These days we’re all looking up stuff constantly on the Internet to check it out before we go there, buy something or schedule a service. Online reviews are often helpful in making up our minds, but they can also be deceiving. Here’s why you should, by all means, have a look at them, but also realize how they may be skewed too far to the negative or positive.
That’s particularly true when it comes to heating and air conditioner reviews. HVAC equipment and services can be a major expense. You want to be sure you’re doing everything you can to hire a reputable HVAC consultant, and not a shyster who’s learned how to promote a company with false reviews.
The Lowdown on Online Reviews
Marketing research reveals that people are more influenced by negative reviews than positive ones. After all, we’ve all read that many five-star reviews are faked. Research has also shown that these reviews are often influenced by errant interpretations, and we should be wary of making a decision based on them, whether negative or positive. Further, negative reviews tend to pinpoint what can go wrong, whereas positive ones usually are more general.
Another problem with trusting negative reviews is that the reviewer may just have an ax to grind. A disgruntled former employee or a business rival may write a bad review just as easily as anyone else.
There’s also a demographics issue. Reviews are subjective, and are written by a minuscule subset — only about about 1.5 percent — of the populace who tend to do or be the following:
- Buy unusual sizes
- Return things
- Are married
- Have bigger families
- Are younger
- Have less income
- Have graduate degrees
- Shop sales
- Buy more products
Finding a Reputable HVAC Contractor
For best results, talk to your friends and neighbors about their HVAC company. Talk to the company representatives and ask for references — then call them. Be wary of a company that gives you a quote over the phone.
For more on heating or air conditioner reviews, contact CCAC of Corpus Christi.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about your HVAC system, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.