How to Pick the Right AC Contractor for a Quality Inspection

A properly working air conditioning system is one of the most important appliances in your home—especially here in the Valley of the Sun, where temperatures are high even after summer officially ends. When the time comes for a new system, it’s important to hire a quality contractor for installation and maintenance. However, the question is, how do you know if you’re selecting an AC service contractor that has the experience, equipment, and reputation you can trust? As one of Arizona’s leaders in the HVAC industry, we’ve put together a list of tips to help you find and evaluate a prospective AC contractor.

How to find the right AC contractor

The first step to finding the right AC contractor is knowing where to look. Here are three great resources for finding a high-quality AC contractor in your area:

• Asking your energy company
• Checking online databases
• Looking at review websites

Ask your energy company

Your local energy company can be helpful when you’re looking for a qualified AC contractor. For example, APS services many homes in the Phoenix area and can provide you with a list of participating contractors they work with. They only partner with licensed, bonded, and insured service providers who complete ongoing training. This ensures that you’ll be working with a reputable contractor you can trust.

Check online databases

The internet can be a great tool for finding a variety of potential contractors, but it can be hard to narrow down all the results to find the right one. One useful online resource to find qualified contractors is the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). The most leading residential contractors belong to this organization, and their website provides listings of cooling and heating contractors in your area. As Arizona’s top authority on heating and cooling, Chas Roberts is proud to be a member of the ACCA.

Many industry-leading AC companies provide listings of contractors who are certified to sell and install their products. For example, Trane includes a link on their website for potential customers to find qualified contractors in their area by entering their zip code.

Read reviews

Websites such as Yelp, Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor can be helpful in finding AC contractors with reputable reviews. Another useful way to find reviews is to do a Google search for terms such as “AC installation near me”. Google’s search algorithm will display results from companies that service areas near you and provide the company’s average rating out of five stars.
It’s important to remember that reviews may not tell the whole story. Some reviews may be out of date or reflect information that is no longer accurate. When reading online reviews, make sure to use your best judgement and consider contacting the company yourself to evaluate their services.

How to check for service quality

Reputable contractors should take care of you through the life of your system, not just during the initial purchase. You should look for a contractor who can do the following:
• Install new systems from top brands such as Trane, Carrier, Goodman, and more.
• Professionally repair parts in a multitude of products, such as indoor and outdoor fan motors, indoor coil, drain lines, and electrical fuses.
• Provide annual check-ups to allow for minor issues to be diagnosed and resolved before they cause major problems.
• Offer an extended warranty for added protection once the manufacturer’s limited warranty runs out.

Our team at Chas Roberts covers the entire spectrum when it comes to finding an AC contractor that will always take care of your system and you. From installing new HVAC systems to offering our own maintenance plans that make scheduling annual check-ups less of a hassle, we are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Questions to ask an AC contractor

Once you’ve found a potential AC contractor, it’s important to ask the right questions in order to make sure they’re the right choice for you. Here are the top four questions you should ask an AC contractor before agreeing to use their services.

• How do you know what size system to recommend for my home?
• Do you sell Energy Star equipment?
• Do you offer ongoing maintenance for my new AC system?
• Can you install and set up a programmable thermostat?
•How do you know what size system to recommend for my home?

Any professional HVAC installer will know how to measure your home to determine the correct size system. This is the only way to make sure the size of the system you purchase will be large enough to cool your home, but not any larger than you need. Operating a system that is the perfect size for your home is one of the benefits of working with a reputable, licensed AC contractor.

Do you sell Energy Star equipment?

If you’re interested in Energy Star certified equipment for your new AC system, it’s important to find a contractor who sells this equipment and knows how to install it correctly. According to Energy Star, many heating and cooling systems never perform to their advertised capacity and efficiency due to incorrect installation—which means homeowners are paying higher operating costs then they should over the life of the equipment.

At Chas Roberts, we have the expertise and experience necessary to correctly install Energy Star equipment, so you can be sure that your system will work to its full efficiency.

Additional information about Energy Star

Energy Star is the international standard for energy efficient consumer products. It was created in 1992 as a joint partnership between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy. Products that are certified by Energy Star can help you save money on energy bills, as well as protecting the environment by reducing emissions that are released into the air.

Energy Star certified air conditioners have higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and energy efficiency ratio (EER) ratings. These ratings recognize certain models for using 8% less energy than conventional models. This efficiency results in lower energy bills, which will save you money throughout the lifespan of your system.

Do you offer ongoing maintenance for my new AC system?

Getting regular maintenance on your AC system is just as important as getting a quality installation. At Chas Roberts, we offer comprehensive maintenance plans. Our maintenance plans provide twice annual check-ups to help ensure maximum efficiency, identify any possible problems that may occur in the near future, and keep your air conditioning system running at its peak efficiency year round. Unlike other companies that may only perform a simple check for loose bolts or dirty filters, our 26-point maintenance plan thoroughly checks your entire system from top to bottom.

Can you install and set up a programmable thermostat?

Any quality AC service contractor will encourage the use of a programmable thermostat and will be able to help you set it up. Programmable thermostats allow you to control the temperature in your home at different times of day without having to manually adjust your thermostat. This helps you save money and energy.

Chas Roberts can install nearly every type of thermostat in the market. After installation, we’ll walk you through the use of your new thermostat and offer tips that can help you save money on your next energy bill.

How Chas Roberts can help

If you’re ready for a new air conditioning system and want to ensure you get the right equipment with the best installation, contact Chas Roberts. With more than 75 years of experience serving the Valley, our technical skill and industry knowledge are unparalleled. When you rely on us for your air conditioning needs, you’ll find quality, convenience, affordability, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re working with experts.