Be on lookout for heating/furnace repair scams
Now that the cooler weather has finally arrived in the greater Houston area, the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas is alerting homeowners to be cautious when seeking assistance to repair their furnaces.
While most heating and furnace repair maintenance services are honest, reputable and fair, others may use fraud and scare tactics to get consumers to pay for new heating systems, even when they are functioning properly.
Some individuals may trick property owners into spending thousands of dollars for unnecessary furnace repairs or replacements.
A malfunctioning heating system can be potentially dangerous, though some furnace repair businesses may say a furnace is leaking carbon monoxide when it isn’t.
A reputable serviceman will use a meter to measure emissions and airflow to verify the safety of a unit.
The BBB offers the following tips to ensure you don’t get fleeced by disreputable operators:
• Ask for references. Ask friends, neighbors and family members for recommendations, and check out any company you’d like to hire at BBBHouston.org for a business review.
• Do your research. If you determine repairs or replacement is necessary, select a contractor with a solid reputation for dependable, reasonably priced work. Air conditioning and heating contractors also should be licensed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and you may verify licensing on their website at tdlr.texas.gov or call 800-803-9202.
• Always get a second or third opinion as to whether repairs or replacement are needed. All bids should be in writing and provide a full description of services provided and materials used. Be wary of anyone requiring hefty up-front payments, using high pressure tactics, or refusing to provide information in writing.
• When considering a bid, compare more than cost. Check the size and efficiency rating of the equipment each bidder proposes, and then ask how they arrived at recommending a particular sized system. If you are told your furnace must be replaced because it is too small, think back to whether it has ever failed to properly heat your home. If you do buy a furnace, don’t waste money on a unit that is unnecessarily large for the size of your home.
• Check the warranty on your heating system. Many of them come with longterm warranties.
In some cases, a serviceman may claim that your furnace has cracks inside, or is leaking dangerous fumes, and may write a report or estimate that stipulates “System unfit for safe opera- tion. Unit shut off and left off.”
If you or family members have been suffering headaches or dizziness since you turned on your heating system, those symptoms may indeed indicate reason for concern; in which case, leave the furnace off until it can be inspected properly.
The Better Business Bureau is an unbiased nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving Reports to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. For information or to check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit www.bbbhouston.org, which includes our BBB Accredited Business Directory, or call 713-868-9500. Leah Napoliello is senior director of Investigative Services with the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas. Send questions regarding homeowner issues to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail her at lnapoliello@bbbhou.org. Include mailing address and phone number on letters and emails.