• facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • google-maps
  • pinterest
(801) 436-5213
Request Service
R & D Heating and Air Roy Utah

R & D Heating and Air

Your local experts in HVAC and appliance installation, service, and repair!

  • Air Conditioning
    • Air Conditioning Repair
    • Air Conditioning Replacement
    • Air Conditioning Tune Up
    • Ductless HVAC Systems
    • Thermostats
  • Heating
    • Furnace Repair
    • Heating Systems
    • Furnace Replacement
    • Furnace Tune Up
    • Ductless HVAC Systems
    • Thermostats
  • Duct Cleaning
  • Other Services
    • Indoor Air Quality
      • iWave Air
      • REME Halo
      • Whole-Home Humidifiers
      • Air Filters
    • Gas Fireplace Repairs
    • Refrigeration
    • Appliance Repair
  • Specials
  • About
    • Blog
    • Recent Projects
  • Contact
    • Roy
    • Ogden
    • Book HVAC Maintenance Plan

6 Warning Signs of Sketchy HVAC Contractors

Home|Archives forHVAC Tips

Your HVAC system is essential to the comfort of your home. In order to function properly and last as long as possible, it needs regular maintenance and for any repairs to be completed in a timely manner. However, there are sketchy HVAC contractors out there who charge you out the window and don’t solve the problems you’re having. 

warning sign sketchy hvac contractor

Fortunately, most HVAC contractors care about providing high-quality work and ensuring that their customers’ needs are met. In order to find trustworthy contractors and avoid getting into a situation, it’s good to know the warning signs of sketchy HVAC contractors. 

Here are some warning signs to keep an eye out for when you’re on the hunt for a new HVAC contractor. 

#1. Poor Customer Service

Everyone has bad days, but customer service is still a priority. You should feel free to ask your contractor any questions that you may have. They should be attentive to your needs and communicate properly. Sketchy HVAC contractors often have poor customer service and poor to no communication. 

You should be able to trust your HVAC contractor to listen to the problems you are having and to communicate anything they find and what they did. They should provide you with options and advice on how to keep your HVAC system in good working order between your spring and fall maintenance appointments. 

#2. They’re Unprepared

When you schedule an HVAC appointment, the contractor should arrive ready for whatever work you need done. If they’re unprepared, this is a big warning sign. It’s understandable if perhaps they don’t have a part for something that needs replacing on them when they didn’t know it would need to be replaced. However, they should come ready with everything that they need for the service you scheduled.

air conditioner needs repair

#3. They Replace Parts That Don’t Need Replacement

People are often suspicious when contractors tell them that something needs to be replaced. It’s for good reason: many sketchy people will try to charge you for things that you don’t need. Whether it’s your car or your HVAC system or something else, it can be hard to know whether or not the contractor is being truthful when they tell you something needs to be replaced.

A good HVAC contractor will only ever be honest with you. If they notice a potential problem, they’ll tell you what you can do in order to prevent it from escalating into a full-blown issue. If something needs replacement, they should be able to tell you exactly why, how long the replacement part should last, and see to the replacement in a timely manner. 

If you have an older system or you don’t maintain it, you’ll likely need more frequent replacements. However, if your HVAC contractor is always telling you to replace this or that, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion from another company.

#4. Dishonesty

This ties directly into the previous point. Sketchy HVAC contractors will often call on behalf of other companies, when they have nothing to do with the company they’re talking about. They’ll replace parts that don’t need to be replaced, overcharge, and may even do things like turning off your gas valve so that when your heat doesn’t turn on in the winter, they can tell you it needs to be replaced. 

In many cases, you can’t tell whether or not someone is lying to you, unless you’re an expert in the field yourself. However, if someone is calling on behalf of a company, you can call the company directly and ask about it. You can call around and get an idea of what average rates for HVAC services are like in your area. You can also check reviews – more on this in the next section.

#5. They Don’t Have Reviews

Now, if a company is just getting started, they may not have claimed their Google My Business listing yet or they may not have many reviews. However, people are often more than willing to leave reviews, especially if the service was either really good or really bad.

If you can’t find the contractor online, this can indicate that they’re sketchy. Reviews can be tricky, because people can buy them and fake them. You can look on sites like TrustPilot for reviews from legitimate customers.

You can also ask around. If no one’s heard of the contractor before, run.

#6. They’re Secretive About Rates And Timeframes

Rates and timeframes can be tricky, because depending on any complications that arise, a project may end up costing more and taking longer than anticipated. However, you should be able to trust your HVAC contractor to be upfront and honest about this before doing anything. Your HVAC contractor should have no problem giving you their rates and estimated time frames.

