WASHINGTON — With cold weather on the way, now is a good time to get your heater serviced — and a consumer publication is determining the best local companies to help you do it.
Consumer website, Checkbook.org has ranked some of the best D.C.-area companies for heating and air-conditioning services.
The site found 56 of the more than 200 businesses achieved a “superior” ranking, meaning 90 percent or more of their surveyed customers were very pleased with those companies’ overall performance.
On the other hand, 29 companies scored much lower, receiving favorable ratings from 60 percent or fewer of the surveyed customers.
See which businesses ranked at the top and bottom on its website.
Checkbook has some tips when it comes to choosing a company:
- Prices can vary. “You’d better shop around — we found prices — you know some companies in the area charge twice as much as their competitors,” says Checkbook Executive Editor Kevin Brasler. He says prices can range between $400 and $1,200.
- There is no relationship between price and quality. Checkbook found some lower-priced companies often rated better than higher-priced firms for “doing work properly.”
- Determine what you can do on your own. Some tasks, such as changing the air filter, can be done by homeowners. Checking that off the list can reduce maintenance visits. However, yearly visits are a good idea if the system is old, heavily used, in a dusty area, oil-fueled or in a very large house, Checkbook says.
- Be skeptical about contracts. If you might want one, shop around to get the best price.
- If you’re buying a new system, bigger is not always better. Oversized units will cost more and may make for higher utility bills by cycling on and off constantly.
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report.
