AC Repairs & Replacement Are Expensive!!! Consider this article before you agree to replace your system.
Unless Your AC System Is 20-Years Old or Older, You Do Not Necessarily Need To Replace It!
SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HOME WARANTY SERVICES
In my experience, 1/3 of customers are satisfied with their home warranty service and costs associated with HVAC repair & replacement. The balance of customers seems to be extremely frustrated with their home warranty and may exclaim that the warranty coverage is worthless! Be Very Selective to choose a Home Warranty Company with a reliable reputation.
By doing a general internet query for American Home Shield (AHS) at a glance they have a favorable 4.5 star rating. This Old House gives AHS high marks. Do not fall for reviews that are associated with advertising. If you search for AHS on Facebook, you’ll find a 1.1 star rating, BBB 2.25 stars, Yelp 1 star. Do the research before contracting with a home warranty company.
Warranty companies contract with subcontractors at a set price. The subcontractors must use the equipment from the manufacturer that the home warranty company specifies. Subcontractor prices are preset for specific repairs and replacement work. The subcontractors often make their money by charging extra (more than industry rate) for numerous ancillary equipment. Extra costs may be a drain pan, condensate drain lines, float switch, support straps, replacing the refrigerant, not reclaiming the refrigerant, drier, capacitor, TXV valve or something else. Diagnosis of what needs to be repaired is not always correct.
Homeowners are stressed when their HVAC system fails. The occupants need it fixed RIGHT-AWAY! Independent HVAC contractors and those associated with home warranty services make the lion share of their revenue during a heatwave or freeze. These contractors are usually working late nights and weekends during harsh weather. HVAC contractors may be quick to assess that your system is beyond repair and provide you with a quote for more than what is necessary.
Here is the 2021 Texas List published by Texas.gov https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/scp/residential-service-company-list.htm
MY STORY
I replaced my complete central air system with a new air handler system in 2016. The manufacturer is Goodman: the furnace is gas, and the cooling system runs on Puron. The system is properly sized for the home. I have a full ten-year manufacturer warranty.
My system was cooling, but the home was definitely not comfortable. On 105 degree days, the inside temperature of the home went from 74 in the morning to 84 by 5 PM. I measured the temperature readings across the coil, which was 13 degrees and deficient. Optimum readings should be an 18 to 20 degree drop in the temperature across the evaporator coil.
I hired two different HVAC contractors for a quote to repair; I am disappointed with the HVAC contractors who analyzed the system. Each provided me with a quote for more other than what was necessary. I needed the system fixed quickly, I was concerned about overworking the equipment and causing further damage.
The first quote was $6,300.00 for a new Lennox evaporator coil (interior component) and condenser coil (exterior component). They acknowledged that they went online and confirmed that the Goodman manufacturer warranty is in effect until 2026. They did not bother to provide a quote for the Goodman unit but instead quoted a lump sum price to change the complete system, not repair it!
The second quote was $3,500.00 since they would be applying the Goodman warranty for replacement of the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. Still MORE THAN I NEEDED to spend. I asked the technician to explain the problem to me? As it turns out, I needed to replace a capacitor, a TXV valve, a drier element, the compressor (major component inside the condenser coil) and replace the refrigerant. Once they clarified that the problem was the compressor, they provided me with a quote for $1,200.00 to do the work. I elected to make the limited repairs for $1,200.00 and the house is cooling MUCH BETTER, but NOT OPTIMALLY! I called the company and set an appointment for then to return and evaluate further. Upon their return, I was told there are problems with the evaporator coil and that it needed to be replaced for $1,500.00.
This experience was FRUSTRATING! I just need a knowledgeable, honest technician to quote a fair price for the work that is needed.
AS I PREVIOUSLY STATED in “AC Maintenance – Part 1”, I visited two wholesale HVAC supply warehouses in Plano. I returned home with the names of two HONEST (so I am told) HVAC contractors who came highly recommended.
I HIRED “Energy Attic” to evaluate the work that I recently had done and the technician said the system is operating as it should. He told me I do not need to replace the evaporator coil. He discovered that far back in the attic (out of view) one of the return air ducts is loose and drawing in HOT attic air! Once this issue was discovered and repaired, the house cools down marvelously!
Whenever you have a new AC system or a complete heat and air system installed, MAKE SURE that you personally complete the manufacturer warranty agreement in order to be eligible for the ten-year coverage of your new system. Follow the directions, make copies, follow up with the manufacturer in 10 days to make sure they have received the warranty agreement.
Once you locate an HVAC contractor that you intuitively know that you can trust, you might consider being proactive and have the cooling system serviced each spring.
To assist you see my list of subcontractors https://aplusinspection.net/sub-contractor-list/
