How To Avoid HVAC Scams In The Spring Season
Air conditioning services are in high demand in the spring season, and some unscrupulous individuals take advantage of that with HVAC scams. In today’s post, local HVAC and solar panel company Green Air Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. shares tips on how to protect yourself against HVAC scams this season.
How Do HVAC Scammers Operate?
HVAC scammers typically find their targets through unsolicited calls. By posing as HVAC contractors – often under the pretense of being new in town or because they “happen to be in the area” – they will offer too-good-to-be-true prices on standard HVAC services like tune-ups and routine maintenance. They may also use scare tactics by claiming your HVAC system is about to go bad, or that HVAC systems in your area are found to have toxic substances or a host of other reasons.
There are certain red flags that should clue you in on whether these are scams. The important thing to remember is that they reach out through unsolicited phone or house calls. This means they would have no way of knowing the actual condition of utilities like HVAC systems and solar panels beforehand. They may also offer typically paid services like tune-ups or inspections for free. At the end of these “inspections,” they find something “wrong” with your HVAC system – one that would cost a lot to “fix.”
How To Avoid HVAC Scams
The simplest way to avoid HVAC scams is to trust your local HVAC technicians. Additionally, you can protect yourself from scams by doing the following:
- Do your Research: Legitimate HVAC contractors would have a local business address, a business permit or license, and a profile with organizations such as the Better Business Bureau. An established HVAC company would have reviews from local customers and would have no problems providing references.
- The HVAC Technicians Should be NATE-certified: The North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is an organization that trains and certifies HVAC technicians. A legitimate HVAC technician should have no problem showing his NATE ID which can be verified on NATE’s website.
- Keep Up with Scheduled Maintenance: If you’re up to date with your scheduled HVAC maintenance, you won’t even have to entertain unsolicited service calls in the first place. We recommend signing up for a maintenance agreement with your HVAC contractor, which essentially schedules maintenance appointments during your HVAC system’s lifetime.
Green Air Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. is one of the trusted HVAC and solar installation companies in Northern California. Give us a call at (925) 954-9998 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Oakland, CA, and the surrounding communities.
