Unexpected heating or cooling issues in your home can be extremely disruptive and uncomfortable. When your HVAC system stops working properly, you need a 24 hour heating and cooling company you can rely on to provide expert emergency repair service ASAP. As you search for the right contractor to call, keep an eye out for these important factors that indicate quality and reliability.
Check Their Response Time
When you’re facing a no-heat or no-cool situation, every minute feels like an eternity. You’ll want an HVAC company that makes emergency service a priority with fast response times. Quality contractors have systems and staff dedicated specifically to urgent repair calls, so you’re not stuck waiting around for hours on hold or for an appointment. Prioritize companies that provide ASAP service with response times of two hours or less. This shows they understand the time-sensitive nature of emergency HVAC breakdowns and have the resources to get a technician to your home quickly. Slow or non-committal responses are a red flag.
Verify Licenses and Certifications
You shouldn’t have to guess whether an HVAC technician is properly licensed and certified – any reputable company will proudly display this information on its website, vehicles, technicians’ uniforms, business cards, and marketing materials. Prior to inviting a contractor into your home, double check that the company and its technicians carry updated licenses and certification for your state and locality. Requiring continuing education and certification ensures they stay up-to-date on codes, best practices, and safety requirements. Don’t risk shoddy work or damage by using uncertified handymen.
Ask About 24/7 Availability
Equipment doesn’t tend to break down conveniently during normal business hours. You need confidence that your chosen HVAC company has systems in place to respond to your call at any hour of the day or night. Well-established contractors dedicate personnel solely to after-hours emergency services. Get specifics on their 24/7 availability and policies. Are they available nights, holidays and weekends or do they use an answering service to simply log calls? Long wait times for middle-of-the-night furnace failures mean you need to call another company.
Check Reviews and References
There’s no better way to evaluate an HVAC company than hearing directly from past customers. Professional contractors encourage feedback and are pleased to provide customer referrals. The ability to produce recent references indicates they deliver consistently positive service. Also look online for ratings and reviews. While no contractor is perfect, you want to see largely positive feedback and high ratings over a long period of time. This establishes a track record of delivering quality work and good customer experiences during emergency calls. Beware companies with no reviews or numerous very negative comments.
Ask About Repair Warranties
High quality technicians stand behind their work – that’s why the best HVAC companies provide repair service warranties. Standard warranties ensure replacement parts and labor for 30 to 90 days. Extended protection may also be available. Find out what repair warranties the company offers. Quality contractors back up emergency work just like standard service calls. Avoid any company unwilling to guarantee labor or materials, even for simple repairs. This signals potential issues down the road.
Relying on the right heating and cooling company for emergency breakdown service makes all the difference during stressful, uncomfortable situations at home. Keep these factors in mind as you evaluate and select a trustworthy HVAC contractor ready to respond to your urgent repair needs around the clock. With a bit of research, you can find a reliable partner to call when you need prompt, high-quality help.
