Best HVAC Contractors in Galena, Ohio

The beautiful village of Galena, Ohio, is located between Big and Little Walnut Creek in Delaware County. Originally established in 1809 as a milling center, the town is best known for the Galena Shale Tile and Brick Company, which closed in 1983.

Then, in May 2019, the village of Galena became the first municipality within Delaware County to become an official affiliate of Bee City USA.

Today, Galena, Ohio, is home to over 1,000 residents and has several sights to see, such as the Ohio to Erie Trail, Gnomewood-Galena, Hoover Mudflats Boardwalk at Hoover Reservoir, and the Galena War Memorial.

The village of Galena has a wonderful downtown area that encompasses a small-town feel with a big-town heart. Downtown Galena has several local and family-owned shops and restaurants, a mere hop, skip and jump away from the Ohio Erie Trail.

As the years' progress, the village of Galena continues to flourish. It has new developments and shopping centers being constructed that give easy access to entertainment to the residents (and visitors) of Galena, Ohio.

With its growing population, homeowners will need a local HVAC contractor they can count on. With an increasing number of HVAC companies in the Columbus metropolitan area that service Galena, Ohio, there is a lot of information for any homeowner.

Nevertheless, our residential HVAC system is one of the most important pieces of machinery in our homes. Your HVAC system is your ultimate comfort system. It's responsible for keeping you cool during the hot summer heat and warm during the cold winter months.

At Fire & Ice, we believe that we are a good fit for many, but we encourage friendly competition and welcome you to compare your options. We understand that purchasing a new HVAC system is a considerable investment and is commonly on par with buying a car. Our services include HVAC repair, installation, replacement, indoor air quality, and more.

So, if you are a homeowner (or thinking of becoming one) in Galena, Ohio, we have compiled a list of HVAC contractors within the Galena service area. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will understand why choosing an HVAC contractor to work with is as important (if not more important) than the type of HVAC system you choose.

Let's get started.

HVAC Contractors Serving Galena, Ohio 

Buckeye Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing

Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is a locally owned and operated HVAC company that has served Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding area for the better half of the last 100 years.

According to their website, they are a Lennox Premier Dealer and a Honeywell Contractor Pro.

CARE Heating and Cooling

Established in 1994, Care Heating and Cooling is a privately owned HVAC company that services residential homes in Columbus and the surrounding areas.

They specialize in the service and installation of home comfort systems, including furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps.

Uptown Heating and Cooling

Uptown Heating and Cooling is an HVAC installation and repair contractor with a brick-and-mortar store in Westerville, Ohio. They have serviced homeowners and light commercial services in Galena, Ohio, and surrounding areas for several years.

Westin Air, LLC Heating & Cooling

Westin Air, LLC Heating & Cooling is one of the newer HVAC companies servicing Galena, Ohio. It was founded in 2005 by two friends, Wes and Justin, who grew up together. Westin Air was derived from combining their first names; thus, the LLC was born.

According to their website, they are authorized Trane, Mitsubishi, and Geothermal dealers with. They are also members of Angie's List, the BBB, ACCA, and Home Advisor.

Wise Heating & Cooling

Wise Heating & Cooling was founded in 1986, and they have over 30 years of experience in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry.

Some of their services include A/C, furnace, heat pump, and air handler installations, repairs, maintenance, and replacements, whole house automation, thermostat installation, and air quality. 

How To Choose the Right HVAC Contractor

Now that we’ve covered the top five HVAC contractors in Galena, Ohio, it’s time to narrow the list even further. Remember, most homeowners believe the HVAC system they choose is the most important decision of their HVAC journey, but it's not.

In fact, the company you choose to install, replace, repair, and maintain your residential HVAC system is the biggest decision of all. When deciding on a reputable, trustworthy HVAC company, there are seven questions you should ask yourself, including but not limited to the following:

Employment Process

1. Are they piece-rate or hourly employees?

This may not seem like a big deal; however, when comparing these two types of employees, there are certain standards they abide by.

●     Piece-Rate Employee - these types of employees get paid for the number of installs, replacements, and repairs they can do in a single day; therefore, they are more interested in how many jobs (quantity) they can complete a day

●     Hourly Employees - full-time employees get paid by the hour, not how many jobs they complete, which means they can take their time (quality) to ensure their job is completed safely and correctly.

Bottom line: In HVAC, it’s more important to focus on the quality of the work, not the quantity. Typically, HVAC contractors that hire employees at an hourly wage tend to do better work than those paid piece rate, so ensure you're getting the best quality of work and ask if they are full-time hourly paid employees.

2. Are the installers W2 employees?

When you hire an HVAC company, it's important to ensure that not only your home is insured; but also the HVAC technician who is servicing your equipment.

Hiring an HVAC contractor with W2 employees is crucial because, in the HVAC industry, technicians and installers work with various dangerous and toxic materials. If you hire a W2-employed HVAC contractor, the company's insurance will pay for workers comp if any accidents happen.

On the other hand, if you hire an HVAC contractor who only hires 1099 employees, then if they slip and fall or hurt themselves on the job, you (the homeowner) or your home insurance is responsible for bills related to the incident.

Bottom line: Hire an HVAC contractor that employs W2 employees; this will ensure that if any accident were to occur, you're covered.

Certifications & Training

3. Do they have a N.A.T.E Certification?

The North American Train Excellence program, or N.A.T.E. for short, is the nation's largest non-profit certification organization for HVAC.

Not to mention, it is also the only recognized and accepted HVAC certification for all technicians and installers in the United States.

