| Are you searching the internet to buy a heater or | | | | by way of heater descriptions and specifications, |
| a heating system for your garage, living room or | | | | could be an indication that you are dealing with |
| shop? Here are 10 things you should consider in | | | | nothing but an order fulfillment site. Most of these |
| your web search before you make that heater | | | | sites offer little in the way of technical expertise |
| purchase. | | | | and product support. |
| 1) Search for a company that specializes in | | | | 7) Some heaters require the installation expertise |
| heaters and heating-related products. A web site | | | | of a qualified heating professional. These heaters |
| that sells heaters among hundreds of other | | | | may include gas and electric furnaces, garage |
| non-heating related products is usually just an | | | | heaters, fireplaces and many other gas fired |
| order-taking catalog house with little or no | | | | vented, unvented and high voltage electrical |
| background in the heating industry. Find a heating | | | | heating products. Will you be able to do the work |
| expert who can answer all your heating questions. | | | | yourself, or will you need to hire a professional |
| 2) While it’s not necessary in this internet age | | | | installer? |
| to buy from a local “brick and mortar” | | | | 8) Ask - what is the company’s return |
| storefront, there are still risks associated with | | | | policy? What is the manufacturer’s product |
| making online or telephone purchases. Is the online | | | | warranty? How easy will it be to return the |
| company you choose also a well-established | | | | product if there is a problem? A reputable |
| heating products distributor? Choose a | | | | company should give you a 30 day money-back |
| well-established heating company with a good | | | | guarantee should you decide to return the heater. |
| customer service record. | | | | This normally does not include return shipping |
| 3) Is there a customer service number you can | | | | charges, unless the heater is damaged or |
| call for assistance? The company you buy from | | | | defective. In the latter case, the company should |
| should be able to offer personal design/application | | | | offer a complete replacement (including all shipping |
| assistance through phone and email support and | | | | charges) at no charge to you. NOTE: This |
| help ensure that you get just the right heater, | | | | normally does not include labor charges. If you |
| heaters or heating system to fit your needs. | | | | hired an installer, you might be obligated to pay |
| Choose a distributor who can conduct heat loss | | | | that installer the cost of labor to replace the |
| and design calculations for proper heater sizing and | | | | heater, unless he is willing to do so as part of his |
| offer you the best heating solution. | | | | labor contract with you. If you are acting as the |
| 4) Ask whether you feel the company you buy | | | | installer, it is not incumbent upon the seller (heating |
| from will be around for technical support later on, | | | | products distributor) to pay you any labor charges |
| even many years after the initial purchase. The | | | | to re-install a new replacement heater or do any |
| fact is, all heaters are mechanical in nature, | | | | repairs. As an owner/installer, you accept that |
| meaning they will eventually fail. Will the company | | | | risk. That is an industry standard practice. 9) Not |
| you buy from be able to offer replacement parts | | | | only is it important to choose a reputable online |
| and technical support to help fix a problem down | | | | company, but you’ll want to choose heating |
| the road? | | | | product brands with years of proven use in the |
| 5) Get educated. Know what it is you are trying | | | | marketplace. Choose a heater model with a |
| to accomplish. Are you looking for a garage | | | | strong performance record. Imported heater |
| heater, family room heater, greenhouse heater, | | | | brands are just fine as long as they have been |
| patio heater, shop heater, infrared heater, | | | | and will continue to have a solid presence in the |
| construction heater or fireplace? Vented heater or | | | | market for years to come. Few things are more |
| vent free heater?. There are different heaters | | | | frustrating than finding out that what you |
| for different purposes. What appliances are best | | | | purchased 6 months ago is now obsolete, with no |
| suited to these applications? The beauty of the | | | | recourse for warranty, parts and support |
| internet is that you have information at your | | | | services. |
| fingertips. The beauty of buying from a heating | | | | 10) Lastly, buy from a company with friendly |
| expert is that you will have someone to speak to | | | | customer-service skills to help you through the |
| in person to get your questions answered. | | | | selection, purchasing, fulfillment and post installation |
| 6) Does the web site offer detailed guidelines, | | | | process. Buying a heater should be as hassle-free |
| specifications and an explanation of uses for each | | | | as possible. It starts by choosing the best |
| heater? Sites with mere thumbnail photos and | | | | company with the best products and the best |
| “checkout” buttons, with little information | | | | customer support. |