At the end of 2009 we had to replace our gas furnace and heat pump. We did our due diligence and got a few bids. The costs were high, but there was one smaller company that was offering a greatly reduced price and of course we were excited to save a lot of money. We checked out the company with the CCB and everything appeared to on the up and up. In hindsight, there were some red flags we should have paid more attention to. First, the company’s owner asked for a portion of the down payment in cash (umm?), and when asked if he was pulling a permit he said he wasn’t, but we could get it ourselves. So we did, figuring he was trying to save us some money instead paying him to do it.
The equipment was installed and we were happy to have new “efficient” HVAC units and blowing heat into the house. But as soon as that 25 degree weather hit, we noticed the gas furnace was intermittently blowing cold air into the house. We had the installer come out several times to see what the problem was and he deducted it might be a manufacturer’s issue. He was suppose to have them contact us, but we never heard back. The weather warmed up and we didn’t seem to be having the issues of the cold air again. Life happened and we moved on.
With the below 30 degree weather we discovered, with frustration, it would take all day for the house to reach 70 degrees. Hence, we called a different heating company in to problem shoot. The technician said the furnace’s configuration had restricted air flow which caused the unit to overheat and then blow cold air. There was our “aha” moment. The initial installation was incorrect and now to correct it (cuz we like heat) we get to fork out a chunk of more money to fix what should have been done right in the first place. So much for saving money. And this correction is the best fix economically, our other option? To pull the whole unit out and start new… no thanks.
So, lessen learned. Lower pricing isn’t everything, it just may mean more costs in the future.
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