How Do I Find the Best HVAC Repair Near Me?
Discover what to look for when comparing HVAC repair services near you.
By Anne Fonda
Even if you need emergency HVAC repair because your AC went out in the middle of a Houston heat wave and you have a new baby or elderly parent at home, take a bit of time to do your research.
What are the signs I need HVAC repair?
There are some obvious and not-so-obvious signs that you need to schedule an HVAC repair appointment. They include:
- HVAC system won’t turn on (furnace, AC, heat pump, air handler).
- A system component is making loud noises.
- You notice strange smells coming from an HVAC unit or the air vents.
- You have weak airflow.
- The furnace is not blowing hot air.
- The heat pump or AC is not blowing cold air.
- You have higher energy bills without a change in usage or utility rate.
What are the signs of a good HVAC repair company?
Your friends and neighbors recommend them
Look for/seek out references and referrals. You can do this on social media community groups or NextDoor. Look for what companies people recommend, and who they say to stay away from.
Good reviews
A big sign of a good HVAC repair company is its reviews. Look for HVAC companies near you with an average of 4-5 stars in their Google reviews. Read the reviews and look for reviews that mention things like on time, responsive, affordable, and honest. Look for responses to reviews, whether good or bad. It shows the company cares about their customers.
You may also find customer reviews and testimonials on their website. Finally, you can check out their Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile.
Licensing and certification
If your state requires an HVAC company to be licensed, look for their license number on their website. Google the state agency that licenses businesses in your state and enter the company name or license number to confirm the license is current.
Look for a NATE certification logo on the company website. This means that employees have the training and certification needed to accurately diagnose the issue and perform the HVAC repair.
Number of years in business
Dishonest companies that do shoddy work don’t stay in business for long. Look for companies that have been in business for at least 5 years – the longer the better.
What else should I look for in an HVAC repair company?
- Hours of operation. Many companies have HVAC technicians on call 24/7 to offer emergency HVAC repair. Be prepared to pay extra for service outside normal business hours.
- Service call fee. Most service companies charge a fee to simply walk in the door. Some will waive the fee if you have them do the repairs.
- Discount coupons. If money is tight, look for discount coupons on the company websites.
What does HVAC repair cost?
It will depend on what the issue is, if you live in a large city like Atlanta, where there are dozens of HVAC companies to choose from, or if you live in rural Iowa and the nearest HVAC company is half an hour away and booked solid.
Nationally, HVAC repair costs can range from $100 on the low side to $3,000 on the high side. Three of our recent blogs cover average repair costs.
If your system is still under warranty, we would suggest that you call the company that installed the system to do any repairs.
How long does HVAC repair take?
Most HVAC repair service calls are done in an hour, but some can take several hours. It depends on the complexity of the repairs and if there is more than one problem. If the HVAC technician has to make a run to the HVAC supply house, that will add time as well.
Stick with an HVAC company that does good work
If this is the first time you’ve called an HVAC company and the HVAC technician was responsive, polite, and most importantly, identified the problem and fixed it quickly, stick with the company.
Prevent future problems with regular HVAC maintenance
You might also want to consider signing up for an HVAC maintenance plan to help ensure your system stays in good health and lasts longer. A yearly furnace tune-up and spring AC or heat pump tune-up can help improve system performance and increase energy efficiency.
By staying with one company, they’ll have a record of previous repairs and maintenance visits, so you won’t have to go through the system’s medical history, so to speak. The maintenance agreement may also give you priority service in the future.
On the DIY end of things, make sure you change the air filter every 1-3 months, depending on the quality of the filter. Keep the indoor vents and registers clear to promote good airflow, and keep shrubs and vines from encroaching on the outdoor unit.
Consider Trane Diagnostics
If you have a Trane smart thermostat, you have the ability to give your Trane dealer remote monitoring access through Trane Diagnostics. This lets the dealer monitor your system for any issues. They’ll get an alert when it’s time for system maintenance or if there is a problem with the system.
If you give one-time permission, they can use Dealer Remote Access (DAR) to troubleshoot your system. This is similar to a remote IT person looking around your work computer for the issue causing a problem.
If your dealer can fix the problem remotely, they will. Otherwise, they’ll schedule an on-site visit. The HVAC technician will arrive with the right parts and with the troubleshooting already done. This can make for a quicker HVAC repair visit, saving you and the HVAC company time and money.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Related Articles
