I myself am a HVAC/Refrigerant certified graduate, but chose a different path in life for a career, so I know how these systems operate and how to fix them. My 17-yo RUUD heat pump was on it's way out last summer, in a bad way. Internal restrictions were wreaking havoc on my evaporative coil, freezing it up like it was starved for refrigerant. Knowing the 5000 rule for AC systems, it was only a matter of time before it needed replaced. I pumped it with more and more refrigerant over the brutal summer of '25 (as it appeared to help for a bit), it finally gave way and ruptured a weld on the condenser coil.
Anyways, back to my review and not my life history (hehe). Called around in the fall/winter and was quoted some of the most grotesque replacement costs (one at $12k and another at $15k...all for a 4 Ton Heat Pump Package). I got so discouraged at the audacity of these quotes, I decided to project manage this myself and researched / bought my heat pump online and had it delivered to the driveway (landed this past Monday). Then started connecting with companies via Yelp to facilitate the install on the roof, as I needed a Licensed/Bonded/Insured HVAC company to preserve the manufacturer warranty. Many bowed out immediately, stating they don't install equipment that is not "theirs". 2 others agreed, but tried to "fluff" the labor quotes to make more money. Westland Mechanical was the third. Spoke with J.J. Sanchez (Manager and Owner) and he came out the next morning. He took a million measurements of everything and discussed with me all my options (as I made a slight miss-calculation of my transition elbow into the house vs. heat pump package openings for return and supply air). Settled on the best plan and his price quote BLEW ME AWAY. I'm talking half or more of the other 2 companies quotes.
***I have to break here to tell you about their monthly savings flyer. They have a special for unit and full installation of a 4 ton heat pump package for only $6800! $6800...wHaT...are you serious?!? Previous quotes at $12k and $15k from other "as seen on TV commercial" businesses! Had I known there were honest HVAC companies in the Valley of the Sun, I would have hired them from the beginning and saved myself all the research, time and effort.***
Back out today (Thursday), and "off with the old, on with the new" in about 2 hours total. PERFECT job on their end, but my Goodman had an air leak in the corner of the supply side, leaking a bit of cold air outside. They took the time to open it up again and find that "quality control" missed a bit of insulation install. They patched it up better than new, and now all the cold air is directed into the house. 46 degree air coming out of my furthest register: now that's what I'm talking about!
Westland Mechanical will now be my go-to for anything HVAC related. J.J. Sanchez and his crew (all of them, or he wouldn't have hired them) are utmost professional, on time, great conversationalists and polite as can be. Left no trash (even the little insulation bits stripped off the thermostat wires were collected and removed from the site). Can't say enough good about them.
And before anyone thinks "well, you know the industry and can talk/understand the lingo to make a deal"...I did not disclose to any HVAC company my history until the quote was formalized and provided to me.
Do yourself a favor and contact these guys, you will not be disappointed! read more