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Robert's Useful Tips on AC Repair
Installation
Whether you are building a new home or upgrading to a new more efficient heating
and cooling system for your present home, Trane has the capacity, efficiency,
and price that will suit your needs. Our systems include cooling, heating, air
cleaners, thermostats and accessories.
Maintenance
Before the cooling and heating season
it is a good idea to have your system checked out by one of our maintenance
experts. Small problems can become bigger problems as your system continues to
run. Just as your automobile needs regular maintenance so does your air
conditioning system. You should clean or replace your air filters monthly.
Repair
Should you require service on your current home comfort system our skilled
technicians have the know-how to diagnose, adjust, and repair your system so
that you are comfortable all year long. For safety and warranty reasons you
should never attempt to service your own air conditioner.
Many mistakes can be made when
choosing your repair options:
8 Mistakes You Don't Want To Make
Mistake #1- You pick a contractor based only on price!
The
old adage is really true. "You get what you pay for." This is
especially true in the contracting business. If you want good
contracting you should decide to deal with a contractor because of the
overall value you receive, NOT because they are the lowest priced. It
is impossible for any company in any industry to offer the cheapest
price, have the highest quality, and provide the best service all at
the same time. You can get high quality and super service, but you
can't get both and still get the lowest price. Just like in your
business, your company hires the best people and buys the highest
quality products consequently, you have to charge more for your
services. The
3 most common problems YOU WILL have when you pick a contractor who
only offers the lowest price. The first problem is that dirt cheap
contractors don't usually stand behind their work if there is a
mistake. Sure, other contractors might do your job for a little less
money, but how will they treat you when there is a mistake with your
job? To give the cheapest price, they usually have low-wage,
inexperienced employees that have not been adequately trained. They
also cut corners by using "cheaper inks" and "lower quality paper" to
give that low price. The end result is that you get what you pay for.
And the little bit of money you saved ends up costing you more in the
long run! Believe me, this is a little saying we tell our customers:
"The good feeling of a cheap price is long gone before the stench of
poor quality is ever used up. The
second problem with a contractor who offers the lowest price is that
they tend to also offer the lowest quality. Your furnace and/or air
conditioner is the biggest appliance in your home. And, one of the best
investments you can make in your home if done properly. Plainly said,
"Shoddy or low quality contracting because of cheap price costs you
money." No amount of savings is worth this. You've worked too hard and
spent too much money on your home. Why throw it away for the few
pennies you save on a contractor? And the third reason why picking the
cheapest contractor is a problem is that you might get charged extra
for things other contractors normally include in their quote in the
first place. You'll be charged extra for such things as filters,
thermostats, overtime, and unforeseen things due to bad estimates.
Cheap contractors nickel and dime you to death. What seemed like a good
price actually ends up costing you more in the end. This is just a
tactic cheap contractors use to get in the door. To avoid buying on
price alone, we suggest you choose two or three contractors and rank
them in the order that is important to you such as Quality first,
Service second, and Price last.
Mistake #2- You Think All Contractors Are The Same.
Every
contractor is different. No two contractors are really the same. Every
contractor has his preference of equipment, which is based on either
price or the knowledge of the equipment or the lack thereof. The best
contractors have different employees who are trained, certified and
know how to do certain kinds of jobs well. Contracting is art and
craftsmanship combined. Most people who hire contractors don't truly
understand that despite all the technological advances, most
contractors still use the same old work habits as twenty years ago.
Contrary to what a lot of people think, heating and cooling is not just
banging on the furnace, changing filters or recharging air
conditioners. It takes craftsmanship to turn out quality work.
Contractors have to diagnose, measure and perform complicated
calculations before they can start a job. For example: a new system
oversized by just 1/2-ton, will raise your electric bill for several
reasons;
1- a larger compressor costs more to operate than a smaller one;
2- an
over sized system will create short cycling which causes frequent
compressor starting & stopping (the biggest surge of electricity is
upon start-up of the compressor);
3- over-sizing
does not allow the system to properly dehumidify your home. The more
humid it is, the hotter we feel, therefore most people unknowingly set
their thermostat colder to make up the difference (which means longer
running time). Communication is the key to picking the best contractor
for YOU.
Ask what type of work they do. Ask what their average turnaround time is. Ask
if they work weekends. Ask any other questions that are unique to your
needs. This will help you decide whether they are the best contractor
for YOU!
After you ask your
questions, it will become pretty obvious which company you should
choose. The company that wants your business will prove to you they are
the best contractor to do your work. Take your time to decide which
contractor you would like to use -- but when you decide, you must be
loyal to them.
Mistake #3- You Always Have Three or More Contractors Competing With Each Other For Your Work.
You
may think this is a good way to do business. And it is to some extent.
But here is why it usually isn't a good way to deal with contractors. A
good contractor has enough loyal customers that they don't have to deal
with price shoppers. Once you find a good contractor, you must be loyal
to them. If you flip-flop from contractor-to-contractor, a good shop
won't be too motivated to keep YOU as a customer. Price is important.
But price should not be more important than good quality and good
service. This is what people typically like to do. They try to get
everyone fighting for the same piece of pie. This might be an OK short
term strategy because you save a few bucks. But, when you need a favor,
or super fast service -- not one of these companies will instantly bend
over backwards to help you,
(and if you have been a price shopper in the past, they will probably charge you more!).
Every contractor expects to bend
over backwards for their loyal customers now and again. He or she might have to
work all night or on a weekend, to do a super rush job, or pull off a miracle.
