A homeowner who spent $13,600 on a replacement HVAC system after being told it was the only way to stop a ceiling leak says the pipe is still dripping — and that during the installation, insulation blew throughout the house.
Here's what to know
According to the homeowner's account in a post on Reddit's r/hvacadvice, the whole situation began when they noticed a leak in their ceiling.
The original poster then contacted professionals to take a look. The first company initially said re-insulating a pipe would solve the problem. When that didn't stop the leak, the company adjusted the damper settings, but the leak persisted.
After those efforts failed, the OP said they contacted a second company, which told the homeowner that a full system replacement at a cost of $13,600 was the only way to stop the leak. Convinced this was the only possible solution, the OP decided to go ahead with the brand-new system.
The first sign that things might not be going well with the new system came during installation. While installing the new system, insulation from the OP's attic got inside the ductwork, blowing fiberglass insulation throughout the home.
"I told them this is absurd, and they should clean this duct system because I don't want fiberglass all over my house circulating in the air," the OP wrote. "They acted like I was being absurd."
Worse, after the install, the pipe kept leaking.
"I feel so taken advantage of," the OP wrote. "And I'm going to be paying on this for years."
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What commenters said
Many comments centered around a single question: Had the source of the leak ever been definitively identified?
"Pause pause," wrote one commenter. "You went through two repairs, two companies, and an entire install, and the original problem isn't fixed? Are you sure this is even HVAC related?"
The OP's situation served as a valuable reminder of the importance of hiring professional, trustworthy companies for home HVAC repairs and installations. A well-designed, well-executed HVAC installation can even lower energy bills, especially when incorporating efficient electric heat pumps. Palmetto's Comfort Plan network can help homeowners compare efficient heating and cooling options and connect with vetted installers.
Many commenters concluded that the leak likely never required a brand-new $13,600 system in the first place.
One guessed the cause was "a clogged drain line," while another said it could be "totally unrelated to HVAC and is a plumbing line with a pin hole."
When it addresses the correct issue, new heating and cooling equipment can be a worthwhile investment, lowering utility bills and helping protect households from rising energy costs. But, as the OP learned the hard way, replacing major equipment before confirming the diagnosis can waste money, time, and materials, all without fixing the original problem.
What can be done?
Commenters repeatedly stressed the need for proof before signing off on major work. Some were blunt in their assessments.
Shelling out the money for "an entire new system without ever seeing a single shred of proof of where this leak was isn't great," wrote one Redditor.
Others said the installer should be called back to inspect the still-active leak in person, and some recommended contacting a city inspector.
Another recommendation was to leave a one-star Google review to motivate the installer into taking corrective action. Yet another suggestion was to take the company to small claims court.
For homeowners who do need an HVAC upgrade, Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0-down options, can lower heating and cooling costs by up to 50%, and includes 12 years of free maintenance. Pairing solar panels with electric appliances such as efficient HVACs can push bills even lower, and EnergySage can help homeowners compare solar systems and installers, saving up to $10,000 on installations.
As for the OP, they took a live-and-learn approach.
"I've never owned a home before and keep stumbling into things," they said.
Where can I learn more?
These stories look at other homeowners questioning expensive HVAC recommendations and repair work, from disputed installations and aggressive sales tactics to questionable repair bills and eye-popping replacement quotes.
• A homeowner said a $25,000 installation fail ended with the HVAC company daring a lawsuit.
• Across the industry, homeowners described trust me sales tactics pushing expensive systems without proof.
• After a simple service call, one homeowner faced an "unprofessional" $2,300 bill from a contractor.
• Another homeowner called a "fishy" $2,000 HVAC repair a sign they were being misled.
• One tech's $25,000 quote for AC replacement left a homeowner stunned by labor costs.
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