In East Texas, we rely on our central AC for far longer than homeowners in other parts of the country. With warm spring and fall seasons, many people find that they have to keep their AC running for more than half of the year to stay cool.
What you may not know is that in order to keep your AC in good shape, you should have it serviced about two times per year. That way, you address any necessary problems before they get worse and ensure that your HVAC system runs efficiently for years to come.
Hiring AC repair services can seem daunting at first. How do you know who to call? How do you find the best AC repair services in your neighborhood?
Read on for six tips that will make hiring AC repair services a breeze.
1. Familiarize Yourself with Your AC
The first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with your AC and HVAC system. What brand and model do you have? What are some of the signs, according to the manufacturer’s manual, that your AC or HVAC system requires repairs?
By learning more about your AC, you can better spot the signs that you need a tune-up. Even if you get in the habit of scheduling a twice-annual inspection, you may still need to schedule intermittent appointments to address specific issues. Doing so can keep a small, inexpensive problem from becoming a major, costly one.
Plus, some AC repair services are limited to certain brands. By knowing the basics about your AC, you can rule out any AC repair contracts that can’t service your AC.
2. Look for References and Referrals
One of the best ways to start your search for great AC repair services in your area is to ask around. Have your neighbors recently hired an AC repair contractor? If so, would they recommend that same contractor to you, or would they advise you to look elsewhere?
If you don’t know anyone who has hired AC repair services in the past year or two, you can always turn to online reviews. You can find online reviews on Google Review, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. By reading what other people have to say about a company, you can get a better sense of that company’s skills, professionalism, promptness, and pricing.
3. Seek Out Experience
Every year, new contractors enter the field of AC repair. Many start up their own businesses from scratch, and while being new to the field doesn’t mean that they won’t know what they’re doing, you can trust a company with years of experience.
As you research different AC repair services near you, head to their About page to find out more about them. How long has the company been in business? Is it family-owned and operated, which often means a more personal touch, or is it part of a national chain?
There’s no reason to take a risk when hiring AC repair services. Find a company near you that has been in business for decades and you’ll get great results.
4. Check for Licensing and Insurance
In the state of Texas, AC repair contractors are legally required to receive and maintain a license in order to work in the field. This licensing establishes that they’ve completed the proper training and met the credentials established by the state of Texas. Just because it’s a requirement, however, doesn’t mean that everyone out there has their license, so double-check that you’re hiring a licensed AC repair contractor.
Getting a license also means that a Texas AC repair contractor has proven that they’re insured. When you’re hiring a contractor to work on any part of your home, verifying that they have insurance is an important way to protect yourself from liability. AC repair contractor insurance means that you and the contractor are covered if there is any damage done to your property or any injuries during the repair.
5. Find Out About Financing Options
What if you realize that you need more than AC repair in East Texas? What if upon inspection, your contractor realizes that you would benefit from buying a new HVAC system altogether? Oftentimes, repairing an old or worn-out AC can start to cost more than buying a new HVAC system, but that doesn’t mean that this new system will come cheap.
Make sure that you hire an AC repair company that offers financing so that you don’t have to find your own loan or take on credit card debt in order to live in comfort. Financing programs make it easy to pay off your new system on a monthly basis, and you never know when you may need it.
6. Ask for Estimates
Only you know what your current budget looks like. By asking for estimates, you can make an informed choice based on how much you can afford to pay for AC repair services.
Keep in mind that the lowest-costing services may indicate poor workmanship. It’s equally important to remember that the highest-costing services aren’t necessarily the best ones in town. At Best Air, we work hard to provide fair, affordable prices without sacrificing quality work and products.
Come to Best Air for Your East Texas AC Repair Services
If you’re looking for AC repair services in Livingston, Point Blank, Cold Spring, Woodville, Corrigan, or Onalaska, you’ve come to the right place. Best Air has been working with the best technicians and specialists for over 35 years, and we’re proud to run a family-owned business that prioritizes the satisfaction of our clients.
To request an estimate or schedule an appointment, contact us today. We look forward to keeping your AC in great condition and providing you with the financing you need to replace your HVAC system when the time comes.
