Avoid falling for these furnace repair scams.
Fall is the perfect time to repair your Seattle furnace before the chilly, damp winter weather sets in. But fall is also the time when many furnace fraudsters try to swindle people out of their hard-earned cash. The Better Business Bureau is warning the public to be cautious about misleading door-to-door salespeople who try to convince you to buy a new furnace or hot water tanks.
Some unscrupulous companies sell consumers furnaces, claiming that they’re new models, when they’re actually several years old. The BBB has also received reports in the past about con artists trying to frighten consumers into buying a new heating system by telling them that their furnace is leaking dangerous gases that could poison them or cause an explosion. These scammers typically don’t have any business contact information nor do they possess the property safety licensing.
In other instances, furnace fraudsters have done botched repair jobs and bilked unsuspecting furnace repair customers out of thousands of dollars in cash. These botched repair jobs are especially dangerous because they can create carbon monoxide leaks.
Many con artists obtain payments for furnace maintenance or repair jobs and simply don’t do the work. They typically show up at a homeowner’s doorstep identifying themselves as repairmen and then “check” the furnace. They tell the homeowner that there are problems with their furnace that need to be addressed right away and then demand immediate payment. The elderly are common targets in these scams.
What to Look for in an HVAC Company
Scams can easily be avoided if you simply don’t allow anyone who just shows up at your doorstep to check your furnace. Furthermore, you should check an HVAC’s company’s status with the local BBB to ensure that they’re in good standing. In addition, ask to see workers’ credentials and verify their status with the service provider. Seek out an HVAC company that offers warranties that cover their equipment, materials, and labor; provides you with references; and offers planned preventative maintenance services.
Yearly furnace inspections are recommended, but they are not mandatory, so be wary of any HVAC company that says you’re required by law to have your furnace inspected. Ideally, you should get bids from at least two companies. The bids should provide a full description of the services provided and the materials used. Rather than just comparing the bids based on price, check the size and efficiency of the equipment they recommend. Additionally, ask them how they arrived at recommending a heating system of a particular size and check to see what sort of warranty is offered.
Heating Systems and Services Offered at MM Comfort Systems
At MM Comfort Systems, furnaces we commonly recommend for our Seattle customers include the Carrier 58MVC Infinity ICS Modulating Gas Furnace, which has up to 95% AFUE and precision temperature control. The furnace comes with a lifetime limited warranty and 10-year parts limited warranty when properly registered.
Another one of our popular furnaces is the Carrier 58MTB Performance 93 Gas Furnace, which runs quietly and has intelligent humidity control to prevent the air from getting too dry. This furnace also has a lifetime limited warranty and 10-year parts limited warranty.
We also offer periodic heating systems maintenance to keep you warm and comfortable throughout the winter. Our maintenance agreements cost less than calling in for service on an unplanned basis and there are no ongoing contracts, so you can cancel at any time and for any reason. In addition, we provide emergency furnace repair services 24/7. Brands that we can help you with include Goodman, Rheem, Trane, Honeywell, Lennox, American Standard, York, and Bryant.
Looking for Heating Services in the Greater Seattle Area?
MM Comfort Systems has been providing heating services since 1977 in the Greater Seattle, Tacoma, Redmond, and Bellevue areas of Washington State. For more information about our Seattle heating services and heating systems, give us a call at 425.533.9058 or fill out our online contact form.
