One Smart Way to Avoid Costly Surprise HVAC Repairs

Severe weather can roll in just about anywhere, so the majority of homeowners have experienced with some degree of storm damage. Hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms and hail can affect many aspects of your property, such as the landscape, roof, siding and windows.

Strong winds and water damage are also common issues for outdoor heating and cooling equipment. In dangerous weather, units could be pushed out of position, even falling over and breaking electrical systems and refrigerant lines. Even when systems manage to stay upright, they may accumulate mud and other sediment, which has to be removed before they can work correctly.

For your safety when evaluating your storm-damaged home, don’t turn on the HVAC system until it's received the all-clear from a heating and cooling technician. The trick is understanding who to hire for the job. After all, any random individual with a truck can claim to be an HVAC technician. A poorly trained person tampering with your heating and cooling could make matters worse, not to mention overcharge you and then vanish without a trace.

Incidents like these may escalate during storm cleanup. To avoid being exploited, here are the top six questions to raise when hiring a heating and cooling contractor.

1. Are You Licensed, Insured and Certified?

Most states have implemented licensing and insurance requirements for HVAC contractors. This offers peace of mind that whoever works on things has the proper training and coverage if an accident occurs. Additional ACE certification only further supports a contractor’s capability to ensure high-quality service.

2. What Can You Tell Me About Your Experience and Reputation?

While longevity alone doesn’t guarantee a contractor will do a great job, it demonstrates that they are skilled enough to stay in business for the long term. If you can, look up the company’s name online to confirm that they’re telling the truth about their experience.

Simultaneously, look up the contractors you’re thinking about on Google and other third-party review websites. Reviews from past customers present a detailed idea of what to expect.

For even more definite answers, ask potential contractors for the contact details of past customers. As you contact these references and check online reviews, seek answers to the following questions:

• Did the contractor complete the job on time?
• Did the contractor leave the customer feeling content?
• Was the total bill the same cost as the up-front estimate?
• Did a live person always answer calls, or did an answering machine pick up?

3. Are Your Technicians Background-Checked and Drug-Tested?

You deserve confidence that the HVAC professionals who perform the work are clean, trustworthy and safe to have near your family. For complete peace of mind, talk to the contractor if background checks and drug tests are required before adding new hires to the team.

4. Can You Examine the Entire Home Comfort System?

If the storm damage is serious enough to wipe out your HVAC system, you may need another one. However, it isn’t enough to simply swap out one furnace and air conditioner for another. After all, a heating and cooling system is only as good as the ductwork it uses. So if you’re considering HVAC replacement following a storm, ask potential contractors a few questions:

• Do you offer heat loss/gain evaluations?
• Do you analyze insulation levels and air leaks?
• Do you investigate the duct system to provide proper sizing and configuration?

5. Can I Get an Estimate in Writing?

A written, itemized estimate is crucial when comparing bids from multiple HVAC contractors. Try to get a company that offers free estimates and trustworthy, fair pricing. Also, don't forget to ask whether the company charges by the hour or by the job so you recognize what you’re paying for. Just be aware that the most affordable bid isn’t automatically the best deal, especially if it’s far lower than the others. Odds are the contractor could attempt to cut corners to make the price doable or surprise you with hidden fees at the end.

6. Do You Have Any Special Offers?

Getting your HVAC system back up and running after a major storm isn’t always inexpensive. That’s why it’s worthwhile to inquire about any savings you might qualify for when repairing or replacing your equipment. Also, find out what financing and leasing options the contractor can offer as a stress-free way to pay for unanticipated HVAC services after a storm.

Choose Service Experts 

Do you need a proven contractor to repair your HVAC system after a nasty storm? You can’t go wrong with Service Experts. We are a national company with hometown heart, a formula that helps us stay in front of the competition. If you value good prices, enduring results and complete satisfaction, we can meet your needs to a tee. Get a hold of your local Service Experts office for help examining and repairing your HVAC system.