Get a Second Opinion on HVAC Services to Avoid Scams
We’re a Repair-First Company
Basset Heating and Air Conditioning is a repair-first company. This means we are motivated to fix, not replace, for the lowest cost. We are not a commission-based company. We only recommend a full system replacement as a last resort. We’ll even encourage you to get a second opinion. We’re confident you won’t find a better deal.
Many other companies are sales-first, which means they’re motivated to sell the highest-cost items as quickly as possible. They’ll often suggest to replace a perfectly good system with a new one, costing you tens of thousands of dollars.
Before you spend $10,000-15,000 on a new system, we can likely fix your existing system good as new.
Red Flags To Look For Which HVAC Salesmen Use To Rip People Off
Before a salesman or technician comes to your door, know that often problems are typically due to a lack of maintenance and can be easily repaired.
- Offering a “now or never” discount, especially on new system installs/replacements.
- Pushy, high-pressure sales (even if they seem nice enough).
- Offers that are too good to be true.
- Bait and switch.
- Asking for a deposit or up-front cash payment.
- The company sends a salesman instead of a technician.
- Talking you out of a second opinion on HVAC Services.
They’ll also make some false claims
False System Repair Claims
- Cracked heat exchanger or leaking heat exchanger.
- Claiming your A/C refrigerant needs to be “recharged”.
- Selling more refrigerant than you actually received.
- Your family is in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning
The Discount Only Good for Today
When a salesman says “this will cost you a lot, but if you sign right now, we’ll give you 10-15% off”, you are dealing with a sales-first company.
This tactic backs you into a corner and pressures you into making a quick decision. They are afraid of you getting a second opinion, especially from a reputable repair-first HVAC company like Basset Heating.
If you hear this, simply say I’d like to get a second opinion on your HVAC repair or replacement estimate and give us a call. An honest company on your side will encourage second opinions. A dishonest company will dissuade you from doing so.
High Pressure HVAC Salesmen
If at any point a technician resorts to scare tactics to sell something on you, do not give in. Chances are, they need to scare you into buying from them now because they’re scamming you. They don’t want to allow you time to get a second opinion.
No matter the issue, you have time to get multiple opinions. Don’t let an AC technician scare you into paying for services you don’t need.
Common Scare Tactics or Phrases
- Your heat exchanger is cracked or leaking.
- Your furnace could explode at any moment.
- Your furnace could be leaking carbon monoxide.
- Anything that implies immediate danger to you or your family.
The only immediate danger is if you smell gas, or a rotten eggs smell, or see a physical fire. Even the most “dangerous” of issues isn’t bad enough to forfeit a second opinion.
HVAC Offers Too Good to be True
Companies are in business to make a profit. While most of them prioritize serving their customers as best as they can, some will cut any corners to get ahead and make a quick buck. Maintain a healthy suspicion of “free” services or too-good-to-be-true deals.
If a solicitor contacts you via telemarketing and promises a free service or a massive discount, be wary of a “catch.” Odds are, they are steering you toward buying something you never intended to shop for in the first place.
If you requested an estimate based on a promotion or special, stick to that and get a second opinion on other things they bring up.
Insist on a Written Agreement
You need a written agreement. Verbal agreements are not good enough. The least you can do is demand written proof so you may have legal recourse should a company not fulfill everything they say they’ll do.
Use your best judgement—if an offer from an air conditioning service provider sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If they aren’t willing to put it in writing, chances are they’re planning on doing something to take advantage of the situation.
Bait and Switch
This goes hand-in-hand when there’s no written agreement. You’ll agree to an offer for a top of the line furnace or air-conditioner, only to find that it’s out of stock when it comes time to install. If there’s no written agreement, there’s nothing stopping them from installing an inferior system at the same price.
Without a written agreement, other HVAC companies often run into “unexpected” and expensive complications.
Basset Heating & Air Conditioning will never charge more than the quote you received.
