With colder weather in the forecast, it is the perfect time to have your furnace or heating units inspected, tuned up and repaired.

“Heating units can be the most expensive equipment in your home,” said BBB President Tom Bartholomy. “Given the large number of contractors and companies that provide heating and air conditioning services, it is important to distinguish between the good and the bad.”

“In the past 12 months, consumers have checked out local heating and air conditioning services with BBB more than 161,000 times,” Bartholomy said. “During this same time, consumers have filed 191 complaints against heating and air conditioning contractors.”

If you need to hire a heating service for inspections or repairs, BBB has these five tips:

1. Check out heating contractors with BBB. It only takes a few minutes to find a company with a good track record for service.
2. Get an estimate in writing before work begins.
3. Make sure that the contract includes warranty information.
4. Find out if the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured.
5. Be wary of unsolicited offers and high pressure sales pitches for heating systems, windows and roofing.

For more information, please visit BBB.org or call BBB toll-free in N.C. and S.C. at 1-877-317-7236.