When purchasing a new HVAC system for your home, whether a furnace, A/C, heat pump or whatever, make sure you carefully consider the contractor and quotes before making a final decision. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best quote for your new HVAC system:

Certifications

All HVAC system installers should be properly certified and licensed. If they are not, there’s probably a good reason for that, and it’s likely not a good one. For example, look for NATE (North American Technician Excellence) and ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) certifications or memberships.

Referrals and References

A good way to judge a contractor is to find out what other customers think about them. Find online recommendations and reviews to give you a better idea of what the contractor does well and what they do poorly, and whether they have a record of quality and reliability. Request references directly from the installer. If they have provided good service in the past, they should have numerous customers willing to refer them.

Overall Cost

Price comparing is a common shopping practice; when shopping for HVAC system installers, you should be extremely detailed with your quote comparison. All quotes are not what they appear to be at face value, so you should not just go with the lowest quote that you hear. That low quote may reflect substandard products or sloppy installation, and others it may just be a prelude to expensive add-ons later in the process.

A line item installation quote should always be requested. This will allow you to compare the prices and included services of their installation packages. There are several things that you should look for including:

  • Type and length of warranty
  • The brand and type of HVAC system being installed
  • Maintenance services included

The type, size, efficiency and brand of HVAC system are especially important because these factors will determine long-term operating costs, reliability and performance, among other things. If an HVAC contractor skimps on the quality of the system to quote you a lower price, they should be avoided.

For more tips about how to find the right HVAC installer for your Northern Virginia home, please contact us at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Northern Virginia.