Americas Best Heating And Cooling

Purchased 2 Groupon tune up for my 3 and 4 years old units that were working fine in our rental property - guy came and not sure what he did. Wanted more money to perform his tune up and left. We put in a complaint so he came back and performed what was advertised plus checked the thermostat. Said everything was fine. Days later AC does not work at all! The worst company we had ever dealt with

First got involved with America's Best through a groupon for maintenance inspection several years ago. Had Chris come over and do heating and cooling inspections with follow-on annual maintenance contracts. Arrived in house last January from trip around 3PM and noticed no heat and no system response after fiddling with the thermostat and breakers. Contacted Chris and he showed up around 4 to check out the system. It appeared that several key components, including motherboard, were not functioning and he arranged for a new system to be installed by 9am the next day. He also provided a propane heater to keep us warm over night.
Not sure any other contractor could have done more or done it more professionally and efficiently. The new system has been working flawlessly and keeps the house at the desired temperature.

Be very cautious if choosing this company. I am currently having a very bad experience with them. I have emailed and called and cannot get anyone to reply...now that they have my money. Below is a copy and paste of my email to the company's email address.

"Chris,

I appreciate your timely response to my service call at (Address removed, Newport News) last week. However, due to the following, I am lodging a formal complaint against America's Best Heating and Cooling.

- Was told two components (Circuit board and some switch) on my furnace needed replaced in order to restore it to working condition. Cost: ~$1100

- After the repairs were made, was told the entire furnace needed to be replaced due to a cracked heat exchanger and the wrong size furnace (6 ton vice 3 ton).

- You then add on that components (AC coil, outside AC unit) within my AC system (~4 years old) need replaced.

- Grand total of recommended repairs is ~$8000.

- Because I am shocked by this news, I get a second opinion from a competing company.

- Competing company agrees I have a cracked heat exchanger.

- Competing company says the furnace in place is a 3 ton unit, not a 6 ton unit that America's Best said.

- Competing company takes the initiative to see if the damaged heat exchanger is under warranty, which it is. Though I inquired America's Best about existing warranties, you never took this initiative to see what was and wasn't covered.

- Competing company says I "was charged an astronomical amount" for the replacement of a circuit board and some random switch; about $600 more than they would have charged.

- Competing company finds no cause to replace AC unit.

I can't help but feel like I was extremely overcharged by America's Best Heating and Cooling and led to believe that I had no option but to pay thousands more due to "mandatory repairs and replacements."

Here's an analogy of my experience with America's Best Heating and Cooling...I take my car into the shop for service. You say my alternator and battery need replaced in order to get my car running again. You charge me twice the price of the service station across the street and then tell me that my car actually needs to be replaced because it is beyond repair. But don't worry because all that money I spent on the battery and alternator will go towards the cost of a new car. Oh, and by the way, that car my wife is driving, it needs a while new AC system just for good measure.

See how I feel here?"

Chris Probst was the technician that helped me. He was very polite and quick. I called 5 different HVAC companies before I got a hold of Americas Best and none of them could offer me an appointment within 4 days! (yes, there was a heat wave and I know summer is busy...) BUT Chris showed up and fixed the problem within 2-3 hours of my initial phone call to them! The parts were a pretty penny, but I don't have any reason to believe the price I paid wasn't standard across the board. especially since they waive the diagnostic fee when you get them to perform the service. Chris also gave me advice of Pest control and future HVAC services. I will be calling again for their business.

Chris is first class, honest and takes time to explain what I need. He is never rushed to complete a job. Last year I had to have my entire system replaced and it was in less than 24 hours. I have been a satisfied customer for over 6 years.

I purchased a groupon deal last year, one for each of my units, and had this guy come out. Kind of weirdest me out when he said he didn’t need to check the air handlers in the attic, all he had to do was look at the outside units, which didn’t make sense since the attic units are apart of the ac system. After about 45 minutes of looking at the outside units he said I need approximately 2 pounds of refrigerant per unit. I was so sketched out by the guy, I declined further service.

After some time I left like I needed another opinion, so I had a friend of a friend, who owns and ac company, come do a full service and was told that I had a slight leak at the air handler, but the refrigerant levels were ok. So no need to refill at this time. If I would of trusted the America’s best guy, I don’t know what the refill would be going to. I’m so happy I got the second opinion.

Call to have our AC unit serviced in May technician came out supposedly replaced valves and filled AC unit with refrigerant and repaired leaks had a second company come out. Only to find out they put Locktight on the valves they were suppose to replace. They filled our unit with freon for it to continue to leak.

We were having a major problem with our AC. It was dirty! I was shocked at the amount of dirt that came off the system! The technician also alerted us of a problem that would eventually need our attention, we decided to go ahead and fix it then, rather than wait until the AC stopped working. Totally afforadable, friendly and fast service. I would highly recommend them!

My client has a warranty with this company, they advertise 24 hour service. Three hours later, temperature 38 and my client has no heat and no phone call for service.

This company quoted me $675 plus $89 service charge to add 2 Lbs of my OWN refrigerate to my system.