Have you spent a long time saving up the money to have an air conditioner unit fitted in your home?
If the answer is yes, then you will want to have it installed soon, unless of course, it is a portable option. This then leads onto another potential hurdle to investigate; who is going to install it for you?
Having an air conditioner unit fitted to your home safely and securely will not only ensure that the device works as it needs to, but it will also ensure that your home remains safe, and your home insurance premiums don’t jump through the roof due to a bodged job!
So, when it comes to finding the right air conditioner fitter for your home, what do you need to look for to prevent shoddy work? Read on for some top tips!
1. Certifications and Qualifications
For your air conditioning unit, or your air conditioning heating unit to work as needed, you need to check the certifications and qualification of the person who is fitting it.
In the USA, ideally, a tradesperson who advertises that they can professionally fit an air conditioning unit will have an EPA Section 608 Certification. This certification ensures that anyone who is working with refrigerants is certified with either Type I, II, III and Universal, depending on the air con unit that they are working with.
Next, you should ask about any HVAC/R Training. This stands for training in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration and is an essential qualification for any installer of an air conditioning unit, as well as combination air con/heating unit. You should also ensure that the installer has a license in your state to install air conditioning systems, which will usually involve passing an examination.
If you live in north America, you should ask any installer if they have the NATE Certification. This is the North American Technician Excellence certification, which is not a requirement but, for professional reasons, is often beneficial, as it shows that the team or person you are hiring has taken on additional training in installation.
If in doubt, ask to see certificates! Many installers who have their own websites will usually have them displayed.
2. Specialization and Experience
Next, which type of air conditioner unit are you looking to have installed?
You will need to ensure that the person or team you hire has expertise in installing that kind of aircon unit to ensure that the unit does not break and that no damage occurs to your property in the fitting process. This also means that the team or person you hire will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of how long the job will take, as well as giving a more accurate quote. It is usually the case that most tradespeople who are installing air con units are trained in fitting all types, but always ask if you aren’t sure.
3. Get Quotes
A wise person once said that if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Therefore, if you find an aircon installer who is offering an amazing deal for fitting the unit, it may be best to look elsewhere and they may be a bit of a shoddy tradesperson or cowboy, and not in the fun way with cows and horses! Shop around and get an idea of how much this fitting is likely to cost, and then go for an average. Obtain quotes from three different tradespeople and look at the prices, the scope of the work they offer, as well as warranties, and if they think they will need to have any extras related to materials.
4. Look at Reviews
As mentioned before, most people who are fitting aircon units will have websites that will highlight their glowing reviews. Of course, this is biased, and if you want an honest option, always look on independent review websites for what previous clients and customers have said.
5. Verify Insurance and Guarantees
If something should go wrong, you should seek to ensure that the tradesperson or business that you are hiring has insurance coverage. Also, make sure that they offer a guarantee on the work that they do and aim to get it in writing. This will protect you against any long-term issues that may arise with the unit and will also display that they take care of their customers, which is always reassuring!
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