6 Things You Want To Know Before You Contact an HVAC Contractor

Review These Six Questions Before Calling an HVAC Contractor

Keeping your HVAC system in working order is one of the most important elements of home maintenance. If you need help repairing or replacing your home’s system, you want to reach out to the right HVAC company. A company’s qualifications, expertise, and commitment to customer service are all key factors to consider. Work with a company that can help you identify practical, affordable solutions for your individual needs. Review these six things that you should know before you contact an HVAC company.



1. Does an HVAC Contractor Have a Professional License?

Working on residential HVAC systems requires advanced skills and technical know-how, so HVAC contractors must have an active professional license. California’s Contractors State License Board oversees the issuance and renewal of HVAC licenses. In order to qualify for this credential, a Santa Rosa HVAC contractor must have a minimum of four years of journeyman experience and also pass a comprehensive exam testing their proficiency

Professional licensure is especially important if the project that you need help with entails obtaining a permit from your local building department. On projects such as new HVAC installations, only a licensed contractor can pull a permit.

2. Does an HVAC Contractor Have a Good Track Record With Their Customers?

You should limit your search for an HVAC company to businesses that have solid, positive reviews from their previous customers. Most popular HVAC companies have built their businesses by providing consistent, outstanding service to homeowners. Look at a company’s website and check out their reviews on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau.

3. Are Estimates Free?

Not every HVAC company will prepare an estimate for free. It is common for companies to charge a service fee for any work that they do onsite, and that includes preparing an estimate. Also, some HVAC contractors will provide free estimates for only installations and not repairs. Find out who offers free estimates to avoid hidden costs.

4. Will an HVAC Company Match Competitors’ Prices on a New Installation?

Installing a new HVAC system is a considerable investment, so you want to ensure that a company will charge you fairly. Ideally, you should work with a company that offers a price match guarantee. This type of offer shows you that a company is confident that its pricing is competitive.

5. Is Financing Available?

With a major repair or a system replacement, a financing arrangement can make affording a big project more manageable. Find out if an HVAC contractor in Santa Rosa has financing options with zero interest or low-interest rates. That could enable you to budget for a project strategically and avoid having to delay urgent work.

6. Do You Need Help To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?

The energy that goes into cooling your home is likely to comprise a substantial percentage of your total energy usage. If your HVAC system has been losing efficiency and uses more electricity than it should, then your monthly utility bills can grow alarmingly high.

As contractors are determining what types of repair work a system needs, they have to consider how to make the system efficient, not just operable. For example, if a company advises a customer to replace a filter drier but does not recommend addressing a clogged evaporator coil that has not had service in years, the customer would not be getting the full benefit of the work that they have paid for. When air cannot flow freely through a system, a system will struggle to run efficiently and may run almost continuously to keep the inside of a home cool. Likewise, mismatching components tend to make systems extremely inefficient. Ultimately, HVAC contractors should recognize the importance of energy efficiency to their customers.

Review your energy usage over the past year and consider whether there have been big ups and downs as the weather has changed. If you see significant spikes in your bill, it may indicate that you need to take steps to make your system more energy efficient. Also, if you plan to purchase a new system, energy efficiency should be one of your top priorities. Work with a company that can offer you guidance about energy-efficient solutions.

Contact Next Level HVAC for help with your home’s HVAC system. Our team is ready to help with everything from routine maintenance to system replacements.