When you need help with your heating and air conditioning equipment, it’s not always easy to figure out who to call. You hop online, search for HVAC contractors in the Indianapolis area, and suddenly you’ve got a long list of companies — literally hundreds to choose from. And they all seem to say the same thing.
That’s why the team at Thiele Heating & Air Conditioning put this guide together. As a local Indianapolis HVAC company that’s been serving homeowners for generations, we simply want to help you know what to look for when you’re hiring an HVAC contractor. When you know the right things to ask and check, it’s a lot easier to feel confident about who you invite into your home.
What to Look for When Hiring an Indianapolis HVAC Contractor
With so many companies out there, it helps to know what really matters when choosing the right team to take care of your home’s heating and cooling system. Here are the key things every homeowner should consider when comparing Indianapolis HVAC contractors:
1. Proper Registration and Insurance
In Indiana, there’s no statewide HVAC license requirement. However, many cities and counties — including the City of Indianapolis — require HVAC contractors to be properly registered, bonded, and insured to legally perform work. This protects both your home and the workers on the job.
It’s always a good idea to ask:
- Are you registered with the city or county to perform HVAC work?
- Are you fully insured and bonded?
- Can you provide documentation of your registration and insurance?
Registration ensures the company meets local requirements, while insurance protects you in case of property damage or injury during the work.
2. Company Experience and Longevity
Experience matters when it comes to servicing your HVAC system. The longer a company has been in business, the more systems, homes, and situations they’ve handled, from older equipment to today’s modern systems.
Helpful questions to ask the HVAC company include:
- How many years have you been in business?
- Do you have experience with my specific type or brand of HVAC equipment?
- Do your technicians receive ongoing training on new systems and technologies?
An established company with a strong track record is much more likely to be around to honor warranties and provide service for years to come.
3. Full Range of Services
You want to hire an HVAC company that can handle whatever you might need now and in the future. Whether you’re replacing an old system, adding heating and cooling to a new addition, or putting in a system where one didn’t exist before, it’s helpful to have one contractor who can do it all.
Find an Indianapolis HVAC contractor who can:
- Install new HVAC systems for new builds, renovations, or additions
- Replace old equipment when your current system wears out
- Perform preventive maintenance to keep your system running efficiently year after year
- Handle fast, reliable repairs when problems come up
- Provide indoor air quality solutions
- Work on all types of HVAC systems like furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, mini splits, and more
For example, maybe you have central air now, but a few years from now, you might want to upgrade to a heat pump to help lower your energy bills. Or down the road, you may decide to add an air purifier to improve your family’s health and comfort. It’s a lot easier when you already have a team you trust who can handle it all, instead of having to search for someone new every time.
4. Reputation and Customer Reviews
Online reviews and local word-of-mouth recommendations are some of the most helpful ways to evaluate any HVAC contractor. Look for patterns in how customers describe their experience.
Always do your homework and check:
- Google reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings, and online testimonials
- How the company handles both positive and negative reviews
A strong reputation shows that the HVAC company takes care of customers, stands behind their work, and resolves any concerns professionally.
5. Maintenance Plan Offerings
Your HVAC system works hard all year long, especially with our long summers and winters. Without regular maintenance, small problems can turn into costly repairs or even full system failures. That’s why it helps to choose an Indianapolis HVAC company that offers a maintenance plan with scheduled service to keep things running smoothly, plus extra ways to save money.
Here’s what you can ask the HVAC company:
- Do you offer annual maintenance agreements?
- Are your maintenance memberships transferable?
- What’s included in your maintenance visits?
- Do you offer benefits like priority scheduling or discounts for maintenance plan members?
When a company offers a helpful and affordable maintenance plan, it shows that they care about the little things and want to build long-term relationships with their customers.
6. Financing Options and Other Promotions
Replacing your HVAC system or making major repairs isn’t always something you’ve planned for. These are big investments that affect your home’s comfort, safety, and energy efficiency, but they can also put a strain on your budget. That’s why it’s smart to work with an Indianapolis HVAC contractor who also offers financing options.
Good questions to ask include:
- Do you offer financing options?
- What types of financing plans are available?
- Are there any other promotional offers or special programs available?
When a company offers financing and special offers, it shows that they want to help and are willing to work with you. That tells you they care more about helping customers than just making the sale.
7. Factory Authorized Dealer Status
Not every HVAC contractor is authorized to install and service equipment directly from leading manufacturers. Being a factory-authorized dealer means a company has met strict standards for training, technical expertise, customer service, and ongoing professional development—all backed by the manufacturer.
Manufacturer warranties are also fully protected, since the equipment is installed and serviced according to the exact standards required to keep the full warranty valid. Ask the company if it’s an authorized dealer and what other models it may install and service.
Thiele is the Indianapolis HVAC Contractor That Can Handle All of Your Heating, Cooling, and Indoor Air Quality Needs
At the end of the day, this is what you want in your Indianapolis HVAC contractor, and Thiele Heating & Air Conditioning checks all of the boxes. We know how important it is to have a local HVAC company that you can trust with your home. When you call Thiele, here’s what you can expect:
- Excellent work and great service from an experienced and established HVAC company that’s been serving Central Indiana since 1883.
- A team that’s fully registered, bonded, and insured to work in Indianapolis and the surrounding Central Indiana communities.
- Complete heating and cooling services, including HVAC installation, HVAC repair, HVAC maintenance, and HVAC replacement.
- Experienced technicians who are fully trained, certified, and knowledgeable about furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless mini split systems, geothermal units, and indoor air quality equipment.
- A Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer that has gone through extensive training and has met the manufacturer’s high standards for installation, service, and customer satisfaction.
- Clear explanations and honest advice to help you fully understand your options and feel confident in your decision.
- Comprehensive maintenance plans that include bi-annual HVAC tune-ups, priority service, and repair discounts to help you save money and protect your heating and air conditioning system.
- Regular promotions and convenient financing options that make larger repairs or system replacements easier to manage.
- A strong local reputation backed by hundreds of positive customer reviews and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
At Thiele, you’ll never deal with high-pressure sales tactics or unnecessary upsells. We’re here to give you real answers and reliable service.
Make an Appointment With Us Today
Thiele Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving homeowners in the Indianapolis area for generations, and we’ll continue to be here whenever you need us. We always provide quality service at a fair price.
If you’re new to the Indianapolis area or are unhappy with your current HVAC company, let’s talk! Call our office or fill out our online form to contact us. We’d be happy to answer your questions and help you take care of your home’s heating and cooling needs.