Another thing to look out for is technicians installing a different part than what you were sold. This is like getting invoiced for a Lexus but driving off in a Toyota. It’s okay to ask the technician to walk you through the job and make sure that what’s being installed is what’s on the invoice.
Don’t Agree to Up Front Cash Payments Unless You Have A Contract
Some folks will require a deposit or a 100% upfront cash payment before they start work. This is okay as long as you have a signed contract first. Verbal contracts are no good here. Make sure everyone agrees on what’s being done, what parts are being installed, and that everyone is happy with the agreement.
Furnace Maintenance Service: The Benefits
– Furnace Maintenance Service: The Benefits
There are many fun things to do in the fall, particularly in the United States, but there is also that huge list of must do’s before winter comes. Even though home improvements and outdoor yard work are most likely at the top of your list, there is at least one indoor thing that you should consider handling early- furnace maintenance service scheduled.
Professionals in this field recommend that furnace main
tenance and service be done at least once per year to help prevent a malfunction in the peak of the cold weather when the furnace is required most. There are several advantages of having it done before the cold and crisp weather comes, which we shall discuss in this post:
Ensures Safety
This is without a doubt the most important reason for scheduling furnace maintenance and service. Gas furnaces with a heat exchanger that’s cracked have the risk of leaking carbon monoxide which can be fatal for you and your loved ones. Even a small leak can be hazardous and you shouldn’t take any chances when it comes to the safety of your home and its residents.
Improves The Furnace’s Energy Efficiency
An unmaintained furnace is an inefficient system. From dirty furnaces to dirty filters, dirt and dust can hamper the efficient flow of air. This forces the system to work harder and longer in order to produce the same amount of heat as before. If you have been noticing cold spots or uneven heating, then a furnace service and maintenance might be a good idea.
Reduces Wear and Tear
Furnace maintenance and service ideally reduces the wear and tear the system endures. There are numerous things that can result in an increased strain on the furnace. During a routine tune-up, an experienced and skilled technician will thoroughly inspect every component to ascertain that everything is functioning optimally.
In case a problem is detected, the expert will work to address it. This will prevent a premature furnace breakdown.
Save Money
Another great benefit of scheduling an annual – furnace maintenance service is that you will not only save money today but in the future. How you might ask? Well, when you have a professional technician check your system, they will ensure it is ready to have an energy-efficient winter. That is money off of every gas or electricity bills for months down the line. Ideally, tune-ups help prevent the need for repairs. Who knows just how much you will save in the long haul?
Not only that, but proper maintenance means an extension of the lifespan of your furnace. This means you will get more years out of the current system and will not require a new furnace anytime soon. That, too, can save you a substantial amount of money.
As you can see, there are numerous benefits in availing of professional- furnace maintenance service at least once a year. You’ll avoid the stress of running to a technician during the cold weather and will save a lot in the long run. When seeking maintenance services, just ensure you hire a reputable company for the best results.
Home heating and furnace services
Choosing The Right Heating Services
If you’re not satisfied with the heating in your home, you’ll want to hire furnace service specialists that will be able to make the changes that you need. You’ll want to carefully consider your options and make sure you’re happy with the heating services that you choose.
Learn More About Your Options
Before you can make a decision like this, you’ll have to find out more about the choices you have. You should look at HVAC technicians in your area so that you can see which ones you would like to work with. If you investigate your options, you’ll find a lot of valuable information that should be useful to you.
- Try to make a list of some of the professionals in this area that offer this sort of service.
- Once you’ve put together a list like this, you can go through all of your options and decide which company you would most like to work with.
Decide What You’re Willing To Spend
It’s a good idea to think about your budget when you’re looking at different HVAC professionals. The cost of working with technicians can vary based on who you opt to work with. If you think about what you’re comfortable spending ahead of time, you can make sure that you don’t go over your budget.
- Set a budget now and look for options that are within your price range.
- basic furnace maintenance
- furnace cleaning service
- furnace tune up
- gas heater furnace cleaning service
- gas furnace check up
- gas furnace maintenance service
- If you can’t find information about costs online, you should be able to call a company and receive a free estimate.
