Finding an AC repair and installation service is already stressful. You need a repair or replacement ASAP as your home is warming up and becoming unbearable. Before you make a decision, consider the importance of reading local reviews and testimonials for Miami AC installation experts.

Google and other search engines do a fantastic job of directing you to local HVAC companies, but they can’t tell you which company is going to be the best for your needs. That’s why you need to read reviews and see if you spot any names you know. Even if you don’t, local reviews provide a wealth of information to help you make the right choice.

Understand What to Trust and What to Ignore

When you’re reading a review, make sure there is sufficient information. A review that simply says, “I love this company…” isn’t very helpful. It provides nothing to show why the company deserves high praise. Details are everything when it comes to choosing an AC installer.

When you’re looking at positive reviews, you want to look for names. When you call the AC installation and repair company, see if that technician is available. You may be able to request a specific person, even if there’s more of a wait.

Do you know of a specific AC brand you’re interested in? Look for reviews that mention that brand. You can also ask the brand for recommendations of their installation partners to narrow your options down.

Don’t just focus on the positive. Look at the negative reviews. Most sites allow you to sort by “Lowest Rating.” Look through those and see what the issue is that led to the low rating. How did the company respond? Some companies will become combative. You want a company that wants to know more and find a solution that makes customers happy. 

Look for testimonials on the company’s website. Take time to look through them, and don’t be afraid to Google the customer’s name to see if you can find that person on sites like LinkedIn or another social media platform. The goal is to find out if it’s a real person rather than a fake review that a company made up.

Mistakes happen and things go wrong, but how a company handles these moments means everything. With any luck a customer will go back in and revise the review, but it’s not always going to happen. Sometimes, poor reviews are unfair and should be ignored. Here are some examples.

Negative Review Because a Customer Fails to Keep Up With Cleaning and Maintenance

Sometimes the reason for the negativity is beyond the company’s control. For example, a customer has a new AC installed and doesn’t change the filters or perform routine maintenance. Parts wear out faster than expected, and the customer is upset. The customer may blame the AC company, but it’s really the customer’s fault.

A Customer Doesn’t Understand How a Warranty Works

When something goes wrong and a part is still under warranty, warranties typically cover the part but not the labor costs. If you take time to go over the fine print, you’ll learn this. 

The only way to get coverage on both parts and labor is often by purchasing an add-on warranty. Some people believe warranty coverage automatically covers both. They didn’t read the fine print with the warranty and blamed the company for charging them for labor.

Another issue with warranties is that aftermarket or generic parts can void a warranty. A consumer might find much cheaper parts online, but those parts may not work as well in the AC system as you think, which can damage the system. Aftermarket and generic parts are fantastic for some things, but they’re risky if you have an active warranty.

The Customer Doesn’t Understand the Pricing

Many HVAC companies start the hourly rate from the time they leave their company address or the address where they’ve finished a job. It’s important to understand if this is how a company handles pricing. It’s also worth noting if they charge a full hour when a job takes 15 minutes. 

The Customer Reviews the Wrong Business

Mistakes do happen, and sometimes, a customer leaves a review for the wrong business. You may see the business respond that they cannot find the customer in their records. See if there are any follow-up reviews. 

The Competition Is Leaving Fake Reviews

You’ve heard of companies that fake positive reviews to get a higher rating, right? Some less scrupulous companies leave negative reviews to make themselves more appealing. That’s why reviews of local AC companies are a good tool, but not the only way to decide which AC company in Miami is the best.

There’s a Clear Bias Clouding the Experience

One of the worst reasons to leave a negative review involves the technician’s ethnicity or race. Yet, there are negative reviews out there that call out the technicians for being Hispanic. Sometimes, people question a technician’s age and experience when a technician is younger than expected. Unconscious or conscious bias aside, there’s no reason to call out a technician’s race, gender, age, etc. in a review. We hate to admit this happens, but it has. If it’s the leading complaint, it’s a review to ignore.

What Questions Should You Ask?

Once you’ve looked through reviews and narrowed down your list, call the companies on your list and ask these questions.

• Do you offer an extended warranty that covers parts and service?
• Do you provide same-day repairs?
• Is there a fee to drive out to a house?
• Is in-house financing available? Does the company work with lenders who work with people with bad credit?
• What licenses and certifications does the company hold? 

AC repair and installation companies need to be licensed in Florida and should be FPL contractors to provide instant rebates from the power company. As Miami and South Florida residents can save a lot of money on a new AC when they choose an FPL contractor, it’s important to choose an AC company that is on the FPL’s list.

Why Choose All Year Cooling?

Look at some of the praise for All Year Cooling.

• “Excellent transparency with no pressure during a service call…” – MP
• “This was hands down one of the best experiences we’ve had with any at-home service.” – TN
• “The whole process from selecting a new AC to having it installed was not only quick but painless as well.” – SF

Those are just a few of the satisfied customers. All Year Cooling has had dissatisfied customers, too, but we strive to ensure any issues are resolved. Management is happy to discuss concerns and address any problems as quickly as possible. Again, some issues are out of our control. A manufacturer’s limited warranty covers the cost of parts. If a compressor fails and is still under warranty, labor costs are well over $500 for that compressor replacement. Learning that only parts are covered is alarming. 

All Year Cooling offers a 10-year Extended Labor Warranty to customers who want comprehensive coverage. Our warranty covers labor and refrigerant, so you won’t face unexpected bills for something you believe to be completely covered. Ask our team about this level of coverage when you schedule an AC installation with us.