We’ve been without adequate AC upstairs since last June believe it or not. We got by last year because it wasn’t as hot as it could have been and we put ceiling fans in all the bedrooms. We were told by the heating and air company that we had a contract with we needed a new unit for the upstairs. Trouble was, the unit was only five years into a 20-year life. So we waited.
This year, we decided we weren’t going to take it anymore. Staring at a $3,000-$4,000 bill for a new AC unit was downright ugly. So we called another company, which put the original in, for a second opinion. The estimate came back a lot cheaper, but the bad-mouthing of the first company by the guy who came out really turned me off. His bill would have put us in the $1,000 range for a valve replacement.
We called a contractor friend for another recommendation. We really trust this guy; he’s a former neighbor and has done extensive work on our previous house. The third guy that came out seemed to really know what he was talking about. He recommended we change a coil. Total bill: $1,200 and change.
So, we decided to take the plunge. It took them a lot less time than they anticipated to change the coil. They recharged the freon, too.
That was Friday. And as we looked over the weather forecast of 90-degree temps, we were happy we had it done. Cool air poured out of the vents for all of 48 hours.
Then came today. And we’re screwed. The air that’s coming out is no longer cool. We’re pissed. Really, really pissed. I checked outside, and now I think it might be the valve because I saw some liquid that didn’t look like water around it, which isn’t a good sign. Of course, we could even be in for a new AC unit if the compressor goes.
Luckily, the check is still in our checkbook. And I’m callin’ that third company on Memorial Day. This makes no sense.
You rely on people to do their job, to give you the honest truth. That’s worth paying for. This isn’t.
With something this expensive, you’d think they’d put much more care into diagnosing a problem. Yet, here I sit sweating after taking a cool shower.
Luckily, Susan and I put up the damn ceiling fans.
2 Comments
I notice this issue with a lot of trades. I know a couple of good plumbers who are covered up with work and pretty much charge what they want.
If I was a smart kid who never wanted to worry about my job being outsourced to India, and I didn’t mind getting dirty once in a while, I’d seriously be considering plumbing, electrical and heating and air.
David,
Don’t think I haven’t given that some thought, especially when stuff like this happens. But I’m too much of a computer junkie now to change.
Wouldn’t it be cool if schools would make shop class mandatory? I’m mean, just basic stuff like how to unclog a drain or troubleshoot some home-repair problem, just to give boys and girls a fighting chance?
Better yet, there’s a business opportunity there somewhere to offer some summer camps for that kind of stuff.
My brain is churning …