Home HVAC Repair Question

[sunedog]

Not sure if there are any HVAC techs on here, but I'll try anyway.

I have a 9+ year old Carrier Puron 3 ton heat pump servicing the main and top floors of my home. It quit working and the diagnosis was a "blown" compressor. Thank goodness the unit was a few months INSIDE the 10 year compressor warranty. I was elated.

That is until I got the bill for the repair. I knew parts and labor were not included in the warranty coverage, but I was floored when I learned I was charged $843 for the reapir. I'd appreciate if anyone can give me some feedback on whether I was gouged with these itemized charges:

• diagnostic charge = $65
• 3 labor hrs @ $120 = $360
• 10 lbs of R410A @ $34 = $340
• Bi-flow dryer = $65
• 45@440 capacitor = $48
• brazing materials = $36
• vacuum pump = $25
• voluntary discount = -$75

A couple of points:
1) I did some Googling and I can buy a 25 lb cylinder of R410A for $155 (including shipping). So that would be $6.20 per lb. Is $34 per lb a typical or customary rate to charge a customer?

2) The service person (who happens to be my neighbor and happens to own the company) thought the problem was the start up capacitor so he replaced it. When the system still didn't work, futher diagnosis revealed the compressor was shorted to ground. He sheepishly admitted he should have figured that out before he replaced the capacitor. Nonetheless, he charged me for the capacitor. (I'm not too upset about this because it's probably not a bad idea to have a new one here anyway and it was not that expensive.)

3) I'm wondering why I was charged $25 for "vacuum pump." I'm already paying hourly labor so it doesn't make sense (to me) to charge additional labor to use a vacuum pump in the process. Or is this telling me they installed a $25 vacuum pump on my system?

4) What happened to the original R410A that was in the system? Does it escape when a compressor blows? Or was it in the system and they recovered it before cutting out the old compressor?

Thanks for your feedback.

[BobK]

If the compressor burned out, the freon in the system is unusable.

[engatwork]

Sounds like you paid for vacuum pump rent.

[G-Benz]

I think it's interesting that you got charged for diagnostics AND service...even Mercedes waives the diagnostic fee if they go ahead and do the servicing!

[sunedog]

Seems like a company that services HVAC systems would own a vacuum pump.

I guess what I'm really interested in is what the going rate for R410A is. If I can find it online in 3 minutes for $6.20 / lb, charging me $34 / lb for 10 lbs seems excessive.

[barry123400]

Things are what they are. Everyone has to make a living. Some more than others it seems is more common today than ever.

Everytime you farm something out today increases the chances of a nasty bill. Usually a neighbour gives some consideration to another neighbour.

Asking for an estimate up front is not binding but can limit overcharging somewhat. Thirty four dollars for brazing a few connections with the full labour charge as well I found interesting.

Personally I would not use this guy again. The type that preys on individuals with no knowledge is not uncommon. Just unethical to some extent in my opinion.

[cmbdiesel]

If parts and labor are excluded from warranty, what is included??

[TOPGUN]

The charges for the service was way too much.

[sunedog]

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

If parts and labor are excluded from warranty, what is included??

The compressor was included. I didin't have to get a quote for it since it was (barely) covered by warranty. So I don't know how much that would have been.

Anyone else have a comment on the mark up of the R410A? I expected a mark up and have no problem with a reasonable one, but 548% is a tad higher than I was expecting.

[catmandoo62]

i myself kinda thought 10 lbs was way too much.but then i'm used to car a/c.that does however sound kinda high.
and this is one of my pet peeves.say i take my car in to have a/c work for say a leaking seal.they vac my freon out fix it then charge me for a full refill.what happened to MY freon,i want it back why should i pay for something i already had.

[greazzer]

Ah, welcome to South Carolina .... I got some whopper estimate last year for my A/C. Being hot in July, I was ready to throw in the towel. After some sweat and fighting with my significant other, I decided to look into it myself. The whole process is, for the most part, in my opinion, a racket. I got quotes and they all pushed for a new system. It turns out that I lucked out and got this contraption called a quick start (jump start? I forgot what it was called) for about $50 and it jump started my compressor. So much for it being totally shot, seized, toast, et cet. As for freon (refrigerant), yes anticipate a super high mark up. You can take a test for a 608 license and legally buy it. I replaced my condenser in the attic, got a cheapo vacuum pump and set of gauges from horrible freight and saved about $1,600.00 and did the whole deal in about 4 hours. The test was an additional 2 hours but well worth it. I got a life time supply of refrigerant in my garage and I can legally buy R-12 when the time comes for my car.