It could be entertaining to some folks if we were to publish some of the HVAC horror stories that we encounter out in the field. We could write an entire exposé on some local contractors and their ethical standards. However, that's not how we want to conduct business, nor is it an enjoyable way to live. All we can do is try our best to share stories and encourage people to vet their contractors for ethics and quality.
What's the worst that can happen? All an HVAC contractor really does is set up some ducts, connect them to a unit, and make sure everything is plugged in, right? Why not just take the low bid? There are hidden costs that can be quantifiable over time. You will end up paying for bad HVAC work one way or another, we just see it too often.
Shortened System Lifespan
One thing we have seen in the field is a situation where an HVAC contractor seemingly used leftover parts from a previous job, but it was "close enough" so they saved some money and made it fit. Not all situations are blatantly unethical like this. We've seen installations where the contractor seemed to be ignorant or in a rush, and there was unnecessary strain on the system that would've been obvious to most. When you have an improper or strained system, over time it will break down - and much earlier than expected. There's a cost of an entire new system that you may have to pay 5 years earlier than you would have if the job was done right from the beginning.
Higher Energy Bills
Efficiency is a very important factor in your HVAC system. Imagine you have brand new ducts installed in your crawl space. Now imagine that one of the connectors was knocked loose during installation so you have a small leak in your duct. Now in the middle of the Tennessee summer, your HVAC system is working 2x as hard to cool your crawl space and your house. You will pay for that inefficiency every month on your utility bill until the underlying issue is solved.
Frequent Repairs
Sometimes we are amazed at how long shoddy installations will actually last. It's amazing how fragile an HVAC system is. It depends on so much staying in place, but it is not a matter of if, shoddy installations will break down over time. The cost of a repair can be very angering, especially when it was something as simple as loose wiring or connections.
Indoor Comfort Problems
Most of our costs in this post have been monetary, but what about the cost of your mental and physical health? We know homeowners who went on for years trying to avoid being inside their house mid-afternoon in the summer. They planned their life around an uncomfortably hot home.
Safety Hazards
Unfortunately, there are documented cases in Chattanooga of safety-related HVAC problems. We cannot stress enough the importance of hiring a good contractor, especially when they're going to be dealing with dangerous gasses and electrical connections. Your health is the number one priority and cannot even be quantified as a cost. Make sure your HVAC contractor is properly qualified and views your health as their top priority.
Voided Warranties
Many homeowners do not properly weigh this cost in their analysis of contractors. Usually, a contractor will tout a 10+ year warranty on their system along with a much shorter workmanship warranty. As long as your system doesn't breakdown within their workmanship warranty, they feel like they're off the hook. However, if you try to collect on a manufacturer warranty early, it's possible that mishandled installations can void the entire warranty.
Scenic Air tries our best with education and shining a spotlight on problems in the HVAC industry, however, we cannot control the ethical standards of subpar contractors. Indeed, we are all susceptible to taking the low bid - it's human nature. Our goal with this post is to educate you on what to think about when you are vetting HVAC contractors. Although that low bid seems enticing, there can be a whole host of added costs that come along with it.