[ashton]

"both 5mfd phase shifters reading 1/2 range on blower motor in furnaces, both main motor starters very pitted and need replacing in out door ac units. and 35+3 MFD phase shifter very low on compressor side. Due to condition all components need replacing" They estimated $1600 combined for both units. Does that sound right?

This is what it says on the invoice
1 5 MFD phaseshifter(upstairs blower)
1 5 MFD phseshifter (downstairs)
1 pole motor start A/c
1 pole motor start a/c
2 35+3 MFD phase shifter outside a/c

Model NACO30AKI
Serial L000761611

 

[beenthere]

While I seldom say anything negative about another companies rates, and fee's.Get ANOTHER company!

 

[yuri]

"Phase shifters"? Good Lawd, what next, my competitors better not see that one or they will add it to their bullsh*t heatem and cheatem repertoire. Get another honest company they are scamming you! Don't let them know what the 1st guys said as they may agree if they are no better. Try get a reference on who to call from a neighbor or friend/co-worker.

 

[Home Air Direct]

I was surprised that they were not replacing the 1.2 Jigawatt Flux Capacitors:laughing:

You are getting S-C- R-E-W-E-D

 

[beenthere]

Depending where he lives. If its within 1,000 miles of me.I might be able to come out to his place for $1000.00 and do those part changes outs.And have some money left in my pocket.I'd have to use my car, it gets better gas milage then the van.

 

[yuri]

Phase shifters, perhaps Scotty could "beam you over there".:notworthy:

 

[beenthere]

While using that term is a great way to confuse a customer, so they don't know what to buy themselves.It is an accurate term of what the capacitor does.Like those guys, that instead of saying thermocouple.List it as flame safety sensor. or Ignition proving sensor.

 

[yuri]

Highly suspicious that all 3 capacitors would be weak. I only find about 5 % of them get weak. At under $20 each they are laughing all the way to the bank. Probably within a month they will recommend new equipment as the old units are killing the phase shifters again.:2guns:

 

[beenthere]

You know.

99.99% of all capacitors(run capacitors), are weak. Depending on the day you check it. If you check it under load.

A very big money making item, for many companies.

 

[yuri]

I couldn't do that to someone. If I cheated someone, within a day or two someone rips me off. What goes around comes around.

 

[Yoyizit]

Due to condition all components need replacing"
They estimated $1600 combined for both units. Does that sound right?

How old is this unit? I didn't get any hits Googling the Model #. What are your symptoms?

Re: pitted contacts on motor starters: less than 30 mV drop at rated current is good, more than 100 mV drop is bad.

Ask for their diagnosis in a "formal sworn statement of facts" from a company principal.

For $1600 I'd get some bids.
If the $1600 turns out to be the high outlier, say 4x higher than the next lowest bid or cluster of bids, I think it is More Likely Than Not that it's time to write to your State's Attorney about these guys.

 

[beenthere]

I offered to do it for him at a 37 plus % discount, if he's within 100 miles of me.

I think the tech may be new to using flat rate(if thats what they are using).

And not using the tiers like he should.
He's probably using the highest teir for each repair, instead of using the lower teirs for each of the additional repairs.

Or, he is on performance based pay.

 

[yuri]

Lots of companies use a level 1-6 flat rate pricing system. For ex: 1 capacitor = level 1 which may be $200 x3. Contactor = level 2 or $300. Add a bunch of them up and voila $1600. I am sure car dealers/mechanics and other service providers do the same. Buyer beware. Damn lawy*r ripped me off. Wasn't too keen on hiring another lawyer to sue him. I'm sure something bad will happen to him sooner or later.

 

[Yoyizit]

I'm sure something bad will happen to him sooner or later.

And a good day is when you're there to see it. Keep checking the obits! :thumbsup:

A few years ago, within a few months of each other I saw two sleazeballs of my personal acquaintance in the obits, one of them because he got an SUV [that had become airborne] right in the face.
Neither of these guys [the other one was attorney] ever saw one day of jail time, not one.

 

[ashton]

Our house is about 10 years old...
Its a Comfortmaker NEPD30B15B

Is it worth ordering the capacitor and installing myself or should I just break down and get another company to come out...I found another one but they charge 90 just to come out...I should have became a hvac person....

 

[beenthere]

Our house is about 10 years old...
Its a Comfortmaker NEPD30B15B

Is it worth ordering the capacitor and installing myself or should I just break down and get another company to come out...I found another one but they charge 90 just to come out...I should have became a hvac person....

Your probably wouldn't like the hours sometimes.

Could be little to no work for a week or more.
And then suddenly 80 hours plus a week.
And getting called out at 1 or 2 AM to fix someones heat.

Are your units currently working?

 

[Yoyizit]

Our house is about 10 years old...
Its a Comfortmaker NEPD30B15B

Is it worth ordering the capacitor and installing myself or should I just break down and get another company to come out...I found another one but they charge 90 just to come out...I should have became a hvac person....

What's your symptom(s)?
Using a DVM and common tools, if you can safely test and install these comps. for a parts cost of ~$200, it's probably worth the gamble.
100% chance of fixing it by paying someone $1000 or 20% chance of fixing it yourself for $200 is a toss up.
But I think your chances are better than 20%, and with the help of this forum they are much better than 20%.

 

[beenthere]

Lots of companies use a level 1-6 flat rate pricing system. For ex: 1 capacitor = level 1 which may be $200 x3. Contactor = level 2 or $300. Add a bunch of them up and voila $1600. I am sure car dealers/mechanics and other service providers do the same. Buyer beware. Damn lawy*r ripped me off. Wasn't too keen on hiring another lawyer to sue him. I'm sure something bad will happen to him sooner or later.

Around here.
Many are 100 plus for the first contactor.
Then 56 to 75 for the second.
And each of his c apacitors would then be probably 56 to 65 bucks.

We got some that are a lot higher though.

 

[beenthere]

I'm thinking this was just a PM service.

 

[yuri]

I seriously doubt that his capacitors are weak or the motors will overheat etc. I have rarely changed a weak one, shorted, bulged yes. Not likely his units need any repairs. I would get another company to do an inspection for peace of mind and not tell them about the first guys. Always good to get a second opinion when the repairs are high. Spend $90 may be necessary.