Hello.

I feel totally at a loss here and vulnerable to the a/c company who I have a service contract (perhaps foolishly) with.

First my a/c went out last June. I was told it was just a fuse, and it started working fine right away. No big deal, less than 100 bucks. One day later it went out again requiring a new compressor (over 2000.00). Then that's working fine until a few short weeks later and it stops working again, now it's a "capacitor" I guess? Then it's all checked over again and a few weeks later, stops workign again (by the way I live in HOT Arizona) and it's not some kind of relay switch. They also "throw in" a new thermostat claiming it's a 300.00 value and when I check on eBay, the same thermostat is selling for 15 bucks.

Now, just a month or so after that visit, my a/c is out AGAIN. This unit is about 10 years old and a Trane. The tech said last visit that "it should be good to go for another 10 years now". And that lasted one month.

NOW the problem is I can hear the compressor running, feel cold air trickling in but have no fans blowing. It happened sometime during the night last night so I have no idea how long it ran like that and have read that perhaps I blew out my BRAND NEW compressor??

I feel like this company is either directly or inadvertently screwing up the electrical components in my system. I have lived here for 7 years with NO problems with my a/c and since they've been "working on" it, it's been thousands of dollars and problem after problem.

Please can anyone give me advice of how to deal with this when they come out tomorrow? I want to ditch this company all together as I have ZERO confidence in them but I do think they need to fix this latest problem without starting over w/ someone I have no records with.

I'm just in a quandry here and being a single woman, sort of at their mercy. In the meantime my house is like 90+ degrees inside and my cats and I are roasting.

HELP!! :confused:

I think if you have no confidence in a company you don't need them back in your home.

It sounds like you've got several different thing failing. It can snowball. And I'd guess that with a service contract, they sent whomever was available?

Ten year isn't too soon. Longer is definitely better.

But what you're describing is what I've just been through. One thing after another. Now if you've got cold air trickling out but not flowing like it was before, the evaporator may be frozen over, commonly due to low charge (like from a leak or partial charge)

I ended up replacing both the inside and outside units. You may end up doing the same. If it comes to that, ask friends or coworkers, and shop around. Many service what they sell. And warranties can be similar. Good luck.

I think if you have no confidence in a company you don't need them back in your home.

Well yes that would be a simple answer. However, I am in the middle of a heat wave in Arizona and I am on a (paid) service contract w/ them that guarantees I get service within 24 hours and they have all the records of every work that's been done on it in the last 2-3 months vs. waiting several days, finding a place to displace my cats to and starting over w/ someone else. They will also waive the service call because obviously I have had them out so many times. Right now I'm not sure I would have confidence/trust in ANY company working on my system as I just feel kind of traumatized by this happening over and over again in one of the hottest summers on record.

I turned off the entire unit once I realized that allowing even that minute amount of air to trickle in could damage my system.. hopefully it isn't already damaged by that before I figured that out. I had spoken to two workers from this company and neither of them instructed me to do that... I just found that out on my own.

I just wanted some answers from perhaps people "in the know" about this being "normal" for a unit to have all these domino effect problems once something goes or is there something that potentially is sabotaging the entire system. It has not been stable since June after 7 years of NO problems and each time they tell me it's "fixed". And it's not an old unit!

If anyone out there has any constructive advice as to how I can best deal with this technician tomorrow I'd really appreciate it.

The very least you have is an over priced and incompetent company doing your a/c work, the capacitor should have been replaced along with the compressor as well as the contactor and drier, especially at this price. You may have a leak as Captain Rich stated or you may have a bad indoor fan motor, if they want to charge you for additional repairs I would suggest this is the time to cut all ties with this co. and find a new co. to do your work, you can tell them the history of your system and they can take it from there.Best of luck, Mike

Just what is it your service contract pays for? If it's just quick service, forget it... you aren't getting any service if it requires several call backs to fix a simple matter. Tell them to fix it now, since it apparently is their problem, and fix it at their expense. You are the customer, they need to take care of you. Many companies use "service contracts" just to secure an income when business is slow, hoping that they don't need to do anything to earn your loyalty. This company has failed you. Tell them that. Any reputable business knows that one bad word about their service is way more damaging than anything else. Let them know how dissatisfied you are... and tell them what you are telling us.

Thanks guys.

