With temperatures in the triple digits, air conditioners across Southern California are working overtime.
But there are a few things you can do to save a few bucks on your bill.
NBC4 consumer reporter Randy Mac tells you what you need to know about keeping cool, saving money and avoiding being scammed by bogus repairmen.
- Your home's air conditioner should be serviced twice a year, every six months -- once for the air conditioning unit, once for the heating unit;
- Save on power by using digital, programmable thermostats;
- Be wary of telemarketers offering special deals for air duct cleaning or seasonal HVAC tune-ups;
- Always ask for the state contractor license number before considering any offer;
- Make informed decisions about hiring a contractor or company and review the contractor’s detail page to assure the license is in good standing;
- If you’re not sure about a company’s offer, get a second opinion from a different, licensed contractor or company;
- Talk to your utility company to verify the accuracy of costs and potential savings the telemarketer offers for HVAC systems;
- Make sure the contract contains the notice about the three-day right to cancel.
For more tips, visit the California Contractors State License Board website.
