CouponsChoosing the right company for air conditioning repair
It seems that everywhere you go, the natives of the area are always saying how the weather is incredibly unpredictable. Well, in Chicago, that overused cliche actually happens to be true. We really never know what is going to happen from one day to another.
This is why it is important to be prepared when you need help with your Air Conditioning Unit this summer. In the heat of the summer, a small A/C issue could turn into a quick disaster! The best advice we can give you is to do your homework and find a quality Heating & Cooling company before disaster strikes.
However finding a quality Heating & Cooling Company in the Chicago area is easier said than done. Here is a guide to follow when deciding on the right company to call when the need for air conditioning repair arises.
Guide to Choosing the right A/C Repair Company
There are many things to consider when choosing an HVAC company that you can trust for your air conditioning repair. Of course you can always wait until the problem happens, then, choose one of the first companies that pops up on Google. However, to save yourself some time, money and possibly some headaches from dealing with incompetent companies, do your research before your a/c needs repair.
Experience Matters
Anytime you are having work done on your home, it is important to look for an experienced company. A company that has been around for a while is obviously doing something right. With years of industry experience, they have most likely have the hands on experience that other younger companies might be lacking. You might also find that a company who has been in business for many years will know how to treat their customers, and will be organized in their processes, making your overall experience a better one.
Guarantees on Service
It is always awesome when you can experience great service the first time; but it is a bonus when you find a company that offers guarantees or warranties on their service! Air conditioning repair is a complicated business; and any number of things can go wrong at any time. So when a company is willing to put a guarantee on their services, it means that they are confident enough in the quality of service that they provide; and they will not put the responsibility on you, if for some reason, something were to go wrong.
Quality Technicians
A company is only as good as their employees. When you find a company that invests in their employees and technicians, it means that they want the best for their customers. When scoping out air conditioning repair companies, look for indications that their technicians are NATE Certified. Also, good companies provide opportunities for their technicians to learn on a regular basis. Lastly, just like a company, technicians are wiser when they have some industry experience behind them. The company that you choose should spend the time and resources investing in their technicians.
Service Hours
As you know, when it comes to Air Conditioning Repair, Monday through Friday 8-5 does not really apply. You never know when you will need an air conditioning professional, so it is best to find a company that provides 24/7 emergency service. The air conditioning repair company that you choose should be there for you when you need them, which includes all hours of the day, weekends, and holidays. Now be careful, because some companies will claim to have 24/7 emergency service, but then they will charge you extra for repair work done outside of the normal work hours. Give the company a call if you need to and ask them up front if this emergency service comes with a larger price tag.
Makes and Models
A/C Repair is not one size fits all. There are various makes and models that a company should have the know-how and equipment, to handle. Make sure that the air conditioning company that you choose has the ability to repair all makes and models of air conditioning units.
Cost
Beware when the cost of air conditioning repair seems too good to be true. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. On the other hand you should not have to take out a loan to get your air conditioning repaired. To help with costs, some companies will even offer service specials that give you a discount. Also, try to find a company that will offer free estimates on repairs, so that you are not having to pay just to have the problem assessed.
Ask
One of the best ways to find a quality air conditioning repair company is to ask your family and friends. Even if they have had a horrendous experience, that is one company you can cross off your list and not waste your time with. People love sharing their experiences with others and passing along their favorite companies for other people to use.
Choosing the right contractor
You can’t see home comfort or touch it, but we all know what it feels like when we don’t have it. Whether you’re considering replacing your old air conditioning system or remodeling a bathroom, King Heating can help. First, you need the right contractor. With all of the clutter and options, how do you make heads or tails out of choosing the right contractor for your home improvement project?
Vet the company
Before making your choice, call your local Better Business Bureau and affiliated state / community agencies for a company history of complaints and resolutions to make sure the dealer is reputable.
Ask for references
Current customers are an excellent source of information and are often willing to share their experience.
Check local licenses
Ask to see any applicable state and local licenses, bonding, and insurance coverage.
Get a detailed written proposal
Beware of a dealer that does not back-up their offer in a detailed written proposal. A detailed written proposal is one sign of a quality contractor.
Heat loss-heat gain calculation
Expect a thorough calculation performed with an on-site evaluation. A good contractor should measure your home, check insulation factors and evaluate your overall comfort needs.
Equipment/labor warranties and guarantees
Warranties and guarantees vary according to manufacturer and dealer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and demand that they are included in the written estimate.
Follow contract law
Demand that your contractor follows contract law. A new comfort system is a big decision and with big decisions comes responsibility. According to Illinois law, all home improvement contracts include a 3-day right to cancel.
Ask your contractor about the maintenance requirements of your new system
What can you do yourself and/or does the contractor offer maintenance services? A maintenance agreement is one of the best ways to ensure your system’s performance, reliability and safety.
Know and understand the contract
Beware of ambiguous contracts and again, ask lots of questions. It is very important to understand all aspects of the agreement with your contractor before any work begins.
Get more than one estimate or reference
If you are uncomfortable making your decision for any reason, get two or three estimates or references and compare. More information is better than less; however, compare more than just price when evaluating estimates. Look for the best value!
