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If you happened to catch the scathing report on heating and cooling contractors on the Today Show and Dateline in July and August, you may be wondering how to keep from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous heating and cooling companies. Obviously, we would recommend calling us at Home Comfort Heating, Furnace Repair and AC Experts. But we also want to share some general tips to help you know what to look for when comparing.

Start by asking around. Obviously, your friends, family and neighbors are all people you can trust and can tell you about their experiences (good or bad) with local heating and cooling companies.

Use the Internet. Almost all companies have a website that will give you tons of great information. You can research anything you want. You’ll see if they have guarantees, offer upfront pricing, if their technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified, etc. Don’t forget to check that they are licensed and insured.

Make Sure They are Up to Date with Technology. Ask them about the new high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners. They should be able to tell you why they are better, how they operate, and be able to explain why they would recommend one over the other for your home. A good contractor should even be able to calculate your energy savings.

Expect an Inspection. If a heating and cooling company gives you a quote over the phone, be wary. A quality company will want to perform a heat-load and/or cooling-load calculation and check your duct work, current system, etc.

Get Several Quotes. Don’t be afraid to call and ask several companies to give you an estimate. Many times, price isn’t the only factor. You may find after speaking to several companies that you just get a better gut feeling from one or another. Follow your instincts.

Ask for Referrals. A good heating and cooling company who treats their customers right and does a good job with service should have no problem giving you a couple of customers to contact. Ask them about the service, the price, anything you want to know. You’ll get great information straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.

Get Written Estimates. Make sure you compare apples to apples and don’t forget to factor in cost, energy efficiency and warranties.

Of course, Home Comfort Experts does all of these things and passes all the tests necessary. Please feel free to recommend us to your friends and family after you have used our services and are happy with the results. We perform heating and cooling in Plymouth, IN and the surrounding Indiana area and we value your business.