HVAC Question

[catlanta33]

Pretty much for one person @anthonys735 but always enjoy more Paddock banter in my threads.

I have an upstairs and downstairs unit. The upstairs one was serviced back in Oct when we bought the house and just some refrigerant. Now, when it's 90+, it knocks a little outside on startup and outright stops cooling after awhile. If I turn it off and back on, it works again. I've read could be a capacitor, low on refrigerant, etc...

My question is, the guy that did the service said there wasn't a leak. It needed to be topped off in Oct because it did the same thing per the home inspector and now again a few months later. Would it make sense to have them come back out and fix it, as in do I even have recourse with the service company or just find someone new? My pessimistic thought is the seller told the service company to do the cheapest fix possible.

 

[drxman1]

I'm no air conditioner, but my AC was doing the same thing last summer. Couldn't maintain temp in hot weather, leaking coolant...tried to refill twice, kept leaking.

Have a buddy who runs an HVAC. Pretty sure I paid his kids first year of college with new units.

 

[weused2luvhim2]

Find someone that several people you know recommend. It's a crooked industry. I've found word of mouth is the best way to find a good Hvac company.

 

[cantstandthecards]

Find someone that several people you know recommend. It's a crooked industry. I've found word of mouth is the best wa

 

[UKserialkiller]

Ain't got **** to add. But I sure hope you get that **** fixed, because it ain't even summer yet for at least another 15 days or so.

Plus if you're growing weed, marijuana stops growing at 90+ degrees. FYI

 

[anthonys735]

Find someone that several people you know recommend. It's a crooked industry. I've found word of mouth is the best way to find a good Hvac company.

That's horse ****. It's a great industry full of excellent companies and hard working people. Like anything in life if you do a little research you'll be fine. However, if you go bargain shopping, soliciting moonlighters, side work, etc you might get screwed.

You don't top off air conditioners. They are sealed systems. If it's low you have a leak. A lot of companies offer free second opinions so start there. Like cats.. ncards said if it's r-22 and has a leak better get the rainy day fund ready. Email me if you get another diagnosis and I'll walk you through it.

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

It's a crooked industry.

That's a lazy answer, no offense. Could be said for almost any industry, mine included. Hell I've heard so many war stories from "back in the day" it's unreal. You are right about good word of mouth, but that should be just one part (not all) of your decision process for anything.

In 2016 it's infinitely harder for the crooks and scammers to hide than even 5 years ago. 20 min online can usually/somewhat separate out the good and bad....like Anth said, when you go off the reservation to the unlicensed/friend of a friend/dude who only takes cash.....you decided what you were getting before it even started.

 

[catlanta33]

System is 8 years old and pretty sure it's r134. Didn't know if there is such a thing as warranty on service since the guy said there wasn't a leak but obviously there is.

Just going to find someone new. Gracias.

 

[anthonys735]

It's not 134. That is auto refrigerant. It's either R-22 or R410. At 8 years old it could be either.

 

[drxman1]

Didn't know if there is such a thing as warranty on service since the guy said there wasn't a leak but obviously there is.

Just going to find someone new. Gracias.

I doubt there is.

My home inspector said mine were in good shape too, but that just meant they were working that day. Jackass also failed to recognize the deck was rotting, there were multiple electrical problems, but of course he isn't liable for any of the crap he missed. Marcus spent his fee on lottery tickets.

 

[anthonys735]

Home warranties on HVAC systems are pretty tough. I hear they're better on some of the other issues but they basically band-aid, band-aid, band-aid until the warranty expires. Which in the case of refrigerant leaks means constant break downs because you're not fixing the problem by putting refrigerant in it(topping it off). For some of the easy stuff like capacitors, igniters, contactors and even motors they're ok. If you can get those replaced for $50-75 you should probably wait for them. They just wore out most of the decent companies with excessive red tape, paperwork and dirt cheap pay. So they use REALLY small companies now and typically involves a waiting period.

If you are persistent and don't mind getting a little sideways with them you can do typically get what you want. But if you think as soon as it breaks down you're getting a new AC, good luck.

 

[WettCat]

There are two major repair firms that do a ton of advertising here in Nashville. And both of them inflate their prices, coach and encourage their employees to look for other "needed" repairs and they do it on the regular. Since they oftentimes are the only two choices a person gets quotes from---they are both inflated. I've got friends who have had to go to the courts to get things settled. So, yes--there are crooked companies out there and not just the independents. Do your homework on these firms--and the independents-- before you spend the money.

We had one of these major repair companies come in to do some minor plumbing work. Within 10 minutes the repairman was all in a tizzy telling us how we had septic flies which indicated a MAJOR leak somewhere in the house. We told him to fix the damn toilet and leave. It was almost like a bad comedy--except this guy was serious. My 86 year old father had similar problems with the same firm--and he was working with their branch in Hopkinsville.

