Characteristics to Look for in an HVAC Service Tech
- NATE certification: Offered by the North American
Technician Excellence (NATE), the NATE certification program is the only
one of its kind that’s operated, owned, developed and governed by the
HVACR industry. When a residential HVAC tech holds a NATE certification,
you can have confidence that this individual is highly experience, well
trained and knowledgeable in his or her field.
- Appearance: When it comes to establishing trust
and making a good first impression, looks matter. A quality HVAC service
tech should have a clean uniform or work clothes that are appropriate
for the job.
- Grooming: Good grooming can be a reflection of an
individual’s attention to detail. If a service tech doesn't care enough
about his or her own personal grooming, there may be a chance that this
individual will not care about the minor yet important details related
to your residential HVAC unit.
- Boot covers: When a quality residential HVAC
service tech is customer-focused, this individual treats a customer’s
home as if it were his or her own. This means that a quality service pro
takes the necessary steps to help minimize the work you need to do,
like clean your home. Boot covers are a sign that an HVAC tech respects
you and your home.
- Timeliness: A quality service tech arrives to an
initial consultation on time and has a reputation for his or her
timeliness. When shopping around for an HVAC service provider, learn
about each company’s history of showing up to a job on time, time
management skills and completing a project within the estimated amount
of time originally quoted.
- Prepared: Forgetting tools or equipment is a bad
sign in a residential HVAC service tech. A quality contractor evaluates
your needs so he or she can fully prepare to focus on your home because
this individual doesn't like to waste time.
- Cleanup: Quality service techs know that
homeowners hate picking up after contractors. A good contractor leaves
the area he or she worked on in the same, if not better, condition than
how it was found. Thorough cleanup after completing a day of work is a
sign of professional integrity and respect for the customer.
- Eye contact: Communication skills are essential
for any individual that you invite into your home. Eye contact and other
good communication skills are signs that a service tech is confident in
his or her skills, wants to understand your needs, wants you to
understand the solution and values your business.
- Longevity: Consider the length of time a
residential HVAC service tech has been in the business. A tech who has
been in business for several years with the same company should be able
to provide you with solid references and trusted, experienced workers
help you address your home’s needs. Longevity is also an indication of
the company and how it treats its people. Longevity provides confidence
in a company’s fairness to its people and community, which means you can
trust them.
- Vehicle cleanliness: A vehicle’s appearance is just as important as a service tech’s personal appearance. A clean vehicle is a sign of company pride, organizational skills and commitment to continually impressing customers.
