When a stranger knocks at your door, you can be leery of letting them in your home. But, when they claim to be an inspector or are saying your water heater or furnace is not up to code based on the venting coming out the side of your house, it can be a little worrisome.
Before you let an unexpected stranger, especially if this stranger is pushy, into your home, ask for identification. If they can’t produce it, ask more questions – who sent them, their office phone number, their name, or whatever you may think pertinent. Should the person at your door still insist on being let into your home, know you can say no and close the door on them.
If you have decided to let them into your home, don’t share with them paperwork with personal information – utility bills, banking information, etc.
Make sure you read all the fine print before you sign anything. Be sure to verify any automatic price increases, and if you are currently renting the unit that is being replaced, will your current company ding you with cancellation fees? Will the removed unit (if a rental), be left on site or returned to the company?
When it comes to your venting and being up to code, as long as the venting was up to code at the time of install, it is up to code currently. Venting only needs replaced if the unit is replaced or a technician needs to do work that requires the venting to be touched.
