Tips for Hiring a Quality HVAC Company

January 15th, 2020 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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Whenever you need a service professional, you want to ensure you choose a reliable, honest contractor. Your HVAC system is one of the most important systems in your home, and one of the most expensive. When hiring a HVAC company for installation, maintenance or repairs, you want to research more than just what they charge for a service. Here are some tips to choose a QUALITY HVAC service company that you can trust.

Local, Licensed and Insured

Check the basics first. You want a local company – they should have a local address and phone number – that is licensed and insured for your state. There are entities that offer HVAC services but may not have the licensing needed or insurance to cover workers or liability. You also want a local company that has been around for years, not one that is only in your area for a short time.

Accredited with Professional Agencies

Check the Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List and other professional entities that monitor service companies and businesses. You want a HVAC company that is accredited with the BBB and has an excellent reputation for trustworthy, quality service.

Customer Reviews

Checkout the various review sites like Yelp and SkipioReviews for customer ratings. While any company can have a couple bad reviews, you want a HVAC service that has a high rating with customers overall. Customer testimonials are a great indicator of how well a company performs.

When you need a HVAC repair or a new system installed, you want to go on more than just price to hire your HVAC company. Do a little research to find a quality service company to ensure they will stand behind their service.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

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Is Your Industrial HVAC Technician Legit?

December 3rd, 2018 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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When it comes to commercial or industrial HVAC installation, maintenance and repair, you want to ensure the company and technicians you hire are up for the task. Many HVAC companies offer commercial service, but not all have the experience and expertise needed for large, industrial operations. Before hiring a HVAC contractor, take the time to vet and choose the best one for the job. Here are some tips to ensure your HVAC technician is legit for industrial projects.

  • Does the HVAC company do both residential and commercial work? While there is nothing wrong with doing both, this means they are spread thin. There are many more residential customers than industrial, which means they may not have the resources available when you need them for your business.
  • Experience in industrial HVAC systems. There is a big difference between servicing a commercial HVAC system for a small restaurant and one for a large manufacturing outfit or hospital. Make sure they have experience and references from industrial projects, not just smaller commercial jobs.
  • Years of expertise. Choose a HVAC contractor that has been specializing in industrial systems for decades. You want technicians that can work on older HVAC systems as well as newer ones.
  • Services offered. While you may just need a repair or maintenance service now, consider the needs you may have in the future. Choose a company that offers retrofits, HVAC automation and complete installation of new systems to meet all your current and future HVAC needs.

Your industrial HVAC system can have a large impact on your business. Make sure you find the best contractor to service your system to get the best value for your investment.

Posted on behalf of:
JS Thomas Service, Inc
4085 Nine McFarland Dr
Alpharetta, GA 30004
(770) 475-2600

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Do You Have a Reliable HVAC Service Company?

June 4th, 2018 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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When you HVAC system breaks down, the last thing you want to do is spend time trying to find a reliable service company to fix your problem. If you do not have a HVAC service that is on speed dial, it is time to find one that you can trust. Don’t wait for a problem to arise – you will waste precious time trying to find a service or end up hiring the first one you call, which could be a mistake. Here are a few factors to consider when looking for a HVAC service company to handle your needed repairs and maintenance.

Experience and Training

You want an HVAC company that has a proven record of experience and quality in your community. Not only do you want a company that is run by experienced HVAC professionals, but make sure they provide the proper training for their employees. Plus, you always want to ensure they have the proper licensing and insurance for your city and state.

Services

HVAC problems come in all shapes and sizes. You want a service that can handle your heating, air conditioning and air quality concerns. Make sure they all a wide variety of HVAC services that cover all your needs, so you have one company you can count on for all your issues. 24-hour emergency service should be on the list for when you need a quick repair outside normal business hours.

Reputation

Last, but not least, you want to see what other customers have to say about a company’s service. Check reviews and ask for testimonials. This can give you a better idea on whether they stand behind their service.

Take the time to vet a HVAC service that will be able to come to the rescue when your AC quits, or you need annual service. When the time comes, you will be glad to have a reliable service you can call.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 505-7426

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Why Hire HVAC Professionals?

December 4th, 2015 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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Your heating and air conditioning professionals are trained to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. HVAC professionals have the expertise to deliver prompt and effective temperature and humidity control all year round.

Summer days can be long and humid, no time to be worried about your home’s air conditioning system. Let your local licensed and insured HVAC technicians inspect your home system and make any necessary repairs for you.

