PRA Air Conditioning is urging customers to be cautious when buying air conditioning systems from companies that primarily offer other services and products, such as boilers and solar panels. These providers generally have limited expertise in air conditioning, relying on subcontractors to install and maintain systems.
Understandably, many people are feeling the pinch right now, making finance options even more attractive. However, this can lead to some customers overlooking the importance of choosing a specialist provider. In some cases, air conditioning units are being sold for as little as £1,000. While this may seem like a steal, it can cost you over £1,000 in the long run. Read on to find out how to avoid these suppliers.
What Are the Financial Risks?
If your system is fitted incorrectly and something goes wrong, there will be an initial call-out fee to investigate the issue. Depending on your location, this will be between £90 – £120 excluding VAT. If the system is not under warranty or the company that installed it refuses to pass the warranty over, you could have to fork out an extra £280 – £900 excluding VAT. This will all depend on the issue and parts needed, as well as the make and model of the system.
If the system is under warranty and it is passed over, then the parts should be able to be processed and issued free of charge. It is worth noting that there may be a labour charge if the warranty does not cover this, which can range from anywhere between £120 – £500 excluding VAT.
How Much Should You Pay For an Air Conditioning Unit?
“The price of a system depends on the size, style, colour, make, brand and even its Wi-Fi compatibility, so it is difficult to provide a clear-cut price,” says Lucy Arnold, Maintenance & Servicing Manager at PRA.
“But say, for example, you are looking to buy a white Panasonic 3.5kw non-Wi-Fi system, it will cost around £1,600 to supply and install, including up to a 7-year warranty,” she adds.
“The best way to know if a supplier is credible and you’re paying a fair price is to do your homework and research the system,” she says.
“You should also never be afraid of asking the company to provide you with information and data sheets on the system they have quoted you. You can even call their air conditioning companies directly and ask their thoughts. If they are credible and want you to get the correct system, they will have no problem sharing this information with you and will be willing to help regardless of whether you buy from them. Plus, it is always a good idea to read reviews and ask other people about their experiences.”
“Not to mention, if you are a domestic customer and they are charging VAT, this is a huge red flag as VAT is currently exempt for residential properties as per the government guidelines,” she warns.
Why Should Customers Be Cautious?
There is a big difference between the information provided by reputable air conditioning suppliers like PRA and these companies. They tend to provide incorrect information about what different makes and models do, how they perform, the installation process and even warranties. But more than that, they offer a service they simply cannot live up to.
“When customers have had issues with systems that have been installed by these companies, they are very slow to respond or get anyone out to look at the issues. Plus, they are diagnosing issues incorrectly and then replacing items that aren’t needed, hoping it will fix the problem. In some cases, this causes more issues than there were to begin with,” Lucy says.
“For instance, we have just been out to a customer who said he had a Daikin system fitted. The system started showing an error code and was not cooling as it was before. The company allegedly sent a sub-contractor out to see what the issue was and the engineer diagnosed that the system needed a new PCB board. This did not solve the issue.“
“They reattended and changed another part. This still did not work. The customer said that from then the problem persisted and then a different error code was displayed and the company didn’t seem that interested and the engineer they sent was either not that knowledgeable or couldn’t care or both.”
“In the end, the customer called us and we attended and saw the issues straight away and have been in touch with Daikin and they are issuing the part out to us for us to fit. Luckily, this customer was given a warranty and his part has been issued for free under it. But he has had to pay our callout fee when really he should not have had to go through this process at all.”
How to Find a Reputable AC Supplier
The risks of having your air conditioning unit fitted by someone who is not an expert extend beyond potential high repair costs and costly downtime. It can also result in potential gas and water leaks. Additionally, systems not fitted correctly could fall and harm you and your loved ones. That is why it is crucial to find a supplier who is knowledgeable and works with qualified engineers.
“Both the company and the engineer fitting your unit should at least have a level 3 qualification in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and be REFCOM/F-GAS registered,” Lucy says.
“When it comes to experience, it is advisable to get your AC unit fitted by someone with a minimum of 3 years of experience in installation, maintenance and repairs. Additionally, IPAF, Pasma, and Health & Safety Compliance certificates are necessary for both the company and engineer, as well as accreditation with a brand such as Panasonic or Daikin,” she adds.
“To make sure you are going to the right people, ask the company to send you copies of both the company’s and the engineer’s certificates and accreditations. REFCOM holds a list of companies and people who hold these certificates. Also, if a company is a recognised or accredited installer for a certain brand, you can find this on the brand’s website.”
If you have concerns about your air conditioning unit, contact our team of qualified HVAC experts today.