What exactly is this website? Who really is Buddy Ray?

Buddy Ray is a fictitious character and Buddy Ray's A/C Barn is not an actual company. This website is brought to you by Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. and is simply meant to be educational in a fun way. Think of it as a community service resource that is hopefully informative and entertaining.

Shakespeare said there is always a bit of truth in jest, and if this website stops one person from falling for a duct cleaning scam or hiring an unlicensed contractor - then we have done our job.

Unfortunately there are some businesses out there who have given the HVAC industry a bad name.

Even though there are scam artists who may try to prey on the elderly and uninformed, some people unintentionally bring disaster upon themselves by hiring unlicensed or poorly trained contractors.

So how do you know what HVAC company to hire? There are so many to choose from and competition is fierce in this slow economy. Air conditioning and heating is just something the average homeowner does not know enough about.

When you take your Ford vehicle into a Ford dealership you expect quality work, and it is understood that the vehicle will be serviced to the specifications and standards that the manufacturer requires. However, you just can't toss your 8 year old Carrier Air Conditioning system in the back of a truck and drive to the nearest Carrier Dealer to have it serviced.

Choosing the right HVAC contractor to service, repair or replace your Air Conditioning or Heating system can be a daunting task, and more than a little confusing.

Hopefully this website as well as the following information will make that decision easier.

When making the decision to purchase a new air conditioning system, you should always shop for quality first and price second.

It is equally important to have the right contractor install the system. Take the time to research contractors on the internet. Check the Better Business bureau, Angie's List, and the Chamber of Commerce. Ask friends, family and neighbours who they would recommend. Read reviews for different companies. Look for an air conditioning company that is a leader in their industry, keeps their employees well trained, and makes customer service a priority.

When it comes to HVAC contractors, there is a huge variation in competence and ethics. You've probably seen the undercover reports that expose dishonest contractors. Even though only a small percentage of HVAC companies are blatantly dishonest, the Better Business Bureau ranks heating and cooling as one of the highest complaint generating industries.

Even if an Air Conditioning company seems honest, they may simply not have the ongoing training or business systems in place to properly serve their customers. Using a company that is not up to speed with the newest technology may result in excessive utility bills, inefficient operation of the new system, premature system failure or high repair bills.

Make sure any HVAC company is able to answer the following questions and provide you with copies of licenses and certification.

• How many years has the company been in business?

• Do you have a copy of your HVAC license?

• Do you carry liability and workers compensation insurance?

• Are your technicians certified to handle refrigerant gas?

• Do you have a permanent non-residence place of business?

• Can you provide customer references?

Do not hire a contractor who can quote a price over the phone. And definitely don't be mislead by contractors who will offer to replace your old equipment with the same size unit without doing any measurements, inspections or diagnostic tests. Over half of new systems are the wrong size, installed improperly, and attached to an inadequate existing duct system. As a result, they waste an average of one third of the energy purchased to run them.

A good contractor is committed to 100% customer satisfaction and should ask you many questions before they give you a quote.

At Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., The customer is always our highest priority.

If you are in need of residential or commercial Air Conditioning repair, maintenance, or new installation, we would love the opportunity to earn your business. If you end up choosing another company – we hope this website helped you make a wise choice. If you ever have any questions we are glad to answer them, and we offer complimentary second opinions.

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