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

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

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 something you can do yourself and a successful installation requires a contractor that is skilled in a variety of areas, from load calculation to piping and a lot 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 couple other questions to help you make the best choice 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 demonstrated their knowledge in the HVAC industry by passing real-world and rigorous tests developed by a committee of industry authorities. NATE-certified contractors have met the highest industry standards for knowledgeable installation and service. NATE certification will provide you peace of mind knowing your contractor has completed in-depth professional training.

Can they provide 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 tell you about the quality of their company’s work. Call their list of references and ask about their project and if they’d recommend them to you.

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 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 committed to their profession and will be able to provide referrals for previous work.

Another way is crowdsourcing referrals from your friends and neighbors or on your social media networks. These are usually the most valuable recommendations because they are coming from people you know. You’ll find out who to talk to 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 backs them it’s likely they’ll do great work for you too.

Have you verified they’re licensed and insured?

Not all states require licensure for heating and cooling contractors, but practically 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 getting quotes from a contractor. The reason most 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 concerns.

When should you ask about these questions?

The best time to ask questions and choose an HVAC contractor is right now, before something happens to your system. Get your furnace inspected while it’s running properly and schedule your yearly maintenance.

Your family’s health, comfort and safety is our business at Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation in Holbrook. Our HVAC experts would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. Call us at 631-460-5159. We look forward to becoming your partner in keeping your system running safely and efficiently.