Tired of watching your heating air go out the window? Professional repair technicians will provide blown-in insulation to keep that warm air inside through the winter months. They can also provide full analysis of your home to determine its energy efficiency and ways that you can save on your energy bills.

A reliable HVAC service will be dedicated to delivering fast heating and cooling solutions, and available for repairs and service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. When you call with an HVAC emergency, you should count on reaching a live person who will deliver the help you need quickly.

Professional maintenance is a key component of reliable heating and air conditioning. Heating and air service technicians will inspect your home system thoroughly and perform any necessary repairs to keep your home comfortable throughout the year.

Want to protect your home from damaging mold and mildew? Install a dehumidifier in your home to help reduce the health and structural risks they present. Protect your family as well with our professionally installed carbon monoxide detectors. They will alert you to the presence of these odorless, colorless and toxic fumes in your home.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
Alpharetta, GA
(770) 475-9555

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Tips for Finding an HVAC Contractor in a New City

April 23rd, 2013 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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The first major tip for finding an HVAC contractor in a new city may be found in your new home. Whether you’ve purchased a new or previously owned home, there is a record of who has serviced that home in the past, or, at the very least, who installed the system. The technician who installed the system will know more than anyone how to keep it running. If you are looking to install a new system, you may wish to ask your new neighbors for their recommendations. They have probably lived in that area for some time and would be familiar with the area’s reputable local HVAC contractors.

Another good tip is that you may wish to get several estimates for comparison for both HVAC system service and installation. Make sure any estimates include the cost of possibly replacing ductwork, adding a programmable thermostat or hidden fees for a service contract. In addition to cost, you may wish to see what types of units are their specialty. This will allow you to have more of an idea of what you are looking at for the size of your home or the efficiency rating you desire.

Of course, most of this information can be found today by searching the Internet for certified, licensed, service companies in your specific location. Some sites may even provide access to ratings provided by former customers. Your local general contractors will certainly know the HVAC industry in your area and can provide some direction. However, nothing builds confidence like a personal recommendation of first-rate service. Listen to your neighbors, and start your search with the local HVAC professional who receives their highest praise.

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HVAC and New Construction

January 14th, 2013 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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While it may not always be easier and/or less expensive to do things right the first time, the long run usually supports the approach. This is especially true when considering the HVAC system for new home construction. You don’t need extensive personal expertise in the field, but you will need people who not only know what they are doing but also know what you want them to do. Communication is the key. 

Choosing the right HVAC installation contractor is imperative, and there are numerous articles on this site to assist you in that choice. However, in new construction, you are more likely to be dealing with the builder, not the series of sub-contractors he has picked and who are actually the ones who will construct your new home. This is true from foundation and framing to finish work and landscaping, and definitely includes HVAC work. 

Does this mean you have no input or influence other than choosing a builder? Of course not. Builders, even pretty good ones, are going to utilize what are called “builder grade” systems during all phases of construction unless you have contracted for something else before-hand. The contractor, like all good businessmen, will want to minimize his own costs in order to maximize his profits. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it also means that you may not get state-of-the-art systems as a matter of course. The builder could be using serviceable but dated technologies because they are more economical for him. 

What may work best for you in terms of zoned heating and air-conditioning, for instance, could cost more initially, but pay for itself in terms of fuel use and versatility. Up-grading at a later date is costly and disruptive, to the point where you won’t gain anything by installing the up-grade. Work with your builder to get it right the first time.

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Selecting an HVAC Contractor for Your New Home

October 12th, 2012 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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Building a new home can be an exciting prospect, especially if it is own that has been custom designed to fit your family and your lifestyle. A part of the process of building includes many decisions, from the floor plan to the location to the general contractor to the finishes. If you, as the owner, are also involved in the selection of subcontractors for the project – drywaller, electrician, plumber etc, then there are several considerations to keep in mind when selecting the HVAC contractor to handle the new HVAC installation in your home.

Proper state and local licensing should be the first item on your checklist. Never assume that contractors have current licensing. Ask for those license numbers and check to make sure those licenses are valid. Secondly, ask for detailed written estimates from each of the HVAC contractors bidding on the project. Compare those estimates line by line and note any differences between what one contractor is including compared to the others. Request references from past customers who have used the contractor for the installation of a new HVAC system in their home and contact those references. Ask the past clients if they are satisfied with the system and whether the HVAC contractor has been prompt in addressing any issues that may have come up after the home was complete. In addition to these items, the HVAC contractor you hire should have his insurance provider send you a certificate of insurance which lists their liability and workers compensation coverage.

