OT: Any HVAC technicians out there? Is my a/c bill in-line?

seedman76

I recently had a HVAC technician repair my central a/c unit.  They diagnosed the unit 3lbs low on R-410A refrigerant.  They added refrigerant, perhaps did some additional checking to ensure proper operation of unit (although bill doesn't state that).  Unit is working better.  Total charge $280.  I wasn't home at the time so I have no idea how long they were there and I didn't have time to get any other bids (shame on me).  Just curious if this cost seems in-line.  I'm not looking to nickle and dime the HVAC guy as he's a nice guy and deserves to be paid a fair rate for a job I couldn't do.  Plus he came the same day I called.  But I also want to ensure I'm being treated fairly as it's the first time I've used him.  Again, I don't care if it could vary $30 either side but I do care if it seems way more expensive for this type of repair.  I'm located in MN.  Thanks in advance.  

milesvdustin

A diagnostic for your system and 3 lbs of refrigerant for $280 and they came same day? Thats completely in line. 

You should actually be worried about why you have a big leak in your system and what component has failed and what that is going to cost to fix or replace. 

How old is the system? I am assuming gas furnace and ac? What brand?

Ozzie_Isaac

@NPHuskerFL

DoubleEgger

If you are complaining about a $280 HVAC bill, obviously it’s been a while since you called for repairs. 

lkapigian

38 years in myself ...pricing is very regional , but we won't knock on your door for les lthan 125.....for a 410a top off that's reasonable  no matter where you are....gas tires insurance burden tech pay I doubt there was $ 5 dollars profit it that

NPHuskerFL

I'm with @lkapigian but, I don't service residential. Yes, the price seems fair.  The only part I'd question is was a leak detection performed. Most contractors will ask for autho first because it is over and beyond a "diagnosis".  Many times a customer will say..."naw, just charge it up for now".  Since you weren't home and you didn't specify if somebody let the tech in, we as readers, can only believe you are just trusting souls in Minnesota and leave the house unlocked for random strangers to fix things
That said 3# in any residential system is enough loss that I'd want a leak search performed.

stv8r

Price is in line.   Question is where is the leak?  Is it in the OD unit or indoor coil?  How old?  Is the coil in warranty?  You could have outdoor or indoor coil replaced under warranty (Coil covered, labor not unless than 1 year old from installing contractor). If it leaked 3lbs, it will be a reoccurring problem. 

seedman76

The invoice said he found a loose Schrader valve. He tightened that and then added the refrigerant. So hopefully that takes care of the leak. Unit is 8 years old. Knowing the cost is in-line I went ahead and paid him today. Overnight a cold front went through and  our temps dropped into the 60s so I never needed to run the ac today. Thanks for the info. 

NPHuskerFL

seedman76 said:

The invoice said he found a loose Schrader valve. He tightened that and then added the refrigerant. So hopefully that takes care of the leak. Unit is 8 years old. Knowing the cost is in-line I went ahead and paid him today. Overnight a cold front went through and  our temps dropped into the 60s so I never needed to run the ac today. Thanks for the info. 

Loose Schrader core
Yes, let's hope that solves it. Not saying it won't but, this is such a faux pas with inexperienced and lazy techs.
And what do you mean (rhetorical)... "Knowing the cost is in-line I went ahead and paid him today."
I didn't realize it was negotiable?  What is it that you do for an occupation to put food on your family's dinner table?

milesvdustin

Went ahead and paid lolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololol

milesvdustin

I told a guy the other night that their addition to the house means they need a larger geothermal system than what they had. Then i told him the cost and he freaked out. Some peoples kids. 

lkapigian

NPHuskerFL said:

seedman76 said:

The invoice said he found a loose Schrader valve. He tightened that and then added the refrigerant. So hopefully that takes care of the leak. Unit is 8 years old. Knowing the cost is in-line I went ahead and paid him today. Overnight a cold front went through and  our temps dropped into the 60s so I never needed to run the ac today. Thanks for the info. 

Loose Schrader core
Yes, let's hope that solves it. Not saying it won't but, this is such a faux pas with inexperienced and lazy techs.
And what do you mean (rhetorical)... "Knowing the cost is in-line I went ahead and paid him today."
I didn't realize it was negotiable?  What is it that you do for an occupation to put food on your family's dinner table?

