At Hagerstown Heating & Cooling, our motto is “Honesty at its best.” We pride ourselves on being one of the most honest and ethical HVAC companies you’ll ever deal with. Not only are we honest with all our customers, but we also feel responsible for educating people about the types of scams, tactics, and dishonest practices that can occur in the HVAC industry.
Let’s go over six common things that an unscrupulous HVAC company might try to pull on an unsuspecting homeowner. From refrigerant scams to using sub-par parts, the best way to avoid these scams is to be aware of what could happen. For your air conditioning repairs in Hagerstown, MD, you can always rely on us for an honest opinion.
1. Unnecessary Repairs
Some contractors may tell you that a repair is needed when it’s not necessary. Also, inexperienced contractors might mistakenly diagnose a problem, either out of incompetence or unscrupulous business practices. That’s why it always pays to get two opinions when presented with a repair estimate, especially if it’s for a significant amount of money.
2. Refrigerant Scams
Refrigerant scams are fairly common among unscrupulous contractors. This involves telling a homeowner that their AC or heat pump needs the refrigerant refilled due to a leak. Although leaks can happen, the source of the leak needs to be identified and fixed to stop the leak. Some companies may say the refrigerant needs to be “topped off” on every visit when that should never be the case.
3. Bait-and-Switch
HVAC companies sometimes advertise a low-cost or free maintenance check to get their foot in the door. Once they’ve looked at your system, they might say that they’ve found serious problems with it that require expensive repairs or even a full system replacement. Again, it’s always a great idea to get multiple estimates for AC repairs or replacements.
4. Overcharging for Parts or Using Sub-Par Parts
Some contractors might overcharge for parts and services for a system that needs a legitimate repair. They might also use cheaper, used, or generic parts but charge you the price for new, branded parts. If your system needs a new part, it’s a good idea to ask if they are using a new part from a reputable brand.
5. Unnecessary Maintenance
Although maintenance plans are a great investment, and routine HVAC maintenance is essential, some contractors might pressure you into signing up for their plans or suggest that maintenance is needed more often than necessary. Furnaces and central AC systems should be tuned up once a year. Heat pumps and mini splits should be turned up twice a year.
6. High-Pressure Sales Tactics
When your HVAC system needs a costly repair or can’t be fixed, some contractors will put the pressure on you to replace your system immediately. There are some companies where the main job of certain employees is to sell you a costly system before you have a chance to review your options or shop for a better estimate. You should always get at least two estimates if you are told that you need a brand-new HVAC system.
At Hagerstown Heating & Cooling, we want to protect customers from Google and other contractors in Hagerstown, MD. Honesty at Its Best.