4 Tips to Avoid Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Scams in New Jersey
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Whether your AC died in the middle of a Jersey heatwave or your heater blew out on a frigid winter night, the site of a repairman can automatically bring comfort to the situation. But, don’t let your feeling of urgency to get to a comfortable temperature blind you. Unfortunately, untrustworthy contractors are out there…who are ready to take advantage of homeowners desperate for a quick repair. Just recently in the news, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has announced that 89 contractors were penalized over the past four months for failing to register or failing to meet the state’s standards. The majority of these contractors were also the subject of consumer complaints.
Trust in PFO
In any season, the need for an emergency repair is likely, Should anything go wrong, you can always call on us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to get your system serviced and back on track. From our uniformed drivers and technicians, to our friendly and helpful customer service professionals, we are working hard to keep that trust.
Watch Out For These HVAC Scams
The best way to deal with HVAC issues is to prevent breakdowns from occurring in the first place. With proper maintenance and tune-ups, you just might be able to avoid a breakdown (and a meltdown). In the heat of trying to find a repairman fast, be cautious of the company you choose. Keep your cool (trust in PFO) and watch out for these scams with other contractors:
Charging for parts that were never replaced
A scammer may tell you that he replaced some broken parts, but in reality does nothing. He may also claim that a part was broken when in reality it was working fine. A good way to avoid this scam is to ask the repairman to see the broken parts. Afraid you may have been subject to a bogus fix? Give us a call to check your system over. Read our recent post, “Choose PFO for your AC Tune Up” for even more reasons why we’re known as the best in the business.
Changing Price After Installation
It is a common scam to lure consumers in with a low price estimate. Complete the work and then claim that the job cost more than expected. A repairman may also extend the time needed for the job to be complete, unnecessarily.
This can be avoided by creating a clear contract with your repairman. Giving a start and end date. This way the terms are clear and there is no room for him or her to unnecessarily extend the repair. PFO offers a full suite of service agreements along with customized service plans to keep your equipment and systems properly serviced (and save you hundreds of dollars a year).
”More Refrigerant”
Refrigerant is the life-blood of your Air Conditioner. It is the fluid that cools the air. If your refrigerant is leaking than your going to need to get the leak fixed. Adding more refrigerant will not fix the leak; it needs to be repaired. If a repairman offers a fix by simply adding more refrigerant than you might be getting scammed.
Dead Air Conditioner
If a repairman claims that your air conditioner is completely broken make sure you get a few more estimates. A scammer will insist that the repair costs will cost more than replacing the unit. So it is a safe bet to get another estimate from a trusted service company like Princeton Fuel.
Princeton Fuel Oil Can Help
Need a repair on your HVAC unit? Call the company you can trust. Princeton Fuel Oil servicemen are highly professional and trusted air conditioner experts. For routine inquiries, our customer service team is available Monday-Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. Our emergency service lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.