Picking an HVAC contractor is an important decision that you shouldn’t make without doing some research to make certain you’re making the right choice.

First, find a contractor who will ask you about your wants and needs and actually listen to you. With that noted, they should be able to offer up to four options from which you can pick.

When they set up your installation, is it when you want it done, or when they can get to it? Will your contractor pull a permit on every job? Doing so will ensure 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 many areas, from load calculation to piping and a bunch of steps in between. You could get the best system, but if it’s installed incorrectly you may not get top-of-the-line performance.

Here are some other questions to help you make the best decision while researching your HVAC contractor.

Do they have NATE-Certification?

NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is the largest nonprofit certification organization for HVAC technicians. Certified technicians have verified their knowledge in the HVAC industry by passing real-world and specialized tests developed by a committee of industry professionals. 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.

Do they have references or referrals?

A professional HVAC company should be able to provide you with a list of recent customers that you can refer to and confirm the quality of their company’s work. Call their list of references and ask about their project and if they’d recommend the company.

There are also official sources online such as the Better Business Bureau and ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). The BBB allows you to check out the consumer ratings of an HVAC contractor and you’ll be shown 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 work and will be able to offer referrals for previous work.

Another route 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 with 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 stands by 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 gathering quotes from a contractor. The reason most states require licenses is simply to keep 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 circumvent any potential issues.

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 checked out while it’s working as usual and schedule your routine maintenance.

Your family’s health, comfort and safety is our business at Gilray Heating and Cooling in Wausau. Our HVAC professionals would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. Call us at 715-301-0727. We look forward to becoming your partner in keeping your system running safely and efficiently.