Spring is the perfect time to have your home’s HVAC system checked out and tuned up. Unfortunately, it’s also the time when shady contractors come out of the woodwork. To protect yourself and your investment, you’ll need to learn how to recognize some common HVAC scams and what you need to do to avoid them.
Recognizing an HVAC Scam
Most HVAC scams begin with a cold call to your home. The voice on the line may try to entice you into giving them your business by offering HVAC services at special discounts. They may also mention possible issues with your current HVAC unit, making it sound urgent enough that you feel you have no choice but to agree to a deal. Things may start out fine– you’ll get a free inspection and a nice rebate–but then they’ll try to convince you to replace a heating and cooling system that works perfectly with another of dubious quality.
Cold calls are already a red flag, but when someone offers you prices that seem too good to be true, they most often are. You’ll find that a trustworthy HVAC company won’t pressure you into making a fast decision. What you should immediately do is hang up the phone and call an actual HVAC company like J & M Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ll be more than happy to conduct a comprehensive air conditioner or heat pump inspection to determine any issues and effectively deal with them.
Avoiding HVAC Scams
In the spring, you should be especially wary of contractors who call you out of the blue to offer their services. In rare instances, there may even be roving scammers that knock door-to-door. Before signing any HVAC service contract, make sure to look up the contractor online, visit their business website–which should always be updated–and read online reviews written by previous clients. These will give you a clearer, more accurate idea of how the contractor conducts business. You can take this further with a quick check on Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau.
Another thing: make sure to stay updated on your HVAC maintenance. Most homeowners who fall victim to these scams are those that have HVAC emergencies due to lax maintenance and upkeep, and they want to have the problem fixed ASAP. Be proactive instead and invest in an HVAC maintenance savings plan from J & M Air Conditioning & Heating. With our furnace and air conditioning service, we’ll make sure your unit continues to deliver superior, lasting performance.
Look no further than J & M Air Conditioning & Heating for all your spring HVAC maintenance needs. We serve Hemet, CA, and nearby areas. Call us today at (951) 663-4895 or fill out this contact form to schedule your HVAC evaluation.