Our homes are to be our havens, but when our home’s air-con system isn’t working properly, then our home is anything but a refuge. Inevitably, though, the demands we place on our air conditioning systems will take their toll and we will have to find the right air-con servicer get our unit back into optimal working condition. So, what do you look for when trying to find the air-con servicer that is right for you and your family?
Licensing and Certification: A good air-con servicer will be happy to provide you with the details you need about the company and its employees, including the licenses and certifications currently held by the company and its staff. A good service provider will be licensed and certified in air-con servicing
A History of Excellence: Let’s face it, one of the best ways to judge a company is by learning from those who know it well
A company that has a well-established record of superior performance should usually be your first choice. Not only that, but with experience comes expertise, so the more established and experienced your air-con servicer is, the better he will probably be at the job!
Customer Testimonials: This aligns with the previous point: If you want to know about the company, ask its customers first. Don’t just rely on the testimonials posted on a company website or advertised in a commercial, however. Ask for a list of references you can contact personally. Or, better still, ask around: chances are, someone you know will either have used or heard about the company. While not all word-of-mouth claims are true, this can at least give you a sense of how people are responding to the servicer’s work
Consider the Equipment: Different air-con servicers may specialize in different models or types of units. Bear in mind what brand and model your air-con system is, as well as your ultimate goals. Do you want to simply repair your unit? If so, then look for a servicer who identifies your brand as one of his specialties. If you are considering replacing the unit, then look for an air-con specialist with expertise in the systems you are contemplating.
Identify the Unit Type: Consider, as well, whether you have or are considering a window, casement, split-system, or other type of unit and make sure that the servicer you choose meets your needs.
Consider the Services: If you are investing in an air-con servicer, then you will want to ensure that he has the training, expertise, and equipment to finish the job—and to do it well. So explore the range of services offered by the company.
Is the focus on cleaning? Installation? Repair? Or is the company a full-service provider?
Price Matters: The old adage “You get what you pay for” is not necessarily true. You don’t have to select the most expensive servicer because you think that means he’s the best. At the same time, you should avoid the temptation to opt for the best deal, because that can end up costing you more money in repairing shoddy work than you initially saved.
Get a lot of estimates; ensure the estimates are detailed and firm, and then do a comparison, weighing estimated costs against the other factors, such as service, testimonials, and experience.
Ensure Safety Standards: Air-con units by necessity use potentially dangerous chemicals to achieve their cooling effects. It is essential to ensure that your servicer has the training and expertise to use these chemical appropriately in his installation, repair, and maintenance work. Look for safety guarantees, both in regard to the materials and chemicals to be used and in relation to how the servicer will use them.
Consider the Materials: As with the previous point, it is helpful to consider what kinds of equipment and materials the servicer uses for his installation, repair, and maintenance services. You want to ensure that the service deals with only the safest and highest quality materials because not only does your family’s comfort depend on it—so too may their health.
Customer Care Matters: As the customer, you matter. You and your family deserve to work with an air-con servicer who is passionate about the work and about providing superior customer care. So, consider what the servicer’s terms are in regard to customer service: how readily is he available for scheduled servicing? For emergency servicing? What kinds of guarantees or warranties does he offer, if any?
In-Demand Doesn’t Always Mean Best:
It may seem that a highly in-demand company got that way for a reason, but that’s not always the case. Savvy marketing can make customers clamor, even when the performance isn’t necessarily there to back it up. Plus, if you choose to work with a highly popular company, you risk being lost in a sea of other faceless customers. It may be better to opt for a smaller company with a stellar reputation and reasonable rates, but perhaps a bit less experience or brand recognition. These smaller independents may be exactly what you are looking for in terms of service, attention, and personalized customer care.
Consider the Employees: When you choose an air-con servicer, you are choosing strangers who will have access to your property and probably even inside your home. So it’s important to understand how the company vets it’s prospective, new, and established employees. Are criminal background checks or drug screenings performed? Pay close attention to how the company guarantees the safety and performance of its workers. Choosing an air conditioning servicer is no easy task. On the one hand, you have to balance affordability with service. On the other, you have to ensure that your servicer is accessible but experienced. You have to ensure that the servicer’s expertise meets your present and future needs—and you have to ensure that the servicer has the training and experience, the licensure and the certification to do the job right.
It is also paramount to work with a service provider who can meet your family’s specific needs, ensuring that the job is done efficiently, completely, and well. And, before you let virtual strangers into your home, you have to know that you can trust them and the work they will do. This means making sure that all the employees in the company you choose are thoroughly vetted, with clear histories and solid reputations.
Finally, you have to ensure that your servicer enjoys the same vision of customer care that you do. You want your servicer to be available when you need him, dedicated to using only the highest quality materials and meeting only the most rigorous of safety standards. You want your servicer to be committed to providing optimal results—because he knows that your family deserves nothing less.