If the contractor is trying to get around your questions about rates and timeframes, this is a warning sign. They could also offer free services or massive discounts only to hit you with incredibly expensive “complications” once they get started. They could also massively overcharge.

You’ll note how when you call around to get a ballpark idea of how long a project should take and how much it will cost, trustworthy HVAC contractors will have no problem with this. It’s common to need a consultation before the contractor can tell you exactly what is needed. However, if the contractor tries to avoid telling you this information, you should continue your search, as they may be a sketchy HVAC contractor. 

Are You Looking For Trustworthy HVAC Contractors?

overusing your furnace use your furnace

These are but 6 of the warning signs of sketchy HVAC contractors to keep an eye out for. 

If you’re looking for trustworthy, licensed and insured HVAC contractors around Northern Utah, R & D Heating And Air is here to help! We take great pride in providing excellent service. We only ever recommend replacements if something truly needs to be replaced. We’re always honest with our customers about our services, rates, and estimated time frames. 

Additionally, it’s important to us that you know how to take care of your system between maintenance appointments. We’ll give you advice on the things that you can do in order to keep your HVAC system in optimal condition for as long as possible. We also offer specials to help you keep your system in great condition.

Contact us today for any questions that you may have about our services.

Filed Under: HVAC Tips

Your HVAC system needs annual maintenance in order to ensure that it stays in good condition and lasts you as long as possible. It’s generally recommended that you schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment every spring and fall so that it’s ready to go for blisteringly hot summers and freezing cold winters. You may need to schedule more frequent maintenance depending on the age of your system, among other factors.

However, if you’re new to the world of home ownership or someone else has always taken care of this sort of thing for you, you may not know what to expect from an HVAC maintenance appointment. Do you need to be there? What do they even do? 

hvac maintenance appointment

Here’s a basic overview of what you can expect from an HVAC maintenance appointment. This can also help you know whether the company you hired is trustworthy. We’ll go over warning signs of sketchy HVAC technicians in our next blog. For now, though, we’ll just go over what a typical HVAC maintenance appointment looks like. 

Do You Need To Be Home For HVAC Maintenance Appointments?

With many different services, you can go and run errands while the contractors do their job. Others prefer or need you to be around, or you may not feel comfortable letting people do work around your house without being there. 

You should be home for HVAC maintenance appointments. You will want to tell the technicians about any issues you’ve noticed. They may ask you how long something has been going on. They’ll ask you any other questions and you should feel free to ask them whatever questions about your HVAC system you like, as well. If they need to move anything, like furniture to access a vent, they need to be able to ask you whether or not this is okay. 

How Long Do HVAC Maintenance Appointments Last?

On average, HVAC maintenance appointments take 1-2 hours to complete. Your appointment may take more or less time than this. How long appointments last varies quite a bit depending on the type of system you have, the condition it’s in, the size of your home, and more. 

What Happens In An HVAC Maintenance Appointment?

You’ve made the call, scheduled the appointment, and now the day has come. Generally, you can expect HVAC maintenance appointments to go like this:

air conditioner needs repair

Inspection

First things first, your HVAC technician will inspect your system for any issues or potential problems. They’ll identify any damaged parts. They’ll look at both the indoor and the outdoor components of the system, as well as the electrical lines, condensate line, propellers, filters, thermostat, and more. 

Fix Issues

If your HVAC system has any problems, your HVAC technician will troubleshoot them. If they do not have a replacement part, you may need to wait until it comes in for repairs to be completed. If anything is beyond repair, they’ll recommend replacement. Depending on the age of your system, it may be more cost-effective for you to replace it than to continue to get repairs.

Cleaning

Your HVAC system gets quite dirty over the months between maintenance appointments. If it weren’t cleaned, this would cause it to run less efficiently and could lead to further problems. Fortunately, though, your HVAC technicians will clean your HVAC system during the maintenance appointment so that it continues to run smoothly. 

You should feel comfortable asking your technician any questions you may have. A good HVAC technician won’t just conduct maintenance, but will also advise you on the things that you can do to keep your system in good condition. They will only recommend repairs or replacements that are necessary. If they notice a potential problem, they’ll let you know what can be done to prevent it from escalating into something that needs repairs or replacement.

overusing your furnace use your furnace

With routine maintenance, you can rest assured that your HVAC system will last you as long as possible.  

Do You Need To Schedule HVAC Maintenance?

If you’re due for an HVAC maintenance appointment, R & D Heating And Air is here to help! We service Weber, Davis, Box Elder, and Salt Lake Counties. Contact us today to schedule your maintenance appointment and let us help you keep your HVAC system in optimal condition for as long as possible.

