What license should I look for?

What type of licensing should I make sure someone has before letting them install a new unit into my home?

So they should be licensed in the state that they're working in. So if it's North Carolina, South Carolina, whatever, make sure they have a state license to do business and they also have a license to do business in that town, city, or county, whatever it is. Check all that, but I would take that a step further and make sure they are properly insured. What I've seen in the past is that someone will say, hey, I know a guy, they can come over and install a unit for you. Well, the problem is that the know-a-guy doesn't have a license and is not properly insured, so therefore you are exposing yourself to problems that could happen down the road. So you're going to make sure it's proper license, properly insured. That way if they were to get hurt on your property anyway, sprained ankle, walk through a hole, you know, get some mud on them and they freak out, I don't know, whatever happens, you're covered. So you want to make sure they have the insurance and the license as well as that to make sure you're covered as well. Most homeowners' policies want you to have a licensed contractor working at your house. So if something were to happen there, you can also be protected by your home insurance. Otherwise, they really don't like uninsured people, the NOIT guys, to work on things because when you're dealing with heating and air or electrical, I mean, you're dealing with some serious stuff, serious appliances. So it is— you have to be careful, you have to be safe, and you want to make sure that company has all of this in place to protect you. The end consumer to make sure that you're not in harm's way.

You ask your comfort and energy questions and they get answered.

This is the Ask Derrick Cole Show.