PAID $1,046 FOR AN INCOMPLETE DIAGNOSIS AND A REPAIR THAT DID NOT RESOLVE MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT --…read moreREQUESTING A FULL REFUND
I contacted Weikle's Hometown Heating and Air based on their advertised commitment to "trustworthy solutions," "honest pricing," and building lasting customer relationships without pressuring customers into unnecessary purchases. While the technicians were professional, punctual, and courteous, the overall diagnosis, communication, and follow-through fell well short of those promises -- and well short of what you'd expect from a company that advertises building lasting customer relationships. Most notably, after the unsuccessful repair, I received no response to multiple follow-up messages for 10 days--from July 17 through July 27--and was only contacted after posting a public review.
FIRST VISIT -- July 9 diagnosis
My air conditioning system was running but unable to maintain the thermostat setting during the hottest parts of the day. The downstairs temperature would rise approximately 2 degrees above the set point, and the upstairs approximately 6 degrees, before recovering overnight. After paying a $146 diagnostic fee, I was told the issue was a failed filter drier. I authorized a $900 repair, which included enrollment in their Maintenance Club membership
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THE REPAIR DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE
The repair was performed on July 15. Within 24 hours, on July 16, the system was exhibiting the same symptoms as before. I reported this on July 16 and was told a technician would return on Friday, July 17
SECOND VISIT -- July 17
July 17 -- The owner David returns. Rather than treating this as a warranty callback, he delivers a new diagnosis: a failed evaporator coil -- a pre-existing condition that should have been caught before any repair was authorized. He provides two estimates: approximately $1,800 for coil replacement, or approximately $13,000 for full system replacement.
Because the system had already been opened and refrigerant recovered on July 15, the question arises whether this could have been identified before the $900 repair was authorized -- making it twice as expensive by requiring two separate rounds of nitrogen testing, brazing the connections, pulling a vacuum, and recharging the system.
Technician David placed cardboard in the upstairs return filter vent to block it off and shut off the upstairs zone thermostat. This was not a repair, but rather an attempt to force more air downstairs to compensate for the system still not cooling adequately. This was the last thing he did before leaving, with the system left in that modified state.
LACK OF FOLLOW-UP COMMUNICATION
After the second visit, I sent multiple follow-up messages and received no response for 10 days--from July 17 through July 27. I was only contacted after posting a public review. As a Maintenance Club member, I expected far better communication. The lack of response left me no choice but to seek a second opinion.
SECOND OPINION -- July 23
I contacted A+ Heating and Air for a second opinion. They inspected the system, found it operating normally, and recommended no additional work. They explained that the symptoms may have been related to the period of extreme heat, which can place added demand on a builder-grade residential system, and that a five-year-old unit would not normally be considered near the end of its expected service life. Their findings left me questioning whether the original repair addressed my original complaint.
THE BOTTOM LINE
I paid $146 for a diagnostic that did not lead to a repair resolving my original problem, and $900 for a repair that failed to correct the issue I called about. I have paid a total of $1,046, and the second opinion concluded that no additional repair was needed. I am no longer a customer and am not seeking credit toward future work. I am requesting a full refund of the $1,046 I paid for what I believe was an incomplete diagnosis and a repair that did not address my original complaint.
ADVICE TO FUTURE CUSTOMERS
I strongly recommend looking elsewhere if you need repairs. I encourage anyone considering major HVAC repairs to request a complete written diagnosis before authorizing work. Ask what testing has been performed to rule out other possible causes, clarify what happens if the initial repair does not resolve the original complaint, and request that any warranty, refund, credit, or follow-up policies be provided in writing before approving the repair.
