Three Common A/C Installation Mistakes

Installing a central air conditioner is a major investment for a homeowner – one they should take seriously and approach with due diligence.

But people are…well, they’re people, and they make mistakes. Here are three of the most common ones we see when people are choosing an HVAC contractor for a central air conditioning installation.

Mistake #1: They choose based on price only.

Selecting an HVAC contractor should be based on value, not just price. The most important thing to keep in mind when looking at quotes from different contractors (which you should always do) is to be sure you’re comparing apples to apples in the estimate.

Some things to consider when comparing quotes include:

• Type of Equipment – What type of equipment is your contractor suggesting? What is its size or capacity? What is its failure rate? What is its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating? Ask the contractor why they chose that particular brand and model, and be sure to compare the features and performance of each brand and model suggested.
• Contractor quality – Do research, ask questions, and observe your contractor in action. Is he NATE-certified? Is he licensed and insured? Does he do a proper, in-person load calculation before giving you a cooling system estimate? Does he ask questions about your home and level of comfort? Does he allow YOU to ask questions and make clear what you’re getting and why? Look for contractors who are engaged from day 1.
• “Hidden” charges – Make sure everything you want is detailed in your estimate, including materials, controls, connections, piping, refrigerant lines, etc. If many of these materials and features are considered extra, or not fully detailed in the estimate, consider it a red flag. Schedule is also important: ask what happens if there are delays or unexpected problems, and be sure to get everything in writing.

Mistake #2: They choose an HVAC contractor that doesn’t guarantee their work.

All reputable HVAC contractors guarantee their work. This means that if they make a mistake on your job, they will redo or fix it AT NO CHARGE TO YOU. Choose only HVAC contractors who unconditionally guarantee their work.

Mistake #3: They don’t ask for references.

All reputable contractors will happily give you references. Ask your contractor to give you at least three names of people they have done business with, and how long they have worked with those customers. Ask what type of job they did for those customers (try to get names of people who had similar installations to your own).

For quality HVAC and central A/C installations in Sullivan County, trust the pros at Black Bear. We stand by our work, offer great value, and get the job done right the first time! Contact us today to learn more about central air installations in Sullivan County, NY.