Hiring the Right HVAC Contractor: 6 Tips That Will Ensure Success

Like a roof that doesn’t leak, a reliable cooling and heating system is a necessity. And to choose and maintain a home-comfort system that provides that reliability, you need the right HVAC contractor. If you’re looking for an expert HVAC contractor who will deliver the expertise you need, here are six tips to get you started. 

1.  Begin your search by asking family, friends and coworkers who they use. If they highly recommend the same contractor, there’s a good chance you’ll be happy with that contractor, as well.
2. Expect your prospective contractor to come to your home. (Never trust an estimate given over the phone.) He should sit down with you and go over your requirements. He should also inspect your present system, along with your ductwork.
3. Your prospective contractors should explain the benefits of opting for high-efficiency equipment. Be wary of any contractor who tries to talk you into buying less-efficient equipment because it’s cheaper and he stands a better chance of winning your business.
4. Make sure any contractor you interview correctly sizes your system. He should use the industry-standard Manual J method to determine the size, and then he should use Manual D to determine the duct layout. Any rule-of-thumb calculation is a red flag. In addition, the size of your new system should never be based on what you have now. Many older systems are oversized. Chances are, you need a smaller system.
5. Any prospective contractor should provide you with a written bid, which should include the cost of the system itself, the labor cost and the other work details.
6. Anyone you interview should arrive promptly and be courteous. He should be willing to talk with you at length during this interview and answer all of your questions. If he seems distracted or annoyed with your questions, move on to the next candidate.

Have questions about cooling or heating your home? Contact the professionals at Mathews CCAC Inc. We proudly serve homeowners in the Coastal Bend area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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