As supply chain issues continue to plague the country, homeowners are finding many aspects of their lives disrupted — even their air conditioning and heating systems. Our manufacturers are hurting because they can’t get the supplies they need for the equipment, and they can’t get the employees they need. It’s going to be this way for the next few years and according to experts I work with, this could last into 2026. When these factors have you facing long wait times for repairs, it can be difficult to know how to move forward. Here are a few tips on what to do, and what to avoid, if your air conditioning or heating system requires a repair.
BE WARY OF BUYING PARTS ONLINE
When your technician informs you that it could take months to get the part needed for your repair, it might be tempting to order it online from a third party. Keep in mind, if technicians can’t get a part directly from the manufacturer, you likely won’t be able to get it from a third party.
If you are able to purchase the part, know that the delivery costs could go up significantly during the shipping process, or you could receive a damaged piece of equipment or missing parts, so it is a risk. If you do purchase equipment online, not all technicians will install it. A lot of companies will want nothing to do with parts purchased by the homeowner online. The bigger companies aren’t interested. However, if I can’t find a specific part, I encourage the homeowner to hunt it down and let me know. If somebody has that part across the world and you want it — order it, call me, and I’ll get it installed for you.
Know that there might be limits to your warranty. Online retailers will give you statements saying that they have a 10-year warranty and even tell you to check it out with the manufacturer so you know it’s legitimate. What people don’t realize is the manufacturer won’t accept an online warranty unless you hire a licensed dealer to install it. There can be a lot of fine print when it comes to warranties, so make sure to read through them carefully.
ASK YOUR TECHNICIAN ABOUT RECONDITIONING
If you can’t get a specific part, ask your technician if it’s possible to recondition your unit. We reconditioned quite a few units last year. A highly trained technician will get your system running unless it’s dead-on arrival. A lot of ordinary techs — especially commission-based techs — will just say, “Nope, can’t do it. I’m not trained to go that far, my company won’t let me do that, or that’s outside of the scope of what I can do.” However, a highly trained technician will find creative solutions to get you through until the part you need is available.
ONLY HIRE LEGITIMATE CONTRACTORS
Ensure your dealer has a legitimate, official contractor with a legitimate contract. It matters. If you don’t, you’re going to find yourself in a bad situation. If you need a repair, call a legitimate company. Do your due diligence. Get your best deal, and move forward with it no matter who it is.
We here at Diamondback Air hope you’ll give us the opportunity to serve you.
For more information on Diamondback Air, visit diamondbackair.com or call (602) 920-1600 for a free quote