Your HVAC and water heater equipment need annual service to ensure proper performance and increased longevity. To make sure professional maintenance is performed, you need to be sure you are hiring a quality and proven contractor.
Here are some things to look for:
- License and insurance: Kansas does not have statewide requirements, but cities and counties do. Contact your local government and ask about any requirements so you know what to check for when hiring a contractor.
- Referrals: If you don’t have a friend or neighbor who can provide a good referral, contact local trade organizations and ask for one.
- References: Don’t just take the contractor’s word for it. Actually call their references and ask for details of the work and price.
- Rebates and discounts: Whether you need new equipment or annual service on your current system, you can usually find tax rebates or discounts for using energy-efficient products.
- Energy Star: Look for the label on any equipment the contractor is installing. They should also be able to show you calculations on the amount of energy (and money) you will save by using efficient products and following the Energy Star Guide.
- Whole-house investigation: A good contractor will always check on the condition, size and efficiency of your HVAC equipment. These are crucial areas of concern when choosing the best equipment for your needs. If any of the three points are skipped, it reflects negatively on the company’s dedication to providing quality work.
- Itemized estimates: Prior to any work being done, get a detailed, written estimate of all the work to be performed and an AHRI certificate to verify the capacities and efficiency of the equipment you’re considering.
- Proposal: Be sure all information is documented in the contractor’s proposal. No agreements should be made on a verbal basis. Be sure all equipment listed includes specific model numbers, and have the contractor write a formal proposal. Both parties should sign the proposal
The professionals at Overland Park Heating and Coolingexceed all of these criteria. We’ve been serving the Kansas City area for nearly 30 years with quality service.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about choosing a contractor and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Overland Park Heating & Cooling services Overland Park and surrounding areas in Kansas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.