Why Your Air Conditioning Company Choice Actually Matters More Than You Think

Let's be honest, most of us only think about the air conditioning company when there’s a problem. That’s to be expected. Everything is perfect all season long, then one day at 3:45 in the afternoon you leave the office for home but end up walking in 95 degree heat because your AC decided to be a jerk.

Then you frantically search AC repair company on your phone at 9:00 and are left sweating all over again.

Good air conditioning companies aren’t only called when a disaster has occurred though. They’re the ones that arrive for regular tune-ups, catch the small problems before they turn into big expensive problems, and explain what is wrong to you instead of throwing you a bill. I have witnessed homeowners save thousands of dollars over the years simply by having someone reliable check their system two times a year. Not fun, but it’s true.

Heating Services Aren't Just A Winter Afterthought

Here's an area that people tend to get wrong all the time: they only look for heating services when they are in an emergency situation. Your furnace dies in January, and now you have no heat for the next two days waiting for a part. This is all terrible, and most of the time, it is avoidable.

Your heating services should be scheduled before the cold weather so that you are prepared and not suffering.

A good furnace installation or a fall tune up on your existing one can save you hundreds of dollars, keep you warm, and keep you not spending money on a big bill. Do yourself a favor and get it checked in October, not the first time it gets cold outside.

Heating and air company, what do you expect from the company?

There's so much chatter out there everyone says there the top, quickest, cheapest, whatever. Sort it out. You need licensed techs, actual reviews (not the handful of shoddy fake reviews a company plasters up) and prices explained before any work is done.

A reliable air conditioning firm will explain your options rather than try and talk you into over-hyped items you don't need.

Someone telling you they need to replace the whole system before they've even looked inside the unit is a big warning sign, put it that way. Don't be afraid to ask questions, lots of them. A good contractor will love it, they're happy people to talk to.

Furnace Installation Is Not A DIY Project

I realize, I realize, YouTube has a 'fix' for everything. But installing a furnace is not one of them. Gas lines, electrical work, and proper ventilation, if wrong, can be much more serious and scary than just a little inconvenient.

If you want to mess around with carbon monoxide, then go right ahead.

Otherwise this is one of those jobs where doing it right is definitely worth paying a professional for, because the cost of doing it wrong is substantial- expensive repairs or much worse. The same goes for installing an AC unit, which are actually much more complicated than they appear. And poor installation will take years off that expensive unit.

AC Installation: Timing Matters More Than People Realize

The vast majority of folks wait to replace their AC until it fully gives out. That's just plain stupid, if you ask me. If your unit is more than about 12-15 years old or you've had it serviced more than once every two months, it's about time to start considering AC installation options so that come July, you're not beating on the door of an HVAC contractor.

They are crazy busy at that point in the summer.

Instead, try scheduling an appointment for a new AC in the spring.

Who cares about AC in March?

No one. So you won't be competing against fifty other homeowners for the same appointment.

Can It Work If Heat And Cold Are In The Same Place.

A lot of people don't know you can bundle your heating and air conditioning company relationship into 1, taking care of both with the same company. It's definitely easier that way. The more you can have the same company working on your entire system, the less chance for surprises and for several techs looking at parts they're not familiar with.

Many companies will give you maintenance plans that cover both your furnace and air conditioning systems for one flat cost.

Ask about it, you will probably save it within a year or two in detected problems and priority scheduling.

The Real Cost Of Ignoring Maintenance

This one always irks me. Folks will go out and buy anything to throw money at before they will actually do the preventative maintenance on their house, and then they are amazed when that $150 tune-up could have saved them from that $3,000 repair. Filters clog, coils get dusty, parts die an unassuming death until they don't work anymore.

A simple biannual inspection by a good air conditioning company or heating services company will prevent this.

It's not fun, I'll admit it. No one's stopping to comment on the nice, clear air filter. But it's the maintenance that you have to do that will save you the bucks in the long run.

Bottom Line: Don't Wait Till You're Desperate

In the end, selecting the best air conditioning companies and keeping up with your heating services really isn't that difficult. It requires some planning. Keep an eye on your HVAC system.

Get regular maintenance and inspections before your system fails, Ask questions before a technician leaves your home.

And if the company you have isn't returning your calls or scheduled service appointments, fire them and find one that will.