- If you think about your budget now, you’ll be able to find options that are affordable for you.
Work With A Well-Established Company
You’ll want to make sure that any home heating service you work with has been assisting customers in your area for quite a while. This kind of work can be very complex, and you’ll want to team up with a company that can draw upon their expertise when they’re working with you.
If you work with a company that has a history behind them, it will also be easier for you to find out more about the company. You should be able to find reviews, testimonials, and more.
Don’t Be Afraid To Pick Up The Phone
Ultimately, the best way to get information about a heating company is to contact them directly. You may have to make a few phone calls — or send out a handful of emails — when you’re deciding who to hire.
Don’t waste a lot of time searching for answers when you could simply make a quick phone call or send off an email. Reach out to companies so that you can learn more about what they do and how they can help you.
There are so many things you’ll have to consider when you’re selecting heating services. You should follow the advice above so that you’ll be able to work with professionals that can meet all of your needs. Whether you’re planning on installing a new furnace or need repair work, you should be able to hire technicians that can provide the kind of help you need.
Visit our page https://www.bassetheating.com/our_services/heating-maintenance/
Click here for more info: https://www.bassetheating.com/our_services/heating-maintenance/
5 tips Where To Find The Best HVAC Technicians
5 tips Where To Find The Best HVAC Technicians
IF you are looking to get help with your HVAC system? It’s always a good idea to hire the best HVAC technicians for the job, but where to find them?
Use these tips on where to find the best HVAC technicians .
1. Family members first!
Family members, friends or neighbors who have recently used the services of an HVAC technician. Call around your brother, sister, or cousins and ask for their experiences, this usually is the best bet for finding a good HVAC tech. If so, start by asking for recommendations, pricing and best way to get the best price. You can trust their experiences more than the public reviews you see on their websites.
2. Google it
You can google it, right. Most websites have their reviews and ratings, you should really see how many reviews have they received and the rating they have received. Read the comments, this will give you a good glimpse of how well the HVAC tech works with their services.
Other sites like Yelp and search someone local can give you a better idea how well HVAC technicians work.
3. Sites to consider where to find HVAC
- *Yelp reviews
- *Yahoo locals
- *Google Locals
- *Craiglist
- YouTUBE
- *Homeadvisors
- *facebook marketplace
- *Angies’ list
4. BBB.org – Better Business Beauru Licensing
Most HVAC technicians legitimate company are registered to BBB.org , this ensures their licenses and the right to work and offer their services. BBB is not a free membership, they have to continue to pay to be able to keep their status and well reviewed by the public. If there are complaints you will find these issues on BBB. It’s free search and you can learn more about the HVAC technicians you will eventually work with. BBB is also where you can file a complaint about their work if any, so it’s a great resource where you can find these great HVAC technicians.
5. Ask For AN ESTIMATE
An Estimate is a great way to engage with the HVAC techs, and find out if you like working with them, how fast they can get things fixed, or how long it would take. Knowing who you work with and make you feel safe is more important than saving a few bucks. Having said that, get 3 estimates before deciding on your HVAC technician.
What You Need To Know About Heat Pumps
What You Need To Know About Heat Pumps.
A heat pump is used to distribute heat from one place to the other using a compressor and a refrigerant. In most cases, the heat is extracted from outdoors and pumped indoors. Using a heat pump guarantees less use of electricity so it’s considered energy efficient.
Why Should You Install A Heat Pump
- Reduced Running Costs – Heat pumps have reduced running costs compared to installing a combustion-based system. Therefore, you can count on improved energy efficiency and enormous long-term savings on energy.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs – Compared to combustion heating systems, heat pumps require less maintenance. Actually, you can do it just one a year for the best services. You can do the maintenance on your own or hire a professional for the best results.
- Improved Safety – One of the main reasons why heat pumps have replaced combustion-based systems is because they offer improved safety. You can enjoy the warm air in your home without any worries of fire risks.
