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

Who doesn’t love something that’s free, right?

Companies that promote appealing deals like buying a furnace and getting an air conditioner for free can make customers assume they're going to hit the jackpot. However, it's critical to view these offers carefully. Often, what sounds like a fantastic deal at first may not be so wonderful in the long run. Shady companies might increase the prices of their products or include hidden costs to make up for the discount they've offered.

There’s the saying: there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Well, in the HVAC industry, there aren’t that many air conditioners that are really free when everything is accounted for

Watch out for the Not-So-Free AC

A supposedly "free" AC could come at the expense of having to pay higher installation fees or purchasing expensive supplementary services. It's crucial for people to carefully assess the overall cost and terms before falling for such advertisements. One way to protect yourself is to request a second opinion from another HVAC company, such as All Solutions Heating & Cooling, and compare prices of the entire installation.

Here are some of the ways a “free” AC could come back to haunt your finances

  • Inflated product prices: Some companies may enhance the prices of their products to compensate for the "free" AC or service they're offering. This can make the overall cost of the package much higher than it originally appears.
  • Hidden installation fees: Even though the air conditioner may be free, customers may encounter unexpected installation charges that are not clearly stated in the initial offer. These charges can dramatically increase the full price of the system.
  • Mandatory additional services: To make up for the cost of the purportedly free item they are giving you, companies may require customers to purchase additional services or plans at embellished prices. These can swiftly add up.
  • Push for premium upgrades: Companies might pressure customers to upgrade components of the HVAC system at a higher cost, saying it will result in enhanced performance or better efficiency. These upgrades may not be necessary or provide much value for the added expense.
  • Warranty limitations: While the pr