Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, or HVAC, refers to the heating and cooling services provided to buildings. Qualified HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair a number of HVAC-related systems in buildings including air conditioning, air quality control, heating, refrigeration, and ventilation.
Apartment buildings, hospitals, hotels, office buildings, single family homes, skyscrapers, and vehicles are all dependent on safe and healthy conditions with respect to temperature, humidity, and air quality for proper functioning.
New York City has a plethora of professional HVAC Companies that customers can select from. For this reason, it is recommended that the correct plan of action that customers should take before choosing one is to ask the right questions.
Questions to ask an HVAC Company
Most HVAC systems can last between 15 to 20 years. Outdoor and rooftop HVAC units are exposed to smog and dirty air in NYC. Furthermore, corrosion and debris can cause damage to parts. That is why it is recommended that customers get their HVAC systems regularly cleaned and maintained at least twice per year (once in the Spring, and another in the Fall), in order to get the maximum life expectancy.
Stanley Ruth, a thru-the-wall heating and cooling HVAC Company with a primary focus on private residences in New York City, provides its members with annual maintenance service. This service includes a technician who inspects the integrity of the customer’s installed HVAC system twice per year.
In New York City, HVAC technicians are not required to be licensed; therefore customers are encouraged to ask questions establishing a vendor’s credibility and expertise. There are several industry-wide certifications that convey professionalism including the EPA 608 Certification, the MSCA (Mechanical Service Contractors of America) STAR Certification, and the NATE (North American Technical Excellence) Certification. These credentials validate a vendor’s hands-on-field experience, knowledge, and training requirements.
Learning about the warranties that a HVAC Company offers its clients can give them the peace of mind they need that the equipment they receive is reliable. Inquiring about guarantees informs the customer about maintenance and repair procedures, as well.
An HVAC contractor will typically ask its client questions regarding the building’s occupancy, hours of usage, and what problems they are currently experiencing. Armed with this information, the contractor should be able to explain the load analysis and make valuable recommendations in regards to next steps.
An HVAC system breaking down on an unusually hot or cold day can create a hassle for clients. It is important to know whether the HVAC contractor that the customer hired is able to work around the clock and provide emergency repairs when needed.
Armed with this toolkit of questions, customers can take a reasonable plan of action towards finding the correct HVAC contractor that best matches with their needs.