Whether your furnace died on a chilly winter night or your air conditioner broke down in the middle of a hot summer day, you’ll be happy to hire a repairman. But don’t let your comfort need blind you. Brush up on some of the most common HVAC scams with this guide from the experts.
- The Contractors Get Very Pushy
One of the most common indications of HVAC scam is high-pressure selling. They insist customers to buy products which they obviously not need or want in the first place. These mischievous guys get extremely excited when they find a customer and get very pushy in insisting you to get their services, otherwise your house could be burned due to a faulty air conditioner. To deal with these dishonest contractors, it’s best to ask for second or even third opinion from the experts.
- An Extremely Lucrative Offer
Well, just because you are offered with discounted prices does not necessarily mean that it’s a scam. However, there are two meanings behind a cheap offer, either it’s a low quality service or it is a scam. There’s nothing wrong in doubting services that seem too good to be true. These scammers also shy away from proving details regarding the air conditioning or heating services. It’s best to request the written contract about the services they are about to offer you.
- Asking For Payments before Providing the Service
A decent heating and air conditioning company won’t ask for payment before performing the job, and it’s alarming if the contractor you’ve picked has asked for the service payment upfront. The trustworthy HVAC companies are in the industry for a long time and they are aware of the rules about the payments for the services they offer.
- Insisting on Unit Replacement
It is likely that you have purchase your air conditioner or furnace from a reliable contractor and unless something goes wrong, there’s probably no need to replace the entire unit. Although it’s normal for some components to go bad causing the need for replacement, be careful from scammers who are just waiting for the right time to trap you. If your air conditioner or furnace works properly and it only needs maintenance, don’t ever fall prey to this HVAC scam.
- Unnecessary Duct Cleaning
There are HVAC companies that will do everything to lure you in a costly duct cleaning service. These contractors may point to dirty air registers on the ceiling as an evidence that your duct is already in need of cleaning services. Remember this, just because your air registers are dirty doesn’t necessarily mean that the ductwork requires cleaning. The best way to deal with this scam is to get multiple options. Don’t be satisfied with a single quote, especially if the service cost sounds high.
These scams can lead to scary stories, especially to those who don’t have sufficient knowledge about the world of HVA. However, the good news is that there are trustworthy HVAC contractors who are always ready to serve you honestly at a fair price.