Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for heating and air conditioning companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Air Quality Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is a direct result of the high standards it sets for the products it uses, the people it employs and the way it treats its customers. “Customer satisfaction is very important to us,” confirms owner Matthew Farber. “Our main goal is to provide our clients with the most reliable products and follow up with them to make sure they’re completely happy with our work.”

Air Quality Heating & Air Conditioning has been installing, repairing and maintaining high-efficiency HVAC systems for residential and light commercial clients in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties since 1999. In addition to its HVAC capabilities, the company offers system design services, air cleaning and duct cleaning. Its knowledgeable technicians and salespeople are trained to educate customers on their options and help them choose from an array of high-quality products.

Unlike HVAC companies that strive to maximize their workloads by completing jobs as quickly as possible, Air Quality Heating & Air Conditioning prefers to form ongoing relationships with its customers and make routine maintenance a top priority. “Once we start a relationship with a customer, we’ll encourage them to have regular maintenance performed on their equipment,” explains Mr. Farber. “That way, we can keep their system running efficiently and prevent it from breaking down prematurely.”

Another aspect that sets Air Quality Heating & Air Conditioning apart from its competition is the ongoing training it provides for all its employees, including specific programs created by top manufacturers like Carrier, Mitsubishi and American Standard. “We also require our technicians and installers to be NATE-certified, which has become the standard for the HVAC industry,” adds Mr. Farber. “Our extensive knowledge and expertise allows us to ensure our customers’ complete satisfaction.”

Routine maintenance is crucial to the efficiency and longevity of your HVAC system’s performance.

For each year you don’t have your HVAC system maintained, its efficiency decreases by as much as five percent. Plus, routine maintenance is typically far less expensive than replacement. To ensure your HVAC system is operating as efficiently as possible, consider the following maintenance tips:

Have your heating and air conditioning systems inspected annually. Schedule an inspection during a mild weather season so the inspector can check both systems on the same visit. Technicians have greater availability during the off-season, which means you won’t have to deal with the discomfort that can come from having your system break down in extreme weather.

Replace air filters regularly. In addition to causing your furnace to overheat or your air conditioner to potentially fail, dirty air filters can also trigger allergic reactions. When your filter becomes plugged up, the air is unable to flow through the system, which degrades its performance and eventually leads to failure.

Choose the right air filter. To stop dirt and dust from entering the air ducts in your home, avoid installing low-quality air filters in your heating or air conditioning system. High-quality filters are more effective at inhibiting dirt from entering air ducts, but that also means they plug up faster and have to be replaced more often.

Have your ducts inspected annually and cleaned every two to five years. Leaky air ducts can decrease the efficiency of your HVAC system by 20 to 50 percent.

Regularly check your outside condensing unit to make sure it isn’t clogged with leaves or debris. In order to work effectively, the unit needs to be able to breathe and draw air into the system.

Determine the maintenance needs for your specific system. Some HVAC systems only need their filters replaced annually, while others need them changed two to four times a year. If you’re not sure what kind of system you have or what its maintenance needs are, call a professional to come look at it (preferably a company that performs free estimates).

Q: How long does an HVAC system typically last?
A: “Most HVAC systems last between 15 and 20 years, but it really depends on the efficiency of the system and reliability of the equipment. Changing filters regularly and having the system professionally serviced every year will also help extend its life.”

Q: How often should I replace my HVAC system’s air filter?
A: “Some HVAC systems need their air filter replaced once a year, but others need it replaced two to four times a year. To be safe, check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific type of system. If you don’t know how to do that, give us a call and we’ll come check it out.”

Q: How soon can you start my job?
A: “We try to start as soon as possible, but it gets really busy during the hot and cold seasons, which makes it more difficult to come out right away. We understand that HVAC systems usually break down on the hottest and coldest days, so we do our absolute best to start as quickly as we can.”

Q: Are you price-competitive with other HVAC companies?
A: “We can’t always compete with other companies on price because we do extra work to ensure our products and services last as long as possible. Our biggest priorities are using top-quality brands and making sure every installation is done right.”

Q: What kind of training do your employees receive?
A: “We’re factory authorized by Carrier, Mitsubishi and American Standard, and we require all our employees to receive ongoing training from these manufacturers. We also require our technicians and installers to be NATE-certified, which has become the standard in our industry.”

Q: What kind of warranties do you offer?
A: “We typically offer a one-year warranty on all repairs. We also provide a two-year labor and parts warranty on any new installation, in addition to manufacturers’ warranties that usually cover parts for up to 10 years.”