How to Choose the Best AC Unit Installation Company in Northern VA

As beautiful as Northern Virginia is, many communities are at risk of extreme heat conditions.

For instance, according to FirstStreet.org, 3,754 properties in Fairfax, VA, have a “major” heat risk, and 4,136 have a “severe” heat risk. The city may also experience an estimated 39 days with temperatures between 90 and 100 °F and 14 days with temperatures of 100 °F or higher.

So, if the air conditioner in your Northern Virginia home is on the fritz or you have yet to get one, now is the best time to look for a reputable AC unit installation company. With an energy-efficient air conditioning system, you and your household can stay safe and comfy indoors, especially during hot days.

The big question is, how do you choose the best HVAC companies Northern VA homeowners like you can rely on to install your brand-new air conditioner?

Please read on as our team at KD Mechanical LLC shares practical air conditioning installation tips on selecting AC unit experts in this guide.

Check for HVAC Licensure

In Virginia, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Board of Contractors regulates individuals performing HVAC work within the state. Under the law, those providing heating and AC installation services must hold a valid HVAC license.

So, an HVAC license is one of the first things to look for when searching for a provider of quality AC installation Northern VA homeowners can depend on. Please don’t skip this step, as it’s not just for legal purposes but also your safety.

Here are the crucial reasons you want and should hire a licensed AC unit installation company.

Legal Requirement

Performing HVAC contractor work without the appropriate Virginia license is against the law. Under Code of Virginia § 54.1-1115, unlicensed contractors can face fines of up to $500 a day of violation and even a Class 1 misdemeanor charge!

You wouldn’t want to let someone who’s broken the law into your house, would you? So, ensure you hire a licensed HVAC contractor for your peace of mind.

You can verify HVAC licensure and license validity using the DPOR’s online License Lookup tool. Simply enter the company name of the contractor, and you should find pertinent information, such as their:

License number
Type of license
Specialties

For example, suppose you search for our company, KD Mechanical LLC. In that case, you can confirm that we are a fully licensed contractor with a Class A license (the highest type available in Virginia). You’ll also learn that, besides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, we do gas fitting and plumbing (we install and repair all makes and models of water heaters).

Proof of Industry Experience and Expertise

An HVAC license is a professional credential indicating a person has acquired industry-specific skills and knowledge. In Virginia, those who wish to get a Class A license must meet many requirements, such as:

Having five years of technical and industry experience
Having a master license
Completing an 8-hour pre-licensing course
Possessing at least $45,000 in business capital
Passing the Virginia, General, and Advanced exams
Passing a specialty trade exam
Providing proof of bond and insurance (more on this below)

Given all those requirements, you can rest assured that when you hire a licensed HVAC contractor to install your new AC unit, you’re dealing with a company that met rigorous requirements, proving their industry expertise.

Verify Bond

Another crucial thing to look for when selecting an HVAC contractor is their bond, which:

Serves as a financial guarantee the contractor will complete the job as agreed upon and indicated in the contract
Protects you, the homeowner, from potential issues like incomplete work or poor craftsmanship
Ensures you can recover costs if the contractor doesn’t satisfy all their duties and obligations

So, working with a bonded HVAC contractor means you can rely on their bond company to step in and cover the cost of problems that may arise in the (unlikely) event the contractor fails to uphold the end of the contract. Moreover, ensuring your contractor has a bond can give you peace of mind, knowing you’re dealing with a legitimate company, not a fly-by-night one.

Choose a Fully Insured HVAC Contractor

Just as crucial is to hire an insured HVAC contractor, as their insurance provides financial protection if any of the following occurs during the project:

Accidents
Injuries
Property damage

Granted, highly reputable and experienced HVAC contractors have the skills, knowledge, and training to avoid such incidents. However, untoward events can still occur, so they always carry extensive insurance, which protects them and their clients (AKA the homeowners who hire them).

By hiring a fully insured contractor, you can enjoy the following benefits.

Protection Against Liabilities

An HVAC contractor’s insurance policy protects you, the client, from liabilities, such as if a contractor’s worker accidentally:

Gets injured on your property
Causes damage to your home
Damages your belongings

In the above scenarios, the contractor’s insurance policy will cover the costs of repairs or settlements. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about filing a claim against your homeowner’s insurance.

Peace of Mind With Professionalism

Reputable HVAC contractors always carry adequate insurance because it shows their commitment to quality work and ethical business practices. Moreover, they’re smart and savvy and know that even the most well-trained HVAC technicians may encounter risks on the job that could hurt them.

Pick an HVAC Contractor Offering Upfront Pricing

The best HVAC contractors are always upfront about pricing, whether for repairing a faulty air conditioner or installing a new ductless AC system. They also offer free estimates on projects, be it:

Installations
Repairs
Maintenance

Estimates are crucial because they help establish a pricing baseline. With these, you can gauge how much to expect to pay and prepare for the cost rather than getting surprised by “hidden” fees.

At KD Mechanical LLC, we pride ourselves on providing free estimates and accurate, upfront pricing. When you enlist our help for a new AC unit installation, we will visit and inspect your home and design and install a system based on the following:

Your home’s square footage
How many occupants your home has
Your home’s insulation, overall layout, and design, including its attic and crawl spaces

Considering all those factors allows us to size your new AC system properly. We can help you avoid getting an undersized or oversized unit, which can lead to poor system performance and inefficiencies. An air conditioner that is too big or too small can also affect indoor air quality (IAQ).

