5 Things to Look For When Hiring A Heating and Cooling Contractor

Ever wonder why the most inexperienced, costly contractors end up in your home? Actually it could have less to do with you than it does with the kind of information you’re gathering before you contact a heating and cooling company in for work.

Let’s be clear: You usually take the time to call a heating and cooling contractor because you are either: a) very hot or b) very cold. So an untimely breakdown (are they ever timely?) has forced your search for someone who can make the repair.

From this point, the service you receive can either soothe – or increase – your feelings of panic and irritation. There are several factors that contribute to both.

Here are the top five things to look for before opening your home—and your wallet:

1. Credentials – If a contractor begins to stutter or make up excuses when you ask for an HVAC license, it’s probably a safe bet that you should take your business elsewhere. Oddly, many customers don’t ask but wish they had.

Our dealers are required to be licensed and insured. In fact, all heating and cooling contractors should be able to readily (and eagerly) provide licensing and insurance information, plus references from recent customers.

Be sure to check the references and inquire about timeliness, job performance, and overall satisfaction of results. The best question you can usually ask is, “Would you hire them again?”

2. Technical Skill –Even though fairly common, you do not want your home to be the training ground of an inexperienced technician. By the time you see your contractor scratching his head or tossing “spare” parts back in his tool kit, it may be too late to ask about prior training.

Granted, not every company meets the stringent hiring and training advised by most equipment manufacturers. Heating and cooling work is serious business, and not suited for “guesswork”. Skilled training is the only path to proficiency.

Plus, don’t necessarily assume that “30 years of experience” is a fair method of judgment; it could very well mean one year of mistakes repeated for 30 years.

You’ll learn more about a company asking specific questions about training policies and experience requirements for hiring. Our dealers are willing to share this with you to help you make the best choice for your home or business.

Check back next week for tips 3, 4 and 5 to help you stay comfortable while saving money!

Have questions? Contact the indoor air quality and air conditioning experts at Castellano A/C Services in Tampa.  24/7 emergency services available. www.aircastellano.com

Preventing Mold in the House or at Work

As indoor air quality specialists, we know that preventing mold from making your indoor environment is key to good health.  Here are some tips:

Preventing Mold

■ Consider air conditioning possibly augmented with a dehumidification system. These systems pull the moisture from the building thus minimizing growth by depriving mold of one of its nutrients.

■ Use caution when you turning your air conditioning off. In humid climates, extended periods of non-operation of HVAC equipment may allow humidity levels to become quite high in buildings.
These periods can permit mold to gain a foothold in the building and thrive.

■ Install insulation and vapor barriers to prevent condensation on cold objects such as water pipes, beams, and plumbing fixtures.

■ Keep sinks, showers, tubs and other “wet” areas free of standing water.

■ Demand architectural, design, and construction applications that prevent water from entering the interior. Areas of concern include improperly pitched roofs, poorly designed balconies, windows,
doors, improperly installed flashing, vapor barriers, and thin stucco.

■ Maintain the integrity of building envelope through regular inspections, caulking, roof flashing, and sealing of the buildings exterior.

■ Perform semi-annual maintenance of HVAC mechanical systems using Preventative Maintenance Agreements with your ACCA Contractor. If water pooling or dust and dirt are allowed to accumulate in a system, the HVAC system could support mold growth.

■ Inform your HVAC contractor of your mold concerns and point out locations of suspicion or evidence of mold.

■ Educate you family or building occupants about mold, the dangers, and prevention.

Have questions? Contact the indoor air quality and air conditioning experts at Castellano A/C Services in Tampa.  24/7 emergency services available. www.aircastellano.com