When your furnace is on the fritz, finding an experienced HVAC professional to handle the repairs is a must. Still, furnace repair can be costly (depending on the specific issue), so shopping around and finding the best furnace repair specialist for the job is important. As you explore your options, there are a few questions worth asking that can help you determine whether an HVAC company is right for you.

1. What Options Are There?

Oftentimes, there's more than one possible repair that can get your furnace back up and running. This is why it's always a good idea to ask your HVAC technician to go over all your repair options with you. From there, you can make the most informed decision. For example, if you're on a tight budget or plan on replacing your furnace in the next few months anyway, then going with the cheapest short-term repair may actually make the most sense.

2. What Kind of Warranty or Guarantee Do You Offer?

If your furnace repair will involve the replacement of any parts, you'll also want to find out what kind of warranty the manufacturer of the part will include with your purchase. In addition to a warranty on your parts, however, you'll also want to make sure that your HVAC company includes a guarantee on their labor. This way, if the part needs to be replaced under warranty, your furnace technician will come back out to re-install the new part at no additional charge to you.

3. Does the Furnace Need to Be Replaced Soon?

If your furnace is more than 15-20 years old, there's a good chance that it will need to be replaced in the near future. With this in mind, you may want to talk to your furnace specialist about whether it's worth it to repair your furnace or replace it instead. In some cases, it may actually be more cost-effective to replace it entirely rather than putting more money into your old one.

4. Who Will Be Completing the Repair?

While not super common, some HVAC companies subcontract out their repair work. Ideally, you'll want to find an HVAC professional that uses their own full-time employees for all repair jobs. 

Finding a furnace repair professional will ensure that you get your furnace up and running properly again in no time, so be sure to keep these questions in mind as you explore your options.