Air Conditioner - DIY Reset and Maintenance - repair services frustrations

[Sturdee]

.
"$95? - I'd rather just pay it and be done with it.
I don't need anymore stress in my life."

Never would I allow myself to be ripped of by anyone. The mere thought that someone would think that, despite my easy going nature , I'm an easy target is abhorrent to me.

I would rather spend a day in Court then pay even $ 1 more than what is correct. But I don't believe that your case would ever get to Court if you stand up for your rights.


Peter.

[Ian007]

I get really off when I see people getting ripped off.

Yesterday I went to a house here in Adelaide that had several different companys mucking them around over the last three weeks.

they rang me late friday I told them I could not get there until Monday around 5pm. I arrive 10min early. Listen to the customers story.

Go up onto the roof to look at there evap unit, upon opening up the unit a previous "service man" had opened up the electrical control box which has no servicable parts inside? They were lucky that I could put the box back together as usally they break when taken apart.

I check the slow blow fuse-- blown fuse, replace fuse.
usally something made it blow, so I run fan on high for 10min to let it get hot, then checked auto drain and then finally pump.

nothing blows the fuse, all good.

Tell the customer the price was $80.00 for my time, about 50min including the fuse.

they look at me funny.
I ask whats the matter?
They then proceed to tell me how the last bloke was going to replace the whole of the electrics for a total cost of over $600.00 plus labour

hows that for a near rip off?

the people where so happy they gave me a bottle of bundy rum as well as my $80

Cheers Ian

[Ian007]

I've just been making enquiries too and have found similar. Most companies haven't got back to me. We have an old reverse-cycle 3-phase ducted unit that still cools fine, but it came off the ark with Noah and is noisy as. We replaced all the ducting recently and just want to replace the outdoor unit and the evaporator in the ceiling *if necessary*. Now I wish someone could tell me why if the compressor is replaced, the evaporator must be replaced for I don't yet believe it and haven't heard a good reason, but that's what they tell me.
Ideally I would like someone to come out, wire in a new outdoor unit plumb it into the existing piping.
Anyway if anybody knows about these technical aspects of aircon, I'd like to hear from you!

Cheers
Michael

a straight compressor change should be a normal repair but changing the outside unit as a whole.....

There are a few things to consider, a new unit will be a whole lot more energy efficient.
But putting in a new outdoor unit without changing the fan coil would be just not possible. if you could do it for all the extra money for the labour stuffing around with it trying to make things fit/work ect you would end up paying as much for the new option if not more. As you would be paying for the pleasure of a bloke to work out how to do it.
then there are the electrics, the new stuff has lots of PCB's ect for control and the old unit will not, so they would not interface.

I wonder if the duct work at the starter set will be of the correct size when you change the fan coil set, also the return air will probably be a larger size.

so there are some things for you to think about.

Cheers Ian

[mic-d]

a straight compressor change should be a normal repair but changing the outside unit as a whole.....

There are a few things to consider, a new unit will be a whole lot more energy efficient.
But putting in a new outdoor unit without changing the fan coil would be just not possible. if you could do it for all the extra money for the labour stuffing around with it trying to make things fit/work ect you would end up paying as much for the new option if not more. As you would be paying for the pleasure of a bloke to work out how to do it.
then there are the electrics, the new stuff has lots of PCB's ect for control and the old unit will not, so they would not interface.

I wonder if the duct work at the starter set will be of the correct size when you change the fan coil set, also the return air will probably be a larger size.

so there are some things for you to think about.

Cheers Ian

Actually I was trying to save labour by not having to remove the old box from the ceiling and then install a new one and hook it up to the ducting. I was thinking of a cut and shut ie, empty the old system and cut the two refrigerant copper pipes to the ceiling and then braze/join the new unit. Surely it can't be that hard to join two pipes together, plumbers do it all the time... sometimes with success

As for the electrics, I would just have a new control panel and thermostat wired in. The only interface to the existing box would be to control the 2-zone system. That shouldn't be too different from a new unit it's just an electrically actuated baffle so should be solvable.
Now if you could give me a reason like" the new gas operates at 100x the pressure of the old gas and you will blow up your existing plumbing" that I would accept!
Thanks for the reply!

Cheers
Michael

[Ian007]

I must admit that from what I know it sounds like your trying to reinvent the wheel, and probably wasting your time and in the long run your money when you finally find out it just dont work.

Cheers Ian

[barrysumpter]

Strange - received a follow up phone call from the company.

They had spoken to the repairman and will now reduce the invoice to $207.

And threatened me again that they would take me to court and turn it over to a collection agency if not paid within 7 days.

I told them to stop threatening me and that I'd discuss it with my lady.

I still feel like I've been ripped of by the AC Repair industry for the last 5 years
and that this company have falcified the invoice by working 45 mins and charging 2 hours.

I'm still thinking of advertising in the local paper in the same AC Repair Section with a web address where potential prey can read about this and how to prevent it.

