The summer is heating up which means it is time to take care of that pesky air conditioning repair job. Whether your AC unit is broken, needs maintenance, or you need a new one, finding the right HVAC company to take care of your cooling needs is important. Some factors to keep in mind when choosing your HVAC company are costs, licensing, and services available.
Costs
When it comes to choosing the right company, cost should be one of the main considerations. When you are looking for an HVAC specialist, comparing rates and fees can help decide what you are looking for. You don’t want to find the cheapest option if it doesn’t provide the services and quality you want. But when it comes to costs, your HVAC repair company should be comparable to other companies in the area. In general, most homeowners pay anywhere from $150 to $1,000 for an AC unit repair. These prices depend on the repair needed, parts, and how long it may take. Most companies charge anywhere between $35 to $200 an hour.
Licensing
Illinois does not require individual contractors to hold HVAC licensing. However, these licenses add to the reliability and knowledge of your HVAC contractor. The more licenses and certification your HVAC technician has, the more reliable and safe the technician will be. Getting HVAC certifications and licenses provides the technician with updated knowledge and validates their experiences in repairs and installation.
There are two main governing bodies that offer licensing and certificates for any HVAC related repairs and installations. These certificates can be found here.
The Environmental Protection Agency provides certificates for anyone repairing or installing items that work with hazardous materials. The refrigerants in heating and cooling systems are considered hazardous, and therefore require the EPA certification to work with. There are three levels of certifications from the EPA. Each level allows for working on more complex units with each certification.
The North American Technician Excellence program provides more in depth training for all HVAC technicians. These certificates require a passing grade of an entry exam before attending. The courses focus on aspects of HVAC repair and installation. There are four certificates available through NATE.
- Ready-to-Work Certificate requires an entry-level exam. This certificate covers the basic job skills and essential knowledge for a general HVAC technician.
- HVAC Support Technician Certificate is a certificate for technicians wanting more advanced knowledge and skills in the industry.
- Core and Specialty Test is taken after at least two years of experience
- Senior Level Efficiency Analyst is the highest certificate available through NATE. These are for more advanced technicians who already have at least two additional certificates.
Finding technicians with advanced certificates means they are more knowledgeable about your HVAC systems and can handle the repair with efficiency. Certificates are a great way to know if your technician has the basic knowledge necessary. Along with certificates, you want to find a technician that has adequate experience in the field.
Services
Finding the right company can be challenging. When looking for a company, you want to find a place like https://www.ssmechanical.co/ac-repair-frankfort-il/ that provides maintenance, repairs, and installations. If you can find a reliable company that can install your air conditioning unit, make sure they can provide more than just an install. When looking for a company for your HVAC needs, make sure they offer the following services:
Air Conditioning Tune-Up: This preventative maintenance should cover anything that needs bi-yearly maintenance to keep it running smoothly. The technicians should be able to clean the air filters, motors, condensate drains, and condenser coil. The technicians should also check the components of the unit to make sure it’s running properly.
Air Quality Testing: Some technicians are qualified to test air quality in your home. When it comes to air quality, make sure you have the safest, cleanest air to breathe inside your home. Not having clean air can lead to serious health problems.
Repair: Find a company that has experience repairing the equipment you have in your home. Not every unit works the same. You want to find a company that understands the air conditioning unit you have and has experienced technicians that can fix it.