or her technicians are certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), a voluntary certification program supported by ACCA and HVACR equipment manufacturers, contractors, and technicians themselves.

• Ask about ENERGY STAR®-qualified heating and cooling equipment!