Provided the customer is loyal, the contractor will do all he can to help you
meet your needs. All good contractors will be loyal to you if YOU are loyal to
them. Keep loyalty in mind when you pick your contractor.
Mistake #4- You Think Having The Right Equipment Is All A Contractor Needs To Do Your Job!
Many
contractor's own great equipment, but that doesn't mean they know how
to use it. You can have the "latest, greatest technological wonder
gizmo", but if you don't know how to use it properly, you are better
off not even picking the darn thing up. Compare this to using all of
the complicated controls on your VCR. Studies show that half the people
who own a VCR don't even know how to set the clock, let alone use its
advanced features. The same thing happens in the contracting industry.
Many contractors have tools with a lot of bells and whistles, but if
he's a technician who doesn't know how to use the new features, you
might as well go to a company that has old equipment. Make sure the
technician is trained by the factory or another competent company. This
ensures your work will get done right the first time. And on time!
Mistake #5- You Don't Give Your Contractor Enough Time To Complete Your Job Properly!
Mistakes
happen when you rush! When you're in a hurry, you may forget to tell
your contractor certain instructions. Or you might make a mistake in
judgment or purchase decision because you were concentrating on getting
it done, instead of getting it done right. Schedule. Schedule.
Schedule. Before you work on your contracting project, talk with your
contractor. Get your contractor involved from the beginning because
there might be a more efficient way to finish your project on time that
you don't know about. You can save time, money and headaches from the
very beginning by communicating with your contractor! Why do most
people do the opposite of this and wait until the last minute to talk
to the contractor? Because everyone takes the contractor for granted.
Everyone thinks the contractor can easily take care of his or her work.
Most everyone thinks the contractor is sitting around waiting for his
or her job to come through the door. This isn't the case. You should
think of your contractor as your "project partner". Consult with your
contractor. Let them know in advance what you want installed, or fixed.
Ask them if there are any tips they can give you to make your job go
smoother. You are not the only customer your contractor has. When they
walk in the door and you're saying you need it now, a contractor can't
always help you. YOU need to work together.
Mistake #6- You Pick Contractors Who Don't Guarantee Their Work.
All reputable contractors guarantee their work automatically. This means if they make a mistake on your job, they will re-do
or fix your job at no charge. Unfortunately, there are unethical
contractors who won't do this. Instead, they won't make good on your
work and may not take any responsibility for their mistakes, or worst
yet, they'll blame their mistake on you! An unethical contractor may
hold your work hostage. Or may say they will fix your job, but pin the
problem on you and tack on an extra charge. There are about a hundred
other things a not-so-good contractor may do to you. The best thing you
can do is pick a contractor who unconditionally guarantees their work.
If it's not done right and it's their mistake, they will do it again,
fix it, or refund your money.
Mistake #7- You Don't Ask For References.
This
is probably the easiest way you can avoid any problems with a
contractor. ALL good reputable contractors will eagerly give you
references. Ask your contractor to give you at least three names of
people who they have done business with. And also ask them how long
they have worked with this customer. Also ask them what type of job
they did for those references. Try and get the names of customers who
had similar things done that you need done. This is the easiest way you
can pick the right contractor for YOU!
Mistake #8- You Don't Understand
"Air
Conditioning Terminology "
The Top Ten Time-Proven Tips
For Selecting A Good Dealer
1. Check credentials. Before making your
selection, call the Better Business Bureau to make sure the dealer is reputable.
Also, find out if the dealer is a member of a local or national association such
as the Air Conditioning Contractors Association of America.
2.
Make sure the dealer is affiliated with a nationally known manufacturer. Dealers
should be taking advantage of factory training offered by their manufacturer. As
a result, when they make recommendations, you can be more assured that they've
selected the right size system for your home, and that they've been trained in
installation and service.
3.
Ask for references. Former customers are an excellent source of information.
Also, ask to see installation photos. A dealer that is proud of their work will
be more than happy to show it to you. Expect an on-site evaluation of your home.
A good dealer will take a thorough look at your home, ask questions and evaluate
your overall comfort needs before making a recommendation. Beware of a dealer
that simply takes information over the phone. A good dealer will also look the
part. While he's evaluating your home, you should be evaluating him. Not only
should he dress professionally, but his truck and printed materials should look
professional as well.
4.
Check local licenses. Depending on where you live, dealers may have to comply
with certain local or state regulations, so ask to see proof of these licenses
as well as insurance forms for liability and workmen's compensation.
5.Don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask for details about the firm's experience
and the expertise of its staff. This is particularly important if you're also
adding or changing ductwork in this case, experience is definitely a factor in
getting the job done correctly.
6.Get a written proposal. To make a fair comparison, make sure the proposals you
receive are all based on the same efficiency and equipment.
7. Evaluate each dealer's personal business standards and policies. For example,
will he remove old equipment? Will he relocate equipment if you want your new
system installed in a different location? What are his clean up and care
policies during installation? How will he handle emergency repair? These are
just a few of the additional elements a good proposal will include.
8.
Inquire about equipment and labor warranties. Limited warranties vary according
to the
manufacturer, so make sure you fully understand what you're getting. Also, don't
forget to inquire about manufacturer's extended warranties at the time of
purchase and other warranties provided by the dealer.
9.
Ask about preventive maintenance service contracts. Many dealers offer service
contracts that call for periodic maintenance of equipment, and if needed
repairs. The fee for such contracts is usually well worth it in terms of
obtaining optimum efficiency and performance for your system.
10.
Finally insist on a written contract. Commit your agreement to writing and have
the dealer sign it. |
