When you look at the cost of heating services, it can seem like an obvious place to cut costs. But remember that heating repair companies have to make money, too. In order to do that, they often find ways to charge more than they need to. So before you pick a company, make sure you know what to look out for. These scams may seem obvious, but they can be a real risk for anyone who needs heating repair services. Luckily, we’ve listed some of the most common scams below so you can avoid them before they get you. Read on to learn more about these scams and what you can do to protect yourself from being scammed when the cold weather rolls in again.

Hidden charges

One of the most common scams is hidden charges. This happens when a heating repair company charges you for parts and labor but doesn’t tell you about the extra costs upfront. This can be a problem if you’re looking to get a quote or estimate for the repair job. If you don’t know about the additional charges, you might end up paying more than you need to. This can make it harder to decide which company to use and could cause you to make a bad decision. If you’re not sure if there are hidden fees, ask if there are any extra charges for parts or materials. If the company won’t tell you upfront, it’s likely because they don’t want you to know how much they’re actually charging. This way, they can charge whatever they want and you won’t know the full cost until after the repair is done.

Bait and switch

Another common scam is a bait and switch. If a heating repair company offers to come out and replace your old heating system with a new one, that’s great. However, some companies will offer to do the repair and then replace the system at the same time. This is a bait and switch because it tricks you into thinking you’re getting a repair, but then you end up with a new system anyway. This is a sneaky way for companies to make more money, but it doesn’t always work out for them. If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your system, it can be hard to tell if the repair is necessary. If the repair is necessary, you might end up paying more for the repair than you would have if you had just bought a new system. On the other hand, if the repair isn’t necessary, you might end up paying for an unnecessary repair. This can be a big problem if you don’t have enough money saved up to buy a new system. If you don’t know what’s wrong with your system, it can be hard to tell if the repair is necessary.

Inflating the price

Another scam is to charge an exorbitant price for the repair. This can happen when a heating contractor tells you that your system is broken and needs to be replaced, but they don’t tell you that you’re being scammed. Many heating systems can be repaired, but not all of them. If a company fixes your system and then tells you that it needs to be replaced, they’re trying to scam you out of money. This is a sneaky way to get you to spend more money than you need to. If you’re not sure if your system can be repaired, you can always call a professional to find out. If they tell you that it can’t be fixed, you’ll know that you’re being scammed. This can be a problem if you’re on a budget and don’t have enough money saved up to replace your system. If you’re not sure if your system can be repaired, you can always call a professional to find out.

Not being upfront about repairs

Another scam is not being upfront about repairs. This happens when a heating repair company tells you that your system is broken and needs to be repaired, but they don’t tell you what needs to be fixed. This is a sneaky way to get you to spend more money than you need to. If you’re not sure what needs to be repaired, you can always call a professional to find out. If they tell you that it can’t be fixed, you’ll know that you’re being scammed. This can be a problem if you’re on a budget and don’t have enough money saved up to replace your system. If you’re not sure what needs to be repaired, you can always call a professional to find out.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the scams that heating repair companies use to scam people out of money. If you’re in need of repairs, it can be tempting to go with the cheapest option. However, that can lead to you getting scammed out of your money. If you’re in need of repairs, it’s best to find a company that has a good reputation and charges a fair price for their services. This way, you can get the repairs you need without getting scammed.

Frequently Asked Question

We recommend service be performed once a year at a minimum, especially before winter. Some people have their HVAC units serviced spring and fall to prepare for the coming heat of summer or in the fall to prepare for winter. Proper maintenance will prolong the life of your HVAC unit.

  • When Home: 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit
  • When Sleeping: 65 degrees Fahrenheit
  • When You're Away: 65 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Adjust thermostat in 5-8 degree increments
  • Install a Wood Burning Stove
  • Utilize Fire in Fireplace and Block Chimney When Not in Use
  • Make Sure All Doors and Windows Are Properly Sealed
  • Cook often
  • Install Insulated Curtain Liners to Trap Heat
  • Allow as Much Sunlight to Hit Home as Possible via Landscaping
  • Use your curtains
  • Use timers on your central heating
  • Move your sofa
  • Maximise your insulation
  • Wrap up warm
  • Turn down the dial
  • Block out the draughts
  • Install thermostatic radiator valves
According to experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea it's cheaper to leave the heating on low all day is a myth. They're clear that having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money. You will also want to have someone perform regular heating maintenance on your system at least once a year.
Turning the heat down eliminates these issues, while still reducing the amount of energy you use. You can save 10% off of your heating bill for every 10° you lower your thermostat.
  • Opt for Plug-In Energy Saving Electric Radiators. 
  • Dry Clothes with a Heated Airer
  • Use Electric Blankets & Heated Throws
  • A Winter Duvet is a Must
  • Draught-Proof the Home
  • Insulate your home
  • Choose Carpets & Rugs Over Solid Floors
  • Put 3-4 candles on a tray and light them up.
  • Position two bricks on either side of the tray and two behind the tray
  • Take the ceramic bowl and put it upside down on the tray
  • Place the small fan on the bricks behind the tray
  • Turn on the fan, and your setup is complete
In fact, leaving your heat on all day can actually cost you much more than turning it off every now and then. Heat tends to diffuse, so the high heat in your home will diffuse to areas of low heat outside the home during the winter. So even when you have your furnace on, your home is always losing a little bit of heat.
Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your heating system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.
As long as you close the doors so the cold air doesn't seep into the rest of the house, you will save money by turning off the radiators in unused rooms. By doing so, you'll prevent the water in the system from running through that particular radiator.