This guy was very intimidating to me over the phone telling me they can't predict what will fail and when and as far as they know the system is working fine each time when they leave (trying to make it appear I am over reacting or something). This has all occurred in a 3 month time span--these various "failings", as soon as they started "fixing" it. How am I to prove that it's something they are doing incompetently when they are claiming it's just the way things are w/ a/c? It seems to me that something along the way got improperly installed which started a domino effect of other things failing within the system, electrically or something. But I am entirely a lay person which of course they rely on. Am I totally off base?

He did quote that if I need a new "blower" it will run me $600.00. Sigh... does that make sense to what you guys know about a/c issues? Suddenly I'm thinking I'll need a new 'blower' whether I need it or not, you know? In the meantime they know I'm sweltering here in record breaking temps.

I feel like I need to try and get something corrected tomorrow and then ditch this company but time is a factor. I know I sound like I'm just complaining but I am truly trying to get some bearings to deal with this kind of pushy technician tomorrow morning in a way that I can get this resolved. So far it was a contentious conversation ending w/ me hanging up on him this evening and him bragging about the reputation of this company. Arrrrgh.

I can say until the cows come home that I feel it's their responsibility to fix it and they need to guarantee their work beyond a few weeks but that was met with total resistance and indicating it has nothing to do with their work and I will need to pay for each repair on the unit. I feel in a rock and a hard place here and again, being a female you can't imagine what a sitting duck I feel like. :(

Anyway, thanks for the answers and I'm digesting it all... any other just "do this" or "say this" kind of suggestions I'm totally open to.

(believe it or not I'm a very successful business owner but I feel totally out of my element here)

I suppose it was not evacuated and/or charged properly. This can actually cause compressor damage. The unit being iced over sounds like a possibility.

Moisture in refrigerent lines is premature death.

I was a kid when I helped my father install the house AC system. It was still working last year when it was taken out of service. Never added refrigerant since the original install.
A few minor problems: the hi/lo outside fan speed switch and the outside fan. No big deal.

I installed my AC in a 1982 car from a box. Every 8 years I had to replace two hoses and re-charge. After 17 years the compressor clutch died and I got another car. These issues don't happen with a house AC.

Hi KISS,

I've been researching online kind of trouble shooting this (how I found this forum) and the icing over thing definitely could be a concern (but it's also a symptom of something else going on I think--not a "normal" response). So I followed the directions and turned off the unit for like 30 min but the fan won't turn on at all... not in the auto mode or the on mode even if the a/c part is on or off. Very cold air is trickling in very very softly but as of last evening, the fan was definitely blowing fine. I also cleaned my filters again (they weren't too bad though) and still... no fan blowing. It is blowing a tiny bit harder after turning it back on after being off but the temp isn't really going down. My upstairs is an oven. Air seems to be coming in a tiny bit more strongly downstairs...

SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS!! For a fan motor replacement is more then twice as much as it should cost, put them down the road and call a reputable company.

Hello again.

From my experience, it is important to remember that even if you know nothing about HVAC, you are still the boss when it comes to service contractors coming to your home. Regardless of what the problem is, it is up to you to let them know that you are the "boss" when they are in your home or workplace, and it's up to them to perform their duties to your level of satisfaction, it's up to them to make things right for you. Things do go wrong with HVAC systems... but that's why you called the professionals. Your money makes up for your lack of knowledge. They are supposed to fix it and fix it correctly. Stand your ground.

Hello again.

From my experience, it is important to remember that even if you know nothing about HVAC, you are still the boss when it comes to service contractors coming to your home. Regardless of what the problem is, it is up to you to let them know that you are the "boss" when they are in your home or workplace, and it's up to them to perform their duties to your level of satisfaction, it's up to them to make things right for you. Things do go wrong with HVAC systems...but that's why you called the professionals. Your money makes up for your lack of knowledge. They are supposed to fix it and fix it correctly. Stand your ground.

See this is the perspective I'm needing. I know I sound completely like a 3rd grader here (or less) but I simply don't know how to handle a situation where they say "this is what's wrong, this is how much it's going to cost, do you want us to fix it?". And I think it's outrageous, that they "owe" me, that they have at least some responsibility in these things continuing to fail. I just don't have the language.

As far as I'm concerned, it was "fixed" the last time. But they are saying this is a whole new problem they could not have predicted. I really want to stand my ground. I sound so clueless on this but actually I am.

