Hiring a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician to come to your home to perform repairs or maintenance is obviously a big step. You don’t want to hire someone who may not know what they’re doing or could do more harm than good.But the good news is that you don’t have to go through this process alone. There are many common mistakes that technicians make when working at your home. Keeping an eye out for these red flags will help you find someone who knows how to do their job well and safely. They won’t be difficult to notice in someone who doesn’t have your best interest at heart.
Forgetting about safety at home.
Anyone who works on your HVAC system at home needs to be aware of the risks involved. Unfortunately, not all technicians take those risks seriously. For example, some technicians won’t wear the right PPE (protective clothing) because they don’t know how to use it correctly. Others will use the wrong PPE because they’re not aware of the hazards it can protect them from.You can avoid this situation with a few precautions. Make sure the technician knows how to use the PPE they provide, and insist they use it correctly every time they come into contact with your home’s HVAC system.
Not being upfront about their rates.
This is a common problem in any industry. HVAC technicians often advertise their rates as being one thing, but then actually charge another when they arrive at your home. This can be a problem if you are on a fixed income or don’t have a lot of money saved up. Some technicians may try to get around this by charging extremely low rates. This can be a sign that they aren’t serious about their work and don’t care about your safety.
Forgetting to clean their equipment before and after use.
This may seem obvious, but it’s one of the most common HVAC technician mistakes. When cleaning their equipment before use, technicians should be cleaning all the different parts. This includes the hoses, fittings, and connectors. They should also be cleaning the equipment after use, including wiping down the coils.If they don’t do this, they’re potentially putting you at risk. Dust and dirt can get into the fittings and cause problems. It could also be a sign that they don’t know what they’re doing.
Using the wrong chemicals for cleaning.
The right cleaning chemicals can help technicians do a better job. They can also help ensure that they don’t end up causing damage to the equipment. Unfortunately, some technicians use the wrong chemicals. This can lead to serious problems, like damaged equipment and leaks.This is another mistake that can be easily avoided with a quick Google search. Ask the technician what cleaning chemicals they’re using, and make sure they’re approved for cleaning HVAC equipment.
Not checking your equipment before leaving the job.
Many HVAC technicians require their clients to sign a contract before beginning work. This contract usually includes a clause that requires the technician to check their work before leaving the site.If the technician doesn’t do this, they’re leaving you vulnerable to serious problems. This could include damaged equipment, leaks that aren’t fixed, and inadequate work that needs to be redone.To avoid this situation, make sure the technician comes inside the home and checks their work.
Forgetting to test the thermostat before and after the repair.
This may seem like a silly mistake to make, but it’s one that can cause major headaches. When a technician comes to repair your HVAC system, they will often replace your thermostat. This is another one of those times when you need to be sure that the technician is using the right one.The two most common types of thermostats are programmable and non-programmable. The programmable thermostat can be programmed to change the temperature based on the day of the week, time of day, and outside temperature. The non-programmable thermostat is controlled manually by the technician.
Allowing the technician to start working before they’ve finished the paperwork.
This may seem like a silly mistake to make, but it’s one that can cause problems. The technician will start working before they’ve finished the paperwork, which means they may not have the correct parts and may not know how to properly repair your HVAC system.To avoid this situation, make sure the technician starts working only after they’ve finished the paperwork. This includes the inspection, diagnosis, and repair paperwork.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many common mistakes that hvac technicians make. Knowing what these mistakes are can help you make better decisions when hiring someone to come to your home to repair your HVAC system. This will help you avoid these mistakes and ensure that the job is done right. Now all you have to do is find the best technician in your area.