How to find a good HVAC contractor
If you’re planning home upgrades, the most important decision is hiring a reliable contractor to be your ”electrification partner”.
Upgrading your HVAC system is a big investment, and you want to hire a trustworthy contractor to do the work. While it may seem daunting, finding an experienced contractor who understands the value of electrification will help you to relax knowing your project is in good hands. The right HVAC contractor will ensure you get the best solution for your home and avoid problems like installing the wrong equipment or installing it incorrectly.
There are lots of competent HVAC installers, but they are not all equally experienced with modern heat pumps and some may even try to steer you towards older, less efficient equipment that they are more familiar with. A good installer will have installed a lot of heat pump systems, be enthusiastic about their advantages and be able to specify the right system for your home, help with incentives and give you good advice about any weatherization or home sealing problems that you should address. Some may even be able to help with other electrification projects like preparing your home for an EV or installing a heat pump water heater.
In this 30-minute webinar, we discuss:
Where to find and compare reputable contractors
How to share your motivations and priorities for your project, to help them make the best recommendations for your home.
The best questions to ask to determine a contractor’s experience and competency with heat pumps, and with treating your whole house as an energy system.
What the estimating process should include
What your bids should include (e.g. efficiency ratings, incentives info)
How to get and compare multiple bids for similar systems.
Download our helpful fact sheet about finding a good HVAC contractor
This webinar is part of the Electrify Now “Go Electric!” series developed in partnership with LEARN. Find more Go Electric! webinars with information and tips on other important electrification topics here.
LEARN is a San Diego-based workforce education and training program that has partnered with Electrify Now to offer free energy efficiency and electrification webinars. Please visit the LEARN website for more information: www.sandiegolearn.com
Hosts and Panelist:
Brian Stewart - Brian co-founded Electrify Now to help energy consumers and homeowners learn about the benefits of electrification. He has over 40 years of experience in product design, engineering, manufacturing and sustainability and held many leadership roles at Nike Inc. including Vice President of Sustainable Innovation.
Joe Wachunas - In addition to his work for Electrify Now, Joe is a Program Manager for the New Buildings Institute, managing the Advanced Water Heating Initiative. He is a frequent contributor to CleanTechnica writing articles about topics relating to electrification and clean energy. Joe and his family use their own home to experiment and learn about all electric solutions, solar power and EVs.
Bobby Foley - Bobby is the Head of Sales and a Home Comfort Advisor at Elephant Energy, a home electrification company in Boulder, Colorado. With a diverse background in sales leadership, team sports, and data analytics, Bobby is passionate about climate change mitigation, financial inclusion, and youth development.
Caroline Staudt - Caroline is a Home Comfort Advisor with Elephant Energy based out of Boston, Massachusetts. With 15 years of experience as an attorney, real estate broker, and climate solutions advocate, she is passionate about educating homeowners and simplifying the complex world of home electrification.