So, your furnace or air conditioner isn’t working. You need to find a reliable HVAC company to come take a look at it, but after an initial internet search, you become overwhelmed by all the options. Should you go with the company that promises the lowest prices, or the one with the best reviews? What about the HVAC company that’s been around the longest?
At Genuine Comfort, we understand that the HVAC industry can be hard to navigate, especially when you need urgent service. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of things to look for in an HVAC company, along with red flags to be aware of. Keep reading to learn what you need to know to choose the best HVAC company for your unique needs.
Things to Look for in an HVAC Company
Whether you’re searching the internet, social media, or a local homeowners’ magazine, it’s important to perform thorough research. As you consider your options, take the following factors into consideration:
Reviews
Reviews are one of the best indicators of an HVAC company’s reliability. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to ensure the company hasn’t received any complaints.
Read plenty of reviews online to get a good idea of the company’s reputation. Pay close attention to negative reviews — oftentimes, negative reviews are more revealing than positive ones. Why wasn’t this customer satisfied with their service, and how did the company respond? Were they able to make it right?
Experience
A good rule of thumb is that companies that have been around a while must be doing something right. After all, if customers are consistently unsatisfied with the service provided, the company probably wouldn’t still be around, right?
Extensive experience is priceless in the world of HVAC service. Experienced technicians from well-established companies have plenty of hands-on experience working with all kinds of equipment, so you know your HVAC system is in good hands.
Communication
When you reach out to an HVAC company to inquire about their services, how is their communication? Do they respond promptly, or keep you waiting for days? Are they friendly and helpful, or rushed and disinterested? These initial interactions often set the tone for the rest of your time working together, so if the communication is lackluster, you may want to seek another service provider, as this could be an indication that the quality of their service is not up to par.
Warranties
A reliable HVAC company will stand by their work with a warranty. A warranty signifies that they are confident in the quality of their products and services and promise to take care of you if anything goes wrong. Look into the company’s warranties, what they cover, and any conditions or stipulations before making a final decision.
Licensing and Insurance
Finally, make sure the HVAC company you choose is licensed and insured. This indicates that they meet industry standards regarding safety, quality, and training, and have been recognized as a reputable company by outside organizations.
Beware of Red Flags
At Genuine Comfort, we tell our customers all the time to be wary of certain scams and dishonest practices that are prevalent in the industry. If you encounter any of these red flags, steer clear of the HVAC company associated with them:
Suspiciously Low Prices
Everyone loves a good deal, but if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Most of the time, a $29 or $49 tune-up is just a sales tactic to get their technicians in the door, at which point they’ll try to sell you a whole bunch of additional equipment and services.
The truth is that it’s not possible for a company to pay their employees a fair wage, send a truck out to your home, and complete a tune-up for such low prices. Most of the time, these HVAC companies pay their employees based on commission, which means that the more they sell you, the more they earn
Upselling
That brings us to our next red flag: upselling. If you bring a technician in for a simple tune-up and they try to convince you that you need to spend thousands of dollars on a complete system overhaul, they’re most likely just trying to make more money off of you. If they can’t provide concrete evidence that these additional costs are, in fact, necessary, send them on their way and seek a second opinion from a different HVAC company.
High-Pressure Tactics
High-pressure tactics persuading you to act ASAP to avoid impending price increases, disastrous malfunctions, and major safety concerns are often a red flag. While some HVAC companies truly care about saving you money and protecting you from danger, others feign “emergencies” to get you to spend more money. When it comes down to it, it’s all about the bottom line for these companies. That’s why it’s always important to get a second — or even third — opinion before making any major decisions.
Choose the Best HVAC Company
At Genuine Comfort, we pride ourselves on providing honest, reliable, and prompt service for all of your HVAC needs. When you work with us, you can rest assured that you won’t find any red flags or scammy tactics. If you’re in need of HVAC service, contact us today and we’ll get you taken care of.
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