Nearly every industry has their fair share of scam artists, and the furnace repair business is no different. We hear horror stories on a daily basis of customers who called the wrong company first, and end up losing their hard earned money on unnecessary work. This winter, there are many fraudsters who are going to use the frigid cold temperatures to their advantage. No one wants to be without heat for very long, and for some people going without heat for any period of time could cause major health issues. Scam artists know this fact and manipulate it for their gain.
A Common Furnace Repair Scam
Probably one of the most common furnace repair scams involves heat exchanger inspections. A cracked heat exchanger can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the homes air supply, and it can cause several health problems including the possibility of death. But, it can only do these things if it is actually cracked! A cracked heat exchanger usually results in the purchase of an entire new system, because when a customer hears that there is a problem with the unit that could harm their family, they are quick to fork over large amounts of money to repair the problem. However, if this ever happens to you, stop, take a breath, and remember to think logically.
- Did the technician show me the crack?
- How old is my unit?
- Is there a manufacturer’s warranty on my heat exchanger?
- How much time did the serviceman invest in the inspection?
- Do the CO detectors in the home detect the presence of carbon monoxide?
These questions will help you think more clearly about the assessment that your contractor is giving you. If you have had dealings with this HVAC contractor in the past and have not had any problems, there is a good chance that they are being honest. But, it doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion! Here at Four Seasons, we encourage you to give us a call if your heat exchanger is diagnosed as cracked. Each of our servicemen is a trained expert in diagnosing heat exchangers, and has the tools to properly examine the exchanger.
Many times the heat exchanger is hidden deep within your unit, and a proper inspection may be difficult with traditional mirrors and cameras. The heat exchanger may even have to be removed completely, but in the end, you will know for sure whether or not your unit should be replaced. Four Seasons understands how dangerous a unit with this type of leak can be, and we take these inspections very seriously. Our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and our 100% satisfaction guarantee on all services should be enough to convince you that we are in the HVAC business for all the right reasons, but if you need a little more convincing, see what some of our satisfied customers have to say about Four Seasons, and give us a call today to learn more!
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Tags: Chicago, Consumer protection, Four Seasons, fraud prevention, Furnace, furnace repair, heat exchanger, heating services, IL, scam artists, South Holland, Tinley Park, Vernon Hills