This news item expired on Monday, August 29, 2016 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Soaring temperatures mean air conditioners are working overtime. If your AC goes out, it may be tempting to get it fixed as quickly as possible, no matter the cost. But try to keep your cool and do your homework before hiring someone to fix your air conditioning.
Each year, dozens of consumers complain about problems with air conditioning and heating repairs. To avoid problems:
- Get recommendations. Ask friends, neighbors and co-workers who they use for repairs.
- Check credentials. Contact the Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM and your local Better Business Bureau to learn about the company’s complaint history. To see if the repair person is properly licensed, contact the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors at (919) 875-3612.
- Get a written contract. Read it carefully before you sign it and make sure it includes all promises made orally. Remember that state law gives you three business days to cancel if you sign a home repair contract at your home rather than at the company’s place of business.
- Don’t pay upfront, don’t pay until you’re satisfied, and pay by check or credit card—not cash—if possible.
If you experience problems with an air conditioning repair job, call us toll-free within North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at ncdoj.gov.
To protect yourself from higher temperatures, learn the warning signs of heat-related illness and contact the Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services at 250-5000 for help if you are without a way to cool off.
This message brought to you on behalf of North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper.