For one Florida homeowner, a $10,000 air-conditioning replacement did not bring the relief they expected from the state's punishing heat.
Instead, they said the system iced over, randomly stopped working, and technicians came back again and again without creating a lasting fix.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit thread posted to the site's r/HVACAdvice forum, one Florida homeowner said their newly installed AC unit needed return visits nearly every month because it kept freezing and cutting out.
The original poster also said that since the warranty has expired, the HVAC company allegedly wanted $150 just to come out again, ignoring the charges needed to actually do any work. But, "each time they come out, they say they can't find nothing wrong with the system."
The OP asked the Reddit HVAC community, "Why does this keep happening?"
Replies in the thread pointed to a few possible causes for the repeated freezing, including installation mistakes, restricted airflow, or a refrigerant leak.
The discussion also included advice to ask for "a manufacturer's rep to come" and to have "an authorized dealer/installer of that brand" check whether the setup matches the manufacturer's specifications.
When a unit freezes during hot weather, households can end up paying more for equipment that cools less effectively.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. Solar panels can save you more than $50k over their 25-year lifespan, and EnergySage can help you save as much as $10k on installation. Which begs the question — isn't that worth an email or two? |
What can be done?
If the installer keeps insisting nothing is wrong, an inspection by a contractor authorized by the manufacturer can show whether the trouble comes from the equipment itself or from how it was installed.
Heating and cooling is often one of the biggest energy expenses in a home. And when it runs correctly, a properly installed high-efficiency system can lower monthly bills and make a house more comfortable during extreme heat. But a faulty install can do the opposite, waste energy, and require extra repairs.
For homeowners trying to avoid that trap, Palmetto's Comfort Plan network can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with vetted installers. That can be especially important when weighing whether to repair, replace, or upgrade to a more efficient system such as a heat pump.
Homeowners exploring replacement options can also look into financing and maintenance support. The Comfort Plan includes $0-down HVAC upgrade options that can lower your heating and cooling costs by up to 50%, and includes 12 years of free maintenance.
Where can I learn more?
Related coverage includes steep air-conditioning quotes, contractor sales pressure, maintenance mistakes, and common airflow issues.
• One homeowner was shocked by a $25,000 quote for a basic AC replacement.
• Homeowners said some HVAC contractors used trust me sales tactics to push costly systems.
• A tenant said a landlord installed a fraudulent A/C system that barely worked.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
