Las Vegas NowAir Conditioning Scammers on the Prowl

Air Conditioning Scammers on the Prowl

With temperatures getting ready to skyrocket, now is a good time to make sure your cooling system is working properly. But the hot weather, brings out scammers, preying on homeowners trying to keep cool.

Air conditioning systems in the valley take a lot of abuse, running about 1,800 hours a year. That's why yearly maintenance isn't a luxury but a requirement. Scammers are trying to cash in.

Sumbit a complaint to the Nevada State Contractors Board

The burning sun is giving preview of what summer will bring. Temps could be record breaking this weekend. As the mercury begins to boil, air condition repair crews will be working overtime to keep you cool.

Kathleen Ludyen knows what it feels like to be hot under the collar. Her air conditioning unit is outdated.

"I asked if I could donate this to the air conditioning museum," she said.

Over worked and out of order, living on a fixed income, she couldn't afford the repairs. Thankfully, Nevada State Board of Contractors stepped in to give relief with a new cooling system.

"I couldn't believe it. We are going to have 105 degrees. I don't have to be sitting with my foot in an ice pan. I am so happy, I cant tell you," she said.

Blake Ballard with Sahara Air says Kathleen is lucky. Every year, hundreds of families trying to beat the heat are hung out to dry in it -- taken by scammers.

He says, anyone knocking on your door offering extremely low prices should send an alert, "That's a red flag this time of year. It may not be in times of the year when things are slow, such as March or October and November."

Ballard says to protect yourself, do your research, "We don't want them doing work that shouldn't be done -- that doesn't need to be done."

And make sure the company doing the work is licensed, bonded and insured. That's something that Kathleen won't have to worry about. She's thankful someone was there to help when she needed it most.

"If I didn't have heavy shoes on, I will be floating up to the sky. I am so happy," she said.

The new cooling system will also save Kathleen up to 50-percent on her electric bill.

Experts say you should change filters on a regular basis and get it serviced annually so minor repairs don't turn into major ones.

Email your comments to Reporter Travell Eiland