There are a lot of changes taking place in the residential HVAC industry recently.  That evolution is not complete, and that means that there will be a greater need for well-educated, forward-thinking technicians, willing to embrace and to explain the advantages of new technology.  As a homeowner, it can be difficult to decide who to hire for the work that much be done to the property.  When a large HVAC job is needed, the decision can be even more challenging.  After all, you want to hire someone who knows the business well, someone with experience, but you also don’t want to hire someone who shies away from the new smart home technology and other modern devices that could make your home easier to control and much more energy efficient.

For that reason, we offer up the following pieces of advice for vetting HVAC technicians before deciding who will work in your home:

#1. Check on Licenses At the state, and often at the local level, there are licenses that should be obtained by professionals in the HVAC industry.  There are specific tests and requirements that must be met in order to obtain these licenses, which means that the government is already doing part of the vetting process for you.

#2. Read Reviews and Ask for Advice Online reviews can be very beneficial, but also keep in mind that it is possible for technicians to forge reviews to make their companies sound better than they really are.  Take your time and don’t accept the first five-star review as evidence of a good company.  Also, ask friends and family for recommendations, because you know those are genuine.

#3. Ask for a Quote A good contractor should provide you a bid, in writing, at no cost.  If the technicians tries to charge you for that service or refuses to put the quote in writing, look elsewhere.

#4. Ask Questions… Lots of Them Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Ask about the noises that your current system makes.  Ask about why a particular room feels cooler than others and what might be done to correct that.  Ask about how sensors, controls, smart technology, and programmable thermostats could be used to improve your system’s efficiency.  The answers can be very informative on multiple levels.