Published on September 17, 2024 | 5-Minute Read Don't be fooled by flashy discounts. Learn how to spot hidden fees and get the best deal with honest, transparent pricing. As more industries move online, transparency in pricing is becoming the standard for consumers. The HVAC industry is no exception, with large platforms like Amazon, Home Depot, and Build.com offering HVAC systems online. This shift brings the manufacturer closer to the consumer, cutting out middlemen and reducing prices. However, many HVAC companies still rely on misleading discount practices that create confusion and inflate costs. At HVAC Home Supply, we believe it’s time to pull back the curtain on these so-called “deals.” Let’s break down what you should watch for when you see those flashy “discounts.” The Problem with Percentage Discounts One of the most common gimmicks in the HVAC industry is the use of percentage-off discounts. You’ll often see ads for 10% or 15% off a new HVAC system. Sounds great, right? But here’s the catch: the original price is almost never published. Without a listed price to compare against, these “discounts” are essentially meaningless. HVAC companies can claim any percentage off a made-up number, leaving consumers none the wiser. Another tactic is to “throw in” extra items, like a water heater or thermostat, for free. But again, this is simply a marketing ploy. The price of that “free” item is often baked into the overall cost of the installation. When pricing isn’t transparent, there’s no way to know whether you’re truly getting a deal or just paying for the extras. Why HVAC Home Supply is Different At HVAC Home Supply, we do things differently. We publish our prices, so you know exactly what you’re paying for—no guesswork, no gimmicks. You can see upfront what the equipment costs and how much you’ll pay for installation. Our approach is based on honesty and transparency, ensuring that homeowners get a fair price without the confusing discounts or hidden fees. Why Don’t Other Companies Publish Prices? The reality is that many HVAC companies avoid publishing their prices because they aren’t competitive. Larger companies spend enormous amounts on marketing and advertising, and those costs get passed down to the consumer. If all contractors had to post their prices, the companies with big marketing budgets would stand out for the wrong reasons—they’re often twice the price of smaller, more efficient contractors. How to Avoid Falling for Misleading Discounts As a homeowner, you can protect yourself from these gimmicks by taking a few simple steps: 1. Ask for the contractor’s book pricing both before and after any discount is applied. 2. Get multiple bids and compare the scope of work for each one. 3. Pay close attention to whether the larger companies with big discounts are still much more expensive than the smaller contractors, even after applying their so-called discounts. A Real-Life Example: How We Saved a Customer Over 50% We’ve seen the power of transparent pricing firsthand. In our first five months of business, we’ve completed hundreds of installs, and in almost every case, we’ve saved our customers 30% to 50% compared to contractors with huge marketing budgets. Take Mr. Stotts in Houston, Texas, for example. He received a quote from a contractor for a 4-ton 16 SEER system for a staggering $25,811—using American Standard equipment. HVAC Home Supply offered the exact same scope of work, using Trane equipment, for just $10,979.93. That’s a difference of almost $15,000! The contractor was unwilling to break down the equipment and labor costs, a red flag that often signals inflated pricing. The Solution: Be honest, upfront, and transparent. In an industry filled with gimmicks and inflated pricing, we believe in doing things differently. It’s time to put transparency and honesty back into the HVAC business.
