The first time you experience a furnace or air conditioner breakdown in your home you are not exactly sure how to handle the situation. You need it fixed fast especially if the weather is extreme, so you pick up the phone book, browse the internet, or call a friend for suggestions. You want an HVAC company that has a good reputation, but you also need a company that won’t overcharge you for after hour services or hourly rates. Thousands of customers come to Four Seasons every year looking for this kind of service, and they have come to the right place. But, no matter which company you call to handle your repair, you need to be prepared. Communication is everything, and having questions prepared is a great way to get the most out of your HVAC service.
Questions to Ask Your HVAC Company Before and During the Repair:
• Is there anything I can check before the technician comes out?
o Some companies will recommend that you flip the breaker switch, change the thermostat batteries, and check/ change the filter before they come out. They don’t want you to waste your money on an unnecessary service call!
• Is there a service charge?
o If you don’t ask, they may not tell you! Ask about any service charges and if they will be applies to the repairs should you choose to have them performed.
• Do you charge extra for after hour services?
o Four Seasons never charges extra for night, weekend, after hours, or holiday services. You can’t control when your furnace fails, and you shouldn’t have to suffer in the heat or the cold just to save money. You need a company that offers flat rates and that doesn’t charge additional fees for around the clock service.
• What forms of payment do you accept?
o The last thing you want to do is run out to an ATM at 2 in the morning because the company didn’t tell you that they only take cash! Ask beforehand to make sure you have the form of payment they require. At Four Seasons we take cash, check, and all major credit cards!
• How long will it take the technician to get here?
o Not asking this question could leave you waiting hours for someone that isn’t planning to come until much later than you expected. Four Seasons offers short wait times and our technicians will give you a call when they are on the way with an exact arrival time.
• Is there any paperwork I should have ready?
o If your unit is under warranty you should have your paper ready! Even if you didn’t have the system installed by the company you are hiring, you may be able to take advantage of a manufacturer’s warranty!
• Can you explain why I need this repair?
o The technician repairing your unit should walk you through the repair and show you why it needs to be done. Ask for evidence of the problem and don’t settle for a lousy explanation. If your technician can’t explain why you need this repair, they shouldn’t be doing it in the first place!
• Is there a warranty?
o Not all repairs are warrantied the same! Ask your technician about the warranty and then get it in writing!
• What can I do to prevent future issues?
o Maintenance checks are usually the best prevention, but your technician maywa have additional suggestions once he has seen your specific unit.
