Proper heat pump services is the best way to keep your heating equipment operating at peak efficiency. Without a maintenance schedule, your system will wear out.

Heat Pump Service Contractors

The first thing you need to do is check to see if the person or company is licensed HVAC or contractor in your state or region. Most local governments have consumer hot lines that you can access to verify the license exists and has not been revoked or suspended.

Ask if the contractor they has an adequate insurance policy. One of the most common shortcuts that a disreputable contractor can do is to let their insurance policies lapse or be under-insured for your type of work. Never let anyone work on your property without workers’ comp insurance because if someone is hurt or injured you may be held responsible for covering their expenses.

On any major project such as a heat pump replacement, always ask if the contractor has any unsettled claims or unresolved complaints that have been leveled again them. Go online and search for their name and the name of their heat pump service. Many people will file “rip-off” reports online when they feel that have been scammed.

Ask for references; especially ask them, if they have any heat pump maintenance agreements with any local businesses. While it is possible to habitually scam unsuspecting individual home owners, most small companies are quick to release and reluctant to work with contractors that have bad reputations.

A second set of references you can always check out is the local HVAC supply houses. A contractor with a bad reputation has a bad one everywhere he goes. If he is bum and a slacker with his clients then he is the same with his vendors and any sub-contractors he may hire. Always see what his industry peers have to say about him or his company.

Ask them about their work experiences. Remember during housing boom times, many HVAC contractors gain their reputations by working solely in new home construction. Installing a new system in a completely new house is a very different situation than doing a heat pump replacement and retrofitting everything in 40 year old home.

Another important thing you need to know is how long have they been in the heat pump service business. While time is not a indication of quality as we all know, it is does say that a company has withstood the test of time and is well managed, which usually includes a decent level of customer service before and after the project is done.

All your county or city permit office and verify that this contractor has the ability to pull permits for your work. Most local governments will revoke or suspend permits for a contractor if they have long history of performing shabby work and causing the permit department a never-ending series of headaches and problems.

The above are just a few of the things you should check before having a heat pump replacement or getting your old one repaired. A good heat pump service contractor can save you lots of money during the lifetime of your heating and cooling system.