The demand for HVAC services typically increases during the spring season, as homeowners prepare their air conditioning systems for the summer heat. Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals often take advantage of this high demand and scam homeowners out of their hard-earned money. In this blog, the HVAC contractors and roofers at Hader share tips on how to avoid HVAC scammers this season.
A Typical Scammer’s M.O.
The most common way scammers find their targets is through telemarketing. These are normally cold calls, which means you didn’t solicit anyone for that call. Usually, they’ll offer “special discounts” because they happen to be in the area. They’ll claim that a part of your HVAC system is about to go bad, or that your air conditioner has mold or some other toxic substance in it because your neighbors purportedly have some in theirs.
They may give a number of other reasons, but the characteristics are the same: they’ll claim it’s urgent, even life-threatening, and that you have to take action now while they’re in the area. They’ll offer a free inspection only to magically find something wrong with your HVAC system. Most roofing companies have dealt with a similar type of scammer called a storm chaser, whose M.O. is almost exactly the same.
How to Avoid HVAC Scams
Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to see scammers for what they are. In addition to the aforementioned red flags, there are other things that you can do to protect yourself from HVAC scammers.
Online Research — Legitimate HVAC contractors will have a website that includes a business address and a phone number which you can use to verify if said company is registered as a business. They may also have a Better Business Bureau profile that you can check for customer reviews.
Ask for NATE Certification — Legitimate HVAC technicians should have a certification issued by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), which you should be able to verify through their website.
Keep Up With Routine Maintenance — You won’t have to entertain unsolicited service calls if you know the condition of your HVAC system. We recommend signing up for a scheduled maintenance agreement so you don’t miss out on your HVAC system’s maintenance appointments.
Trust Hader for Your Heating and Cooling Needs
Hader is your leading provider of heating and cooling services, including chimney repair. Give us a call at (513) 661-1910 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Cincinnati and nearby areas.