[handyandy2]

Hi Barry

A twist on Sturdee's idea same letter, but at the end confirm that you are enclosing a cheque for the reduced amount and that you are happy to 'see them in court to argue about the difference.

If the wife was home then also confirm that in your letter to indicate that there are witnesses.

He would have to have rocks in his head to persue the issue when he is clearly in the wrong and has even confirmed so to you on the phone.

If he does pt itwith a collection agency then when they phone you or if they send you a letter then contact them and forward the same letter to them indicating that this matter is being disputed. They will quickly disappear from the scene as they get paid on results and this will look loke a pain in the a**e

Cheers

[lnt9000]

Barry why did I assume that It would not be a pleasant experience, If you pay their marked up price it will only encourage them to continue with their biggity and overcharge any and all unsuspecting individuals who don't question why?
In the servicing game it is quite common for companies to trickle up the price and reflect to the customer what an awful lot of work had to be done to achieve a positive outcome, Although the serviceman sounds like an honorable guy he obviously felt inclined to offer more for that hour but then failed miserably as soon as he left.
And so another Industry is discharged to apathy because of a few.
Good luck with your stance.

[boban]

Never would I allow myself to be ripped of by anyone. The mere thought that someone would think that, despite my easy going nature , I'm an easy target is abhorrent to me.

I would rather spend a day in Court then pay even $ 1 more than what is correct. But I don't believe that your case would ever get to Court if you stand up for your rights.


Peter.

Im with you on that one Pete.

Barry, its simple. Put it in writing and send it to them with the cheque. Keep a copy of the letter and rest assured that you wont hear from them again.

[barrysumpter]

Donald Trump said something like:

I've been duped, many times.

I won't go looking for them.

But given the opportunity, I'll be happy to return the favor.

[barrysumpter]

The company rang again on Friday night.
We were eating dinner and let the answering machine answer.

They weren't very happy at all.
And were very very insistant that we pay the full amount again.
And expected a direct deposit by Monday morning.

Fraud then harrasment as well.

The two double caffeins that day told me to sort this out stright away.

I was in the car on the highway to his home, to strighten it out once and for all, when my lady phoned me on the mobile, to tell me that she had already sent the check and to just let it go.

I just can't belive I'm going to let this guy get away with it.

I want my justice and I want it now!

[Sturdee]

I was in the car on the highway to his home, to strighten it out once and for all, when my lady phoned me on the mobile, to tell me that she had already sent the check and to just let it go.

I just can't belive I'm going to let this guy get away with it.

I want my justice and I want it now!

Then go to the bank and stop payment of the cheque.

Peter.

[lnt9000]

Barry is that how it ends?:eek:
do the infidels win?:mad:
or have you something else up your sleeve?

[eskimo]

Barry,..."All of these units, now adays, are set to stop the compressor at 35 degrees."...oh no they aint. you must find out why the safety tripped?..it should not do that...there is a reason and unless its found it will continue to do it. possiblity of it cuasing further grief depnding one what the problem is.....lots of reasons why so i guess your going to have further troubles in the futrue when you experince higher ambients...tough luck..and be prepared to part with more $$$

[gcjstewart]

Split air, reverse cycle, ducted heating and cooling.
One unit in the ceiling, one unit outside.

"90% of my call outs are for resetting after a hot day or maintenance issues, like keeping the filter clean."


After 5 years of frustration of finding a repair man to come out and make "specialized adjustments" to get my AC working, I've finally been available to look over the sholder of the repair man and give him the third degree.

I usually keep a count of how many AC repairmen I contact, how many schedule an appointment, and how many actually show up.

Usually, I contact 6 to 10.
Some are not willing to "have a look" for various reasons.
Too far, don't offer domestic repairs (even thou listed as domestic), don't repair that brand, some are just too busy (anywhere from 15 days to 30 days out), etc.

Some make an appointment but just don't show up, no reschedule, no call, no nothing.

------------

On the 45 degree day just before Australia day, the AC stops working again.

Knowing the weather will be 35+ for 3-4 days running, we decided to pay extra for after hours repair for emergency situation.

Went thru the local newpaper - no one willing to help.
Went thru the yellow pages - no one willing to help.

4 hours of explaining "specialized adjustments" - "only takes a few minutes the last 6 or 7 repairs", its just the fan that stops blowing, I can hear the AC on, etc...


Pressure from the lady, Pressure from the daughter, and pressure from the heat.

Day one of the 3-4 days of 35 degree weather we chase up a mobile AC unit from the trading post for $250 to suffer thru the next few days of hot weather. To survive thru Australia Day weather. It covered a 3ft x 6ft area. If we all sat on the couch close to each other we could benefit.

Freakin miserable. 30 degree nights had everyone on edge.
Any excuse to take a drive or go to the mall was taken.



The next monday everyone was back to work, all the 15 to 30 day waits are now quoting 5 days, etc.

Weather 23 to 27 all week. No more pressure.
Yeah OK, schedule me for Saturday, another for Monday, anther for Wednesday.

