1. Be wary of an HVAC contractor that gives you a bid or an estimate over the phone.
Just as no two automobiles are the same, no two air conditioning units are the same. Be wary of any HVAC contractor that tries to give you an estimate or a bid over the phone. There are far too many factors to take into account that a technician cannot see over the phone: How is your ducting? Are there the proper amount of registers per room? What type of insulation do you have? What type of windows do you have?…and a dozen other factors…and after all of that, a trained HVAC contractor will then do a Manual-J calculation for your air conditioning system. None of this can be done over the phone, so again, if someone gives you a bid over the phone, they are either inexperienced, or are trying to gain your business without using the time and gas required for a visit. When they get there, also be wary of anyone who gives you a bid without properly surveying your house. A real contractor will crawl in your attic, crawl spaces and walk around the entire house. If they don’t do this, then they aren’t properly inspecting your house for their Manual J calculation.
2. Be careful of any HVAC contractor that replaces your old air conditioner with the same type of unit as before.
The average air conditioning unit lasts 10-15 years. Is a 1990 Toyota Tacoma the same as a 2005 Toyota Tacoma? It is the same with your air conditioner. A properly trained HVAC contractor will recommend several options to bring your home up to date, and increase the efficiency of your home.
For more information on decreasing energy costs, also see our article: How to lower your electric bills
If they try and sell you an older model, they are likely trying to unload some of their own inventory. That is why All Systems Mechanical keeps minimal inventory; we will customize the air conditioning unit for your home, and use the most current, energy efficient units on the market. If you don’t live near Santa Clarita or Greater Los Angeles, make sure your contractor buys a system new for your house, instead of using older inventory. It is pretty rare to have the exact system you need for your home just lying an a warehouse, and no not all AC units are the same. In fact, choosing the proper size is far more important than the make and model.
3. When it comes to how experienced your HVAC contractor is, take it with a grain of salt.
At ASM we have over 25 years of HVAC experience, but we’d also be the first to warn you that experience isn’t everything! Be wary of someone who is telling you that they have been “doing things this way for twenty years” because the air conditioning business, like all technology, is ever changing. There are new and exciting technologies that decrease your utility costs and are more efficient at cooling. Be sure your contractor is well versed in cutting edge technologies, including the most up-to-date HVAC control units – a computer that runs your home or business’s AC system for you, programmable with schedules and preferences. Experience is important, but it isn’t everything. In fact, some of our most talented technicians have a computer background and are in their twenties (scary, I know).
4. Your HVAC contractor should be licensed by the Contractors State License Board.
Unfortunately, many HVAC contractors claim to be licensed, but are actually working under the radar. There is too much at stake, and a licensed HVAC contractor is licensed to manipulate gas lines as well as electrical and plumbing applications – we have to be experts in each to get properly licensed. You don’t want someone who isn’t closing off your gas line, or properly disposing of refrigerant. It is a huge problem in California and is tantamount to a doctor operating without a license.
A contractor should have their license number clearly marked on most, if not all, of their literature and on their website. For instance, All Systems Mechanical HVAC, Ca License No. 963922. Without a license, there is no insurance that the job will be done properly or that you can take recourse if it isn’t! Don’t trust anyone who doesn’t have a license. Period.
Just as no two automobiles are the same, no two air conditioning units are the same. Be wary of any HVAC contractor that tries to give you an estimate or a bid over the phone. There are far too many factors to take into account that a technician cannot see over the phone: How is your ducting? Are there the proper amount of registers per room? What type of insulation do you have? What type of windows do you have?…and a dozen other factors…and after all of that, a trained HVAC contractor will then do a Manual-J calculation for your air conditioning system. None of this can be done over the phone, so again, if someone gives you a bid over the phone, they are either inexperienced, or are trying to gain your business without using the time and gas required for a visit. When they get there, also be wary of anyone who gives you a bid without properly surveying your house. A real contractor will crawl in your attic, crawl spaces and walk around the entire house. If they don’t do this, then they aren’t properly inspecting your house for their Manual J calculation.
2. Be careful of any HVAC contractor that replaces your old air conditioner with the same type of unit as before.
The average air conditioning unit lasts 10-15 years. Is a 1990 Toyota Tacoma the same as a 2005 Toyota Tacoma? It is the same with your air conditioner. A properly trained HVAC contractor will recommend several options to bring your home up to date, and increase the efficiency of your home.
For more information on decreasing energy costs, also see our article: How to lower your electric bills
If they try and sell you an older model, they are likely trying to unload some of their own inventory. That is why All Systems Mechanical keeps minimal inventory; we will customize the air conditioning unit for your home, and use the most current, energy efficient units on the market. If you don’t live near Santa Clarita or Greater Los Angeles, make sure your contractor buys a system new for your house, instead of using older inventory. It is pretty rare to have the exact system you need for your home just lying an a warehouse, and no not all AC units are the same. In fact, choosing the proper size is far more important than the make and model.
3. When it comes to how experienced your HVAC contractor is, take it with a grain of salt.
At ASM we have over 25 years of HVAC experience, but we’d also be the first to warn you that experience isn’t everything! Be wary of someone who is telling you that they have been “doing things this way for twenty years” because the air conditioning business, like all technology, is ever changing. There are new and exciting technologies that decrease your utility costs and are more efficient at cooling. Be sure your contractor is well versed in cutting edge technologies, including the most up-to-date HVAC control units – a computer that runs your home or business’s AC system for you, programmable with schedules and preferences. Experience is important, but it isn’t everything. In fact, some of our most talented technicians have a computer background and are in their twenties (scary, I know).
4. Your HVAC contractor should be licensed by the Contractors State License Board.
Unfortunately, many HVAC contractors claim to be licensed, but are actually working under the radar. There is too much at stake, and a licensed HVAC contractor is licensed to manipulate gas lines as well as electrical and plumbing applications – we have to be experts in each to get properly licensed. You don’t want someone who isn’t closing off your gas line, or properly disposing of refrigerant. It is a huge problem in California and is tantamount to a doctor operating without a license.
A contractor should have their license number clearly marked on most, if not all, of their literature and on their website. For instance, All Systems Mechanical HVAC, Ca License No. 963922. Without a license, there is no insurance that the job will be done properly or that you can take recourse if it isn’t! Don’t trust anyone who doesn’t have a license. Period.
Read Full Article Here: 7 Tips on How to Choose an HVAC Contractor
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