Could you please tell me exactly what you would say to this tech in this situation? Something like "I think it is your responsibility to get this working after these repeated trips which I have paid for over the last three months and don't think I should be held responsible for fixing this one"? Or something like that? He was VERY obstinate that they hold no responsibility for any "new" problems that have occurred. Oh and he also threw in there that I may not have cleaned my filters adequately (in the last month) or somehow closed off some vents that could have caused "whatever"(both of those things not true). Clearly he is NOT taking much responsibility for this, if any.

I really appreciate you all taking the time to coach me through this and any just really basic remedial language will be really helpful to me right now. (kind of embarrassed to be asking like this but it's just the place I'm standing in right now).

Give me your Email address if you would like... I would be happy to help you.

Give me your Email address if you would like...I would be happy to help you.

Thank you. Check your private messages please.

WOW! Sound as if you are being taken advantage of due to your vulnerable position (HOT!) and your service contractor is not very thorough. I have to agree with all of the other responses to your situation, sometimes it is better to cut your losses before this ever-growing hole in your pocket gets out of control. Find a new service contractor-check with friends, family, & co-workers regarding their experiences with local companies, and/or the B.B.B. In any event, your current contractor should have some liability to correct this situation. Good luck!

katiecoo:

Icing is a symptom, not the problem. Also 30 minutes of OFF probably won't put a dent in it.
The fan outside may not be blowing. If this is the case, you can use a box fan outside, but take it in before it rains.

Ok so now the situation is different. I had the a/c OFF all night last night (yes slept in the sweltering AZ heat) went to turn it on this morning and the blower is WORKING. So that would support the icing theory, yes? At least I know he can't hit me up for a new blower for 600 bucks. He's supposed to come "first thing" this morning... so... thoughts??

System refrigerant charge should be checked & if low, you have a leak. Considering the recent compressor replacement, it is not unreasonable to suspect that is where the leak is. That should have been apparent to the technician who made the repair if a proper pressure test & evacuation were performed. If you are uncomfortable with their conclusions seek another opinion, but don't reveal your history of problems "up front".

Thank you KC. I've had them out here TWICE since the compressor was installed too. The last time he installed a "fan manager" (if I am reading his writing correctly--a Honeywell part) whatever that is? To the tune of another 200+ bucks. Would that make any sense in the grand scheme of things now??

I was never told I had a "leak" but there has been enough work done on the system and parts replaced that I wouldn't be surprised (as if I know what I'm talking about).

I hate to suggest it, but I am getting the impression that they have resorted to some process of trial-and-error in attempting to solve your problems-usually due to a lack of troubleshooting skills. Does the invoice list a part # for the "fan manager"? Sounds like what is referred to as a fan control center, used when different blower speeds are required for heating and cooling modes. You may have a case where the blower motor will run for a while when it is cool, but then overheats & quits, allowing the system to freeze up. An impatient technician may not observe this and arrive at erroneous conclusions.

I think you're right KC. Either something one of their techs did has CAUSED this series of problems and they're just rigging it as they go along (vs. finding the real cause) or it's just plain laziness/incompetence. The tech was supposed to be here "first thing" this morning and I just called (almost 9am) and he's "doing inventory". While a customer on their service plan has been out of a/c for two days. Great. I am so done w/ this company after this call today. I put on the a/c at about 7am and it's still running two hours later so taht's a good sign in terms of the motor overheating I think. BUT obviously still a problem that apparently it must have iced over night before last for some reason. I'll get their opinion (he already said he waives the service call which I do believe is part of the service agreement so no special favor) and then take it from there as I do have another company lined up to go with from here on out. I want to report this company to the BBB or something but probably don't really have a valid "claim". Thanks for all the feedback.. just helps to not feel so "alone" in this.

Well good luck, I am curious as to what they find today, I'm speculating from here that the system has indeed lost some refrigerant. Give us all an update later.

They are on the roof right now. The first (attitude) tech scoffed at my suggestion that the system had frozen and was still trying to sell me on the idea that the blower was out ($$$$) to which I said "I'm getting other opinions on this and if the blower had gone out, I don't think it would still be running for 3 hours cooling down my house") The tech they sent said, first thing, it looks like it "iced over". To which I said, yeah but why? Anyhoo, he's up there there right now... I'll letcha know.

I will add that he suggested it could have been from the "humidity" the other night that caused it to freeze over. Oook, no problems for 7 yrs and suddenly it's so sensitive it can't handle the tiny amt. of humidity we get in AZ. Hmmmm...

