I purchased two 3-ton air conditioners from Air-ref. Within weeks after the install one of the units began leaking onto my ceiling and dripping onto my wood floors. They came out (charged me) to fix it. The technician assured me that all the lines are clear, and the unit is working. A few weeks later the same thing and they charged me again. Over a period of two years this went on, and each time they came, they charged me. They kept me that it was working properly, and the excess condensation was normal because the Florida heat makes the unit condensate (I guess the Florida heat does that to random units, because the second unit was fine). I went to the city and found out that Air-ref never pulled a permit for my units. I brought this to Air-ref's attention and a week later they called me to inform me that the city needed to come out to my home to inspect the units to clear the permit. I said, (to the not so friendly female on the other end of the phone) "You do know that these units were installed two years ago, and that I have had continuous problems with one of them leaking, right?" her reply was, "well we have to clear the permit." So, I called the city to find out what was happening, and to my utter surprise (NOT) the city told me that Air-ref, a week ago pulled the permits to do the job. Of course, I informed the city of my issues and that these units were already two years old. They came to my house, a city inspector and a manager for Air-ref, I stayed very close to the two of them (as we all know what can happen if you leave a city official alone with a company head, when inspecting) and when the inspector went up into my attic he said, "this unit is leaking and must be fixed." Like I said I stayed very close to the two of them during the inspection, until they went outside. It was pouring rain and the only time I separated from them. When they came back in the inspector said that the units passed his inspection (ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!?). After they left I phoned the chief inspector who told me that if the unit is not working properly, it cannot pass the inspection. The city gave Air-ref 90 days to fix it. I then called Air-ref to find out when they would like to come a fix it. Remember the not so friendly female on the phone, well she told me "we have 90 days." She also told me that to fix it properly that I would need to purchase a pump to put inside the unit and pump the excess water out for around $300 (WHAT!). At my wits end and completely flabbergasted at the zero level of customer service, I went up into my attic with a snake and snaked the lines. Remember the "technicians" telling me they were clear? They weren't. I cleared the lines and the unit finally quit leaking, however, it had been several years at this point and the damage was done. I had to replace the unit.
Not one person working for this company ever apologized to me. That not so friendly female that answers the phone, is making her sound nice. I was in disbelief at how mean she was. The "technicians" band aided the unit to work for a few weeks. I put "technicians" in quotations because that is what they call themselves. Makes it sound like they are professionals, which they are not. I am a single mother and I have never had any "technician" training. Yet, I fixed a leaking air conditioner that not one of them could.
I have every invoice and pictures of this terrible process and if anyone wants to see the proof. The only reason I gave this company one star is because I had to give them something in order to post this. I would have not given them any stars. If finally putting this out there will help at least one person to choose a better company, then it was worth it. Purchasing an air conditioner for your home is a very costly decision, please don't make the same mistake that I did. read more
