Checklist: Finding the Best HVAC Service Near Me

By Anne Fonda

Many homeowners don’t think about their HVAC system unless there’s a problem. If you need HVAC repair or you are considering HVAC replacement, finding an HVAC company near you that you can trust to do the job right, do it soon, and do it at a fair price can be overwhelming.

But it doesn’t have to be. Follow our checklist to take the guesswork out of finding the best heating and cooling company near you.

While all HVAC companies should be able to maintain your system, some HVAC contractors in your area have likely gained a reputation for excellence in repair and HVAC system design and installation. Figuring out precisely what you need will help you find the right company for the job.

Common HVAC services include:

Not every company is going to have the expertise to handle every job.

Ask friends, family, and neighbors for HVAC recommendations in your town or area. Be specific regarding the services you need. Ask for recommendations only if they have used a company themselves. Also ask if there is a company you should avoid, and why.

You can post requests for recommendations on NextDoor and Facebook groups as well. Just watch out for employees who are promoting the business they work for.

Once you have a list of recommendations, go online and read their Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews. You want HVAC specialists who have mostly 4- and 5-star reviews. Pay attention to how the company responds to reviews, including negative ones. This can tell you about their level of communication and customer service.

You can also check out their Better Business Bureau profile, which can show complaints against the company and how they were resolved.

Read through the websites to help ensure that they provide the services you are seeking. You may even find some companies provide coupons or discounts and pricing information.

Check out their website to see the services they offer. Most companies will prominently display their credentials, such as NATE certification, as well as their license number (if required in your area). 

Look for HVAC companies that have been in business for at least 5 years - the longer the better. Companies that do shoddy work and rip people off don’t stay in business long.

Now is the time to schedule the HVAC service you need. If you need air conditioner repair or furnace repair, the companies may not give you a quote over the phone. They should tell you the price of a service call - the price you pay just to have an HVAC technician walk in the door.

The technician should not perform any repairs until they troubleshoot the issue and tell you what the cost will be for parts and labor to fix the problem.

If you are planning on a new furnace installation or replacing another HVAC component, get at least 3 quotes. Compare the quotes and make sure they lay out the scope of work, when they can start, pricing, tax credits, rebates, special offers, etc. Read the fine print.

If one quote is a lot higher than the rest, ask why. The same goes if one quote is a lot lower than the rest - make sure they’re not leaving something out or going with equipment of sub-par quality.

If the quotes are similar in price, go with the company that was most responsive and courteous. You deserve good customer service.

Much like you take your car to the same mechanic over the years or have the same stylist cut your hair, stick with a great HVAC company. When it’s possible, some HVAC contractors will even send the same person to your home each time, whether you need air conditioning repair or furnace maintenance. 

At the very least, HVAC technicians will record every detail of their visit in the company system so that the next time you need HVAC service, the tech knows the medical history of the system, so to speak. You may also get priority repair scheduling if you’re a repeat customer.

If you have a smart thermostat, consider signing up for remote diagnostics through the American Standard Home App. This allows your local American Standard dealer to monitor your system remotely and receive maintenance alerts as well as alerts to problems with your system.

They may be able to solve the problem remotely, but if not, it can help make sure the technician will show up with the right parts and won’t need to spend time troubleshooting to find the issue.

Whether you need emergency AC repair in Shreveport or you need to schedule furnace replacement in Indianapolis, you can count on your local American Standard dealer for expert HVAC service. 

For over 100 years, we’ve designed and manufactured some of the most awarded, well-engineered heating and cooling equipment and earned a reputation for doing things right.

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need. 

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.  

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

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