Online purchases seem so easy nowadays, they are made to be easy, but installing an A/C unit you purchased online may turn into your worst nightmare.
Scammers are everywhere, most common problems are:
- Is the unit AHRI certified? Without this number, the unit cannot be installed in the North American market, some retailers will send you a unit set for “export” that cannot be legally installed in the U.S. market.
- Size matters – is the unit properly sized for the space? Was there a load calculation performed? Does it have the correct return air ducts? Most probably not.
- Installation – any FL. licensed contractor must (by Florida law) give you a one-year labor warranty. It is highly unlikely you will find a reputable contractor to do this with a system that he doesn’t know who the manufacturer is? Or how to process warranty, or find parts?
- Permits – Who will pull the mechanical permit? Who will supply the legal forms to the municipality as to satisfy the SEER ratings and all the permit requirements?
- Owner builder permits are NOT ALLOWED for mechanical installations.
- Logistics – Many powerful domestic websites cater to product sourcing – you may be purchasing from Shanghai and not even know it.
WE understand difficult times are upon us, and how everybody wants to same $$$. Unfortunately for the unsuspecting client buying an A/C unit online may turn into the biggest and most expensive mistake you will make as a home owner. Like the saying goes caveat emptor – “LET THE BUYER BEWARE”.