Look for Positive Online Reviews

Online reviews are excellent sources of information about an HVAC contractor’s:

Work ethic and professionalism
Skills, knowledge, and fairness
Value for price
Product and service quality

By reading online reviews, you can tell if an HVAC contractor gets to the job on time and finishes it satisfactorily. You can also determine whether they charge a reasonable rate. Moreover, you can learn if their previous customers were happy and would recommend them to others.

Some of the best platforms to find reviews about your prospective HVAC contractors are:

Google
Yelp
Angie’s List
Yell

Pro Tip: When investigating reviews, look beyond the number of stars. Check the written reviews themselves, as these tell the story of previous customers in more detail.

Work With an AC Contractor Promoting Energy-Efficient Systems

The most reputable AC contractors want their customers to save money not by going for the cheapest model available but by opting for the most energy-efficient system they can afford. The higher the energy efficiency rating of an air conditioner, the:

Less energy the system uses
The lower your cooling bills will get
The more money you’ll save in the long run from reduced energy bills
The less environmental impact you’ll have by producing fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Here are some of your top options for energy-efficient air conditioners.

Heat Pumps

If you want one of the most energy-efficient comfort technologies available today, look no further than a heat pump system. Heat pumps are highly efficient because they don’t create heat from scratch. Instead, they transfer heat from an existing source (for example, the air) into your home.

Contrary to what their name may suggest, heat pumps don’t just heat; they can also cool! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, correctly installed air-source heat pumps can deliver two to four times more heat than the electrical energy they use. How’s that for energy efficiency?

Ductless Split Heat Pump Systems

Ductless split heat pump systems (mini-splits) provide heating and cooling like standard heat pumps. The primary difference is that they don’t require air ducts.

Air ducts are necessary for some heating and cooling systems (e.g., standard heat pumps, central air conditioners, and furnaces) because they act as conduits for conditioned air distribution. They serve as the channels and passageways for cooled or heated air from the HVAC system to circulate throughout the home.

The problem with air ducts is that if they are old, dirty, damaged, or improperly installed, they can cause HVAC systems to:

Work harder
Consume more energy
Drive energy bills
Increase carbon footprint
Contribute to poor IAQ

Indeed, according to the University of Florida, typical duct systems can lose up to 40% of heating or cooling energy! So, if you’d rather not have new air ducts installed or wish to avoid using them, consider investing in a mini-split.

Central Air Conditioners

Although central air conditioners don’t have the same high energy efficiency as heat pumps, they still use less energy than room or wall AC units. They’re also convenient to operate, quiet, and installed out of the way. Plus, as long as you partner with a reputable HVAC contractor, you can get the help you need to ensure your central AC is energy efficient, as they will:

Ensure proper sizing of the central AC system
Ensure the AC is proportionate to and adequate for the size of the home
Give you access to some of the most energy-efficient central air conditioners (e.g., those certified by ENERGY STAR)

Just remember, though, that as a ducted system, a central air conditioner’s performance also hinges on the condition and cleanliness of the air ducts. So, to maintain a central AC’s excellent performance and safety, you must keep the ductwork clean. Likewise, ensure you promptly get it fixed if it develops leaks or damages.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Smart thermostats are some of the latest energy-efficiency-boosting furnace and AC technologies. Enabled with Wi-Fi, these innovative thermostats allow you to conveniently control them with your smart devices, such as your:

Smartphone
Tablet
Computer

Here’s why you should work with a Northern Virginia HVAC contractor to install a new AC unit compatible with smart thermostats:

Improved energy efficiency: Smart thermostats automatically adjust temperatures when you’re asleep or away, significantly lowering your cooling (and heating) bills
Learning functions: Many intelligent thermostats can learn user preferences and daily routines over time, adjusting indoor temperatures accordingly to boost comfort and energy savings
Remote access: Using a mobile app, you can control your home’s temperature from anywhere, letting you turn your AC on or off or adjust its settings on the go
Detailed reports on HVAC energy use: Gain insights into your home’s AC (and heating) energy usage patterns to identify areas for even better optimization and energy savings
Weather-based adjustments: Some smart thermostats can optimize cooling and heating by “tapping” into the outdoor weather conditions
Improved programmability: Say goodbye to manually adjusting the thermostat throughout the day by using a smart thermostat’s automated features and scheduling functions

Considering all those benefits, it’s no wonder smart thermostats can save households with high cooling and heating bills up to $100 yearly, according to ENERGYSTAR.gov.

Choose KD Mechanical LLC as Your AC Unit Installation Company

Checking HVAC licensure, reading reviews, and picking a contractor that promotes energy efficiency are some of the most crucial steps to choosing the right AC unit installation company in Northern Virginia.

Fortunately, you don’t have to look far and wide, as KD Mechanical LLC is here to save the day. We are proud to bring over 50 years of combined experience in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. We’ll use our skills, knowledge, expertise, and fully-stocked service trucks to install your correctly sized, brand-new AC system promptly and without delays.