We were very very fortunate to have someone recommend an independent HVAC guy to us 17 years ago and the guy has saved us a fortune. And, over the years he has recommended other specialists who have all been good. But I think we got lucky with this guy and I hope to heck he doesn't retire.

 

[anthonys735]

So hold on.... let me get this straight. HVAC guys aren't allowed to inflate prices due to advertising, employee retention/ training or offer additional products/up sell? Umm... What is it that you do, Wett?

Funny how that works with this industry and not dentist, doctors, Valvoline, McDonalds, Best Buy, Starbucks, Insurance, Banks, restaurants, bars or basically every single other industry. Poor old HVAC guys and plumbers can't offer additional repairs, upgrades, make mistakes or advertise. They should do things at cost or preferably free.

I know of Hiller, I assume one of the 2 you're referring to, and they're a very well respected company in the industry. One of the biggest in the region. People have issues, misdiagnosis happen... but the industry is no more crooked than any other industry. TS. You want intelligent, clean background, drug free people working on your HVAC system? You're likely going to pay a little more because those guys aren't cheap to keep employed and like any industry, yes, the guys at the most successful companies are trained to sell.

 

[WettCat]

Don't take it personal Anth, from anything I've read over the years you guys do good reputable work, which is probably one of the reasons the company has been successful.

And a markup is part of business, but what I've seen and experienced is where a company bids excessively high hoping that they are either the only bid or its against another company doing the same. When you have 3 companies bidding the exact same work and one of them is 2X the others...they are fishing in my opinion. And that's what happened to a neighbor of mine..they didn't do their homework and they got shellacked.

And when a repairman starts hyperventilating about septic flies or some oddity, it's time to call them to task. It was total BS. It happens and it's not just the independents. (And you can think all you want about local "reputable" firms, but I know of three different situations where they have pushed the envelope on additional repairs and one of their repairmen apologized and said they are encouraged to do it.)

My position--not every large company is completely trustworthy and not every independent is a drug addled crook. Regardless of where you are, do your homework before you spend any significant money. (Your father was even nice enough to take my call completely out of the blue as I did my crosscheck on the guy we've worked with for 17 years. Trust but verify.)

And don't get me started on auto repairs....I only wish I could find someone who isn't always looking for something else "that's about to break and leave my daughters stranded on the highway"

 

[anthonys735]

Meh. Get a second opinion if you don't like what they have to say. Seems pretty simple. Did it with my doctor 2 months ago and I didn't call him a crook, although pretty dumb. Also just paid my lawn guy $1500(40%) more than the next closest bid on a deck redo because the dude always does excellent work and shows up when he is supposed to.

You're using generalized examples as a blanket statement, that I'm not even sure are all that wrong, to say the industry has bad people. We get crapped on a lot because for years people just expect things to be cheap and easy to fix and good old boys to always "help them out" on the price. Fortunately for us some very intelligent people are coming into the industry and teaching the good old boys how to make money and stop being taken advantage of.

 

[WettCat]

And having easy access to information via the internet is invaluable. If a company does good work for a fair price, they'll be rewarded for it.

 

[AthensCatFan]

Definitely shady companies out there. We got ripped of once and caught them the second time we called them out. They quoted $1400 for a repair another company did for $450. I don't fault a company for charging more than another company, but you're either trying to scam someone or run by morons if there's a $950 difference in price for replacing some drain pans.

The good company also stood behind their service work. They came back out and added more refrigerant at no charge 3 months later. They said they improperly filled it during an install when there was 6 inches of snow on the ground. For all I know the guy was FOS, but he said the cold temperatures threw the pressures off and that's why the heater (heat pump) worked OK, but the AC couldn't keep up once the weather warmed up.

 

[LadyCat92]

Unfortunately even good companies can have bad people. If you feel someone is working you over, don't hesitate to call the main office to discuss. Good businesses don't want rogue employees sullying their rep.

 

[L Butler]

Either way don't go with Bryant. There's better out there. Save some money and time. Especially in the Louisville area.

 

[catlanta33]

It's not 134. That is auto refrigerant. It's either R-22 or R410. At 8 years old it could be either.

So I shouldn't have used that kit I bought at auto zone?

I think I have the last guy's chicken scratch invoice somewhere. Think it's worth swapping the capacitor before calling someone? I'm pretty handy and like to educate myself.

 

[catlanta33]

It's 410.

 

[cantstandthecards]

Do the research and you can find out which companies to call in the Louisville area and out in the state. Can also find who not to call. Ask if service techs are hourly or commission? If commission move on to next company! They have no intention to even see what is wrong. Going to tell you it needs replacing every single time!

