We depend on our air conditioners to keep us cool and comfortable during the heat of the California summer. When your AC breaks down, and your house starts warming up, you want the problem fixed ASAP; that means hiring an HVAC contractor for your AC repairs.
Most HVAC contractors are honest, dependable, and highly trained professionals. However, there are a few companies out there that care more about taking advantage of their customers than in repairing air conditioner units.
At Home Comfort USA, we’ve had to clean up our share of the messes homeowners have been stuck with after dealing with shady contractors. Here are five of the most common AC repair scams to beware of in Southern California:
Refilling Your Refrigerant Without Fixing the Leak
Rather than taking the time to find or fix a leak in the line, the HVAC technician will refill or top-off the refrigerant. The additional refrigerant will get the unit cooling again, but it’s only a temporary fix.
Demanding Up Front Payment to Repair AC
A contractor who asks for payment before a job starts is a red flag — they may want to set you up for a scam. There’s no reason for demanding payment before a job has started; reputable HVAC contractors never ask for cash upfront.
HVAC Contractors That Don't Know How to Repair Air Conditioners
Before you agree to have a contractor begin work, make sure they have the proper certifications and licenses. There are many contractors out there who claim to be HVAC professionals but only have limited knowledge, experience, and resources when it comes to inspecting and repairing air conditioners.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Watch out for HVAC contractors who use high-pressure tactics to persuade you to get your AC repaired. This could be a sign that they want to scam you. An honest HVAC contractor will let you take all the time you need to decide about repairing your AC unit without threatening to charge you extra for parts and labor if you don’t immediately agree to repairs.
Unnecessary Repairs
Dishonest HVAC technicians often try to take advantage of homeowners by telling them that they need costly repairs or even a new AC unit when they only need minor repairs or maintenance, such as changing an air filter. Always get a second opinion if you think techs are quoting you for AC repairs you may not need.
How to Avoid to Fall for a Scam
Suppose your air conditioner isn’t working and your home is starting to get uncomfortable. In that case, you might be tempted to call an air conditioning repair company you aren’t familiar with, especially if this is the first time you’ve encountered any problem with your AC unit. This can cost you time, money, and stress. Before you have an HVAC contractor come out to your home, do a little research. It’s important to make an informed decision when hiring an HVAC contractor.
Home Comfort USA Air Conditioning Is a Name You Can Trust
Home Comfort USA Air Conditioning is under the commitment of providing honest, reliable HVAC services to customers all over the Orange County area. We’re always happy to answer any questions our customers may have regarding the repair, maintenance, and operation of their AC units and submit a detailed quote of the work that needs to be done.
Our technicians count with certification. They are experienced professionals who show up on time, ready to get to work. We know how miserable the South California Summer can be without AC and will try to get your unit up and running again as soon as possible. Our projects are always completed on schedule and we make sure the work area is as clean as we found it before we leave.
Check out our “Reviews” page to check out some of the comments left by our customers. Our commitment to quality customer service earned us the 2018 “Angie’s List” Super Service Award.
Home Comfort USA is a family-owned, trustworthy company. We are as dedicated to our local community as we are to our customers; our HVAC services help improve the lives of our customers, maklng our home town a little better place to live.
Contact Home Comfort USA online or call us at (888) 462-0089 for honest and dependable AC repair, maintenance, and installation.
