What To Look For In A Heating And AC Repair Company | Fort Worth, TX
There are three things in life that you can count on: death, taxes, and that you will need help from a heating and AC repair company at some time in your life if you live in Fort Worth, TX. The weather in Fort Worth is way too extreme during the summer months to attempt life without a functioning AC system, which is why you need to have a trustworthy heating and AC company on your speed dial for the day when you need their help.
Even if you have a new HVAC system there are things that can go wrong when you least expect them to, which is why it is so important that you stay ahead of things when you can. One of the best things you can do actually if you have a new HVAC unit is book a yearly maintenance visit to make sure that you get the full lifespan out of your unit. One thing you also may not know is that if you don’t have your HVAC unit serviced once a year you could void the warranty, which makes it even more important that you keep up with maintenance even if you have a new unit in your home.
With that in mind, anyone with an HVAC unit in their home can benefit from having a trusted heating and AC repair company they can call in Fort Worth, TX whether they need to call an HVAC company for repair, replacement, or maintenance. However, understanding how important it is to have a trusted company on your speed dial doesn’t help you get to the spot where you automatically have one. You still need to choose a company and vet them to see if they are going to be a good match for you.
Ideally, you want a heating and AC repair company that has good reviews, employs technicians that are trained and experienced, and work within the hours you want. These are just a few of the many things you need, but there are a lot more things that you need to consider as well. Your HVAC unit is one of the largest appliances in your home, you don’t want to choose just any company that comes up on your Google results.
Instead, you should take a moment to read the following list of what to look for if you need a heating and AC repair company. We break down all of the things that you should look for and even offer some useful questions that you can ask any heating and AC repair company that might make the shortlist. Taking a minute to screen HVAC companies and find your perfect match will pay off in the long run. Here are the top things to consider before you invite a new heating and AC Repair company into your home.
Are They Properly Licensed and Trained?
At the very least, before you worry about whether or not a heating and AC repair company is honest and easy to communicate with (although both are important), is whether or not the company you have in mind is properly licensed and trained. The internet has made this easier to check than ever as you can often find a company website and then look for their state licensing number. If the number is not on the website you can call and inquire, but usually, you can find it easy enough. If you can’t find it, this should be a red flag.
The reason this license is so important is that in order to get a license the HVAC technician who owns the company has to have over five years of experience working within the HVAC industry. Therefore, the license assures that they have the training and the experience that is necessary to fix your HVAC unit correctly. In a technical field, experience matters and you want a company with enough experience to quickly diagnose your problems so that they can correct them during the first visit. In Fort Worth, TX you cannot afford for your AC to go out more than once while tech guesses at what might be going on.
Outside of asking about the license, you can also just ask any heating and AC repair company you are considering about their level of experience. This isn’t to say that someone with ten years of experience will be more qualified to do that job than someone with five years, but it does show that they have managed to build a positive reputation in the community. A business that has maintained stability in the market probably knows how to fix HVAC units fairly reliably and probably works hard to build strong relationships with clients. These are all traits that you want in your HVAC technician.
Find Out What Brands the Company Works With
Almost every heating and AC company has a preferred HVAC unit brand that they work with. Some have a handful, but some only work with leading names. It is important to make sure that the technician that comes out to your home has experience with the specific model that happens to be in your home. An HVAC technician with ten years of experience who has never worked on your type of system won’t be as much benefit to you as an HVAC technician with only a few years of experience but a lot of work on your system.
This is also important if you are buying a new HVAC system and need a heating and AC company to install it. The installation process is actually the number one thing that influences the lifespan of your actual HVAC unit. Therefore, you need to be careful to ensure that you choose the right heating and AC company to install your unit to maximize its lifespan. Keep in mind you want a company that works with the manufacturer you want to be installed in your home. Despite what the sales team has to say if you want a specific brand installed don’t be afraid to speak up.
Do They Offer Home Evaluations?
If you are looking for a heating and AC repair company because you are thinking about having a new HVAC system installed in your home, then it is very important that you find a heating and AC repair company that offers home evaluations. A home evaluation is the best way to not only get a better idea of what your home needs, but it is also a great way to meet with some technicians from the company you have in mind to see if they communicate with you in an easy way and are transparent and fair with their pricing.
Every company will look good on their website and usually be friendly enough on the phone (if they aren’t this is also a red flag), but until you get down to business it is hard to know if they are really going to be a good fit for your home or not. The home evaluation, therefore, is a great way to meet the team and find out some valuable information that will help you as your home HVAC installation proceeds.
During the home evaluation, the team will look at how many square feet are in your home, the actual R-value of your existing insulation to determine how much air needs to be produced to counter energy loss, and then take a careful look at the existing ductwork to make sure it will support a new HVAC unit. After all, if your ductwork is decaying or broken then it will affect the way your HVAC unit will function, and you don’t want to spend a high amount of money on an HVAC unit only to have its abilities limited by poor passageways.
These are all valuable measures that need to be done before any unit can be recommended for a client. Once this process is over then the contractor should offer you an itemized, written estimate that allows you to compare models and talk about what your options are. There should be a few different proposals that offer different costs, levels of energy efficiency, and warranties. Given how often AC systems are used in Fort Worth, TX, keep in mind that things like energy efficiency may be more important than the upfront cost of installation since you will need to continue to pay energy costs for the better part of the year.
The estimate will give you a great idea of the heating and AC repair company and the way they work. Are they pushy and attempting to limit your choices? Are they patient and willing to review the totals with you so that you understand them completely? Or did they just leave you paperwork that felt overwhelming to deal with? If you didn’t enjoy the process, then it is time to move on to another heating and AC repair company.
Ask Around for Referrals
One of the best ways to narrow down your list when you start looking for a new heating and AC repair company is by asking around. A lot of people are happy to give reviews, both negative and positive and if you have friends who have lived in Fort Worth, TX for a while they probably have experience working with HVAC companies. Listen carefully to what they have to say and then check out the companies that you hear come up more than once. This is a sign that they may be worth looking more into.
If you don’t know many people in Fort Worth, TX yet, ask your neighbors who they use or talk to your co-workers. Most people love to chit-chat at work because it is usually more enjoyable than whatever they are actually supposed to be doing. Float the topic out and you will be surprised by how much feedback you can accumulate quickly.
Now with the internet, finding more opinions is easier than ever. You can run a Google search for a heating and AC repair company in Fort Worth, TX, and then read through the reviews of the companies that come up. You can also utilize Facebook to get in touch with more people who live in your immediate community.
Facebook is full of community groups and you can join one and ask people which heating and AC repair company they use. You will likely get a ton of feedback this way that will be generalized to your area. Plus, you will have the freedom of asking questions about any recommendations you receive which will allow you to get more insight into the heating and AC repair company you are thinking about calling.
Finally, while you are in the final stages of research, make sure to check the Better Business Bureau to see what their reviews are and if they are accredited. It is a good idea to make sure that the business you go with is BBB approved and has little to no complaints. If there are complaints, pay attention to how the business responds. Sometimes things happen, but a responsive business that worked hard to make something right is still worth your consideration.
Call a Heating and AC Repair Company and Make an Appointment
At this point, the only thing left to do is call the heating and AC repair company that made your shortlist and talk to them about what they can offer you. Booking an annual maintenance visit is actually a great way to screen a company and see if you like the way they work, and it is something that will add value to your system so you can kill two birds with one stone.
If you are ready to make an appointment with a heating and AC repair company, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth today. We are an experienced and licensed company ready to help out our Fort Worth neighbors.