How to Find Reputable HVAC Contractors

When you're in the market for an HVAC contractor, the process can become quite vexing. After all, you need to find a company that you can fully trust with essential systems that ensure a high level of home comfort. Our goal here is to make the process easier for you by providing a few simple tips.

Ask Around for Recommendations

If you can get a recommendation from someone you know -- family member, friend, or co-worker -- your search may be over only a few moments after it's begun. This is definitely the first step you should take.

Check Out Referrals

The first time you contact a new contractor, ask for a list of referrals of past clients. You can receive a fair sampling by choosing one or two letters from the alphabet, and then asking for referrals with last names that correspond to your choices.

Ensure NATE Certification

NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification provides testing on technicians to ensure vast knowledge of various HVAC systems and topics. If a potential company doesn't utilize certified technicians, go somewhere else for service.

Make Sure They're Attentive

While it's true that HVAC contractors typically have a lot of customers to deal with at any given time, that's certainly no excuse for providing bad service. You should always expect to be treated respectfully and responded to in a timely manner.

Check on Industry Knowledge

We're not talking about basic industry knowledge -- every HVAC company will obviously employ technicians who know their jobs. What you should look for, though, is a contractor that keeps up with evolving technology and techniques.

Take a Look at the BBB Website

The Better Business Bureau website is a great way to get a feel for the quality of an HVAC contractor. You can use the site to check out a company's ratings and see how they handled any complaints against them.

For more expert advice on how to find a reputable HVAC contractor, or any other home comfort concerns, contact the professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving the needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC contractors and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “PeteLinforth/Pixabay”

What ACCA Membership Should Mean to You When Hiring an HVAC Contractor

What ACCA Membership Should Mean to You When Hiring an HVAC Contractor

When hiring an HVAC contractor for upgrades, service or repair, it’s important to investigate references for completed work and professional affiliations, and seek out contractors with special recognition from industry organizations, manufacturers and uninvested third parties. One of the specific affiliations you should place as a prerequisite for your contractor is ACCA membership.What is ACCA?ACCA is an acronym for Air Conditioning Contractors of America, and it is a non-profit entity serving the best interests of homeowners and businesses by working closely with HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) companies to implement and promote industry standards for best practices, energy efficiency and methodologies for installations, repairs and service.ACCA membershipWhen you hire an HVAC contractor with ACCA membership, you’re assured of the following criteria and benefits:

• ACCA-affiliated contractors stay apprised of the most recent technological advances within the industry, which helps homeowners select systems most suited for their needs and budget.

• Your contractor employs professional technicians that are properly trained to provide exceptional service, seeking the best methods to perform their duties with the goal of 100-percent customer satisfaction.

• Your contractor uses ACCA methodologies for performing heat gain/loss calculations (Manual J) to properly size heating and cooling equipment to each individual home and situation. For duct retrofits or new installations, ACCA’s Manual D is followed to the letter for optimal results for energy efficiency and home comfort.

• ACCA-affiliated contractors know and comply with state and local codes, and are professional companies which carry all required licenses and insurance for your protection.

Above and beyondHVAC contractors with ACCA membership are actively involved in ongoing education for their technicians. They frequently seek out top talent and motivated professionals, and are often required to carry and maintain other professional affiliations and certifications, such as NATE (North American Technician Excellence).Also, request references of completed projects from your list of prospective contractors, and make sure to check each contractor's standing with the Better Business Bureau.At Air Assurance, we're committed to providing our customers the very best service, repair and installation available in the greater Tulsa area, and promote the standards, ethics and methodologies which ACCA membership represents. Call us today for your HVAC needs.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Hiring An HVAC Contractor? Look For NATE Certification

Are you looking for an HVAC contractor? Do you know what an HVAC contractor does? HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Sometimes you will see it listed at HVAC/R -- this adds "refrigeration" to the list of systems the contractor can install or repair.When you have someone working on your HVAC system, you want someone with experience and training -- in other words, someone who knows what they are doing. The best way to make sure that your HVAC contractor fits this description is to hire someone who has NATE certification.NATE actually stands for North American Technician Excellence, a non-profit program founded in 1997. NATE is the only training and testing program supported by the entire HVAC industry. It was developed to establish a standard of knowledge, proficiency and professionalism in order to build customer trust. A contractor with NATE certification has proven that they know the HVAC business and will provide the best service possible.NATE is supported by the HVAC industry, but do other people value the NATE certification designation?  Yes.

• Contractors prefer NATE-certified technicians because they tend to be more productive than non-certified technicians; they have proven that they have superior knowledge; and they will get the job done right the first time.

• Local utility companies often require that their technicians obtain NATE certification. This helps keep their equipment running at peak capacity.

• HVAC equipment manufacturers prefer technicians with NATE certification in order to ensure proper installation, which reduces warranty returns and repair issues.

• And consumers prefer NATE certification because it gives them the confidence that their contractor knows the equipment and proper installation.

Want another reason to demand that your contractor have a NATE certification? The HVAC industry is constantly changing. There are always new restrictions, new standards, new requirements and new equipment that the contractor must know, so NATE certification must be renewed every five years.Air Assurance in Broken Arrow, OK, was the first HVAC company in the United States to have all of its technicians NATE-certified. Our knowledgeable and helpful staff will be happy to answer your HVAC questions.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.