Carefully choosing an HVAC contractor is a vital first step for Asheville area homeowners replacing a heating or cooling system. The right contractor should be held to high standards regarding credentials, expertise and reliable customer service on which you can depend for the life of the new system.

Credentials
Your HVAC contractor should have impeccable credentials with longevity and ties to the community. Licenses, insurance and references should be provided and confirmed. All HVAC equipment, systems, service and installation should be clearly explained and outlined in a bid proposal and followed by a contract once terms are reached.

Expertise
While company longevity is certainly a crucial and necessary criteria, be careful not to assume a company’s expertise for service and installation, due to the rapid feature advancements and engineering changes in HVAC systems in recent years.

For instance, if you’re upgrading to a new condensing furnace, special considerations for sidewall venting and ductwork modifications using Manual D are likely in order for safety, comfort and efficiency.

Your contractor should employ NATE-certified technicians. NATE-certified technicians are held to the highest standards in the HVAC industry. They have accomplished rigorous training and testing and must retest at least every five years, which ensures ongoing training.

Customer service
With proper preventive maintenance and periodic DIY care, new HVAC systems, such as a high-efficiency heat pump, are engineered to last 15 years and more. It’s important to choose an HVAC contractor that you can depend on for the life of your HVAC system.

During initial discussions with bidding contractors, a service-oriented contractor will stand out by fully exploring and explaining your heating and cooling systems options and help you decide which system is right for your home. Your contractor should discuss warranties, workmanship guarantees, energy-efficiency tax credits for qualifying systems and proper preventive maintenance scheduling for the installed HVAC systems.

For more information about choosing an HVAC contractor, contact Smoky Mountain Heating & Airin the Asheville area today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Asheville, North Carolina and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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