Questions
The things people actually ask
No sales language. If the honest answer is inconvenient for us, it is still the answer that is here.
general
Do you really answer the phone at 2am?
Yes. Not an answering service that takes a message, a person who can tell you honestly how soon somebody can be there. Sometimes the honest answer is first thing in the morning, and you will be told that rather than left waiting.
Repair it or replace it?
Rough guide: if the repair is more than a third of the cost of a new system and the unit is past fifteen years, replacing usually wins. Under ten years, repair almost always wins. Between the two it depends on what failed and how the rest of the system looks, and you will get a straight answer rather than a push toward the bigger invoice.
How long should a furnace last?
Fifteen to twenty years for a well maintained gas furnace in this climate. Twenty five is not unheard of. Ten is what you get if it was never serviced, was oversized when it went in, or is fighting undersized ductwork.
What areas do you cover?
Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and northern Wayne, out of Utica. There is a zip code checker on the home page. If your zip is not on the list it does not always mean no, so call and ask.
My furnace is blowing cold air. Can I fix it myself?
Check three things before calling anybody. Is the thermostat on heat rather than fan, is the filter filthy, and is the furnace door switch pressed in properly. That last one catches more people than anything else. If all three are fine, it needs looking at.
pricing
What does it cost to get somebody out?
The diagnostic visit is a flat fee, shown on every service page before you book. It covers getting there and finding out what is actually wrong. The repair itself is priced and agreed with you before a single screw comes out, and on most repairs the diagnostic fee comes off if you go ahead.
Do you charge extra at night or on a weekend?
Whatever the after hours charge is, you are told it on the phone before anybody sets off. Nobody should find out about a surcharge when the invoice appears. Plan members on the top tier do not pay one at all.
plans
Is a maintenance plan actually worth it?
Two tune ups at the walk-in price cost more than the annual plan on their own, before any discount or waived trip fee. The part that is harder to price is what it prevents: a cracked heat exchanger found in October is a planned replacement with time to shop around. Found in January it is an emergency, with a family in a cold house and no leverage at all.
Can I cancel a plan?
Any time, no fee, no letter, no argument. A plan that needs a contract to hold onto people is not a plan worth selling.
Question not on the list?
Ask it on the phone. Nobody is going to try to sell you anything for asking.