When your AC or heater stops working, you don’t have much time to act. If you wait too long to call someone, you’ll be uncomfortable and frustrated. But as important as it is to act quickly, it’s equally important to choose the right company. Find out how to select the right heating and cooling repair services using these tips.

1. Know Your System Well

When you move into a new home, it’s important to learn about the HVAC system. If you don’t know the age or make of your system, don’t be afraid to ask. The more you know about your HVAC, the easier it will be to choose a company.

This is because some companies specialize in certain types or makes of systems. Other companies limit their services to working on select heating and cooling systems. As you search for a company, look into their services. Do they work on systems like yours? If they specialize in your HVAC brand, you may want to consider them.

In addition to helping you choose a good company, knowing your system enables you to determine when it’s time to call for heating and air repair near me.

2. Ask for Recommendations

The key to finding someone for your AC or heater repair is to seek out recommendations. Ask your family members, friends, and co-workers if they’ve had any positive experiences with local HVAC companies. Additionally, ask them if they had any bad experiences.

If no one has any advice for you, head to the internet for recommendations. Read reviews on social media and websites. You won’t find a company that has all good reviews, so look for trends in reviews. When multiple people echo the same complaints, the reviews are probably accurate. Avoid working with companies that have many dissatisfied customers.

3. Consider the Amount of Experience

Although you should only work with a company that hires trained technicians, there’s also something to be said for experience. There are many local heating and cooling companies, but only a few of them have years of experience.

Typically, you can find out how long a company has been around by looking at their website. You can also call the business and ask about their experience. The more time in the industry, the more likely it is that they’ll be capable of handling your repair.

4. Check Their License and Insurance

You might have a neighbor or family member who knows a little about HVAC repair. However, knowledge isn’t enough. If they don’t have a license or insurance, keep them away from your HVAC system. Their lack of insurance means that you will be on the hook for any damage or injuries that occur during the repair. When you work with an insured and licensed company, you can trust that your home is in good hands. If anything goes wrong, the company will be responsible for the financial burden.

5. Get an Estimate

Before you pick a company, ask for an estimate. Unless you’ve worked in the industry, you probably have no idea how much a repair should cost you. Unfortunately, some businesses take advantage of this fact. They might overcharge for a simple job. When you narrow down your search to a few companies, ask each one for an estimate. Then, compare all the prices. Keep in mind that the lowest price isn’t always the best choice. If a price is too low, the company cuts corners. They may use low-quality materials or have technicians with little experience. Get rid of the outliers and choose a company that seems to have a fair price.

6. Look for Emergency Services

When your AC goes out on a hot day, you shouldn’t have to wait days to get your system back in working order. Unfortunately, some companies have long wait times. To save yourself from a long, uncomfortable wait, hire an HVAC company that has emergency services. When you ask about their services, be sure to ask about the pricing. If a company charges too much for emergency calls, you may not be able to afford an emergency call.

7. Variety of Services Offered

If you need an HVAC repair, you probably aren’t worried about what other services your company offers. However, this is a mistake. At some point in the near future, you’ll be in need of maintenance. You can save yourself the trouble of searching for yet another HVAC company. If you hire someone that offers repair, maintenance, and installation, you can stick with one company for all of your needs. They’ll know your HVAC system better and can build up a relationship with you.

8. Rapid Response

Whether or not you need emergency services, you don’t deserve to wait for a service call. You should only work with a company that has a history of responding quickly to customer calls. To find out about a company’s response time, look at their reviews. You may also want to call them. If they don’t answer your call or respond in a timely manner, look elsewhere. The company may not be reliable enough to get your repair done on time. By working with a company that values your time and responds quickly, you can get your heater or AC working before you become uncomfortable.

9. Active Social Media or Website

These days, most reputable HVAC companies have an active Social Media page or website. In some cases, they have both. Check out their pages to learn more about the company. Typically, you can find out a lot about a business from its online presence. Look at their followers, testimonials, and images. You might learn about current promotions or discounts. Most importantly, you can tell whether or not a company is professional. If their website is poorly written and disorganized, you can expect the company to be unprofessional.

Working with Heating and Cooling Repair Services

If you’re in need of heating and cooling repair services, call us at Reliability Home Services. We’ve spent years building up trust in our community, and we want to show you what we can do. Call us now to learn more.