Ok so here's the final answer. He said it had lost 8 oz of freon. Said some gasket thing where they put the freon in had sort of "rotted" or something? Combined w/ the humidity, the system froze up. SO he replaced that gasket and checked everything.. said I have a 19 degree "differential" which is "perfect" and it's running great now (the house is cool). And didn't charge me anything. So... that's that (for now!). Thanks everyone!

Ok so the hits just keep on coming.

I left for work (late due to waiting for the tech) this morning and the a/c unit was operating fine. I walked in to my home at 7:30pm to find it HOT again. I checked the thermostat which was showing 83 degrees. I pushed the button to see what it was SET on (78 degrees) and the second I did so, the a/c kicked in. Blower working and everything. To add to the weirdness, as the air started blowing at least *cool* air, the thermostat temp kept going up and up and within 10 min. was showing 89 degrees (which is what it feels like, at least--it's 99 outside here right now). So it's blowing *cool* air yet the temp is climbing. It does feel like it's cooling off but clear IT'S STILL NOT FIXED!!

Any earthly idea what THAT could mean? This by the way is the new thermostat they "gifted" me telling me it was a 300.00 thermostat and I found it on eBay for 15 bucks. Liars. :mad: They were somewhat kissing my butt this morning on the phone so I called and in NO uncertain terms said I need to be FIRST on their list in the morning and they need to get back out here and FIX IT at no charge. I have zero problem asserting myself at this point. They have got to know the level of ridiculousness this has risen to.

Last night the thermostat was all over the map (digital Braeburn 3000 they "gifted" me).

It was showing the temp rising to the 90's yet the house was getting COLD. I did not feel comfortable going to sleep with THAT going on (worried it was going to hurt something in the unit and the a/c was not shutting off at all). So, I decided to turn it off to see if that would "recalibrate" the system somehow. I set it to 78 degrees and then the system appeared to "stablize" at 78 degrees and I went to bed. It seemed to be turning on and off appropriately. However, I was awakened 3 hours later to a HOT house. The thermostat was showing it was 78 degrees but it was HOT in the house (God knows what temp it was) and the a/c was not kicking in. I went again and reset the temp on the unit to 77 degrees and it kicked in again and now it's COLD in the house (God knows what temp) but showing it's 78 degrees (feels colder) and I'm not sure if it's been running continuously or turning on and off because I was sleeping.

So... waiting for another call to fix this now NEW problem... the story goes on and on and on... the last visit was installing some kind of "fan manager" relay switch or whatever which makes me wonder if THAT is malfunctioning... God knows. Wish me luck dealing with this yet one MORE day.

Have you considered buying an independent digital thermometer to remotely detect the actual temp? RadioShack has several different versions that have remote sensors for indoor or outdoor use. That way you can monitor actual room temp and system effieciency

I just thought of that this morning Captain Rich. But this is the FIRST time this particular problem has manifested. They are here right now w/ a new thermostat (again). This one now says it's 76 degrees in my house and I'm sweltering upstairs. Last night it said it was 90 degrees and it was freezing. Unreal. HOPEFULLY this "new" thermostat will correct this problem... this time.

Ok so they replaced the (new) Braeburn thermostat with another (new) Braeburn thermostat. So far so good but the day is still young.. haha. Trying to stay positive here but what are the odds the very day they work on the system, the thermostat goes out? I just don't get it... but at least it's cool in here right now and it appears to be working (although it's set to 78 degrees but it's at 76 degrees in the house or so it says). Crossing my fingers!!

I'd still get another remote unit. The unit I've ogt has a second sensor you can move from room to room so as to see if you've got good all around cooling.

Remember that "new" is an acronym: NEW stands for Never Ever Worked. LOL

I do hope you have this sorted out now. I remember what it was like when my system was out...

I am trying to rate your answers Capt. Rich but for some reason it's not letting me do it. LOL on the Acronym. I'm happy to come home to a cool house and it's made it through one full day! Haha Looking forward to this whole situation stabilizing and not having to use this Co. ever again!

I am trying to rate your answers Capt. Rich but for some reason it's not letting me do it. LOL on the Acronym. I'm happy to come home to a cool house and it's made it through one full day! haha Looking forward to this whole situation stabilizing and not having to use this Co. ever again!
Your reply is my happy. That's rating enough. I'm happy for you to have your A/C, dare I say, working right...