Stop hiring Joe's heat em' and cheat em'

Good morning everybody!

    First of all what is up with this weather! It's the end of January and we are having 75 to 80 degree days with sunshine and no clouds. We can't ask for better weather here in Southern California and we are still busy helping out customers. Today's topic is about hiring the contractor that is either unqualified, unprofessional or both! It's hard for homeowners now....who do you choose? There are thousands and thousands of contractors in the Southern California area and who are you going to hire? Some people think getting 3 bids is going to save you and you will be able to pick the best contractor. What your really saying is I'm probably going to take all 3 bids and then choose the one in the middle or possibly the one I am most comfortable with. Back 30 years ago I can tell you getting 3 bids really meant something because the people coming into your home were most of the time good reputable people you could trust. Now a day's there are so many contractors using deceptive selling practices along with cheap prices and bad labor to get consumers to sign. Then after you agree on the terms and price they don't put your money where there mouth is. I see it happen all to much in our industry and it gives us "good" guys a bad name. Some homeowners think that if they have 3 bids to replace there HVAC system and they want to save money they choose the lowest prices. WRONG! that could end up costing you even more money in the long run and actually do the exact opposite of saving you money. In fact over time if that company used cheap materials and uneducated installers just to make sure they make a couple bucks off you because they had to discount the price so much. Now you could have some serious problems down the line:

1. The company could be out of business
2. By using cheap materials they have actually decreased the efficiency of you new "high efficient system"
3. Because installation was so bad the manufacture will not uphold there agreement for warranty parts.
4. You compressor fails in your AC unit and now you have to purchase a brand new one when you were promised it would last 15-20 years.
5. The system is either over sized or undersized for your home.

Now you can understand that there is much more involved then just getting the lowest prices and having Joe's heat em' and cheat em' slam in a new system. All the time homeowners neglect a very important component in there homes which can cost them thousands of dollars yet we don't think about this when we have to cut a check and buy a new one. In all reality you should only go through this once maybe twice in your lifetime. I hope I am not giving you guys anxiety about choosing the "right" company for your home because there are many other companies out there that will do the work they say they will do. When safety is a concern its good to do it right the first time because we all know that you get what you pay for.

I have told you a little bit about how you could get ripped off so let me tell you how you can take control and not get taken advantage of. After all I probably scared you a little bit about how some companies do business. I'm going to give you a list of important things you should watch for in a quality company and the questions you should ask to make sure you are getting what you pay for.

1. How long have they been in business, to make sure they are going to be around if something were to happen to your system.
2. Are the employees are NATE certified which is the North American Technician Excellence certification. This mean they have undergone rigorous test and training to ensure you quality work.
3. Make sure they the company drug test and back round checks employees. Maybe your asking your self why? This is so important because plumbing and HVAC are the first and second most taught trades in our federal prison systems. We believe in second chances but when it comes to your safety in your home not with our company.
4. What kind of guarantees do they have? Not just the warranty's from the manufacture, but is the company you choose going to go the extra mile and guarantee there work with 100% satisfaction?
5. Do they spend quality time with you and explain every detail to make sure they answer any of your questions or concerns. If you are replacing a heater, air conditioner or both then you will want the replacement specialists to spend 60-90 minutes with you.
6. Ask the company to give you referrals from other customers they have served and make sure they are recent.

   Maybe this stuff is not important to you and maybe you don't want to go through the time and hassle of it all and it might be easy just to go with a cheap price and get it done. It's just like gambling maybe you get lucky and the system last forever and you have no problems or maybe you lose and it cost you more and more money till your ready to rip your hair out. However let me tell you this who ever you deiced to work with remember that you are starting a new relationship with somebody. Not only will this company be working in your home they will be designing and installing thousand dollar equipment in your home, they will be maintaining your system through its life and you should want the company that will treat you with respect and want to give you the best possible service GUARANTEED! If there is anything you would like to know or have any questions please call Dial One Sonshine @ 1-800-427-4909 or check our website at www.dialonesonshine.com thank you all and until next time stay comfortable!

-The Kings of Service DIAL ONE SONSHINE!

Is it the flu or carbon monoxide poisoning

Your family could be at risk! If you and your loved ones are experiencing any flu like symptoms regularly than you may have a problem with your gas furnace. With below average temperatures this winter, your furnace is being used more than usual. When was the last time you even had it serviced? A very important question we all need to ask ourselves. Your furnace emits two toxic elements in the air we breath in our homes. Gas and carbon monoxide, which is the exhaust from the combustion of gas in your furnace. Every year millions of people during winter start up their furnace and every year people get sick of even sometimes worse! Family safety is a growing concern isn't it? To stay safe this winter I would like to inform everybody of the danger an old unmaintained furnace can do. If your like most people you don't feel a furnace needs regular service, think again! Here are some tips to help you out.

         1. Make sure every month you operate your furnace for at least 15 minutes. This is to make sure the gas, oil, mechanical and electrical components are working regularly.

         2. At least minimum have a service agreement with a reputable HVAC company that will come one or two time a year to check and service your furnace. Doing this simple task which is a minimal amount of money no only can save you lot's of money on your utility bills but increase the longevity of that unit and more importantly keep you and your family safe in your home.

If you have any questions or concerns please call or email to speak with a trained representative at Dial One Sonshine 1-800-427-4909 or check out our website @ www.dialonesonshine.com. Remember to follow us on twitter @dialonesonshine or visit our facebook page at Dial One Sonshine.