A Reddit user trusted their gut when something didn't feel right with a quote for basic HVAC maintenance. As a result, they may have avoided an expensive mistake.
The Virginia homeowner explained that they decided to have their HVAC units serviced after returning from a six-month work trip and realizing their winter electric bill seemed high at $400-500.
In this case, a contractor quoted them a trio of solutions ranging from $1,473 to $18,000. The proposals were dubbed "Band-Aid," "1/2 Way," and "All the way."
"I'm appreciative of any help or advice on the options provided; trying to determine what is legitimate and what is an unnecessary upsell," the poster shared. One commenter felt the quote was "shady" and urged the OP to "call someone else."
"Not sure why there's no charge for the evap on option 2 even though line 4 is included," they said. Another replied, "I think they are just trying to toss some words in to make it sound fancy." A third user wanted to get to the heart of the matter: "He's definitely upselling if they're trying to replace a contactor and capacitor. … What did he even tell you the problem was?" Still, others believed the cost of the fix was fair based on typical prices in their region.
Sticker shock is increasingly common as energy prices rise and strain household budgets. However, an energy-efficient, properly serviced HVAC can drastically reduce how much energy you use. TCD partner Mitsubishi can help you understand your options and slash your bills.
Smart upgrades that slash monthly bills
Finding the right HVAC for your home and budget may feel overwhelming, but connecting with a reputable provider will help things go smoothly. TCD has resources to get you started:
• Mitsubishi can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with trusted installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto's $0 down HVAC leasing program can lower your energy costs by up to 50%
• TCD's HVAC Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. Solar panels can save you more than $50k over their 25-year lifespan, and EnergySage can help you save as much as $10k on installation. Which begs the question — isn't that worth an email or two? |
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Which of these savings plans for rooftop solar panels would be most appealing for you?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Save $1,000 this year 💸 If you're on a budget, an HVAC lease from Palmetto may be a good fit. Plans start at $99 per month and include 12 years of maintenance, protecting you from surprise bills.
You can level up your savings by pairing an efficient HVAC with solar panels. EnergySage can save you up to $10,000 on an installation with competitive bids.
Want to earn rewards for home upgrades? You can unlock up to $5,000 by completing simple challenges, such as reducing energy use, with the free Palmetto Home app.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
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