9 Ways to Know You Found A Good HVAC Contractor
Unless you have a friend who is already in the heating and air conditioning business, trying to find a reputable and honest hvac contractor can be a very daunting task! After all, the cost of installing new HVAC equipment is not something to take lightly, it's a big check to write! A bad decision now, is something that's going to haunt you for the next 10-20 years, and the last thing you want is an HVAC Contractor who is not going to be here, or has no care about your needs!
The list of tips below can be used to hold just about any kind of service based company in check, but we tuned it specifically to HVAC Contractors! If you are a contractor or just want to add a bit to the list, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page to add your own tips to the list! And if you have a website, please feel free to tell your own site visitors, you made the list! 
How to Spot a Great HVAC Contractor
HVAC Contractor is Licensed and Insured
Ask your HVAC Contractor for their license number, and proof of insurance. I realize this sounds trivial, but with the poor economy we have experienced over the last 3 years, 2-Guys-and-a-Van type companies have sprung up everywhere, and many of them are not licensed or insured!
Holds Industry Certifications and Member of Respected Trade Groups
Technical certifications like NATE and respected HVAC Industry groups like ACCA exist for a reason! Even the EnergyStar website sponsored by the US Gov't maintains a site just for qualified HVAC Contractors!
Respected and Referred By Peers
Call a few bigger contractors that would not usually service your area (next largest town, etc). When they tell you they don't go to your area, ask them for a few references to reputable HVAC Contractors in your area.
Offers Annual Service Contracts
Does the HVAC contractor offer a service contract for the HVAC Equipment? If so, ask them how many other service customers they already have! If they have a good bit, they probably plan to be around for awhile!
Handles Calls During Non-Business Hours
Before you decide to use one specific HVAC contractor, call their office early in the morning (8am) and then again later in the evening (6-7pm). The morning call will tell you when they start their day, and the evening call at 6PM, well, that will tell you the level of service you can expect if you come home from work and find your system not working!
Positive Online References
With the technology at our fingertips today, places like Angies List, Facebook, Google Maps, the BBB, and many local business directories offer reviews of local companies. Read what they say, and more importantly... pay attention to how the company handles the negative reviews. Do they argue back, or work to resolve issues?
Do They Drug Screen or Background Check Employees?
You are about to allow 2-5 complete strangers into your home! You better hope the HVAC Contractor has drug screened or at least knows all of their employees very well, and you better trust their judgment!! Look at their website for hiring or staffing policies, or call them and feign that you are looking for a job. Ask them if a drug or background check is performed!
Been In Business Longer than a Few Months!
When you are talking to the contractor, ask them how long they have been in business. If you have any doubt at all, take their license number above, and cross reference it with your own state records. Almost every Secretary of State office maintains a website with business registrations.
Clean and Well Maintained Vehicles
If the technician or salesman shows up in a beat up pickup truck or very disorganized service van... Guess what your installation is going to look like?!
Professional Appearance of Technicians
Was the HVAC Contractor in a uniform, or at least dressed professionally? If they show up in tore up jeans and dirty shirts, you probably aren't getting the most professional organization!
Find an HVAC Contractor
Finding a good hvac contractor is not hard! Use free services like QualitySmith for pre-screened and local contractors, or sign up to Angies List for peer reviews! The bottom line, due diligence when choosing your HVAC Contractor! We previously mentioned the Energystar web, they offer a list of 10 tips for finding a contractor as well!
I work for a contractor in Georgia. This is a great list of tips for finding the right contractor and I wanted to add that our company actually invites our customers to review our business online! Afterway we see the reviews, we reward them with $10 gift card for good, bad or otherwise!
The good reviews get us more business, the bad reviews let us all know how we are perceived in our customers eyes, and improve our overall business.
Great list! Thanks!
You can always check out quality smith where clients post their projects free of charge and is made available for vetted local contractors to bid. The best part is it cost the client nothing!