Considerations When Choosing HVAC Repair in Portland

When you’re choosing an HVAC repair company to come into your home or your business, there are some important things you should first consider. You don’t want to let just anyone work on your system—you want to ensure that you’re choosing the best possible repair service that you can.

If you don’t choose someone who is trustworthy and reliable, your repair may not last or, worse, more damage can be done to the system. Because of this, it’s important not to rush and choose any old HVAC repair company. There are a few things you must consider before choosing a company for HVAC repair in Portland. Here are just some of the things you should ask yourself and find out before committing to a company.

Have they done work in Portland before?

You want someone to come into your home or business who has done prior work in your area. By choosing a company that has experience working in Portland, you’re ensuring a more accurate repair. This is because the technicians know the climate and external factors that could affect the maintenance of your HVAC system. Additionally, they’ll likely better understand what you need, as they have experience working in similar types of homes and/or places of business.

Plus, by working with a local company, there’s a better sense of community, which tends to lead to a more trusting and lasting relationship if repairs are needed again down the road.

Are they licensed? What certifications do they have?

The types of licenses and insurances needed by HVAC technician can vary by state and/or city. If you choose a service repair company that has done work in Portland, you can likely be assured they have the correct licenses and certifications for the area. That’s one less thing you need to worry about.

It is still important for you to always look into the licenses and certifications that the HVAC repair company you’re looking to hire has. You want to have the reassurance that you’re hiring a company that is an expert in the field and knows exactly what needs to be done to repair your HVAC system. By choosing a company with the proper licenses and certifications, you’ll have a correctly fixed and/or installed item. This will allow for a longer life for your HVAC system, as well as further ensuring the safety of the machine in your home or place of business.

If you aren’t sure what types of certifications you should be looking for, the most popular are the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI); and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Are there any referrals you can speak to?

After making sure that the HVAC repair company holds all of its proper licenses and certifications, the next best thing you can do to ensure you’re making the correct choice is to speak directly to its past clients. If you do choose an HVAC repair in Portland, this simplifies things, as you can likely speak to someone who has worked with the company much more easily. They may only be walking distance away! If this isn’t the case, ask for a phone number. An HVAC repair company that has successfully served many different homes and businesses should have a good portfolio of referrals who would be willing to speak with you.

If you don’t want to speak directly with someone, tools like social media, Google, and Yelp can be a good place to look and read real reviews of the company. More and more people are leaving reviews for companies they have worked with—take advantage of this.

Another thing you can do is ask your friends and family if they have any recommendations or if they know of anyone who has recently used an HVAC repair company. There are few things more assuring than hearing that someone you know had a great experience with a certain company. Many companies have testimonials right on their website, just like we do at Entek.

How much is this going to cost me? How much time is this going to take?

For most people, money is an important factor when it comes to repairs. There is a budget you’ll likely want to stick within. It’s important to know from the beginning what the estimated cost of the repair will be. You don’t want to be hit with a last-minute surprise that you didn’t prepare for or have the funds for. Many folks receive estimates from different HVAC repair companies and use this as part of their comparison when choosing the right service. Be wary, though, as deals that seem too good to be true tend could actually cost you more in the long run.

Furthermore, depending on the type of repair and where it is, knowing how long the fix is going to take is important. If you’re making this repair at home, you’ll, of course, need to plan around it and forewarn your family. If you’re having this repair done in your place of business, depending on what the repair is, you may need to close up shop during the repair. Knowing the timeframe will allow you to plan accordingly and give any family, friends, or customers a proper heads up.

Before hiring an HVAC repair company, it’s vital that you do your research. This isn’t something you should just jump right into. Ask around for recommendations. Look online to read real reviews. Ensure that the companies you are speaking to have the proper licenses and certifications. If your HVAC system isn’t properly repaired from the beginning, it can lead to more problems down the line. This will end up costing you more than if you had it properly repaired to begin with. Because of this, it’s important to consider all of the above before committing to an HVAC repair company.