Air conditioning may be an essential home comfort, but it also represents a pretty significant investment. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, air conditioning accounts for a whopping 12% of our home energy spending! In other words, if you’re going to make your home comfortable, it’s crucial to get the most out of that investment.

That’s where the right HVAC company comes in. Your choice can mean the difference between long-lasting home comfort and ongoing shutdowns and malfunctions. How do you make sure you’re placing your trust in the right hands?

If you’re in the market for a good HVAC service, here are the key steps to take as you weigh your decision.

Create a List of Candidates

As you start your search, create a list of candidates by asking friends, family members, and coworkers for referrals. One of the easiest ways to find outstanding HVAC services is to work with a company that already has a good track record within your network.

If you can’t come up with any references, doing a quick online search for “HVAC company near me” is an easy way to find services in your area.

Look for Professional Standards

From here, it’s time to start narrowing down your candidate pool.

One easy way to do this is by removing any companies that aren’t licensed, bonded, and insured. These details might seem like technicalities, but they can help you avoid major problems in the case of an accident. Note that you’ll want to partner with a company that has filed the correct paperwork in your specific state and area; San Francisco residents, for example, can click for more.

Expect a Solid Reputation

Check the reputation of any company you’re considering with the BBB as well as your state’s board of contractors. Avoid companies with frequent complaints on their record.

Instead, look for companies with a solid rating as well as great customer reviews on third-party sites like Google, Facebook, Angi, and Yelp. Once you get further into the process, you can also call references to ask individual customers about their past satisfaction with the company’s service.

Meet in Person

Once you’ve narrowed down your list to one to three candidates, it’s time to meet in person. Most companies will do free home evaluations to help determine which HVAC system you need or to explain how they would address your HVAC problems. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions about their approach, equipment, and procedures.

At this point, you’ll also be given a written estimate for HVAC services. Comparing these estimates can help you figure out which option you’ll want to go with. Note, of course, that the lowest offer isn’t necessarily the right one: the best HVAC company offers peace of mind, and it’s hard to put a price tag on that!

Be Confident About Your HVAC Company

At the end of the day, it’s essential that you feel confident and comfortable about your choice of HVAC company. After all, you’ll be inviting technicians into your home and trusting them with your property—so make sure to do your due diligence before you make a decision! With a little research, you’ll be able to partner with an experienced team you can trust for years to come.

Want to make the most of your home and real estate? For more helpful guides like this one, be sure to check out our content on DIY, housing, home design, and much more.