7 Steps to Finding the Right HVAC Contractor

You are ready to reduce your energy consumption, with an eye toward lowering your electricity and fuel bills. To reach your goals, you may need to hire a contractor, an individual that understands what your home best needs to achieve your energy savings goals. When hiring a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning professional, the following steps should be taken. Reduce your electrical consumption by getting the right HVAC system for your home, one that consumes less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases.

1. Evaluate your home first.
As a homeowner, you are in the best position to understand the shortcomings of your current HVAC system. You are familiar with the monthly electrical and fuel bills, and may want to reduce those costs. You also know which rooms are the hardest to heat and cool, information you can pass on to your contractor.

2. Consider special offers.
You will pay thousands of dollars for a complete HVAC system, with your price varying perhaps based on the season it is installed and the unit’s size. Review the EPA’s Energy Star program guidelines to determine which HVAC systems are the most efficient. Consider that both federal and state incentives may be available too. Also, your utility company may offer an abatement for this work, especially if your electrical use will drop.

3. Get referrals, check references.
The best people to refer you to an HVAC contractor are those that recently had the work done themselves. Ask your neighbors, friends and family members if they have had work done in the past year. Contact these referrals to get estimates. Ask contractors for additional references and contact these people to verify the contractor’s performance including price paid and service performance.

4. Get your home evaluated.
Your energy company can send a professional by to evaluate your home separately. Ask your electrical or fuel provider to provide an energy audit. Compare that audit with the contractor’s findings, using both as a basis for your upcoming energy project.

5. Know the law.
Your town or city may require that your contractor obtain a permit and pay a fee before beginning his work. Call your local housing department to learn what requirements are in place. This will include minimum insurance requirements, a matter you will want to discuss with your insurance agent too. You may need to obtain an insurance rider for any work done on your premises.

6. Get it in writing.
Never do any work without getting it in writing. All terms of the contract should be spelled out including deposit information, fees and the total cost. Make your final payment only when the work has been satisfactorily completed. If a problem is detected, have the HVAC contractor remedy the matter before you make your final payment.

7. Follow up.
Now that your HVAC system is installed, there are several areas of follow up that should be handled. One, review your electrical and fuel bills to determine if your savings are being reached. Two, if rooms are still unevenly heated or cooled, then your contractor should be contacted. Duct work connections are typically to blame. Lastly, have your HVAC system maintained on an annual basis. You may find it beneficial to have it under contract, to ensure that a professional comes by each year to give it a tune up.

HVAC Notes

If you like your new HVAC system, make sure your friends and neighbors know about it. Those units that are most energy efficient will reduce our nation’s dependency on foreign sources of fuel, while reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can impact the environment. Likely, you will notice considerable savings if your current HVAC system is at least 10 years old.

Author Information
Natasha Risinger is an energy researcher. She writes about saving energy and new developments in the industry for eco blogs. Click the link to find Texas electricity providers.