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What You Should Know When Choosing an Air Conditioning Company

It used to be that you’d move to a new neighborhood and there would be a guy — maybe two guys competing with one another — that were capable of installing your air conditioner. In the modern world of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) companies, however, a quick search on Google will tell you just how many companies are out there reading to install an air conditioning unit. So how can you decide which of the three dozen HVAC companies or AC contractors in your area is the one you’re ready to work with?

The answer is simple and complex at the same time. It’s simple because you simply have to ask them some questions, but it’s complex because asking three dozen companies a half dozen questions apiece can take the better part of an afternoon. When determining how to choose an air conditioning company, here are some things to keep in mind:

Is the air conditioning company insured?

Also called ‘bonded’, a properly insured contractor or company will be able to pay for any damage they incur to your home in the installation process if something should go wrong. Simply put, working with an uninsured/unbonded air conditioning company is like playing scratch lotto, but in negative numbers — it’s likely nothing will go wrong, but if it does, you’re suddenly out four or five digits and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Are they certified with the specific make and model you’re having installed?

Certification simply means that they’ve proven that they know what they’re doing. Many contractors, especially the less expensive ones, know the basic process, but they might not know the specific details associated with your make and model — they’re not certified. Working with a certified AC installer makes it a lot less likely that you’ll need that bond/insurance we just discussed.

Has the air conditioning company been in business for a while?

“A while” might seem a bit vague, but it’s a mostly subjective question. There is no hard-and-fast rule that says ‘every HVAC contractor that’s been in business for four years is a good one’ — but by and large, crappy contractors don’t stay in the business for long. Look for someone who’s been around for a while and you’re much more likely to find excellent (and prompt) customer service.

How many people work at the air conditioning company and/or how busy are they?

Much like the length of time question above, this can tell you a lot about the installer’s business sense. An installer that is busy is generally an installer that is doing well, which often means they’re getting referrals. That in turn means people are happy with their work, which means you’re likely to be happy as well.

Does the air conditioning company employ in-house technicians or do they outsource their work?

Some companies outsource their work when they get busy to questionable subcontractors who may or may not have the qualifications to install your air conditioner. Make sure you’re dealing with one that uses only in-house HVAC technicians.

Air King takes pride in our ability to meet the individual needs of every customer. Our network of highly skilled and dedicated personnel are ready to deliver, install and service your equipment. We welcome the opportunity to deliver and install the best equipment available, at the lowest prices and in a timely manner.