Your doorbell rings, and there’s a salesperson promising huge furnace savings. Sounds tempting, right? Don’t be fooled. Many homeowners fall for these tactics, only to end up in long-term, overpriced contracts with unqualified installers. Before you let them in, here’s what you need to know about door-to-door HVAC sales agents.
First, It’s Illegal
Ontario’s door-to-door sales ban, implemented in 2018, prohibits sales of products like furnaces, air conditioners, and water heaters at consumers’ homes to protect them from high-pressure tactics and misleading contracts. Even with legal protections in place, many fall victim to these tactics through misleading offers and unlicensed installers.
Sometimes, they use tactics to get around the ban, such as leaving flyers or calling you and pretending to be a legitimate company.
Door-to-Door Furnace Sales Agent Tricks
Despite Ontario’s 2018 ban on door-to-door sales of HVAC systems, including furnaces, unscrupulous agents continue to find ways to pressure homeowners into bad deals.
Many door-to-door sales agents promise great savings on furnaces. These savings may seem hard to believe – and they are. Don’t be fooled. Here are a few of the tricks you should watch out for:
- Sales agents dressing like a technician or representative from another well-established and credible company.
- Implying they represent your current utility.
- Signing you up for a long-term contract at rental rates higher than others, while claiming to be saving you money.
- Telling you your furnace isn’t energy efficient.
So, Who Are They?
These door-to-door furnace sales agents often represent third-party companies that may not even specialize in heating and cooling services. Many of them are independent contractors working on commission, incentivized to push quick sales regardless of the homeowner’s actual needs.
They travel from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, targeting areas where they believe people may be more vulnerable to their high-pressure tactics, especially during colder months when heating concerns are top of mind. In many cases, these companies are based outside of your local area, with little accountability if something goes wrong after installation. This lack of local presence often makes it difficult to get proper service or resolve issues when they arise.
BEWARE! Read The Fine Print
Don’t get trapped in an expensive, long-term contract. The front door of your home is no place to make an important decision like buying a furnace. This should not be an impulsive decision.
Risks With These Contracts
- The installers may not be qualified, which can result in frequent breakdowns or poor performance. Installing a heating or cooling system properly requires taking the time to get all the technical specifications right.
- If it’s the wrong furnace or isn’t installed properly, it may not be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
- One often overlooked issue is the lack of transparency in service agreements. These contracts can be filled with vague terms and hidden fees that aren’t immediately clear, such as automatic renewals or inflated service charges. Many homeowners only realize these additional costs once they’re locked in, leading to a frustrating and costly situation.
Industry leaders and consumer advocates regularly issue warnings about the dangers of dealing with door-to-door heating and cooling sales agents. Don’t be pressured by their scare tactics!
Work With a Reputable HVAC Sales Team
Lambton ClimateCare would never employ door-to-door HVAC sales representatives. We respect your privacy. If you ever do need us, just call and we’ll be there right away. Contact us before you sign a contract that you may regret later.
