Have you ever had your AC or furnace repaired and felt like the price was suspiciously high? It isn’t just paranoia. As an Orem UT HVAC business owner, I’ve seen many clients come to us for a second opinion after another company gave them an outrageous quote. And a lot of the time, we’ve caught HVAC companies charging for unnecessary (and very expensive) parts and services, taking advantage of their customers’ lack of knowledge, and using fear tactics to pressure people into buying more.
It’s rotten, but it’s true. One case that stood out to me recently came from a woman whose AC was low on refrigerant. An HVAC technician from another company had told her there was a leak, and that it would cost $1200 not to fix it, but just to find it. They also said her refrigerant and lineset were illegal to use, and that the whole thing needed to be torn out and replaced.
First of all, there was no leak—we showed up and figured that out for free. Second, there’s no such thing as “illegal” refrigerants or linesets. In this client’s case, all she needed was a refrigerant refill, and she was good to go. In my opinion, that HVAC company was just taking advantage of a person who didn’t know any better.
So how can you avoid falling into traps like these with Orem HVAC services? Here are three things to look out for when your technician diagnoses your system.
1. Saying Parts are Illegal to Own or Out of Code
If a technician looks at your HVAC system and says parts need to be replaced because they’re “illegal” or “out of code,” that’s a red flag, and a sign you should get a second opinion.
Here’s one thing to get straight: no parts are initially installed out of code or illegally. If your technician sounds like they’re insinuating you might get in legal trouble if you don’t buy something, they might be using a fear tactic to weaken your judgement. When you’re scared, you’ll think less and make decisions faster, leading you to spend money on services you don’t actually need.
2. “You’re Going to Die Tonight if This Isn’t Fixed”—Carbon Monoxide Scares
Fear tactics can get more intense when a technician warns you of disastrous health consequences or death if you don’t buy a very expensive service right away. This is more common when it comes to heating issues, since furnaces can leak carbon monoxide if something is wrong with the venting or combustion.
If your furnace really is leaking dangerous levels of carbon monoxide into your home, there should be additional signs. You or people living with you might experience flu-like symptoms that improve when you leave the house, and carbon monoxide detectors should go off. Your furnace might show signs like a yellow or orange pilot light (the light should be blue), rust or soot on the furnace or pipes, or a burning smell.
If your HVAC technician says your furnace has a carbon monoxide issue, ask if he can show you a picture of the cause, whether that’s a cracked heat exchanger, a blocked pipe, or something else. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home, and that the batteries have been tested.
3. Prescribing a Full Changeout When Only Smaller Parts Need Replaced
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for HVAC technicians to say you need a big system changeout when what you really need is a replacement for a smaller part. Take air conditioner capacitors as an example. Those need to be replaced about every five years, and typically only cost around $200. However, I’ve heard plenty of cases of HVAC companies telling people they need a whole new air conditioner when they really just needed a new capacitor.
It follows the same pattern as the other examples I’ve shared: if your technician gives you a suspiciously high quote or seems like they might be using a fear tactic, get a second opinion from an HVAC service Orem trusts.
For Honest Service, Call CSA HVAC Services Today
At CSA HVAC Services, it’s important to us to do the right thing. As a locally-owned HVAC contractor in Orem, we’ve been providing honest pricing, neighborly service, and quality results for over a decade. If you’re tired of shady companies squeezing you, don’t hesitate to reach out—we treat our customers like family.
Call (801) 874-5686 or fill out the contact form here on our website to schedule a free consultation, and we’ll help you get the HVAC assistance you need.