- Reduced Carbon Emissions – If you are looking for an eco-friendly heating option, heat pumps are the best choice. They have reduced carbon emissions and an efficient conversion rate of energy to heat.
- Cooling Provisions – During the hot summer months, heat pumps can easily reverse the process. Therefore, they function the same way as an air conditioning unit. Once you switch the air-air heat pumps during the hot months, you can enjoy the best cooling effect effortlessly.
- Long Lifespan – Heat pumps can last as long as 50 years but have an average lifespan of about 14 to 15 years. They are very reliable and can provide a steady source of heat in your home compared to other heating options.
Are There Any Disadvantages Of Installing Heat Pumps?
As much as there are many benefits of installing heat pumps as mentioned above, there are some disadvantages as well. Here is what you need to know.
- High Upfront Costs – The installation costs of heat pumps can be quite high. However, there is a huge benefit in the long-term because you can enjoy reduced utility bills and reduced carbon emissions.
- Difficult To Install – Before they are installed, you need to research the heat movement patterns, the heating and cooling requirements for your household and local geology. Therefore, it’s not ideal to turn it into A DIY project if you don’t have such expertise. On that note, you need to hire the best professionals for an efficient installation process.
- Planning Permissions – Before heat pumps are installed in your home or office, you need to apply for some permits, depending on your state. Therefore, you need to do your research and find out whether or not you need this permit to avoid any violations.
- Cold Weather Inefficiency – During the cold weather, heat pumps often break down and experience full inefficiency. However, you can surpass this inefficiency by upgrading the model to a newer and more efficient one for the best results.
- Hire Experienced HVAC Technicians – To install with factory requirements and done correctly hiring your local licensed Hvac technicians would be the best
In conclusion, heat pumps are very useful in any home or office. Weigh the pros and cons to make the right installation decision effortlessly. Here is a video to show you how to maintain high efficiency heat output and give maintenance and long service life with your furnace.
My furnace is blowing cold air
My furnace is blowing cold air
Here in the Colorado Springs area, we often receive frantic calls from homeowners whose heating system has gone on the blink, and a typical call goes somewhat like this
Please help me! My furnace is blowing cold air. And is not keeping my house warm!
How To Find The Best HVAC Technicians
How To Find The Best HVAC Technicians
Is your HVAC system acting up? Well, if it’s a small issue you can do a DIY repair job. However, it’s always a good idea to hire the best HVAC technicians for the job. Use these tips on how to find the best HVAC technicians for the best results.
1. Recommendations
Do you know any family members, friends or neighbors who have recently used the services of an HVAC technician? If so, start by asking for recommendations. Before you hire the technician for your HVAC needs, you need to find out more about them and the services offered. Find out more about their pricing rates, professionalism and quality of work from the people you trust.
2. General Search
Of course, once you have received the recommendations, you need to do your own research. Look up all the recommended HVAC technicians in our list and check whether they offer services in your town. Check their website to see whether the information you were given matches the company information. Keep in mind that a contractor might have gone out of business or changed their rates since someone last hired them. On the other hand, they could have hired new people or downsized so you need to be vigilant.
3. Customer Reviews And Testimonials
Here, you will understand whether or not you will receive the same service from the HVAC technician. You will come across the good, the bad and ugly reviews from previous customers and how they felt about working with the HVAC technicians. Remember, reviews are quite different from testimonials. That’s because the latter share the best feedback about the company from clients. Don’t forget to check third-party reviews on social media or Google to see what the other clients have to say about the company.
4. Check For Licensing
Most HVAC technicians often display their licenses on your websites, business cards and on their service trucks. You need to verify that you are working with licensed HVC technicians. Take the time to contact the local licensing board to confirm the state of the license and whether or not they have had any disciplinary issues.
5. Check Their Experience
Certainly, you don’t want to hire a newly opened HVAC company to handle you repair or maintenance needs. Of course, it doesn’t mean that the new businesses aren’t trustworthy. However, HVAC technicians who have been in business for more than a decade have the best expertise to handle your issues without fail.
