Professionalism: A little professionalism goes a long way. This includes punctuality, politeness and honesty. Leaving the work environment as neatly as you found is also the mark of a professional.

Punctuality: An HVAC professional will be there when he said he would be. If he is running late, a phone call as far in advance as possible is expected.

Honesty: Nothing is worse than receiving an invoice that is higher than the original quote. If there are unexpected costs along the way, these should be quickly and honestly communicated to you. Attempting to upsell expensive items and unnecessary add-ons is a poor excuse for HVAC customer service.

Doing what’s right for you: Trying to sell a new furnace when a repair will suffice is bad customer service. Also, letting you know that an expensive repair will be moot because other, more expensive repairs are required down the road is also the mark of a pro. Sometimes the least expensive option is not the best; likewise, the costliest option is also not the best either.

Communication: Keeping you in the loop every step of the way is also expected. Letting you know what is happening with the service call/installation/repair is mandatory.

Bottom line: There are a lot of other companies out there looking for your business, so finding one that offers impeccable HVAC customer service and that has your best interests in mind is your best bet for the long run.

For more expert HVAC advice and all other home comfort issues, please contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We’ve been serving Grosse Pointe, Farmington, Detroit, and the surrounding communities for more than 65 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC customer service and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The following are some excellent tips on identifying the a good HVAC contractor during an interview:

• Determine the licensing and qualification of prospective HVAC contractors. Are they state-licensed? Are they members of the both state and national contractors associations, including the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)? Are they sufficiently insured?
• Before selecting new equipment, a good contractor should offer to inspect your home and its existing system before explaining your best options.
• Ask the contractor to explain the estimated annual operating costs of system with different efficiencies, such as SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). This information helps you determine each system’s total lifetime cost.
• Ask the contractor about the staff who will install the system, and whether they’ll be able to respond promptly to emergency service calls. What warranties, guarantees, and follow-up services does the contractor provide? Warranties can vary extensively, and so it’s important to know what is covered and what isn’t. Also, ask about after any available maintenance service agreements–what do they cost and what do they include?
• Are the contractor’s technicians NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified? Have they previously installed or serviced the type and brand of equipment you’re considering for your Ferndale home? Are they comfortable and knowledgeable about load calculations, ductwork design, and using industry-standard methods for proper installation?
• You should ask for three written estimates for the potential work being done. This includes what is being done, the type of equipment provided, and the time installation will begin and its estimated completion time.

To speak with an HVAC contractor today, contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. Our NATE-certified technicians are proud to provide quality service to residents throughout the Southeast Michigan area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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When it comes to hiring an HVAC contractor, these three requirements –  licensed, bonded and insured – are necessary. Without these assurances, you take the chance of paying for services that aren’t up to par which could cost more money in the long run.

Before moving forward with any HVAC work in your home, you’ll need to interview potential contractors. During the interview, ask the necessary questions that will help you make an informed decision. Follow up with state, city or county agencies to validate that credential information provided by a contractor is current and applicable to your location.

Licensed – when a contractor is granted a license for a specific trade, it implies the person has the necessary hands-on experience. A license is also approved upon completing and passing a written test for the particular trade. Continuing education courses specific to the trade may also be required in order for license renewal.

Bonded – a bonded contractor is an insured contractor. A surety bond is a guarantee that covers customers should the contractor not complete the job agreed upon. It also covers payments should the contractor fail to pay for the cost of materials and supplies, required permits and payment to subcontractors. The surety bond also covers a homeowner from negligence due to oversights by the contractor.

Insured – two types of insurance cover contractors; liability and worker’s compensation. Liability insurance covers damage to the property or injuries resulting from work completed by the contractor. Worker’s compensation provides payment for medical services and wages for injuries sustained by workers on the project.

For information about our services, contact our experts at Aladdin Heating & Cooling at our Warren, Orion or Novi office. For more than 65 years, our company has provided quality service by trained technicians to metro Detroit and surrounding areas.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• AFUE: Annual fuel utilization efficiency scale (AFUE) measures how effectively a furnace turns its fuel source, usually gas or oil, into heat energy. A unit’s AFUE  is expressed in percentage terms, so that a furnace with an AFUE of 95 percent burns fuel more efficiently than one with an AFUE of 80 percent. Although units with higher AFUE ratings typically cost more than lower-rated models, they will recover the cost over time by reducing your monthly energy bills.
• Heat exchanger: A key component of the furnace, this metal chamber takes heat from the combustion chamber and transfers it to the air, which is then distributed throughout the home.
• Two-stage: Traditional furnaces operate on one fixed setting and cannot adjust to temperature fluctuations. Two-stage furnaces have a lower stage that runs when outside temperatures are comparatively mild and a higher stage that kicks in when colder temperatures arrive. By putting out only the amount of heat the weather conditions require, two-stage systems save energy in comparison to conventional furnaces.
• Horizontal flow: This term refer to furnaces which are installed horizontally and take in cold air on one end and release warm air at the other. They are typically installed where space is limited, in areas such as attics or crawl spaces.
• Energy Star: This government program awards a certification to certain appliances, including furnaces, that are more energy efficient than standard models.

For more expert advice on communicating with your HVAC tech and other issues related to home comfort, contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We have served Rochester, Dearborn and the Metro-Detroit region for over 65 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC Techs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Aladdin Heating services Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Oak Park, Ferndale, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Madison Heights, Clawson, Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, Utica, Shelby Twp., Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oxford, and Clarkston.

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