I contacted Cal Climate during the first heat wave in June 2016. I repeatedly left voice mail after voice mail at the office that morning. No one ever answered the phone nor returned my calls. The person who referred me gave me one of the owner's cell phone. I continued to call and again left several messages on the cell. Again, no one returned me calls. I spent the entire day trying to reach someone at Cal Climate but to no avail. Finally, he answered his cell during late afternoon and was very displeased because I called his cell. He told me that I would have to wait ONE MONTH for an appointment. I did wait for one month in this over 100 degree weather with no A/C, which was a huge mistake. He showed up early on that day. Gave me an estimate which includes a 4 ton Lennox condenser but the cheapest model. I researched it on the internet and found that consumer satisfaction for that particular model was extremely low. I requested for an upgrade to a model which was slightly better. He added an additional $1000 for the upgrade. I also needed a UV light bulb replaced. He sent me an e mail stating that if my UV light fixture was still under warranty, I should contact the original installer. I pointed out to him that if I buy a lighting fixture, which is under warranty, would I return the entire lighting fixture just because the light bulb is burned out? Same holds true for the UV light fixture. All I needed was a new bulb. There was nothing wrong with the housing unit. At that point, he told me to go get the UV bulb on my own and he would put it in for me. This is like taking your car to the auto mechanic and is told to go get your own auto parts and the mechanic would install it for you. Furthermore, it would require a LICENSED contractor with air conditioning and heating specialty to purchase a UV bulb at a specialty store that only sells air conditioning and heating parts and materials. I am just a consumer and not a licensed contractor. This bulb is also not available on line or I would have ordered it myself. It is laughable for him to even suggest that I go buy it myself. Having waited for him for one month in over 100 degree weather, he decided to cancel his estimate. He is in the air conditioning business but he said he did not know where to go buy the UV bulb.
My main concern was if I had spent 4,000 to $5,000 to have a new condenser installed by Cal Climate, I would not be able to reach anyone should something happened to the new condenser and needed service even if it was under warranty because this company NEVER return calls according to my experience.
In my opinion and having dealt with this owner for several days, he was not only arrogant, impatient, he also dispensed unsound and impractical advice. Not knowing where to buy a part makes me wonder how knowledgeable and resourceful is he. You draw your own conclusion. I think the initial contact is very telling that no one bothered to return my calls. I should have moved on and find another service provider. read more