Summertime Housekeeping Checklist

Summer is almost here and there’s no better time to take control of your housekeeping than right now! For anyone who has trouble keeping up with housework, (and really, who doesn’t sometimes?), we’ve created this helpful checklist. With this list you’ll know exactly what chores you should be doing, and when you should be doing them. Print this list and look to it for housekeeping guidance all summer long.

If you have kids, print off several and use them as chore lists, marking their names next to tasks you’d like them to do. This will not only help you out around the house, but it will also help the kids keep track of what chores they are responsible for completing.

Printable Summer Cleaning Checklist

Summertime Housekeeping Checklist

This summer, get on top of housework and enjoy a clean, comfortable, home. To get your home even cleaner, consider the quality of your indoor air. We offer several solutions that can take your IAQ from iffy to excellent. Give us a call today for more information. 800-542-4243

How to Dodge Scams Involving HVAC

When repairs need to be made to a HVAC system, homeowners are often too desperate for a quick resolution to be cautious when dealing with the repair company. Sadly, this means people are sometimes taken advantage of by less honest businesses.

Tips to Prevent HVAC Scams

Avoiding scams isn’t too hard if homeowners keep their eyes open for certain warning signs. While most companies deal honestly with homeowners, here are some tips people can follow to keep from being scammed by those who don’t:

  • Get references. When hiring an HVAC company, ask for references and ask around the area for anyone else who has worked with the business. Get the impressions of prior customers and decide if the company sounds trustworthy based on prior work.
  • Ask for a replaced part. If the technician says he or she needs to replace a part in your heating and air conditioning system, ask to keep the broken part. This will allow a homeowner to take the part to a second professional for an opinion, if necessary.
  • Beware the “free tune up.” Many reputable companies will offer free estimates, but less honest businesses will offer free tune ups as an excuse to invent a problem and charge homeowners to fix it.
  • Avoid paying up front. It’s perfectly normal for trustworthy businesses to ask for a down payment before repairs are completed. However, honest businesses will very rarely ask for the entire amount before the work is done. Many companies who do this have a reputation for charging an absurd amount up front and doing poor repair work.
  • Watch out for sales which seem too good to be true. Low time, low money offers may seem like a good deal but will often end up costing more in the end. Shady companies may offer cheap installation services on a sale like this, but charge outrageous prices on any later work to the system.
  • Ensure proper licensing. Before hiring an HVAC company, make certain it has the right credentials. Homeowners can even ask technicians to see their worker’s licenses when they come to the home.
  • Get a written estimate. Having a written estimate before a company begins working on the system provides tangible proof of the agreement reached between the homeowner and the business. This will come in handy if the technician fails to fully repair what is broken.
  • Ask for a second opinion. If an estimate seems too high from one company, contact a different company and ask for its estimate. Homeowners may find the repairs don’t cost as much as they were first told.
  • Check exact certifications. Some HVAC equipment manufacturers require specific training to work on their systems. Homeowners can call the manufacturer of their system and ask if there is someone certified in the area.

When an HVAC system needs repair, it usually needs to be fixed in a hurry. Homeowners should follow these tips to make sure that hurry doesn’t lead them into a scam.

If you need a reputable HVAC company to take care of your home HVAC needs, contact Countryside Plumbing & Heating. Our trained team of certified HVAC technicians will always be honest about your HVAC needs and explain every step of the process should you need repairs.