Let’s face it. There are hundreds of companies in New Jersey that can repair and replace heating and air conditioning systems. However, are they all the same? Learning how to choose the best HVAC contractors is crucial. How can you tell if an HVAC company is the best fit for you? This is something you may want to look into before you actually have an emergency. If the HVAC unit in your home is more than ten years old, it might be time to find a local HVAC contractor sooner rather than later. The last thing you want is to be scrambling to find an HVAC company after your air conditioner dies on the hottest day of the summer or your furnace decides to stop working when a snowstorm is heading your way. You also should know that these seasons are the busiest seasons for HVAC contractors, thus appointments may be scarce and emergency repairs could be costly. You need to be prepared!
Professional Licensing
Licensing is critical for HVAC contractors since they work with complex issues in your home such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical and gas lines. All municipalities require up to date licensing and full insurance coverage. You should ask the contractor for proof of their licenses and certifications. Those who obtain these licenses must have at least five years of field experience before the date of their license application. If HVAC contractors can’t produce a current license, chances are they don’t have one.
Reviews & References
Your next step is to search the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for ratings of a company. Use the internet to conduct searches for each heating and air conditioning company to check for ratings and complaints. Check to see how long they’ve been in business, what locations they cover, which services they are qualified to perform, and what type of warranties they offer. It is also important to find out their hours of operation. This is important, especially if you have an emergency.
Name Recognition & Reputation
Aside from getting recommendations from people you trust, name recognition is another solid indicator of experience and quality. Have you seen signs, trucks, or even billboards that advertise their company? Ask your neighbors which companies they’ve recently used to replace their units and get feedback. While it’s not a fool-proof method, it does give a good indication of what to expect. A local company relies on its reputation. One that has built a solid reputation servicing your area for many years has, at the very least, continuously provided satisfactory service. Most people tend to listen to friends and neighbors!
Home Evaluation
If you’re looking to have an HVAC system installed, potential contractors should offer a thorough home evaluation to determine the best heating and cooling solution. Factors to be taken into consideration are square footage of the home, R-value of insulation, air leakage throughout the home, how many windows there are, which way they face, the age and condition of your HVAC system. All areas of the home should be evaluated and tested for opportunities to improve your home. They’ll use a set of calculations based on heating and cooling loads, equipment size, and ductwork. Following the evaluation, you should receive a written estimate. This is what we at Allied Experts call an energy audit or assessment!
Energy-Efficiency & Incentives Available
When looking for an HVAC company, look for one that can bring your home up to the best energy efficiency standards. When living in New Jersey, homeowners have an extra advantage to upgrade their homes to meet these standards. The New Jersey Clean Energy Program offers incentives and rebates to upgrade your home and make it more energy efficient. There are also 0% interest loans available to qualified homeowners. So, there is no better time than now to reach out to a HVAC/Home Performance company to see how you can take advantage of these opportunities. If you go to the New Jersey Clean Energy website, you will find a list of all qualified HVAC/Home Performance Companies.
Do your homework. Ask neighbors for references, but don’t forget to consider every option. Remember, any good contractor can replace your HVAC system, but very few can offer you the complete package specifically designed for your home like Allied Experts does.
Allied Experts is the leading Home Performance Contractor in New Jersey and has been for 10 years! Allied Experts has won many awards, has done over 10,000 energy assessments in New Jersey and over 7000 Home Performance projects. Our goal is to make your home as comfortable, safe, and healthy as possible. Your Home, Your Expert!
Give us a call today and talk with the experts. 856-528-2822