Filed Under: HVAC, HVAC Tips

AC units don’t require much in the way of maintenance, but it’s important that you do maintain them regularly in order to keep them in good working order. This includes cleaning or replacing the air filters in order to prevent airborne allergens and mold in duct systems, improper functioning, and potential failure of parts like the compressor or fans.

air conditioner needs repair

Regular maintenance and cleaning will go a long way to improving your system’s efficiency and helping it last as long as possible. It can save you money on energy costs, preventable repairs, and early replacement. It also improves the overall comfort of your home during the warmer months, allowing you to enjoy cooler temperatures inside as temperatures outside climb. The air filters play an essential role in this.

How Often Should You Have Your AC Unit Serviced?

You should have your AC unit serviced once a year. Depending on the age, condition, and use your unit sees, it may need more frequent maintenance. It’s best to consult with an HVAC professional for personalized recommendations for your system.

How Often Should You Clean/Replace Filters?

The air filters are different, in that you will want to clean and/or replace them every 3 months, at least. You may need to clean or replace your filters more frequently if you use your AC frequently, if you have pets, or if it’s subjected to dusty conditions.

Some filters are reusable while others are not. There are different types and efficiencies. It is important to ensure that you use the correct type for your unit as if the air filter does not fit properly, it can create similar problems to a dirty filter. 

Why It’s Important To Maintain Your AC Unit Regularly

A properly running AC removes excess moisture and helps indoor air quality. Dirty systems can lead to the growth of microorganisms like mold and worsen indoor air quality. This can lead to a pressure drop and no air infiltration. Mechanical components that need to work harder can fail prematurely, increasing overall repair and replacement costs. 

The best time to schedule AC maintenance is before you need it, which is why it’s recommended that you have it looked at at least once a year. That way, any potential problems can be stopped in their tracks and any existing problems can be addressed before they get the chance to worsen. If you do start to notice issues, it’s important to address them as soon as possible, to prevent further problems and increased expenses.

The Importance Of Replacing And Cleaning Filters

Air Filters Roy Utah

The most important part of maintenance is routinely replacing and cleaning filters. Dirty filters reduce airflow and efficiency. When airflow is obstructed, the air can deposit dirt directly into the evaporator coil, which impacts its heat-absorbing capacity. This can cause even the best AC units to function improperly, and even lead to the failure of compressors or fans.

Clean air filters give you cleaner air, with less dust and allergens. They improve unit efficiency, ergo decreasing energy costs. The dirtier the air filter, the harder the system has to work and the more you pay. The harder your system works, the more wear and tear it experiences and the more likely it is to overheat or become damaged.

When you maintain your air conditioning unit regularly and ensure that you are cleaning and replacing the filters as needed, this can prolong its lifespan. Replacing your air filter can lower AC energy consumption by 5%-15%.

About Cleaning Your Air Filters

This is typically an easy job to do yourself. 

You can clean the air filter by:

  • Turning off the unit so dirty air doesn’t circulate through your home.
  • Remove the filter. You can check the vents to find them all.
  • Hand vacuum them.
  • Wash them in a deep sink or outside with a hose.
  • Check for any signs of damage, like dirt that couldn’t be cleaned or holes. If all is well, wait for it to dry. 
  • Reinstall once dry.

Call an HVAC professional if the unit doesn’t turn back on, the fan is slow/makes excessive noise, fins are bent, coils are excessively dusty/clogged, or there is moisture intrusion from an unknown source.

You can also schedule an air duct cleaning in order to ensure that your indoor air quality is as good as possible. 

Do You Need AC Maintenance?

R & D Heating And Air is here to help! We’re here to ensure that your AC unit is ready for the oncoming summer heat. We can also conduct air duct cleaning and answer any questions about filtration and your air filters that you may have. Contact us today to schedule your service in the Northern Utah area. 

Filed Under: Air Conditioning, HVAC Tips

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 9
  • Next Page »

HOURS

Proudly Serving Weber, Davis, Box Elder, and Salt Lake Counties
Phone: 801-436-5213
Monday 8AM-8PM
Tuesday 8AM-8PM
Wednesday 8AM-8PM
Thursday 8AM-8PM
Friday 8AM-8PM
Saturday 8AM-5PM
Sunday CLOSED

Hours

Proudly Serving Weber, Davis, Box Elder, and Salt Lake Counties Phone: (801) 436-5213
Monday 8AM-8PM
Tuesday 8AM-8PM
Wednesday 8AM-8PM
Thursday 8AM-8PM
Friday 8AM-8PM
Saturday 8AM-5PM
Sunday CLOSED

Service Locations

Contact Us

Follow us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • google
  • pinterest
2022 R & D Heating and Air | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms | XML Sitemap | Sitemap | Site by PDM