Here, you need to do the first contact or initial consultation. Visit the company in person or contact them on the phone. You can get into details about your repair or maintenance needs and ask for a quote. Legitimate companies will offer a free quote to help you decide. Take this time to compare and contrast any quotes to determine the best HVAC company for your needs. Make sure the quotes are properly written with a detailed structure of the services and the cost. Find the one with affordable services with a high quality guarantee.
why is my furnace blowing cold air?
“Why is my furnace blowing cold air?” is a question I hear often. It’s a legitimate question. After all, aren’t furnaces supposed to blow warm air?
How much does a new furnace cost?
The most asked question from a homeowner when faced with replacing an existing furnace is, “How much does a new furnace cost?” Whether your home’s furnace is just old and inefficient, or broken down beyond repair, eventually it will need to be replaced.
What’s the ballpark cost of a new furnace?
Honestly, it varies house-to-house. For the most accurate quote in the Colorado Springs area, give us a call. We’ll give you several options to fit your budget and your home.
Most furnaces last about 20 years. Well maintained furnaces will usually last years longer. And furnaces that have been neglected over time will fail prematurely.
Cost will vary depending on several factors. This includes the brand and type of the new furnace being installed, local permit fees, difficulty of the installation itself, and most importantly the selection of the installing heating contractor. How much does a new furnace cost the homeowner should also factor in long term costs, after the installation, to include operating costs, maintenance and repair costs. The true cost of a new furnace is not what you pay on the day of installation. It is the total cost in the long term of maintaining the new furnace and consideration of utility and repair costs over 15-20 years of use.
If you spend $2,200 to have a new furnace installed, yet accumulate $1,000 in repair costs over a 15 year period then your cost has now reached $3,200, not counting maintenance service and utility usage. Most new furnace manufacturers now offer a ten year parts warranty with the option to purchase extended labor coverage for 5 or 10 years. These extended labor warranties range from $99 to $400 depending on the brand. They are well worth the investment as modern furnaces are more prone to breakdowns simply because of their complexity and the number of parts they contain compared to furnaces of yester year.
High efficiency furnaces (those rated at or above 90% AFUE) will cost more initially to install, and although they cost less to operate, they are more prone to breaking down and need more regular service to keep running smoothly. They typically will not last as long either (12-15 years in most cases). This is mainly due to the effects of condensation issues and problems with the secondary heat exchanger which standard 80% efficient models do not encounter. In the long term, high efficiency models will end up costing you more money, even after factoring utility savings.
Most all new furnace models are available in single, dual or multi-stage heating BTU output, with or without high efficiency variable speed blowers and other bells and whistles. So how much does a new furnace cost? Depending on the model selected, a high efficiency furnace will range anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 installed. An 80% efficient model will fall in the $2,200 to $3,000 range in most areas of the country.
What’s the cost of a new furnace in Colorado Springs?
In the Colorado Springs area, the average cost from Basset Heating & Air Conditioning to install a new 80% efficient furnace with a standard blower motor is about $2,500. For one with a variable speed blower it’ll cost about $3,000.
Basset Heating & AC offers a 10 year parts warranty with an extended labor warranty option on all of their furnaces. They will also register the warranty for the homeowner and provide you with a copy of the warranty registration. The average cost to install a 90% efficient model is about $3,000 with a standard blower motor and around $3,500 with a variable speed model. To answer the question of how much does a new furnace cost? One must consider more than just the initial price.
Regardless of the brand and model you ultimately choose, the most important choice when installing a new furnace is the heating contractor that will do the work. Will they be there if a problem arises? Will they honor the warranty? Can you get service if the new furnace stops working at 1:00am on a Sunday morning? In the long term, paying too low of a price at the time of installation is an indicator of what kind of service to expect down the road if the new furnace suddenly develops problems. Many companies low ball bids to get the job, then aren’t around or will not respond after hours if a problem occurs.