 

[jtrue28]

Either way don't go with Bryant. There's better out there. Save some money and time. Especially in the Louisville area.

opcorn:

 

[buckethead1978]

My favorite is when you give someone a price, they proceed to ***** and ***** some more about it. Then you tell them that maybe they should go shop around for the repairs they need and they get their feelings hurt.

 

[BernieSadori]

Sounds like some people just need to open a window, place a fan in it, and shove some ice cubes up their asses.

Bob paid for college I paid for the wedding.
Up to either 3 or 4 units between two houses.

 

[anthonys735]

Either way don't go with Bryant. There's better out there. Save some money and time. Especially in the Louisville area.

Interesting considering that's my company.

 

[anthonys735]

Do the research and you can find out which companies to call in the Louisville area and out in the state. Can also find who not to call. Ask if service techs are hourly or commission? If commission move on to next company! They have no intention to even see what is wrong. Going to tell you it needs replacing every single time!

Dude. Just leave. You sit and stalk waiting for these threads to drop snarky comments. Literally the only reason you're here is to stalk me. If a hvac thread is posted you're responding in less than 30 seconds. I know you hate us. That's fine. I know who you are and I don't really care. In fact I sent bristol to your company for a cheaper price.

 

[august-west]

Give me a minute, gotta make some popcorn.....

 

[RacerX.ksr]

Ain't got **** to add. But I sure hope you get that **** fixed, because it ain't even summer yet for at least another 15 days or so.

Plus if you're growing weed, marijuana stops growing at 90+ degrees. FYI

********. you can grow dope dope at over 90, nighttime temps will drop. No sativa from SA if 90 was the cut off.

 

[RacerX.ksr]

Either way don't go with Bryant. There's better out there. Save some money and time. Especially in the Louisville area.

Does Bryant charge for overtime? I don't think they do. Another gauge of a companies worthiness is how long they've been in business. Louisville is a very small market. A substandard company won't last long due to word of mouth. Perhaps your poormouthing comes from hearsay evidence, but I think it probably isn't that reliable.

 

[L Butler]

Actually it comes from first hand experience with that company. They came out and gave me a incorrect load calculation for a new AC unit. The new A/C unit quoted was far more expensive than with another company in town. So "perhaps" you're just talking out your rectum. I'm not poor mouthing anyone or any company. I'm basically stating my experience with said company. Relax bruh.

 

[UKserialkiller]

********. you can grow dope dope at over 90, nighttime temps will drop. No sativa from SA if 90 was the cut off.

Ymmot, indoor weed. There is a ton of literature about 90 degrees being the cut off for heat indoor growing.


If Catlanta's home is over 90 degrees, Catlanta would be having trouble growing it indoors. That's all I'm saying..

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

I doubt there is.

My home inspector said mine were in good shape too, but that just meant they were working that day. Jackass also failed to recognize the deck was rotting, there were multiple electrical problems, but of course he isn't liable for any of the crap he missed. Marcus spent his fee on lottery tickets.

Home inspectors are the biggest waste of money. But damned if you don't use one.

If you're lucky, you'll figure out a way to always have the seller pay the home inspection fee when you're buying and always have the buyer pay when you're selling.

 

[anthonys735]

Unless it was new conduction or major renovation then a load Calc is a waste of time and variable. So likely what happened is the guy after us made a big deal about nothing. And yeah, we are typically on the high end cost wise. Hopefully everything worked out for ya.

 

[drxman1]

Wait so does Bryant pay an hourly rate or by commission?

 

[anthonys735]

Wait so does Bryant pay an hourly rate or by commission?

Both

 

[drxman1]

Bob paid for college I paid for the wedding.
Up to either 3 or 4 units between two houses.

I thought traditionally the bride's family paid for the wedding?

 

[cantstandthecards]

Dude. Just leave. You sit and stalk waiting for these threads to drop snarky comments. Literally the only reason you're here is to stalk me. If a hvac thread is posted you're responding in less than 30 seconds. I know you hate us. That's fine. I know who you are and I don't really care. In fact I sent bristol to your company for a cheaper price.[/QUOTE

 

[cantstandthecards]

[/QUOTE
You are mixing me up with someone else I do not teach HVAC at any trade schools. Also not the cheapest to call. I will stand up for what I think is righr or wrong.

 

[BernieSadori]

I really don't mind paying a little more if the service is equal to or greater than the purchase price.

I mean, I could get a sirloin at Applebee's, but I'd rather eat a bone-in Ribeye at Jeff Ruby's. One will cost more than the other but the food and my experience will be well worth it. Each time I've dealt with Bryant, I've came away with that exact feeling.

No offense to Applebee's HVAC.