How To Choose The Right Cooling & Heating Contractor In Seattle

Do you need to choose the right heating contractor for your home? Here are the top three things you need to make sure you are using a legitimate contractor.

1.  Are they licensed and bonded? We proudly post our contractor's license as proof Wa State #FISCHHC854N5
2. Make sure you get a written estimate for all new complete systems; for repairs, it's not essential since you might save money if they can get it done in short order.
3. Make sure you understand the proposal and have a detailed conversation with your estimator so that you know what is and is omitted! That summarizes the top three things you need to know when choosing the right heating contractor for the Seattle market. Verify a contractor in WA State.

HVAC equipment repair, heating contractors, maintenance, or installation in your Seattle home? If you do, please keep in mind that your choice of a reputable contractor for the job matters. Choose Fischer Heating as your heating contractor because you are sure that we will only send you a NATE-certified HVAC technician to do what is required.

NATE stands for the North American Technician Excellence. It’s a non-profit organization responsible for certifying technicians in the air conditioning, ventilation, and heating industry. Technicians are required to pass rigid exams using actual situations. They can also specialize in any area, including air distribution, refrigeration, oil and gas furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioning, among others.

NATE-certified technicians are in demand because HVAC contractors are confident that they’ll be able to provide the best customer service possible.

We understand that hiring qualified heating contractors is difficult. We want you to know that you can rely entirely on a trustworthy and reliable company in Seattle when you get in touch with Fischer Heating.

To ensure that you get a qualified heating contractor, we are giving you some essential pointers.

Technician’s License & Experience

The HVAC system is very expensive equipment. When you need to have it serviced, you want someone who has the right training to do the work. Washington State requires its heating contractors to have the proper licenses. Licenses are issued to those who have passed the exam in Seattle.

Applicants for the exam must have fulfilled the required years of field experience prior to applying for the license. Specialty contractors, such as HVAC, are required by the state to be bonded and to have general liability insurance to protect customers in case of accidental damage or injury.

The company should be stable, with a list of satisfied customers.  Heating contractors should also carry excellent brands. And their technicians should have the right training for these brands to ensure proper installations, maintenance, and repair.

The experience of an HVAC contractor matters. While longevity adds value, it does not assure that they are doing a good job. What you should look for is the stability of the company, which is an assurance that the contractor regularly provides good service. Contractor and technician certifications through industry organizations also guarantee that their experience and technical education are current. Two of the most important are certification from the National Comfort Institute for air balancing and certification to handle refrigerants under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.

The contractor’s technicians should also have training in the brands they carry in order for them to install the HVAC system according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

A Thorough Evaluation Of Your Home

If this is your first time installing an HVAC system, it is important to find a heating contractor that will offer a complete evaluation of your home. For them to determine the best solution for your cooling and heating requirements. Factors such as your home’s square footage, the number of windows and where they are facing, the R-value of insulation, and the condition of your duct system are all measured and inspected. The trained technicians should be knowledgeable in using the industry software called Manuals J (heating and cooling loads), S (finding the right equipment size), and D (appropriate ductwork) for proper calculations.

After the evaluation, the contractors should present you with a written and itemized estimate so you can compare costs, energy efficiency, and warranties with other proposals you have received. While the price is a consideration, you should also know the energy requirements and the efficiency of the equipment based on the climate in your region.

Referrals & References

The heating contractor should be able to present you with references. You should call them up to ask about the contractor’s pricing and job performance. Check the Better Business Bureau if there are complaints filed against the company.

Seek referrals from family, friends, and neighbors. You can also ask local trade organizations and check online services like the Air Conditioning Contractors of America or Angie’s List. There, you can find reputable heating contractors established in Seattle.

Special Offers & Rebates

If you are receiving electric service from Seattle City Light, you can apply for rebates when you are installing energy-efficient equipment. You can check their website for the details on how to apply. Your heating contractor may also have some special offers on the brands they carry.

Efficient Equipment

Whether you are having a new HVAC system installed or just an upgrade, your heating contractor should be able to show you savings calculations. When you use Energy Star heating/cooling equipment, Energy Star-rated products meet the strict guidelines for energy efficiency established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

A good heating and cooling contractor is proud of his company. Aside from the quality equipment they carry and high-quality tools, it is important to check the condition of their vehicles. A good contractor should have clean and well-maintained trucks. They are proud to have their vehicles advertise the name of their company.

Things Seattle Homeowners Should Do

Now that you know the characteristics of a good cooling and heating contractor, Seattle homeowners should likewise learn how to prepare to find a fully qualified contractor.

• Make a shortlist of qualified HVAC contractors in Seattle.
• Set up an appointment in your home with each contractor. Inquire if they provide free estimates. A reputable HVAC contractor does not charge for the first appointment. They should inspect your home and ask for a variety of information, such as the number of people, home insulation, the number and direction of windows, and the condition of your existing HVAC system if you already have one. The information they have will be used to determine the right capacity of the heating and cooling system.

The contractors will later submit a written estimate. There should be a breakdown of all the charges – equipment, parts, labor, and other work that are necessary for the installation or repair of your system. See to it that the lowest bid does not sway you. Compare the estimates and see if all the costs are included. Do not hesitate to ask questions, especially if a bid is very different from the others.

Once you have decided on the contractor, have a lawyer check the contract to ensure that the contractor is insured and licensed, the warranties are correctly stated, and the scope of work is what you expect.

Contact us for any additional questions you may have, or give us a call today at 206-202-9499.