In this Consumer section of our site, we are pleased to present a variety of
information to help you make informed choices about your heating
and air-conditioning needs.
What to Ask: Questions Now Help to Ensure Satisfaction Later
Most people take for granted the comfort provided by their central air conditioner,
heat pump or furnace until something goes wrong and the unit needs to be serviced
or replaced.
When this situation arises, it's important to contact a quality heating, ventilation,
air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) contractor who is knowledgeable,
skilled and qualified to do the job. It's important that consumers are educated
about the product they are buying or having serviced.
The first step is to understand what is required of the contractor that is
being called -- required by the local jurisdiction, state and industry. To ensure
satisfaction, the following questions should be asked of a prospective HVACR
contractor:
Are you licensed? Don't just take his or her word -- ask to see a copy
of the license (at the minimum ask for the license number).
Are your technicians CFC certified? Any technician working with refrigerant
needs to have a certification mandated by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) showing training and certification in the proper
techniques for recovering, recycling, reclaiming and disposing of used refrigerant.
Ask to see a copy of the certification card (it needs to say EPA_approved
program).
Do you carry the proper business and workers compensation insurance required
to do the work? If the company is licensed in the state, it should already
satisfy this question.
Are you going to give me your quote in writing (on a printed form -- not
scratched out on a piece of plain paper)? This estimate should outline the
contractor's, as well as the consumer's, responsibilities.
Do you have the desire and ability to perform warranty service throughout
the warranty period? Some contractors only install -- they won't service
the equipment.
Don't consider price only. Be sure that you are comparing "apples
to apples" when considering more than one contractor. Be sure you are
quoted on the same size unit and receiving the same service.
Will you please provide references? Find out if other customers are satisfied.
When the HVACR contractor arrives: Does the contractor/technician have
proper identification? Is the person in a clearly identified company vehicle?
Is the technician clean? Does the technician respect the consumer's property?
Getting answers to these questions before the work is done can make the difference
between major problems and satisfaction.
