Hiring an HVAC Company – 8 Questions to Ask

Looking for an HVAC Company? 8 Questions You Need to Ask and Answers You Should Hear

 When shopping for a new heat pump or looking for expert repair on your older model, you want to be sure that you choose the company best qualified for the job. A high-quality HVAC system is essential for maintaining your home’s climate, providing energy savings and for preserving your indoor air quality as well.

Because your HVAC system is essential to your family’s well-being, you need an expert HVAC company. The company you choose should be one that has plenty of experience, who stands by their product and provides the highest quality service.

In the list below, we’ve outlined the questions that any homeowner or business owner should be asking when it comes to the installation, maintenance and repair of their HVAC system. By ensuring the company you hire is fully qualified to work on your HVAC system, you’ll have complete confidence in the work done.

1. Can you provide proof of insurance?

Any HVAC company should have insurance. If they don’t, run! If they avoid the subject or aren’t straight with you about what the threshold for insurance coverage is, that’s a red flag that should be taken seriously.

What you should hear:

“Absolutely, we do! Here’s a copy of the Certificate Insurance. We’re covered for a,b,c  by x,y,z company.”

2. What licenses do you have?

Anyone who installs, completes inspections and repairs your HVAC system must have the necessary licenses, as dictated by your region. Any licensed serviceperson will know the rules and regulations to ensure your HVAC is installed, maintained and repaired correctly. 

What you should hear and will hear from Doug Lockhart and his team:

“Our qualified staff have degrees and are ticketed and certified by:

• • International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA)
  • Certified York Heat Pump Dealer
  • Trade Qualified B class Electrical contractors
  • Applied Science Technologist in the Society of Engineering Technologists
  • Degrees in Air Conditioning Engineering Technology (SAIT)
  • Certified Waterfurnace International GeoExchange heat pump installer

3. Is your company registered with a professional organization?

Being backed by a professional organization is another tip-off to how reputable the company is. Hiring an HVAC company that’s registered with a great professional organization means they’re taken care of so they can take care of your specific HVAC needs while receiving regular industry safety and technical updates.

What you should hear:

“Yes, we are registered with and have been members since x-time.”  This organization supports the company and its employees by providing important updates to industry standards. 

In the case of Lockhart Industries, owner Doug Lockhart is registered and sits on the boards of both GeoExchange BC and IGSHPA Canada. This means the employees of Lockhart Industries are always kept apprised of industry updates and changes. As a result, they provide the highest-quality HVAC solutions.

4. Do you have any client feedback or examples of similar jobs completed?

No job will ever be identical since there are so many variables with HVAC services. However, the ideal candidate should have a clear track record of satisfied clients who have had similar jobs completed.

Because HVAC is a big investment, you really want to be sure that you are hiring a company that you’d recommend to your best friend or a family member. If you’re unsure, that’s a red flag.

What you should hear:

“Yes! We have a few featured client reviews on our website and social media pages. Also, client x,y,z just recently had a similar geoexchange system installed on their property, which is close to yours in size and geographic features.” If they have records and images, even better.

Lockhart Industries has received many great accolades over the years, rated 5 out of 5 stars based on reviews and is BBB accredited.

Here’s a glowing review from Mike and Miriam, new Lockhart customers:

“Our heat pump wasn’t working and we asked for a quote from the local company that installed it. After their jaw dropping quote, we contacted Doug Lockhart. He and his talented crew came out, identified the problem, fixed it and saved us a ton of money. If you’re looking for an honest, ethical company to fix your heat pump I recommend Lockhart.”

5. What’s your typical work schedule?

Before you hire an HVAC company, you’re going to want to be sure that their hours work with your schedule. Any company worth its salt will provide flexible scheduling so you can get the work done in a timely manner. Also, find out if they offer any night and weekend emergency repair services.

6. Do you offer emergency after-hours services? 

If it’s Saturday night, -10 degrees outside and you’re having a heating equipment failure. You need to be able to call on your HVAC company to come and get it working again asap. A company that offers emergency service may not seem like something high on your list, but life happens and it’s great to be prepared for anything.

What you should hear:

“We offer 24/7 emergency service. Should you ever be in a bind, just call us and we will send our designated on-call mechanic out right away.

At Lockhart, we offer emergency repair services for residential and business customers.

7. What kind of warranty policy do you offer for parts and labour?

When it comes to large purchases like an HVAC system, you want to know that parts and labour are under warranty, should any parts need repair or replacement. Strong manufacturer warranties are key, since they’ll make sure that any defective parts are easily replaced and you aren’t out of pocket for the service calls and labour costs.

What you should hear:

“We have stuck with (manufacturer name) for x number of years now. They provide a comprehensive warranty that covers (names of parts, repair costs, service calls).”

At Lockhart, we install and maintain Bosch central heat pumps and Daikin mini splits.

8. What other products and services do you offer?

When choosing between HVAC service providers and maintenance companies, it can be useful to know what other products and services they offer. If the company is skilled in other trades, it’s a one-stop shop for you, rather than having to search for independent third-party contractors every time.

What you should hear:

“We also provide x,y,z services, which allows us to complete the full scope of installation, maintenance and repairs without needing to call in a third party.” 

Or: “While we don’t provide residential plumbing or electrical services, we work closely with a company who does. They’re fully qualified, licensed and backed by x,y,z professional organization. Here’s their card. Give them a call and tell them we sent you.”

Lockhart Industries provides heating, cooling, geoexchange, geosolar exchange and commercial geoexchange installation services and inspection/ maintenance services. Owner Doug is also a B-class electrical contractor.

The HVAC company you choose should offer exceptional customer service too. At Lockhart, we’ve been in business in the south Vancouver Island region since 1981. Constantly evolving our products and services to provide the most energy efficient and innovative heating and cooling solutions, Lockhart provides both residential services and commercial facility services. Are you weighing the pros and cons (mostly pros!) of a new heat pump or geoexchange system? Call Lockhart Industries at (250) 748-1731 or send us an email to book your appointment at your home or business from Victoria to Duncan, BC.