There are many things around your home that you can repair yourself, as DIY is becoming more common as time goes on. But, there is one appliance in your home that you should never DIY. And that’s your air conditioning or HVAC system.
It’s a complicated, complex piece of machinery that has many moving parts and should only be handled by an experienced air conditioning service company. If you are in the St. Louis area, here are some tips on how to find the right air conditioning repair service in your area.
1. Experience With Your HVAC System
There are many different HVAC systems out there. Not only are there the older generation ones in older homes that haven’t been replaced in years or even decades, but there are also the new cutting-edge geothermal technology ones as well.
You will want to choose a St. Louis AC repair service that is knowledgeable about all the different brands and kinds of HVAC systems out there, so they can repair your unit without needing additional visits or time. Your time is precious and you don’t want to waste it with an air conditioning repair service that doesn’t know what they are doing.
2. Payment Schedules
HVAC systems aren’t cheap, but they are an essential part of your home, something you can’t live without. That’s why you want it to function well, but not at an exorbitant cost that eats up all your savings and kills your monthly household budget.
One thing you can enquire about with a potential air conditioning repair service is whether they have some kind of payment plan or schedule that you can follow instead of paying the full amount at once. This will make it easier for you to get a new HVAC system or repair your old one.
You can pay for it a bit at a time every month and this way you don’t have to go into immense financial stress due to this one purchase. Make sure to read the fine print and know exactly what your financial responsibility in the payment schedule is. You don’t want to miss a payment and cause harm to your good credit score or untainted credit history.
3. Rebates and Tax Credits
Another item that can help make your HVAC system quite a bit cheaper for you is rebates and tax credits. The American government has set up quite a few of these to make it easier for folks like you to purchase a new HVAC system that’s more energy-efficient and good for the environment.
The St. Louis AC repair service that you speak to should be knowledgeable about these rebates and tax credits and should offer them to you to sweeten the deal. Not only does that money not come out of their pocket, but why shouldn’t both you and them take advantage of free money from the government? You would be remiss if you didn’t.
4. References
We live in a day and age where it’s easy to go online and learn immense amounts of information about a person, company, or country in a matter of minutes. So you should take advantage of this bountiful information and check out online customer reviews on the St. Louis air conditioning repair service.
But more than that, you should also ask the business to send you some references from previous and current customers so you can get a better idea of their service. Of course, they are going to give you references from satisfied customers, but it’s still a good idea to contact these folks and ask them how they enjoyed the service offered by the business.
Don’t forget to speak to the friend or family member who referred this company to you in the first place and see why they liked their service as well. The more information you can gather about the company, the more comfortable you will feel about hiring them for your AC repair.
5. Written Estimates
Nowadays, repair, installation, and replacement costs of HVAC systems are exorbitantly high. That’s why you will want to ensure you are protected in case of any misfortunes or mistakes.
Firstly, you will want to ask for written estimates from at least 3 different HVAC companies, so you can understand what the cost range is.
Don’t just focus on the cost estimates though, but also on how long it will take for the repair to be completed, the scope of the work, and other details.
Secondly, don’t forget to ask the company if they offer any warranties or guarantees at all. Additionally, you could ask them for a service contract, which will extend the lifespan of your HVAC system and its efficiency as well.
Thirdly, most HVAC companies will have liability insurance in place to protect themselves and you in case of injury or accidental damage. Make sure your potential AC repair companies have this. Don’t sign up with one if they don’t.
Try to avoid dealing with HVAC companies that don’t have the proper licensing, insurance, or bonding in place. Don’t hire them just because your cousin or friend recommended them and they need the business. It’s not worth the headache you might potentially have down the road because of this lapse.
Find the Best Air Conditioning Service in St. Louis
Your family’s health depends on having a proper HVAC unit in place. This means that if anything happens to your AC, you will want to find an air conditioning service that you can count on.
Use the tips above to find the best St. Louis AC repair service. Contact us if you are still searching for one. We offer duct cleaning, HVAC repair and maintenance, air purification, and mold treatment.