Finally, ask questions about warranties on the equipment and the contractor’s warranty on their installation. Select the HVAC contractor that has demonstrated themselves as professional and trustworthy.

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Internet Reviews of HVAC Contractors

October 3rd, 2012 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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Finding a good HVAC contractor for furnace repairs, installation of a new air conditioner, or any other heating and air conditioning need can be a challenge.  Unless you can get a referral from a family member, co-worker or friend, it’s hard to tell a good HVAC contractor from a bad one.  Randomly choosing one from the phone book or the internet is a hit-or-miss proposition.

Many people depend on reviews of HVAC contractors that they find on the internet to help them choose a good contractor.  These reviews can be helpful, but be cautious when using them and read the reviews with a critical eye.  Think about whether this person may have some agenda in mind other than posting an unbiased review.

Remember, anyone can post reviews in most online sites.  That means that those really enthusiastic reviews could have been posted by happy customers, or they could have been posted by the contractor themselves, their friends, family, neighbors, and so on.  In addition, if there are a series of positive reviews posted at about the same time, you should be suspicious.  It is easy to hire people to post positive reviews.  Several long, positive reviews written within a few days of each other could indicate that these reviews were “bought and paid for.’

At the same time, be careful about negative reviews.  Again, these could have been written by someone out to harm the HVAC contractor’s reputation.  It could be a dishonest competitor, an angry employee, or due to a failed personal relationship.

When reading reviews posted on the internet, look for reviews that sound like they were written by a real customer.  From these reviews, you can generally get a consensus about whether the HVAC contractor treats their customers right.  When you find a contractor with positive reviews, be sure to confirm that they have been in business for at least a few years, have a permanent business address and telephone number, and that they are licensed and insured.  Reading internet reviews with a critical eye can help you find a reliable HVAC contractor.

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The Importance of Quality HVAC Installation for New Construction Projects

August 30th, 2012 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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All too often, new construction has very poorly installed HVAC systems. The main reason for this is that so much money has already been spent on the home being built from the ground up that the individual having the home constructed does not want to spend a significant amount of money on the installation of a brand new HVAC system.

However, what these people do not realize is that with a poorly installed HVAC system, it will not perform efficiently and effectively. It doesn’t matter if you have the most expensive HVAC system that is available for purchase on the market, if it is not installed properly, it is not going to work correctly. Quality means nothing when it comes to the aforementioned situation.

Why are HVAC systems installed incorrectly? More often than not, it is because an incompetent individual installed the HVAC system. This person may have been licensed and they may not have been – more than likely, they were not. This goes to show how important it is to contact a reputable residential heating and air conditioning (HVAC) company that has all the necessary certifications, licenses and training to accurately install a HVAC system. By choosing to call a professional, you may spend more money upfront, but in the long run, you will have saved a drastic amount of money when you consider how efficient your heat and air system will work.

Choose a professional for a first-rate new construction HVAC installation so that future residents of the home will be happily and comfortably accommodated with a longer lasting HVAC system that heats and cools effectively and efficiency saving the homeowner money on future repairs and monthly utility bills.

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Be Wary of Low-Ball HVAC Quotes

February 17th, 2012 Posted in Choosing an HVAC Contractor
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Whether you are replacing a heat pump, furnace, or central air conditioning system, it’s always a good idea to get three or four proposals from different HVAC contractors before choosing a contractor to handle the job.  The only exception is when you have a good relationship with an HVAC contractor and you are comfortable with using that contractor for your HVAC system replacement. 

After you have the competing proposals in hand, don’t just automatically go with the lowest bidder.  In fact, if any bid is significantly lower than the others, be very careful about choosing that contractor.  An unusually low bid can be a sign that something is amiss.  The contractor may have specified an undersized unit due to a bad load calculation (or no load calculation at all) or may be proposing to install lower quality equipment.

Alternatively, the low bidding contractor could be cutting corners on the installation which is potentially worse than using substandard equipment.  Proper installation of your HVAC system is every bit as important as the quality of the system itself.  Poorly installed equipment will not operate as efficiently as it was designed to operate and will fail sooner than it should.

It is well worth the small additional expense of hiring a reputable HVAC contractor with experience in HVAC replacement and installation who will take the time necessary for a top quality, professional installation of your new heating and air conditioning system.  You can be confident that you will be getting a system correctly sized for your home that will operate at peak efficiency.  You will also be able to depend on that contractor in the unlikely event of a problem down the road.

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