It’s that time of year again, the time when your heating system cranks back to life and burns off the dust that has settled on its various parts – that’s the smell you catch when the heater first gets going at the start of a cold snap.

But what happens if your furnace or heat pump is not exactly getting the job done? What if, instead of warmth and coziness, you’re left cold and wondering about those strange noises emanating from your air ducts?

Well, if you’re like most folks these days, you probably scurry to the computer (or take out your phone) and type in “heating companies near me.”

The thing is, when you do that, you are presented with literally countless options, all of which trumpet why you should choose their company over the next. So, how do you decide which one to use? Therein is the biggest question: Who do you trust to handle the job of getting your heat back up and running full steam?

Well, the following is a quick checklist of factors to keep in mind when judging any HVAC company – whether you are checking out their website or calling them for more in-depth conversation. If you can answer all of these questions to your satisfaction, you should feel comfortable in moving forward with inviting said HVAC contractor to your home to get a hands-on look at your heating problems.

First, for the sake of ease, go to the company website, as well as their social media pages and see if you can get a quick answer to some of these questions. Then you can move forward with more in-depth research:

  • How long have they been in business?

If you have an older unit that needs repair, it won’t do to have your technician familiar only with newer technology. And companies that have been around for several years have demonstrated both staying power in the market and the ability to grow with HVAC industry, which is constantly evolving at a very fast pace.

  • Do they continue to train and teach their technicians on new technology?

Even if you have an older system, it’s always a good idea for a company’s technicians to know new technology and methodologies. The more they know, the more options they will have when working.

  • Are their technicians NATE certified and fully insured?

You want your air conditioning repair company to stand behind its work, and by employing nationally accredited and insured technicians, it shows a commitment to quality and service.

  • What type of air conditioning units and parts do they themselves sell and supply?

Certainly, there are some universal technologies in HVAC repair and servicing. But it’s always a good idea to check and see if the company you intend to hire sells or is familiar with the type of air conditioner you have in your home already.

If you are able to ascertain affirming answers for the questions above without having to take the time to call them, it will give you a step up in deciding which companies to take the next step with. Any heating company that has a track record of success will be eager to let you know of their credentials, experience and other factors that set them apart. And don’t necessarily trust services such as Yelp for reviews. Those services can be influenced, whereas Google reviews are much more objective, as based on customer reviews.

That said it’s also a good idea to ask questions of your neighbors, friends and co-workers. Who do they use? Who has provided a great experience? Who has provided a bad experience? Word-of-mouth advertising is perhaps the oldest form of media available and is still a rock-solid method of gathering information. You’ll also want to ask when they had the work performed (if it was a while ago, things could have changed at the company), the name of the technician (you can always request a technician by name).

Once you have determined which companies are worth calling for a more in-depth look, check for these factors from the person on the other end of the phone call.

  • What kind of emphasis do they put on customer service?

It’s a fair question to ask, and there are several ways to determine how important it is to them. For example, do they drug test their employees? A commitment to this policy shows how serious a company is about their reputation. The same goes for safety training.

  • Will they give me a quote in person and in writing?

No HVAC company worth its salt will offer to give you a quote over the phone. They need to come out and see the issue firsthand and get to know your home. Every system’s parameters and needs are unique because of the home that they are cooling, so while they may be able to come up with the likely issue via phone call, they will not want to make an estimate of the work without knowing the specifics of what the unit must accomplish. Also, you need a repair/service contract in writing so that you have permanent documentation.

Once you have gone through these steps, you will have a great idea of which HVAC companies can not only do the necessary work to correct your heating problems, but also which will work best with your personality and logistical needs.

And, just so you know, Conditioned Air Systems has built its reputation on service since first opening our doors in 1983. Not only that, we focus on training and technology, ensuring that our technicians can handle problems of all sizes and across all brands in a rapidly advancing industry. If you want to experience the difference Conditioned Air Systems has made for homeowners throughout north Georgia, simply call us today at 770-536-7509 and let us get to work for you.