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

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

When they schedule 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 ensure it meets all of your local codes.

HVAC system installation is not a do-it-yourself affair and a successful installation requires a contractor that is skilled in many 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 top-of-the-line performance.

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

Do they have NATE-Certification?

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 created by a committee of industry authorities. 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 in-depth 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 talk to and confirm the quality of their company’s work. Chat with 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 check out the consumer ratings of an HVAC contractor and you’ll be shown 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 way is crowdsourcing referrals from your friends and neighbors or on your social media networks. These are typically 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 on positive word-of-mouth, so if someone you trust recommends them it’s likely they’ll do good work for you too.

Have you verified they’re 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 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 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 better to look elsewhere to help get around any potential concerns.

When should you ask about these questions?

The best time to ask questions and find an HVAC contractor is right now, before something happens to your system. Get your furnace checked out while it’s running as usual and set up your yearly maintenance.

Your family’s health, comfort and safety is our business at J.L. Brady Company LLC in Moline. Our HVAC professionals would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. Call us at 309-517-7511. We look forward to becoming your partner in keeping your system running safely and efficiently.