The short answer
Before you sign, ask: Are you AZ ROC licensed and insured? Did you do a Manual J load calculation? What's the exact equipment, SEER2, and warranty? Are the rebates you mention real? A trustworthy contractor answers all of these without hesitation or pressure.
Questions about licensing and trust
Start here — these protect you legally:
- 1What's your AZ ROC license number? (Verify it's active at azroc.gov — RM III is #332513.)
- 2Are you insured, with liability and workers' compensation? Can I see proof?
- 3How long have you been doing HVAC in the Phoenix area, and who will actually do the work?
- 4Will you pull the required permit for a replacement?
Questions about sizing and the system
These reveal whether they're doing it right:
- 1Will you perform a Manual J load calculation, or are you just matching my old unit's size?
- 2What size (tonnage) and SEER2 are you recommending, and why?
- 3Is the indoor and outdoor equipment AHRI-matched?
- 4What's your plan for my ductwork — will you check it for leaks and proper sizing?
The Manual J answer matters most
If a contractor sizes your system by square footage or by copying the old unit instead of a load calculation, that's a quality red flag. Correct sizing is the foundation of comfort and efficiency.
Questions about the quote and price
Get it in writing and make it comparable:
- 1Can I have a written, itemized estimate with exact equipment model numbers?
- 2What's included — permit, new thermostat, refrigerant lines, haul-away, duct work?
- 3Are there good/better/best options, and what changes between them?
- 4Do you offer financing, and what are the real terms?
Questions about warranties and rebates
If any answer is vague, pressured, or 'just trust me,' keep looking. RM III answers every one of these in writing — and if you already have a competitor's quote, we'll give you a free second opinion on it.
Confirm what stands behind the work:
- 1What's the parts warranty, and what's your labor warranty?
- 2Which rebates does this system actually qualify for? (For SRP customers, Cool Cash requires 15.2 SEER2+. Note: APS ended its residential HVAC rebate on January 1, 2026.)
- 3Will you file the rebate paperwork for me?
- 4What does ongoing maintenance look like, and do you offer a plan?
Two tie for first: 'What's your AZ ROC license number?' (verify it at azroc.gov) and 'Will you do a Manual J load calculation?' The first protects you legally; the second ensures the system is sized correctly. A contractor who answers both confidently is usually a safe bet.
Yes — get a few and compare them apples-to-apples on tonnage, SEER2, exact equipment, what's included, and warranty. If the quotes differ wildly, a free second opinion can tell you why. RM III is happy to review any quote you've received, with no obligation.
Terms in this guide
- AZ ROC license
- An Arizona Registrar of Contractors license — required to legally perform HVAC work in Arizona. RM III AC & Heating holds AZ ROC #332513. Always verify a contractor's ROC number is active before hiring; it's your protection if something goes wrong.
- Manual J load calculation
- The industry-standard method for sizing an HVAC system. A Manual J accounts for your home's square footage, insulation, windows, orientation, and the Phoenix design temperature to calculate the exact cooling and heating load — so the system isn't oversized or undersized.
- SEER2
- Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 — the current rating for how efficiently a central AC or heat pump cools over a season. Higher is more efficient. As of 2023 the federal minimum for new split-system ACs in the hot-dry Southwest (including Arizona) is 14.3 SEER2; SRP's Cool Cash rebate requires 15.2 SEER2 or higher.
- AHRI-matched system
- An outdoor and indoor unit certified by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute to perform together at their rated efficiency. Rebates and warranties generally require an AHRI-matched system — mixing mismatched parts can void both.
- SRP Cool Cash
- Salt River Project's rebate for SRP electric customers who install qualifying high-efficiency equipment (15.2 SEER2 or higher). It pays up to $1,125, with an additional variable amount based on system tonnage, for installs completed by April 30, 2027. RM III files the paperwork for you.
- APS HVAC rebate (ended)
- Arizona Public Service ended its residential HVAC rebate program effective January 1, 2026. If you're an APS customer, there is no APS AC rebate to claim in 2026 — be wary of any company that promises one. Federal incentives still apply.