What
to Look For in an Air Conditioning Contractor
Let’s face it –
we’ve become conditioned to air-conditioning – especially in
climates where the temperature soars to numbers that could fry an
egg. If our precious air- conditioner goes on the blink, we want
it fixed and we want it fixed now.
Before you pull out
the local phone directory and choose an air-conditioning
contractor at random, take note of what you need to look for in a
contractor so your air-conditioner will be properly repaired or
replaced and you won’t be scammed for work or equipment that you
don’t need.
As with almost
everything you need, but don’t really understand, a recommendation
from a friend or family member is good advice. Neighbors are also
good sources for information about contractors. They should be
familiar with the reputable and non-reputable ones in the area.
If you can’t get a
recommendation, look for a contractor who’s a member of the Air
Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) or the Sheet Metal and
Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA). Most
of the listings with these organizations employ technicians who
are certified by North American Excellence (NATE). Another thing
you should note about the contractor is if they’re partnered with
ENERGY STAR.
A reliable
contractor will give you an estimate for their work after they’ve
done a complete survey of the situation and have asked you
questions about problems you may have had with the air-conditioner
in the past. A good contractor should come to your home and look
at the unit to assess the problem before giving you the estimate –
not play a guessing game on the phone.
If a new air
conditioner is in order, a reputable contractor will provide you
with a written estimate of the exact equipment he’ll be installing
along with the price of the equipment, what they’re going to do to
fix the problem – and what the labor costs will be.
Air-conditioning contractors should be up to date with the latest
technology and be able to advise you about new, energy saving
equipment. They should also be able to estimate how your cooling
costs with a highly efficient air-conditioning unit will compare
to your old energy costs.
It isn’t advisable
to use a contractor simply because he quoted the lowest price on
fixing your air-conditioner or installing a new one. Value is what
you want from your contractor, and the one offering the most value
may charge higher prices. If you receive a bid that’s extremely
lower than the other bids – beware. You may find later that you
don’t have a good warranty or they may not offer follow-up
services.
A good and reputable
air-conditioning contractor will treat you like the prized
customer you are and always be ready to answer your questions
about one of the most important factors that ensures a comfortable
environment – air conditioning.
IdeaNames Company
