It sounds like a great deal: Buy this furnace, and we’ll give you an AC for free!

Who doesn’t appreciate something free, right?

Companies that dangle enticing deals like buying a furnace and getting an air conditioner for free can make customers think they're going to hit the jackpot. However, it's important to evaluate these offers carefully. Often, what seems like a fantastic deal at first may not be so amazing in the long run. Shady companies may increase the prices of their products or add hidden costs to make up for the discount they've offered.

There’s that old saying: there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Well, in the HVAC industry, there aren’t too many air conditioners that are really free when all is said and done

Watch out for the Not-So-Free AC

An allegedly "free" AC could come at the expense of paying higher installation fees or buying expensive supplementary services. It's crucial for consumers to thoroughly evaluate the overall cost and terms before falling for such offers. One way to protect yourself is to request a second opinion from another HVAC company, such as Desert Husky HVAC/R Services, and compare prices of the entire installation.

Here are a couple of the ways a “free” AC could come back to bite your wallet

  • Inflated product prices: Some companies may boost the pricing of their products to cover for the "free" AC or service they're offering. This can make the overall cost of the package much higher than it initially appears.
  • Unseen installation fees: While the air conditioner may technically be free, you may encounter unforeseen installation charges that weren't clearly stated in the original offer. These costs can dramatically increase the total price tag of the system.
  • Mandatory additional services: To make up for the cost of the allegedly free item they are giving you, companies may require customers to purchase additional services or plans at inflated prices. These can rapidly add up.
  • Push for premium upgrades: Companies sometimes will pressure customers to upgrade components of the HVAC system