Your home air conditioning and heating systems are vital to keeping your home comfortable throughout the year. When you experience a breakdown, you may be tempted to call the first HVAC technician you come across, especially if your system stops working when you’re experiencing extreme temperatures. However, it’s important to not make snap judgements when it comes to HVAC repair and maintenance as this could leave you open to a dishonest salesperson or disreputable HVAC company that may be running a scam.

Most Common HVAC Scams

Since most homeowners do not know the ins and outs of their HVAC system, they rely on the expertise of heating and cooling technicians to diagnose and repair their issues. Unfortunately, there are some dishonest and inexperienced HVAC companies that may try to take your money and run.

Here are some of the most common HVAC scams to look out for when you find yourself needing a new system or heating and cooling repairs:

• Pushy salespeople who try to sell you an oversized unit. Larger units may be more expensive and powerful, but bigger is not always better when it comes to HVAC units as having an oversized system can actually make your energy bills shoot through the roof and cause premature wear and tear on your system.
• The technician tells you that your system needs to be replaced when it’s a relatively easy and affordable fix. Some scammers will take advantage of the fact that homeowners know very little about their AC and heater. Instead of performing the simple and affordable fix, they will recommend that you have your entire system replaced.
• The HVAC service person charges you for parts that were not actually replaced. One trick that many scammers employ is giving you a non-itemized receipt or trying to slip in extra charges for parts and services that were not performed.
• Non-certified or untrained technicians work on your unit. Some HVAC scammers will offer to complete repairs when they are not actually certified or trained to work on HVAC systems. Sometimes they may even offer a discount. This can cause more problems for your unit that may be even more costly to fix.

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of HVAC Scams

One of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim of HVAC scams is by doing your research. Find a reputable HVAC company that has a long-standing positive reputation in your community. Ask whether their technicians are NATE certified and trained to diagnose and repair your specific HVAC system.

Once you find a reputable HVAC company, ask any questions or voice any concerns that you have about the issue before you hand over your credit card. Experienced HVAC technicians will be happy to explain what is wrong with your system and what the fix will entail. They should also provide an itemized receipt that shows all of the repairs they’ve made and which parts you are being charged for. If you are ever in doubt about a repair or replacement need, ask for a second opinion before paying someone to work on your system.

At McMaster Heating & Air Conditioning, our customers trust us for an honest diagnose and affordable repairs every service visit. If you think that you may have dealt with a non-reputable HVAC contractor and want a second opinion, contact us today. We would be happy to show you what it is like to deal with an experienced and reputable HVAC company.