Most central HVAC systems come as a package deal – there’s an air conditioner that handles cooling duties and a furnace that brings the heat when things get chilly. When the time comes to have these appliances serviced, you’re probably wondering if it’s okay to have one company take care of the furnace and another take care of the air conditioner.

Benefits of Using the Same Company

While you can use two different HVAC companies to handle your air conditioner and furnace separately, doing so is rather complicated and, most importantly, unnecessary. There’s the hassle of researching, calling and scheduling appointments with two separate HVAC companies, for instance.

Here are a few reasons why it’s smarter to have one company deal with your heating and cooling maintenance:

1. No Surprises

Using the same company for your AC and furnace needs takes the element of surprise out of HVAC maintenance. After all, surprises are the last thing you need when the weather outside demands reliable heating or cooling. Fewer uncertainties mean more confidence in how your HVAC system performs over time.

2. Everyone’s on the Same Page

No two HVAC companies are alike, especially in how they diagnose and service their AC and heating equipment. One company’s approach to handling your AC or furnace maintenance needs may not line up with another’s. The end result is an unnecessary level of complexity, especially when it comes to troubleshooting your HVAC equipment.

By using the same firm for both your AC and furnace needs, everyone says on the same page. That makes troubleshooting, repair and routine maintenance simpler and less time-consuming.

3. Heating and Cooling? Most Techs Know Both

There’s a good reason why most HVAC companies have the words “heating and AC” in their names. For starters, there are few, if any, HVAC companies out there that specialize solely in air conditioning or furnaces. Your average HVAC technician is well-versed in keeping both air conditioners and furnaces in the best possible shape. That means you can rely on one company to handle both your heating and cooling needs.

4. You’ll Save Money

You might think that using separate companies for your AC and furnace could save you money, but that’s not always the case. In most cases, you’ll get better deals by having the same company handle both your AC and furnace maintenance.  Even if you manage to get a good deal from one company, the hassle of juggling both just to maintain a single HVAC system isn’t worth it in the long run.

5. You’ll Save Time

Another benefit of having the same company maintain your AC and furnace? The same HVAC technician can service both units in the same visit. If a separate visit is needed, then the wait is usually much shorter than if you’ve made an appointment with a second HVAC company.

6. You’ll Keep Your Warranty

Using the same HVAC company for your furnace and air conditioner also makes warranty coverage much easier. If your HVAC system ever needs warranty repair, then you won’t run into any roadblocks that could be caused by using separate firms for your AC and furnace.

To sum things up, you’re better off having the same company service your AC and furnace rather than relying on a separate company to handle your furnace or air conditioner. Just as your AC and furnace come as a unit, their maintenance should be treated the same way. Not only will you have fewer headaches, but you’ll also have a more reliable system and, in many cases, more money in your bank account.

What to Look for in an HVAC Company

Finding an HVAC company is simple, but making sure it’s trustworthy and worth leaving your AC and furnace maintenance to is another story. Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind when finding the right company for your HVAC needs:

The Reviews – if you want to find out about an HVAC company these days, all you have to do is check out their reviews. All it takes is a quick look on popular sites like Angi and HomeAdvisor to find recent trusted reviews on just about any product or service, including the local HVAC service contractors in your area. Most HVAC firms will also have recent reviews listed right on their own websites.

The Credentials – Of course, you’ll always want to make sure that the HVAC company you choose is licensed, bonded and insured, not to mention compliant and up to date with all of the local and state standards. Fortunately, most states let you check the status of HVAC companies online. You can also contact the company directly and ask for their credentials.

The Guarantees – You’ll also want an HVAC firm that stands behind its work 100-percent. Find out what type of guarantees and warranties they offer not just on the equipment they sell, but for their services as well.