The Top 3 Questions To Ask Your HVAC Company

The Top 3 Questions to Ask Your HVAC Company

As summer quickly approaches and air conditioners all across Indianapolis get turned on for the first time in months, homeowners may need to make decisions about repairs and replacements. While sites like Yelp, Google Local, and Angie’s List provide a great filter on which HVAC company in Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Westfield, Broad Ripple, etc., are the best to call for these issues, getting a quality contractor in your home is the first step.

Here are some helpful questions to ask to ensure you’re getting good service.

Question 1: What is the Experience Level of the HVAC Company Technicians Doing the Work?

While it’s important to have a quality HVAC company in Indianapolis to work with, the quality of work on your home air conditioning unit will ultimately be dictated by the intelligence and quality of the actual technician in your home. If you are unsure what the issue is with your air conditioner and are scheduling a diagnostic service, the customer service representative should be able to provide the name, experience and certifications of the HVAC service technician en route to your home. Similarly, if you are purchasing a new air conditioner, the comfort consultant (aka salesperson) should be able to detail who your lead installer will be and his or her experience and certifications.

The baseline expectation should be that the technician has a certification from the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s even better if the technician has a North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification, which requires ongoing education and testing in industry knowledge and best practices.

Question 2: Are There Other Options Besides Replacing my Air Conditioner?

Just like you’d want a doctor to explain all your treatment options, you should expect your HVAC technician to walk you through all available options, not just recommend replacement. When your AC is out on a hot day, it’s easy to agree to whatever the technician recommends. Take the time to understand your options—a good technician will explain the issue and walk you through different approaches, not just tell you what to do.

In most cases, there are options beyond replacement. Even older systems can often be repaired, though the cost-effectiveness varies. It’s then up to you to determine the best course of action, based upon your comfort needs, budget, and expected time in the home.

Question 3: What’s the Employment Status of Your HVAC Company Technicians?

This question might feel personal, but understanding who’s doing the work can help you know what to expect. You should have clarity about whether the HVAC technician coming into your home to perform the work is a W-2 employee or 1099-subcontractor. Don’t be scared away if it’s a subcontractor, but insist to have some quality guarantees for the work that’s performed. If the technician is a W-2 employee, find out if he or she is paid hourly or piece rate.

Piece rate is an increasing trend in HVAC that pays based on specific task-based outcomes. While it can provide greater costing clarity for the company, it can also create incentives to finish work quickly rather than thoroughly.

You’re the customer, and the company you work with should be willing to answer your questions clearly. Asking good questions helps you make informed decisions about your air conditioner replacement or repair.