What to Look for When Choosing an AC Repairman
Air conditioner installation and maintenance go together. Good maintenance requires timely repairs. Without proper maintenance and repairs, the lifespan of HVAC systems can reduce considerably. The performance of HVAC systems can also decrease without good maintenance.
You can schedule annual maintenance, which will include any and all requisite repairs. You also need to call an AC repairman as soon as you spot a problem with the machine. Ensure that you choose a qualified technician for the job.
Here’s what to look for when choosing an AC repairman.
Training
Ensure that the technician you hire is properly trained for the job. Refrain from choosing newly-trained professionals without adequate training for extensive repair jobs.
Choose a service provider that hires qualified technicians and trains them further on the job. Good service providers or HVAC companies have many technicians working with them.
Most HVAC technicians pursue their training after attaining their high school degree. Though this is not a requisite for the HVAC training. The certification course can be of two years or so. The duration of the course depends on the institute offering it.
Many institutes offer advanced training for HVAC technicians. North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is one such training institute. Others include Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), and HVAC Excellence.
HVAC technicians need to work with refrigerants. So, they need to obtain an EPA Section 608 certification. It is required to do so in the USA.
Many technicians start as apprentices to experienced HVAC professionals. This way they can receive excellent training on the job.
So, you see, trained technicians go through intensive and extensive training to become qualified to repair HVAC units.
License
Post their training, technicians need to obtain their licenses. Some states do not have requirements for licenses for HVAC professionals. Check the regulations in your area and hire an AC repairman accordingly. But it is always better to choose a licensed professional.
To obtain their licenses, technicians require taking tests set up by the authorities. So, you can rest assured that licensed professionals actually know their stuff when it comes to HVAC systems.
Continuous Education
HVAC technology has changed remarkably over the last decade or so. Newer and greener innovations are becoming a part of HVAC systems. Energy-efficient systems are much in demand. So, HVAC technicians need to keep up with the new technologies as well.
They need to learn to install, maintain, and repair newer types of HVAC units. They cannot sit on their initial training and do the same old jobs in order to succeed. So, if you have newer HVAC systems, ensure that the technician you hire is actually trained to offer the services you require.
Many HVAC companies invest in the training of their technicians. They regularly arrange workshops to familiarize technicians with newer HVAC technologies and their workings. They receive full training to install and repair systems with new technologies.
You can always hire a trained AC repairman via a good HVAC company.
Reliability
The AC repairman you hire needs to be reliable. If your AC repair emergency occurs at hours outside of operational timings at HVAC companies, you will need emergency services. You need to ensure the technician will arrive for the job. Many technicians offer emergency services. So, choose one accordingly.
Always check their service offerings before calling them for repairs.
Reliable technicians will arrive on time and perform the repairs properly. They will excel at their job and ensure the HVAC system is repaired as needed.
They will inform you if more work is required for the unit. They won’t just repair the problem for which you hire them and be done with it. Reliable technicians will make you aware of the potential problems they may have encountered in the machine. They won’t let the system fall prey to damage just because the problem was not diagnosed in time. If there is no other problem, they will say so too.
Professionalism
Professional technicians are worth the money they charge. Always aim to hire technicians known for their professionalism.
They will be polite, perform their jobs properly, and leave. They will clean the mess, if any, from the repair job before leaving.