IF and I mean IF Saturday shows up AND is able to repair I'll just ring the others and cancel. "We have cancellation and re-scheduling all the time."

Its Friday, and Saturdays repair service rings to reschedule.
Instead of 12:30, lets make it 8:00.
Cool. Don't have to waist my day waiting to show up late or not at all.

Its Saturday 8:00, he's there, very cool.

Show him the outside unit.
He asks me to go turn the AC on and set it too its lowest setting.
By the time I come back (90 seconds) he's got it working.

I'm just so freakin happy to have it fixed, I congratulate him, shake his hand and tell him he has the record for fixing it.

I think he was just a surprised as I was.
Especially after I tell him the last repair man took 45 mins to sort out the same thing.

I told this repair man the when I asked the last repair man if he could show me what he did, the last repair man just shook his head and waved his hands and said "specialized adjustments". And ended the conversation. Period.

This repair man just smiled and said "it a money thing, if he told you, you wouldn't be needing him next time."

We both laughed, even thou now I realize the joke was on me.

Then to my surprize he showed me what he did.

He showed me a very, very small reset switch.
I had pushed this, in the past, with no effect.

He told me you have to keep pressing it until you fill it "click".
Sometimes, push it 2 or 3 times, other times, 5 times.

Now, over here is a dial - a "delay timer", with 0,3,5,10,15.
Set it to 0 if you are out here and want the fan to come on immediately.

Other wise set it to 3 and leave it and remember, when you turn the AC on at the control panel it takes 3 minutes for the fan to start blowing.

It will take a few seconds for the hot air in the vents to clear then you should feel the cool air.

Thats it? "Yep".
Can't be. Why wouldn't they just take 30 seconds and tell me? I don't get it!
I must have rang 20 reapairmen over the last two weeks. Not a word.

"Like I said, Its a money thing."

I'm not quick witted enough to be angry at the time.
Probably because I expect everyone to be doing their best trying to help me.
I was just very confused as the realisation was setting in.
My subconsience was tell me that something was wrong but my conscience was too busy trying to sort the current problem at hand.

He then told me that his contact (not his business) has to charge a minimum call out fee for 1 hour and that he could check all the other things to make up for the other 55 minues of time.

We agreed and he did. He crawled up into the attic and checked the unit there as well. Lots of dust around by not on the coil so its obvious that you keep the filter clear.

Yes I do.


The other thing I noticed is that someone has rewired your AC.
It should be on a three-way (?) switch, etc... (too techie for me to remember)
Its supposed to turn off when etc...
But, doesn't.
"The blower should keep blowing. But just blow hot air."

Perhaps the rewiring was to keep the fan from blowing hot air?

So, I start asking him heaps of questions, giving him the third degree:

These are the things I remember more or less:

All of these units, now adays, are set to stop the compressor at 35 degrees.
Not when the outside temprature reaches 35 degress, but when the compressor reaches 35 degress.

So on really hot days you will find the compressor switches off.

Its to protect the compressor.
A compressor costs from $500 to $1000.

Confirmed. AC was running for three days, 12 to 15 hours a day for the last three days before swithing off on the 45 degree day.

When this happens wait ten minutes, come out here, and push the reset button.

If the outside unit is in an enclosed area, the air gets recycled back into the outside unit and just keeps heating the same air, hotter and hotter.

Make sure the outside unit is out of the sun and has access to fresh air.
Not the recycled air.
Otherwise you'll need to build something around it to seperate the exhaust from the intake.

"90% of my call outs are for resetting after a hot day or maintenance issues, like keeping the filter clean."

"And most of those are for resets. A lot of resets."

The rest are usually just cleanig the coil of lots of built up dust.
And cleaning the filter.

People don't understand they just have to keep the filter clean.

The unit is quite large and is more than sufficient for the upstairs area.
By the time you ran another duct to downstairs - it wouldn't be worth it.
Just close the windows downstairs on a cool morning when expecting a hot after noon.
You'll find the downstairs will stay resonably cool.
The cold air from uipstairs will drift down.
On really hot days you can place a fan at the top of the stairs to help blow the cold air down.

------------------------

I've now got a sign on the inside of the outside unit detailing step by step instructions on how to reset the AC.
And a reminder note on the inside control panel.

After 5 years of this problem I've calculated that I've paid $1000+ for these repairs.

I can't say that I'm happy about the situation, the expence, or that it has going on for so long, or that it feels like an industry conspiracy keeping this reset procedure to themselves.

The repair man confessed that his expertise is in the industrial area mon-fri and that the domestic area is just on weekends.

And declined to leave any business card for himself or his contact.

I'd like to thank him for his candor and for being so nice, infomative, and understanding.

Hopefully, this will help other home owners to keep their repair expenses down.

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Most decent air conditioners are designed to operate at 45 deg. ambients - this is an Australian Standard. Your unit could be undersized for it's application. My unit will operate continuously at 50 deg C outside