Main Qualities to Look For in an HVAC Technician

Many homeowners, when faced with a broken-down air conditioner or furnace, will just flip through the Yellow Pages or search online for an HVAC contractor to come and fix or diagnose the problem. Yet, this is a good way to find yourself with a poor, overpriced repair, or talked into an upgrade that perhaps you really didn’t need.

For this reason, it’s essential to do your homework before selecting a contractor, and also to be familiar with the main qualities that a quality HVAC technician should have.

• The technician(s) should look and behave professionally and politely. They should speak clearly and be able to answer questions in plain English rather than technical gibberish.
• The HVAC technician or contractor should be able to produce upon request any pertinent certifications, such as NATE (North American Technician Excellence). Having NATE certification indicates the technician has passed tests in general HVAC knowledge as well as selected areas of specialization.
• For any major repair or installation, the HVAC technician should ask to come to your home and inspect the equipment or situation before giving you an estimate for the work. They should also ask about your family or home’s energy use, as well as looking at energy bills from the past year or two. An estimate based on inadequate information can’t be trusted.
• Similarly, if the technician is installing a central cooling or heating system, they should insist upon performing a cooling or heating load calculation prior to suggesting a system size. HVAC systems that are too big or too small for a particular home will cause problems down the road.
• A good HVAC technician should raise the issue of energy efficiency with you when discussing a new cooling or heating system. Central HVAC systems come with a wide range of efficiency levels, and they’re usually tied to the system’s price. Your choice will depend on many different factors including your budget and your area’s climate.

If you’d like to discuss your Lorain area home’s cooling or heating system with trustworthy and competent HVAC technicians, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC technicians and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.

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