Burnsville, MN – Oct. 30, 2019 – Fall is the ideal time of year to have your furnace serviced, but Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota warns homeowners to beware of contractors who use scare tactics to convince people into authorizing unnecessary repairs.
While most furnace companies are reputable, competent and fair, others may falsely tell you that your furnace needs to be repaired or replaced when in reality it does not. They may try to frighten you with warnings that your system is leaking dangerous gases that could explode or poison those inside the house.
The most important first step is to remain calm. Before you authorize any work, get a second opinion from another reputable firm to see if the work really needs to be done. Do not hesitate to contact your utility company and ask for a serviceman to come and inspect your system. Once you decide that work needs to be done on your present system or you need a new system, be certain to hire a contractor with a good reputation for dependable, reasonably priced work.
Ask friends, neighbors and colleagues for recommendations, and check Better Business Bureau’s website – ww.bbb.org – for reviews, ratings, and free quotes. Get at least two estimates on the repairs that need to be done. All bids should be in writing and should provide a full description of the services to be provided and the materials to be used.
Compare more than just cost. Check the size and rated efficiency of the equipment each contractor recommends and ask each contractor how they arrived at recommending a particular sized system. Be sure to check the warranty on your system to see whether any repairs or replacements are covered. Remember that many heating systems come with long-term warranties. Also, if you are told that your furnace needs to be replaced because it is too small, think back to the last time it failed to properly heat your house. When purchasing a furnace, you should choose a unit large enough to handle the demands of your household. Do not waste money on a furnace that is larger than you need.
Media Contact: Bess Ellenson, Communications Director
651-695-2463 / bess.ellenson@thefirstbbb.org
The mission of BBB is to promote, through self-regulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, and to instill public confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action that inform, protect and assist the public.
Contact the BBB at bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222.
