How to choose an HVAC contractor in Pennsylvania
Updated · KeystoneProGuide editorial team
What should you look for in an HVAC contractor?
Five things, in this order: a valid Pennsylvania home improvement registration, technicians who hold EPA refrigerant certification, a contractor who sizes the equipment for your house instead of guessing, a written and itemized proposal, and warranty terms you have read before you sign. References and reviews come on top of those, not instead of them.
ENERGY STAR's own list of tips for hiring a heating and cooling contractor starts with homework: find out the license and insurance rules where you live, know the model and maintenance history of your present system, and note any rooms that are uncomfortable. Contractors can only diagnose what you tell them about.
How do you check that a company is legitimate?
In Pennsylvania the main check is registration with the Attorney General. Most companies that install or replace heating or air conditioning at a home must register, and their number, PA followed by digits, has to appear on estimates and contracts. Look it up on the state's contractor search or call 1-888-520-6680. The rules behind this, and what changes in Philadelphia, are in what Pennsylvania requires of HVAC contractors.
Registration is a floor, not a recommendation. The Attorney General says it is not an endorsement of a contractor's honesty or quality of work, and it advises homeowners to check references, get more than one bid and look for complaints with the Better Business Bureau. In Philadelphia, the city's Licenses and Inspections lookup tool also lists actively licensed contractors and any licensing violations.
Ask for proof of insurance as well. The Federal Trade Commission's general advice for home improvement work is to consider only contractors who are licensed and insured, and to ask for proof of insurance rather than take it on trust.
Which certifications matter?
One is required by federal law. Technicians who service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerant must hold Section 608 certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's approved programs. If the job involves an air conditioner or heat pump, it is fair to ask whether the technician who will connect gauges to your system is certified, and to see the card.
Other credentials are voluntary. ENERGY STAR points to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), a trade association, which keeps a list of accredited contractors in its Quality Assured Residential Services and Installation program. Membership in a trade group is a reasonable thing to ask about; it is not a license.
How will a good contractor size a new system?
By calculation, not by the size of the old unit. ENERGY STAR says the contractor should verify the right size using Manual J, a calculation of how much heating and cooling your home needs. ACCA, which publishes it, describes Manual J as the ANSI-recognized standard for sizing loads in houses, townhouses and row houses, and says its companion, Manual S, is for choosing equipment to meet those loads.
You do not need to read either manual. You need to see that the work was done:
- A visit, not a phone quote. ENERGY STAR says the contractor should spend significant time inspecting your system and home, and that a bigger system is not always better.
- Your house in the numbers. The size should reflect the home's area, insulation and windows. ENERGY STAR warns against relying on a "rule of thumb", because oversized equipment may cycle too often, giving less comfort and a shorter life.
- The ducts looked at. A good contractor will inspect the ducts for leaks and insulation and measure airflow against the manufacturer's specifications.
What should the written bid include?
ENERGY STAR advises getting written, itemized estimates and comparing cost, energy efficiency and warranties, not price alone. The proposal you sign should list:
- the project cost,
- the model numbers of the equipment,
- the job schedule,
- the warranty information.
The FTC adds that a contract should carry the contractor's name, address, phone number and license number, any promises made in conversation, and no blank spaces. If a salesperson promises something, such as free repairs, the FTC says to get the promise in writing.
How do you judge the warranty?
Read it before you buy; the FTC says the law requires a warranty to be available to read first. Then ask three questions the FTC raises. Does it cover labor, or parts only? Does it require you to return a registration card to qualify? Does it cover only problems that happen after the product is maintained as directed? An equipment warranty can depend on yearly service, so ask the contractor what the manufacturer requires.
How many quotes should you get?
More than one. The Attorney General and the FTC both advise multiple bids, and the FTC says not to automatically choose the lowest bidder and to ask for an explanation if there is a big difference between estimates. ENERGY STAR makes the same point in efficiency terms: the cheapest price may cost more over time if the equipment uses more energy.
Price ranges from the national surveys are in what HVAC work costs. Contractors serving your area are on the HVAC contractors directory page.
Sources
- 10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling Contractor, ENERGY STAR
- HVAC Quality Installation, ENERGY STAR
- Air-Source Heat Pumps, ENERGY STAR
- Manual J Residential Load Calculation, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
- Manual S Residential Equipment Selection, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
- Home Improvement Contractor Search, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- Home Improvement Contractor Verification, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, Federal Trade Commission
- Warranties, Federal Trade Commission
- Find a licensed contractor and contractor information, City of Philadelphia