The certification is divided into four categories, each focusing on service excellence and installation. An HVAC professional with a  N.A.T.E certificate will go above and beyond the curriculum, which teaches core topics, such as proper customer etiquette and safety procedures.

On top of that, the N.A.T.E certification program requires at least 16 hours of continued education every two years.

Bottom Line: Ensuring the company you choose and its technicians are N.A.T.E certified will give you peace of mind in knowing that the contractor you hire is up-to-date on all HVAC procedures, certificates, and employment practices.

4. Do they have a state license?

Did you know that you need a valid state license to do any HVAC installations or replacements? That said, it’s also important to note that it is unlawful for any HVAC company to replace any HVAC equipment for a residential home without a permit.

A permit will ensure that the HVAC equipment is properly installed according to all rules, regulations, and codes according to the manufacturing specifications. If the HVAC company you choose fails to pull permits to complete a job, it should be an automatic red flag.

The red flag indicates an HVAC contractor with poor installation practices, dangerous procedures, and unreliable service.

Acquiring a state license typically takes a minimum of five years, and you need to have experience with a licensed company before you can take the state licensing test.

The Ohio State Licencing Test takes 10 hours to complete, and you must know the following:

●     All state and local codes for buildings and machinery

●     Natural gas, liquid petroleum, and fuel oil codes

●     How to conduct a Manual J Load Calculation

●     Installation and service practices

●     Some electrical work, including wiring and circuits

●     How to maintain safety in all areas HVAC related.

Bottom Line: Be sure to have a successful HVAC experience and choose a contractor that pulls permits and doesn't cut corners.

HVAC Safety & Equipment

5. Are they using the proper tools and installation equipment?

There are many different types of tools to use in HVAC, so having the right ones to finish the job and do it correctly takes several kinds of tools.

Did you know that in the HVAC industry, installation and service technicians use various tools from other types of trade work, including plumbing, electrician, sheet metal, and even in some instances, carpentry?

Not to mention, they also work with toxic or flammable chemicals like acetylene brazing, which is a type of welding. Other tools are specific to manufacturers/brands; some require in-depth training.

That said, you can understand why having the proper tools is important to not only complete the job but to complete the job safely. Unfortunately, these tools don't come cheap. Some HVAC companies will offer a tool program, which helps HVAC technicians get the proper tools and training.

Bottom Line: When choosing your HVAC contractor, ensure they have the proper tools and training to complete the job with the proper tools and take necessary safety precautions.

6. Are they using digital or analog gauges?

There is a reason HVAC technicians are called “technicians.” Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning replacements, installations, and repairs are very technical and precise jobs that take several years to master.

An HVAC contractor that still utilizes an analog gauge cannot give you a precise and accurate measurement, only a ballpark. Accurate and precise readings will help set up your HVAC system for success and make an installation go smoother.

You may ask yourself, “Why does this matter to me?” Well, on an HVAC job, there is room for error, which can affect the comfort of your home, result in high energy bills, several maintenance calls, and even a shorter lifespan for your equipment.

Bottom line: Selecting an HVAC professional that uses digital gauges will give a precise reading, which can help your heating and cooling investment last for several years to come.

7. Do they commission your new equipment on the day of installation?

Equipment commissioning refers to verifying that all HVAC components are installed and properly tested according to the manufacturer's operational requirements and other regulatory instructions.

All air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, air handlers, and other HVAC accessories require commissioning after installation. It's important to note that commissioning can take an hour or two after installation. So, if your HVAC contractor is trying to leave right when they are done, they most likely still need to commission your equipment.

Commissioning equipment takes several readings for the systems: 

●     Refrigerant pressure

●     Voltage

●     Temperature

●     Airflow

●     And others depending on your equipment.

On top of that, commissioning equipment will give a baseline for your HVAC system's overall performance. So, if a technician needs to come back and check on your system’s performance, they have a baseline.

Unfortunately, some HVAC contractors cut corners to get the job finished, so as a customer, you should ask to see the commissioning form, go over it, and ask any questions.

Bottom line: Proper commissioned and regularly maintained HVAC equipment gives homeowners their optimal comfort level and helps your system last longer. 

Related Content: The Importance of Commissioning in HVAC

Next Steps

To help homeowners know what questions to ask any contractor, regardless of their size or expertise, you should ask the questions above, as well as the ones on our “HVAC Contractor Checklist.”

You can download your FREE copy below.

Choosing Fire & Ice As Your Trusted HVAC Contractor in Galena, Ohio

At Fire & Ice, we believe every homeowner deserves the right to a comfortable home. By now, we hope you understand why choosing an HVAC contractor to work with is more important than the type of HVAC system you choose.

There are several aspects to consider before making your final choice; remember, this is an investment for you, your home, and your loved ones' comfort.

To set our services apart from the other HVAC contractors in Galena, Ohio, our commitment to you and your home doesn’t end once your appointment/ installation is complete; we also are the home of the FQI (Final Quality Inspection). 

A final quality inspection ensures homeowners are happy with their investment, that they know how to work their new thermostat and features, and that all pieces and parts function properly. This extra service allows homeowners to ask questions or use this time to enroll in one of our maintenance agreements.

Our maintenance agreements will keep your new investment up to date with manufacturers' warranties, ensure that all components are operating efficiently, and increase the lifespan of your residential heating and cooling system.

Experience the Fire & Ice Difference

Start your HVAC journey with us today by clicking the link below to schedule a service or estimate. We look forward to serving you!