While there are many great HVAC professionals in our area, there are also scammers ready to take advantage of homeowners and business owners. It’s important to be aware of common HVAC scams so that you don’t wind up suffering a financial loss because of a scammer.
Give our team a call anytime you need HVAC repair in Rowlett, TX. You can also keep reading to learn more about some common HVAC scams and the reasons that these signs are concerning. We’ll also highlight ways that you can protect yourself from scammers by asking questions and being aware of red flags.
All-Cash Payments
If you want to pay in cash for a service, that is perfectly fine as long as you and your HVAC technician both agree. However, if an HVAC/air-conditioning technician demands a cash-only payment and says you cannot use a debit or credit card, that’s a red flag. They may be trying to scam you or get around paying business taxes or the company they contract with.
And if you do agree to make a cash payment in full, request an agreement that outlines exactly what you’re paying for and how long it will take to complete the project. Then, only offer to pay a deposit upfront with the remaining cash balance being due when the HVAC project is complete.
Recharging Refrigerant
It’s common for HVAC scammers to offer recharging your refrigerant so that levels are higher and your air conditioner has more cooling power. However, your air conditioner has a set amount of refrigerant that cycles through the lines again and again across its entire lifespan.
The only reason you would ever need to recharge your refrigerant levels is because of a leak. In this case, the damage also needs to be repaired. Otherwise, recharging refrigerant is only a temporary solution. An active leak that doesn’t get fixed will just drain the charge again and again until the leak is identified and repaired.
Unnecessary Part Replacements
If you have an HVAC technician tell you that components on your air conditioner need to be replaced right away, it’s a good idea to get a second or even third opinion. This is especially true if the estimate for repairs or replacements is significant when your air conditioner isn’t having major problems operating. Don’t let someone pressure you into making a decision right that moment.
Of course, there are many times that components do need to be repaired or replaced throughout an HVAC system’s lifespan. But if you have doubts, listen to that gut feeling and get additional opinions. This can help you to make an educated decision and also ensure that you select an HVAC contractor that is the most credible and offering a fair price.
Bait and Switch
If you schedule HVAC service and a contractor agrees to a certain project only to do something completely different, that’s a red flag. An initial assessment should return any work that needs to be done if the HVAC contractor does a thorough job.
There shouldn’t be any major surprises when they return to complete your project. If they suddenly ask for more money than you originally agreed upon, decline the additional services and get another opinion.
Contact Mr. Air Repair today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.