Winter 2016, I noticed my HVAC system was not heating my home as efficiently as it used to,…read moreespecially compared to winter 2015, which was a much colder winter with multiple single-temp days. What to do but schedule an appointment with the same folks who fixed my HVAC last time, McBroom Air. Houston McBroom, owner of McBroom Air, came to my home about 2.5 years ago when I was having the exact opposite problem (detailed in my original review below). It was summer 2012 and my HVAC was not producing cold air. Houston quickly diagnosed the problem, replaced a capacitor, and I was up and running again. I was very pleased with the service.
Unfortunately, my problem wasn't so simple this time around. My 12-year-old International Comfort Products HVAC system had finally bitten the dust. The inner coil on my air handler had leaked my system almost completely out of refrigerant. The coil was visibly icing up. Houston took readings and my refrigerant levels were down to about 5 to 10 psi. A fully charged system would read about 65 psi. Since the part (coil) was no longer in production by the manufacturer (as of around summer 2014 according to Houston), I could not have just the part replaced.
Therefore, my two options according to Houston were:
1. Install a new heat pump, air handler, and heater package. Quote: $4,800.
2. Install a new air handler and heater package. Quote: $3,000 (approx.).
I asked Houston what he thought about recharging my system. He did not recommend it and I don't blame him. If he recharged my system, there was no telling how long the charge would last before most of the refrigerant would leak out again. For years, I had experienced this same exact problem at another property. Also, the cost of the refrigerant required for my system (R-22) skyrocketed in recent years because the EPA is phasing out the stuff. R-22 is no longer produced nor imported into the United States for environmental reasons. The new standard is R-410A.
I decided to go with option 1 for the simple reason of long-term comfort and savings. A brand new inner and outer unit would be quieter and more energy efficient. The new system will eventually pay for itself in savings on my monthly electric bills over a number of years (I think Houston said 7 years). It's worth it to me.
In summer 2009, I had Estes Air replace an approximately 8-year-old heat pump and air handler for about $4,000 at a different property. The outer coil on that system developed a leak early on (in hindsight, probably still under the warranty period). I had to get the system recharged about once per year until the leak got so bad the system could barely hold a charge. Estes replaced that old, broken-down system with a new 2-ton 13-SEER Payne heat pump, air handler, heating elements, and thermostat -- basically, all the same equipment I needed from McBroom.
Houston recommended a 2-ton 14-SEER Carrier system, slightly bigger and more efficient than the one I had installed by Estes at my other place. After talking to Houston and agreeing to pay upfront in cash, he was willing to work with me on the final package. I appreciated his willingness in that regard. I think we both ended up happy with the installation. I also got a new builder-grade Honeywell programmable thermostat.
Houston came out to diagnose my system on a Tuesday and I had my new system installed by the end of the day the following Thursday. Talk about a quick turnaround time!
For my Tuesday and Thursday appointments, Houston showed up at my front door on the dot. Very punctual. The diagnosis appointment took about 1.5 hours, but it probably would have been shorter if I didn't ask so many questions. I was charged $79 for that visit. $79 is McBroom's standard trip charge. That $79 was later deducted from the price I paid for the new HVAC system installation. The installation appointment was at 8:30am and the guys finished around 2:30pm with no breaks, a solid 6-hour job.
They left my home in basically the same condition they had entered it in. It was a clean install. They did not make a mess or damage anything. They laid down drop cloths on my floor from the front door all the way to the closet where the air handler was located. In addition to that, Houston wore protective coverings over his shoes.
Houston brought along his coworker and fellow technician Erick for this job. Together, they and Houston's wife Heather, pretty much form the entire company of McBroom Heating and Air. Needless to say, this is a small, family owned and operated, "mom and pop" business. They've been around since 2003. If you need any HVAC work done in metro Atlanta and want to support small local business, schedule an appointment with McBroom. I've dealt first-hand with Houston, Heather, and Erick, and they are all very friendly and personable. I'm not sure you'd always get that kind of genuinely hospitable service from one of the bigger companies around town.
Thank you, Houston, Heather, and Erick. You guys rock!
