Things to consider... HVAC Dealer - Expertise

Ever heard of North American Technician Excellence?  A potential HVAC dealer will have.  The NATE is the only national testing and certification program accepted by the entire HVAC industry.  When considering a dealer for your homes air conditioner, heat pump, furnace or air handler be sure to dig a little deep into the technical expertise of the companies technicians.  Will the company on the other end of the line be sending out a qualified and knowledgeable person?  Will that person be certified?  Expertise is no simple thing.  Having the right people working on your equipment saves time and money.  Getting things done timely and on budget right from the start.

Things to consider... HVAC Dealer - Solutions

One size does not fit all.  You know this... does your HVAC dealer?  The best ones recognize that there is no cookie cutter solution to any situation.  Search out a dealer that offers to develop a proposal customized to your specific needs.  You are going to want someone that takes a look at your existing system, your duct work and spends a little time with you listening to your needs and any concerns you might have before offering up a quote.  How many different types of air conditioners are out there?  Surely there are quite a few that would work on your home... but which one is the right one for your home?  The right HVAC dealer for you will narrow that field down to one and, perhaps more importantly, they will be able to tell you why that particular one.  Look for a dealer that offers solutions and not just a product.

Things to consider... HVAC Dealer - Innovation

Take a look around you... The innovation in our lives is staggering and ever changing.  The technology in todays world changes so rapidly one can barely keep up.  The products and services offered today in the HVAC industry are no exception.  Home comfort, utility bill savings and air quality are areas of innovation in this industry that should be a focus of any HVAC offering.  Any dealer you may visit with should have a good grasp on just what is new on the market.  One could imagine installing a new heat pump only to find out later that an updated model had been available that was more energy efficient or quieter than the version installed.  Take a moment and ask the dealer in front of you just what is new in the HVAC world.  If they are on top of things they will be able to tell you all about the new innovation.

Things to consider... HVAC Dealer - Commitment

Satisfaction guaranteed?  How exactly does that get measured?  The fact of the matter is that when you are looking for an air conditioning or furnace dealer your satisfaction will not be realized until the end of the transaction.  So the question becomes: What can you do to help insure 100% satisfaction before work begins?  It all comes down to how the prospective HVAC dealer responds to you.  Are they telling you what you need and controlling the conversation?  Or are they LISTENING?  Please don't overlook this.  A dealer that talks about quality and talks about service and talks about and talks about... Should be LISTENING!  The right dealer for your needs will be listening and learning first.  They will take everything into consideration and their response should reflect their comprehension of your questions or concerns.  By the end of the conversation you should feel confident that you are on the right path to 100% satisfaction.

Things to consider... HVAC Dealer - Professionalism

When was the last time you had your socks knocked off by exceptional customer service?  Take a second and think about that question.  Anymore it seems that we are bowled over when we receive service that a generation or two ago would have been seen as unremarkable.  The exceptional customer service of today is yesterdays ordinary.  So back to the original question... Exceptional customer service?  It is not gone, it is just a little harder to find.  When it comes to HVAC dealers there are ways to narrow the field a little.  Take a look at what they offer.  Do they have extended hours?  Not all air conditioning trouble occur from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.  Is there an after hours emergency service.  Little tough getting some good shut eye when your bedroom is 85 degrees at night.  Also look for things like financing packages and year-round maintenance programs.  It would stand to reason that the more a dealer has to offer, the more customer focused they are.  Look for theses and other “extra measures” of customer service when looking to fill your HVAC needs.

Things to consider... HVAC Dealer - Reputation

Think about the last time you applied for a job.  In fact, every time you have ever applied for a job the common thing about the application process... The references section.  When you offer your services to a prospective employer they are going to want to talk with people that have worked with you in the past.  Why would you not do the same with a prospective HVAC dealer?  After confirming they are licensed and insured, be sure to ask for some references.  A reputable dealer should have no issue with providing you with names of satisfied customers.  Possibly even that live in your neighborhood.  Quality and dependability should be at the top of any referral high marks.  The HVAC industry has many dealers... some good and some otherwise.  Make sure you take the extra time to search out the best dealer available.

How to Make Your Home More Comfortable TIP # 7

Your kids are in trouble!  Your parents are too!  Home Comfort Tip #7 is focused on the safety of your home and it is not just your HVAC system at play.  The layout of your homes furnishings, believe it or not, can play a large role in the safety and comfort of small children and elderly parents.  This may just seem a little simplistic but take a second and consider the following.  Extension cords or even loose rugs can be one source of potential hazards.  Also, another common oversight is the water heater itself.  Keeping this appliance down at the low setting will prevent burns that might otherwise occur.  Keep an open eye for these and other potential pitfalls and try not to overlook the simple stuff.  Seems like the simple stuff is always where the problems stem from doesn’t it?