I cringe with that one.....but it happens

I will,say, if that indoor coil is copper, there is a high probability that is where your leak is

NPHuskerFL

Went to the fresh fish market today.  Picked up some fresh caught Scamp Grouper and extra large Mayport shrimp. Grouper was caught locally within last few days indicated by eye clarity and coloration of gills and shrimp was just arriving. I had the guys fillet the fish and as always they saved me the cheeks and head meat  
I told them I needed to check to see if their price was inline before I pay.  But, then damndest thing happened.  They wouldn't let me leave the store without paying first. I told them I would get back to them in the next couple of days after getting clarification through the Egghead forum but they didn't go for it.  

DoubleEgger

milesvdustin said:

Went ahead and paid lolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolololololololololololololololololololololololololololololol

And I’m sure they’ll bust their hump to get out there next time....

Gulfcoastguy

It looks like I will find out tomorrow for myself. Central unit is 1 year 7 months old and it was 83 inside at 11 o'clock last night. The thermostat was showing 3 degrees cooler but I have this useful instant read doohickey,

SemolinaPilchard

Gulfcoastguy said:

It looks like I will find out tomorrow for myself. Central unit is 1 year 7 months old and it was 83 inside at 11 o'clock last night. The thermostat was showing 3 degrees cooler but I have this useful instant read doohickey,

I had an a/c guy working on the unit one day and I broke out the thermapen to check the air coming out of the vent and he said "that is a meat thermometer, that won't work for this."
Do anything that you wanna do, but don't try putting stink on my blue suede thermapen.

Gulfcoastguy

SemolinaPilchard said:

Gulfcoastguy said:

It looks like I will find out tomorrow for myself. Central unit is 1 year 7 months old and it was 83 inside at 11 o'clock last night. The thermostat was showing 3 degrees cooler but I have this useful instant read doohickey,

I had an a/c guy working on the unit one day and I broke out the thermapen to check the air coming out of the vent and he said "that is a meat thermometer, that won't work for this."
Do anything that you wanna do, but don't try putting stink on my blue suede thermapen.

Mine is superior, it's red!

TN_Egger

Gulfcoastguy said:

SemolinaPilchard said:

Gulfcoastguy said:

It looks like I will find out tomorrow for myself. Central unit is 1 year 7 months old and it was 83 inside at 11 o'clock last night. The thermostat was showing 3 degrees cooler but I have this useful instant read doohickey,

I had an a/c guy working on the unit one day and I broke out the thermapen to check the air coming out of the vent and he said "that is a meat thermometer, that won't work for this."
Do anything that you wanna do, but don't try putting stink on my blue suede thermapen.

Mine is superior, it's red!

Orange.  As in Big Orange.

Terrebandit

TN_Egger said:

Gulfcoastguy said:

SemolinaPilchard said:

Gulfcoastguy said:

It looks like I will find out tomorrow for myself. Central unit is 1 year 7 months old and it was 83 inside at 11 o'clock last night. The thermostat was showing 3 degrees cooler but I have this useful instant read doohickey,

I had an a/c guy working on the unit one day and I broke out the thermapen to check the air coming out of the vent and he said "that is a meat thermometer, that won't work for this."
Do anything that you wanna do, but don't try putting stink on my blue suede thermapen.

Mine is superior, it's red!

Orange.  As in Big Orange.

Mine has a silicone condom on it. 

billt01

Terrebandit said:

TN_Egger said:

Gulfcoastguy said:

SemolinaPilchard said:

Gulfcoastguy said:

It looks like I will find out tomorrow for myself. Central unit is 1 year 7 months old and it was 83 inside at 11 o'clock last night. The thermostat was showing 3 degrees cooler but I have this useful instant read doohickey,

I had an a/c guy working on the unit one day and I broke out the thermapen to check the air coming out of the vent and he said "that is a meat thermometer, that won't work for this."
Do anything that you wanna do, but don't try putting stink on my blue suede thermapen.

Mine is superior, it's red!

Orange.  As in Big Orange.

Mine has a silicone condom on it. 

to protect it from STD's?

Serious temperature differential…

buzd504

Last A/C service I had, he gave me the bill and I told him I had to check the BBQ forum before I paid him.  He was totally cool with that.  Said he hears that all the time.