The consequences of choosing the wrong contractor
By selecting a qualified heating, cooling, and plumbing contractor you will avoid many of the common home improvement hazards including:
- Frequent system breakdowns
- Improper installation
- Unsafe and/or inefficient operation
- Shortened equipment life
- Lack of timely service
- Unusually high energy bills
- Voiding of factory warranties
- Theft, property damage or worse
- Building Code Infractions and penalties
King Heating, Cooling & Plumbing encourages all of our customers to do their homework. We’re confident that, in the end, we can earn your business and help you avoid the perils of selecting the wrong contractor. There are no shortcuts when it comes to selecting the right contractor; however, given the opportunity, we hope to earn your business.
Choose the best air conditioning repair Chicago service
You are probably reading this because your air conditioner is no longer working. If you want to save time, skip reading this article, and just hire the best air conditioning repair Chicago company.
Are you still here, do you need more information and advice? Good, consider a few things. There are several reasons you should consider repairing your AC unit as soon as it breaks. A broken air conditioning unit can have a dire effect on your health and home comfort.
Regular maintenance is something that can be of much help to you. Timely check-ups will decrease the total maintenance costs and lengthen the life of your AC unit. If you have your AC unit repaired by a qualified technician swiftly, you’ll be making a really smart investment. What follows are some tips on when you need to consider hiring a good air conditioning repair Chicago company.
Air quality
A broken AC unit can work out the internal air at a sub-optimal quality level. Some of its internal components may not work as intended or get past their use date (for instance, the air filters). This can lead to the introduction of pollutants, allergens, unwanted odors, excessive and uncomfortable moisture or dryness, uneven cooling across the home and other negative effects.
Pollutants and allergens can cause allergies and other ill effects on you and your family. Excessive moisture can negatively affect electronics, food, organic objects (such as documents), plant life, human and pet respiratory systems… The same is true for extreme dryness – it can cause irritation in the lungs and eyes. Uneven cooling and unwanted odors add to an unpleasant experience whenever you or someone else is in the home.
Your AC probably doubles as a heating unit that you use during the winter. Chicago has practically the same high level of humidity all year long – around 70%. High humidity means shorter decay times on internal parts. It also means perfect conditions for developing bacterial colonies.
So, if you want to avoid these conditions, it is of crucial importance to react immediately when you suspect something is not right with your AC unit. You should also schedule regular maintenance checks to make sure it is running at its most optimal.
We, at King Heating & Cooling, handle both ad hoc and regular maintenance interventions on your air conditioning. We want to make sure your AC unit works as it should and keeps your health and your family’s health intact.
Air Conditioning Repair Chicago Services and costs
If you haven’t had your AC unit inspected in a while, you should definitely consider doing it ASAP. Regular maintenance can ensure the unit is in prime condition, so that it can maintain the air quality and temperature most efficiently, disable any offensive noises, and keep costs manageable.
If you have neglected the health of your AC system so much that it’s now broken, the repair can cost you even more than regular maintenance activities. When something inside the unit is disabled or broken, it can wreak havoc on other components, thus increasing the total cost of repair and replacement.
We have seen AC systems become obsolete because of a single broken rotor that destroyed internal electrics. Irregular maintenance can also render your warranty void.
Driving down noise
The condition of the AC unit’s internal parts, especially moving parts, steadily depreciates over time. Some of them can introduce unwanted noise inside your home. Noise pollution can have an ill effect on your mood, induce irritability, mood swings and hamper your ability to focus. You might learn to tolerate such sounds, but it will affect yours and your family’s comfort negatively in a cumulative manner.
We can deal with such situations, too. King Heating & Cooling can repair the parts that create unwanted noise and make your AC system silently buzz and cool your home again.
Our prices and quality are great
The air conditioning repair market in Chicago is highly competitive. This drives prices down while increasing the quality of service. That’s great news for you – the customer. In that regard, let us remind you that we offer great discounts to remain competitive at all times.
However, you should always be aware that not all Chicago companies operate at our high level.
Even though now is probably the perfect time to get an AC unit repair or maintenance check, be cautious. If you’re even considering hiring one of the novice companies, do your research first. We’re talking about your health, money and your family’s well-being, right?
Our company, King Heating & Cooling, was founded in 1968 – that’s close to 50 years of experience. Couple that with our special one-year guarantee for tune ups, and the $50 discount on any repair and tune up service, and you can rest assured that we are bent on serving you and ensuring you get the best air conditioning repair Chicago has to offer.
King Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
In the search for the heating & cooling company that will meet your expectations, consider putting King Heating, Cooling & Plumbing on your list. We have been in business for the last 45 years; and over that time, we have been able to help thousands of people with their air conditioning repairs. Our staff and technicians focus on providing the very best service for our customers.
We provide a 1 year warranty for parts and labor for all repairs and our customers also receive a 100% satisfaction guarantee. So if for some reason, the job is not completed to your expectations the first time, we make sure to continue our work until the job is done right!
Every one of our technicians is NATE-certified and trained regularly to keep up with the most current industry knowledge. Even more than that, they are friendly professional, and will make your air conditioning repair experience as easy as possible.
We understand that it is impossible to predict when an air conditioning problem will arise. In order for us to be there for our customers when they need us the most, we offer 24 hour, 7 days a week emergency service.
We hope that you use this guide to help find the right air conditioning repair company that will give you the best overall experience. If you would like more information on King Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, contact us today.