Beware of so-called Heating Tune-Up "Specials"
Horror Stories are better left to masters of the craft like Stephen King & Dean Koontz…NOT the hardworking homeowners and businesses of The Lehigh Valley, Carbon County & The Poconos! Yet, sadly, we hear them all the time. Folks see a great deal for $49, $69, $99 for getting their heating system up-to-snuff for the brutal PA winters, schedule an appointment and the tech comes out and provides the maintenance service, then the Terror happens. The nozzle is clogged, the burner heads need replacement, your boiler is on it’s last legs and needs replacement TODAY! The 100-400% markup makes your $89 maintenance become a bank account draining $2500 disaster.
Why Some HVAC Tune-Up Deals Are Too Good to Be True
A comprehensive HVAC preventative maintenance service — often called a “tune-up” — generally takes 45 minutes to an hour for a trained professional to complete. When you see an offer for this kind of service priced at just $49, consider this: that fee often doesn’t even cover the technician’s time, let alone travel costs, fuel, or overhead.
Ask yourself: Why would a legitimate HVAC company send out a certified technician for $49 if there’s no real profit involved?
The truth is, some less-than-reputable HVAC companies use low-cost service calls as a tactic to get their foot in the door. Once inside, these technicians may use high-pressure sales tactics or exaggerate problems to upsell unnecessary services or even recommend premature system replacements.
Often, these ultra-cheap offers come from large, multi-state companies where technicians work on commission. That means if they don’t find something to “fix,” they don’t get paid. These companies bank on the assumption that a technician will find — or create — an issue, justifying a costly repair or system upgrade.
While not everyone will fall for these upsells, enough people do to make the promotion profitable — allowing these companies to keep advertising those attractive but misleading specials.
What Makes AOK Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical Different?
At AOK Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, we charge various rates for our Heating Maintenance service depending on the type of heating system you have. We charge $119 for Heat Pump Maintenance, $129 for Gas Furnace Maintenance, $149 for Oil Furnace Maintenance, and $179 for Oil Boiler Maintenance. And all of these include a thorough 16-point inspection designed to ensure your system is running efficiently and reliably heading into the colder months. This isn’t a profit-making appointment for us — it’s about keeping your HVAC system in top shape, helping you avoid bigger issues down the road.
We don’t pay our technicians commissions, and we never reward them for upselling unnecessary repairs. Instead, we focus on transparency and education, making sure you understand the condition of your system and the services being provided.
How to Protect Yourself from HVAC Scams
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Do Your Homework: Always work with a licensed and insured HVAC company. Check their website, read verified customer reviews, and browse their social media for examples of recent work and customer interaction. A single poor review isn’t necessarily a red flag — how the company responds is what truly matters.
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Compare Estimates: If one company is offering a suspiciously low price (like a $49 tune-up), get a few quotes from other local HVAC providers. This helps you gauge the average cost for preventative maintenance or system replacements. Large discrepancies can be a sign something isn’t right.
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Ask Questions: If a technician suddenly adds multiple repairs or makes urgent-sounding claims, ask them to explain exactly what’s wrong and provide a clear breakdown of costs. You should always approve any large repair before work begins. If you feel uncomfortable or pressured, ask the technician to stop and contact the company directly — or ask them to leave.
Count on AOK Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical
At AOK Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, we believe in offering fair, transparent pricing and trustworthy service. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is — and we encourage homeowners to be cautious with lowball offers that may lead to costly surprises.
Whether you need maintenance, emergency repairs, or a free estimate for a new heating and cooling system, we’re here to help. Our team is committed to providing honest, reliable service for air conditioners, heat pumps, gas furnaces, Durastar ductless systems, and more. We’re always happy to answer your questions, troubleshoot issues, and help you find the right HVAC solution for your home and family.
