Sadly, cannot recommend this Company in any capacity ...
Mike Bentley is a nice guy. But in good conscience, I cannot recommend his company to anyone considering having HVAC work done.
In 2014, my wife and I undertook major renovations to our home. Our contractor recommended Bentley Heating & Air to (1) replace the HVAC unit & duct work for the main unit of the home and (2) add a ductless unit in new room above the garage. We met with him. We trusted him.
On the main unit, Bentley recommended Rheem. We had no preference, only one that would do the job. I later learned this brand has a comparatively high failure rate. Within 3 years, the unit had a major failure. The part was covered, but the repairs costs us over $800.00 between the 2 service calls. A high expense for a new unit.
As to the ductless unit, Bentley recommended and installed a unit that apparently had been manufactured 2 years before the date of install. It obviously was a unit that Bentley had on the shelf and needed to get rid of. [I learned later this manufacturer had a higher than industry average failure rate, and, had I not relied exclusively on Bentley's recommendation, I would not have gone with this brand].
That unit had a major malfunction at 2.75 years. Originally, Bentley told me the part was not covered by the 3 year parts warranty [I later learned that Bentley had entered the incorrect installation date when registering the product with the manufacturer]. Bentley's position was, "oh well, I guess you're responsible for everything." Only because I personally tracked down the information with the manufacturer, was I able to get the part covered. The repair itself still cost me over $500.00 for a unit less than 3 years old.
Within a year, the product had another major failure. It was going to cost $1,500.00 to repair. So within 3.5 years, a unit which costs $3,400.00 had incurred over $2,000.00 in repair bills.
At that point, I decided to cut my losses. I switched to another local HVAC group which recommended a completely different manufacturer. I have had no problems with the replacement unit.
Up to this point, I would give Bentley "3 Stars" - attributing the unfortunate outcomes to recommended sub-standard products - rather than sub-standard service. However, the most recent events sealed the deal.
When Bentley's group came to make repairs to the main HVAC unit (mentioned above), the workers turned the valve off to the furnace and forgot to turn it back on. After they completed repairs, I tested the unit. The HVAC worked; but the furnace was suddenly not working.
I immediately called Bentley and relayed the furnace was no longer working. He explained that perhaps the control unit had coincidentally gone bad and needed to be replaced. This seemed dubious because the furnace worked perfectly before his workers laid their hands on it and suddenly it was not functioning.
I went under the house to inspect myself. It appeared that the unit was no longer getting natural gas. I was not comfortable turning valves for gas lines.
Having lost complete trust and faith in Bentley's, I contacted another HVAC company to inspect the unit. Sure enough - the gas supply had been turned off, but not turned back on.
This service call cost me $85.00 to correct the problem Bentley's had created. I sent the bill to Bentley, asking to be reimbursed for the cost. Bentley adamantly denied his people had turned the valve off EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE EVER UNDER THE HOUSE WHO WOULD HAVE TOUCHED IT.
Literally, they were the only ones under the house and acknowledge the valve has to be manually turned with a wrench - but adamantly denied they were the ones who did it.
Perhaps it was the Keebler elves, I don't know.
But what I do know is that I have spent 30% more after original installation on subsequent repairs for brand new units. More importantly, I have a company what will not accept responsibility for its mistakes.
The latter of which is unforgivable. Hence, 1 Star. read more
