Are You Looking for a HVAC Contractor?

The heating season is here and it's definitely time to start thinking about your HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system. It seems like everyone I've been talking to is thinking about air duct cleaning, furnace filters, furnace tune-ups or buying a new heating and cooling system. Of course, I work in the business, but even so, people are certainly thinking about their heating system.

Now is a great time to get your air ducts cleaned and your furnace tuned-up. For as little as $189, you can have a professional air duct cleaner use a rotobrush to scrub your ducts clean. Generally speaking, air duct cleaners are trained and equipped to do more than just clean duct work. They typically do an excellent job of giving your furnace the much needed annual tune-up.

We subscribe to numerous HVAC magazines, and are constantly reminded of the importance of annual furnace tune-ups. If only we could get the word out to more homeowners about the importance of having your heating system checked out on a yearly basis.

Furnace Fraud - Beware of HVAC Installers Using Bait and Switch Tactics

While not a prevalent practice in the upper midwest, unscrupulous HVAC installers have been known to use one of two techniques in defrauding unsuspecting homeowners. One is using a bait and switch technique, the other is taking a down payment on the job and then skipping town.

In an article distributed in the 'The Register Citizen', Viktoria Sundqvist writes:

"Two types of fraud we often see involve companies who take the money and run," said Jordan Tandy, spokesman for Internet network Angie's List. "Some service providers take a deposit, but never complete or start a job."
The second fraud type that is very common is the bait-and-switch tactic, Tandy said.
"They'll sell the (customer) an item, such as a furnace, but install a different one without the (customer's) approval," Tandy said.
Contracting fraud occurs if a person obtains money by false pretense, acts as a contractor without a contractor's license and misapplies money..."

This is why we strongly recommend a 3 step approach:
1.) contact the Better Business Bureau to learn of any complaints and how they were resolved.
2.) Check with your states Secretary of State office to determine if they have a legal business.
3.) Ask for references and contact at least three of them.

If you live in Minnesota you can take the easy way out when looking for a heating and cooling contractor. Simply call 651-653-4704 and you will be connected with a reputable company that has been a leader in the HVAC industry since 1991.

A New Air Duct Cleaning Blog

Here is another air duct cleaning website. Yep, it's operated by the folks at Duct-911.com so you can trust what they say. The first article talks about their "Whole-House" air duct cleaning special for $99. I am sure they will have many HVAC related articles soon.