Anyone used AllTech Services for HVAC? (Centreville, Manassas: home, heat pump, contractors) - Northern Virginia - Virginia - City-Data Forum

jillybean720 · 07-22-2013, 09:23 AM

We returned home from an overnight trip yesterday evening to find our home a refreshing 85 degrees. Our A/C unit was squeaking a bit, so we shut it off, and when we turned it back on, nothin' (not even the squeaking). Just dead.

I've called at least 7 different contractors this morning (based on Angie's List and recommendations from local neighbors and friends), and AllTech is the only company that can actually come out today. They only have two reviews on Angie's List and four on Yelp. Was just wondering if anyone here had any experience with them. I'm hoping they're honest and fair since I really don't want to have to wait any longer to get this fixed! But it makes me very nervous to not get multiple quotes.

kww · 07-22-2013, 09:38 AM

never used them,

but I wouldn't be surprised if it's the capacitor in your outside unit. Last time I had one replaced I believe it was around $300 total (parts/labor)

oneasterisk · 07-22-2013, 10:27 AM

Never used them, but I've had good luck with Woody's: Air Conditioning Units, Heat Pumps & Repair Systems Manassas | Heating and Cooling, Air Conditioning Contractors Manassas, Woodbridge, Gainesville & Centreville, Virginia (VA)

My AC unit stopped working last Wednesday. Unfortunately this was during the heat wave and they couldn't come out till Friday. Well they came during the window and the tech diagnosed it in minutes. He had it repaired with 30 minutes and the AC was blasting cool air again. While he was there he checked the freon and it was still at good levels, considering the unit is 16yrs old! He was personable and also explained what he was doing. Also he suggested that I wash the outside condenser unit with a hose as the filter looked like it was dirty. I did after he left and a lot of dirt came off. Not sure if it's in my mind, but I think the AC is actually cooler now than it was before.

This is the 2nd time they've repaired the unit. The first was about $300 and this second time only $171!! They've never given me the hard sell, just said that I should start saving for a new one as it's near the end of life. I recommended them to my coworker and she too had a good experience. I'm in no way affiliated with them, just passing on my experience. I think I've found a company I can trust so I'm sticking to them for now.

The bad thing with getting multiple quotes is that each HVAC company will charge a diagnostics fee. This has been my experience. Call them up and ask if there is a free quote before they send a tech out.

jillybean720 · 07-22-2013, 11:05 AM

They fixed it! $259 total. Replaced the capacitor (good call, kww!). Took all of maybe 10 minutes. So glad someone could come out same day! And when he said capacitor, I remembered the $300 figure, so I didn't feel ripped off when he gave me the total. Thankful for this forum today

jillybean720 · 07-22-2013, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

The bad thing with getting multiple quotes is that each HVAC company will charge a diagnostics fee.

Yup. All of them charge around $100 just to look, not fix. I hate that. I would have gotten multiple, though, if they told me I needed a new unit or something that would cost $1k+. I'm glad this worked out to be relatively minor.

car54 · 07-22-2013, 05:34 PM

Once you find a decent HVAC company, ask them about a service contract. They cost a couple hundred per year, which gets you twice yearly checkups. The best part is, when your system craps out, you are a priority call....in front of all the non-contract callers.

ICS67 · 07-22-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by car54

Once you find a decent HVAC company, ask them about a service contract. They cost a couple hundred per year, which gets you twice yearly checkups. The best part is, when your system craps out, you are a priority call....in front of all the non-contract callers.

Totally agree with Car54 on this. The contract I have with my HVAC company costs $139 a year (has been the same cost for over 10 years) for which I get a furnace check in autumn and an A/C check in spring. When the furnace was dying during a cold snap a couple of years ago, the company had a new one installed within 24 hours and kept the old one on life support until then. And especially with furnaces, I like the peace of mind in knowing that it's checked out annually for such safety issues as gas leaks, carbon monoxide, etc.

kww · 07-22-2013, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillybean720

They fixed it! $259 total. Replaced the capacitor (good call, kww!). Took all of maybe 10 minutes. So glad someone could come out same day! And when he said capacitor, I remembered the $300 figure, so I didn't feel ripped off when he gave me the total. Thankful for this forum today

glad it was a quick and "relatively" cheap fix.

sadly, it will likely go out again, at the hottest time of the year. very common unfortunately

z28lt1 · 07-23-2013, 08:15 AM

I know not everyone is the do-it-yourself type, but capacitor issues are common and they are cheap. The capacitor for my system is $18 at Granger, and with a screwdriver and a wrench it can be replaced in 3 minutes. There is electricity involved, so please make sure to shut off power to the system, and realize that capacitors can hold a charge, but there are tons of how-to videos on youtube for anyone willing to try. For the $18 investment, I keep a spare at home, just in case. Much better than the panic of trying to find an HVAC guy in the middle of summer (or paying $300), and I can always try to replace it first if I have a problem, and if it doesn't fix it, I know I really do need the pros.

Glad the OP's problem was solved quickly.