There are a variety of strategies for finding a competent home HVAC service that is both responsive and affordable, but personal recommendations are typically the preferred method. Besides referrals from friends and relatives, the Internet can also provide valuable assistance in researching heating and cooling service companies.
One of the most important phone numbers that any homeowner needs to have handy is the direct line to a reliable and reasonably priced heating and cooling service. For people who don't have an established relationship with a good heating and air conditioning service, the next best approach to finding one is through a personal recommendation. You can usually count on family members, friends, co-workers or neighbors to refer you to a reputable HVAC service. If they've had a positive experience with a heating and air conditioning company, chances are you will too. If you're a new homeowner, then the previous owner of your home can usually give you some solid guidance on reliable contractors, repair services, and HVAC companies. These service providers will probably already be familiar with your new home's furnace, air conditioning system, and other major appliances.
The Better Business Bureau's Web site can also be a helpful resource in determining how well heating and cooling companies stack up in the customer service department. If the HVAC company you're researching has a BBB listing, you can tell at a glance how many complaints have been filed against the business and whether a good faith effort was made to resolve the complaints. The five complaint types that the BBB reports on are advertising/sales issues, billing/collection issues, delivery issues, guarantee/warranty issues, and problems with the service or product. The BBB also uses a 16-factor grading system, which can provide some helpful information about local service businesses, including heating and cooling contractors. Factors such as length of time in business, complaint history, government actions against the business, and whether the company has the necessary competency licensing are among the criteria the BBB uses to grade an accredited business. Although this is not an endorsement of the business by the BBB, it does reflect some positive things, such as the fact that the accredited business has made a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve consumer complaints. Businesses do pay a fee to the BBB to be reviewed and monitored for accreditation.
Another useful resource can be the Web site of the heating and air conditioning company you're considering. The level of detail makes all the difference, though. For example, a HVAC heating and cooling Web site that has a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page, a history of the company, a comprehensive listing of its credentials and affiliations, its insurance and bonding coverage, payment options, and contact information can provide a great deal of pertinent information.
Customer review sites can also shed some light on what actual customers think about the furnace repair or installation company you're researching. Any online reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt, however, because some of the reviews may have been planted by someone who's involved with the company. To further complicate matters, the unfavorable ones might have been posted by competitors, disgruntled ex-employees, or an air conditioner repair customer that's always finding fault with everything. So whether you're in the market for furnace installation services or thermostat replacement, ask around for recommendations, do a little research, and then throw in a dash of intuition for good measure!
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