Why Review Counts Are No Longer the Gold Standard for Choosing Your HVAC Contractor

By John Mason, JBN Mechanical

For years, homeowners have been told to "check the reviews" when choosing service providers. It seemed like solid advice—more reviews meant more customers, and more customers meant better service, right?

But here in Centre County, we're seeing a troubling shift that's making online review counts less reliable than ever before.

The New Reality of Online Reviews

The HVAC industry has changed dramatically in the past decade. Many of the companies with hundreds of glowing reviews aren't actually run by local tradespeople anymore—they're owned by private equity firms with sophisticated marketing departments and deep pockets.

These companies have resources that local contractors simply don't:

• Dedicated review generation campaigns

• Professional reputation management services

• Advanced SEO strategies that push them to the top of search results

• Marketing budgets that dwarf what small businesses can afford

Meanwhile, authentic local contractors are focused on what we've always done: fixing your systems properly, treating your home with respect, and building relationships one customer at a time.

What We're Seeing in the Field

Just last month, we walked into three different homes where homeowners had been told their entire HVAC systems were "failures" by large, highly-reviewed companies. In every case, the systems needed simple repairs—a $150 capacitor here, a $200 control board there.

One customer showed us a quote for $28,000 to replace a system that we repaired for under $300.

These aren't isolated incidents. We're seeing this pattern repeatedly, especially targeting:

• New homeowners who don't know their systems yet

• Seniors who may be more trusting

• Families facing emergency situations when they're most vulnerable

What Really Matters When Choosing an HVAC Contractor

Instead of focusing solely on review counts, here's what actually indicates quality service:

Local Ownership & Accountability

• Is the owner local and involved in day-to-day operations?

• Do they have skin in the game in your community?

• Can you reach the owner directly if there's an issue?

Diagnostic Before Selling

• Do they thoroughly diagnose your system before recommending replacements?

• Are they willing to explain what's actually wrong in terms you can understand?

• Do they offer repair options before jumping to replacement?

Transparent Pricing & Process

• Do they provide detailed written estimates?

• Are they upfront about what warranty coverage actually includes?

• Do they explain the difference between different equipment options?

Local References

• Can they provide references from neighbors in your area?

• Do they have relationships with local suppliers and other trades?

• How long have they been serving your specific community?

The JBN Difference

At JBN Mechanical, we've made a conscious choice to stay small, stay local, and stay honest. Yes, that means we might have fewer online reviews than the big marketing machines. But every review we do have represents a real relationship with a real neighbor.

We'd rather spend our time and resources on:

• Continuing education to stay current with evolving technology

• Maintaining relationships with quality local suppliers

• Investing in diagnostic tools that help us fix rather than replace

• Building genuine relationships with the families we serve

Questions to Ask Any HVAC Contractor

Before hiring anyone—regardless of their review count—ask these questions:

1. "Can you show me exactly what's wrong with my system?"

2. "What are my repair options before we talk replacement?"

3. "Can I speak with the owner if I have concerns?"

4. "What does your warranty actually cover, and who honors it?"

5. "Can you provide local references from the past year?"

Moving Forward

The HVAC industry will continue to evolve, and marketing tactics will keep getting more sophisticated. But good, honest work hasn't changed. A properly diagnosed system, quality parts, skilled installation, and standing behind your work—these fundamentals are the same whether you have 50 reviews or 500.

When your heating or cooling system needs attention, don't let review counts be your only guide. Look for contractors who diagnose first, explain clearly, offer options, and have genuine roots in your community.

Your comfort and your wallet will thank you.

JBN Mechanical has been serving Centre County since 2013 with honest diagnostics, quality repairs, and energy-efficient solutions. We're locally owned, fully licensed, and focused on building long-term relationships with our neighbors. Contact us at [contact info] for a straight-forward assessment of your HVAC needs.