With climate change throwing off the weather, there’s never been a greater need for air conditioning and furnace installations. As a result, this year, around 145,142 HVAC companies are operating in the US.
How do you know who to choose with so many companies vying for your business? After all, the wrong company can cost you a lot of money and leave you with inferior equipment.
Finding the best company for AC and furnace installations can be manageable if you know what to ask. After all, asking the right questions can help get you a better deal.
If you’re concerned about hiring the wrong company, keep reading. Here are some vital questions you should ask before signing on the dotted line.
Are You Insured?
First, you must ascertain whether or not the HVAC company is adequately insured before you commit. There are several reasons why this is important. Primarily the insurance is there to cover medical bills and legal fees should any workers get injured during AC and furnace installations.
It’s also there to cover any repair costs should any part of your house get damaged during the installation. There are several types of business insurance they can choose from, for instance:
- Auto Insurance: To protect employees traveling to and from clients
- Workers Compensation Insurance: This insurance protects the employees should they get injured while on the job
- General Liability Insurance: This insurance protects the company and client from any damage causes
At the very least, the HVAC company you choose should have general liability insurance. If they don’t, moving on to the next prospective company is wise.
Do You Offer a Free Consultation?
The HVAC industry is a competitive one, so another question you can ask prospective companies is whether they offer a free consultation. This complimentary consultation can be helpful for several reasons, but primarily it’s an obligation-free quote so you can understand:
- What equipment you’ll need
- How long the installation will take
- What it’s going to cost
Typically, during the consultation, you can expect your HVAC professional to check the condition of your current ductwork for any issues. You can also use this time to ask any other questions in this article.
If the furnace installations company doesn’t offer a free consultation, it’s not a deal breaker. You may want to get a quote from them anyway.
Are Your Prices Competitive?
While you’re getting quotes, an excellent question is whether they have competitive pricing. While this may seem bold to many, it’s an important question because you want to know if you’re getting the best price possible.
Competitive pricing is also in the company’s best interest because it can help attract new business and increase sales. Furthermore, it also helps deter competitors from entering the market.
It may also help if you’ve already received quotes from other companies you’ve already met with. This way, you can compare quotes and see who offers competitive rates and who may be over or undercharging.
Is Financing Available?
Furnace installations can get expensive for two primary reasons. First, it depends on the HVAC equipment you choose. Secondly, how straightforward it is to install.
If the installation is more complex, it can drive up the price significantly. For this reason, asking the HVAC contractor you’re considering if they offer financing is a good idea.
Financing your HVAC installation is smart. It allows you to purchase equipment with better energy savings and efficiency ratings while paying it off. When discussing your financing options, try to get the lowest interest rate possible to save money.
How Long Do AC and Furnace Installations Take?
Another question that’s vital to ask is how long AC and furnace installations take. This can be a helpful question if the installation is time-sensitive for you. The answer you get will depend on several factors, for instance:
- The size of the house or building
- The HVAC installation type required
- The home’s layout
- How experienced the HVAC technicians are
If the house is particularly large, it will require several HVAC units installed in strategic locations within the home or building. Smaller homes will take less time than their larger counterparts. The size and layout of your house will also impact what type of HVAC system you need.
Does Your Company Offer a Warranty?
Another vital question you shouldn’t neglect to ask is what warranty they offer. Does their equipment have a guarantee, and for how long? Ideally, you want to ensure that the unit you buy has a five-year warranty period.
It’s worthwhile noting that almost every HVAC brand offers this warranty on their equipment. If your unit comes with less, it’s recommended to enquire further. The manufacturer may have released it with a lesser warranty, or the company may be scamming you.
Additionally, many brands include an extended warranty on the unit if you register your HVAC unit. These days this is commonly done online through the manufacturer’s website.
An HVAC system typically lasts 15 to 25 years. If you’re offered an extended warranty on labor, it’s entirely your decision if you want to pay the extra money.
Is This the Best HVAC Equipment You Can Offer?
When buying an HVAC unit, you want the latest technology possible. Newer tech units will perform more efficiently, use less energy, and have energy-saving features that older models don’t. Don’t be shy to ask whether the equipment you’re being offered is the best on the market.
You can always turn to the internet if you still need to figure out if you’re being offered the latest technology. A quick search on the model number will bring up the relevant information.
Companies offering older models are not staying updated with technological advances, and it’s in your best interest to avoid them. Even if the old HVAC units are priced lower than newer models, they will be less efficient and cost more to run.
Do You Have Contactable References?
If you’re still unsure about the company, another valid question you can put forth is whether or not they have contactable references. This way, you can speak to previous clients who have used their services for their opinion.
Did they like the service they received, or were there things that disappointed them? In either case, the client should happily let you know their opinions. Furthermore, if you contact more than one reference, you can get a good idea about the level of service you can expect.
If the company has no references they can offer, it’s up to you if you want to proceed. Contactable references are not a deal breaker, but they help increase your chances of hiring a satisfactory HVAC company.
Do You Offer Repair Services?
To help you decide, you should ask whether they include AC and furnace repair in their HVAC services. This is helpful to know for two reasons.
First, if you start having AC or furnace problems, you know if you can call in the company who installed it. Second, if they only handle AC and furnace installations and don’t offer repair services, you can find a repair company before you need one.
If the company does offer repair services, another question you can tack onto the first is whether or not their services are 24/7. It’s up to you to decide whether you need emergency services or are satisfied with regular hours.
Does Your Team Tidy Up After Themselves?
The last thing clients want after AC and furnace installations is to be left with a mess to clean up. A good HVAC company will clean up behind them, leaving your home as before they arrived.
This is especially important if the installation process uses tools like nails. If these are left behind after the HVAC contractor leaves, it can pose a hazard that can cause injuries.
If you are contacting their references, this is also a question you can ask them. You can trust them to be honest. If the installers left a big mess after they were done, you can rest assured the client will tell you.
How Long Has Your Company Been in Business?
This may seem insignificant, but it’s worth asking if their website doesn’t give this information. You want to hire a company that has many AC and furnace installations under its belt.
When a company has been in business for many years, they’ve likely encountered many installation problems. This means they will also know how to handle these issues as they arise. This can keep the installation time to a minimum, which is more convenient and cost-effective.
Hire the Best HVAC Company Today
When the weather turns cold, turning up the heat on your furnace is a great way to get warm. AC and furnace installations can be costly, so finding the right company for the job is vital.
Asking the HVAC contractor as many questions as possible gives you a good understanding of the company, installation process, warranties, insurance, etc. This should help you select an HVAC contractor with confidence.
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