1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Anyone have used Michael & Sons for HVAC replacement?

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by coconjake, Feb 2, 2013.

  1. coconjake

    coconjake New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2006
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    0
    2 questions

    1. Our furnace died on Friday am. we noticed it dead when we came home around 6pm (the house was 50F!!!!). We called the company we have yearly maintenance contract with and they are scheduled to come out on Monday to replace the unit with a new one. HOWEVER,,, for some unexplainable reason, the furnace came back to life after being dead for 36+ hours and it's now running in full force !!! :confused:

    Now we are wondering if we should replace the unit or not.. what would you guys do??

    The history of this unit is;
    We've been in this house for 7 going on 8 years. (purchased new)
    The unit was manufactured in 2001 ( stupid builder for using old units :eww: )
    We have had problems with this furnace for few weeks now. The burner goes off every so often,,,

    2. The maintenance company that we hired is Michael & Sons. We have their Home care agreement which we pay $54 a month and they come out 2x year to inspect and top any necessary fluid for HVAC units, and 1x year to inspect electrical & Plumbing. (They come out to replace batteries on ALL of the smoke detectors for free,, LOL)
    And with this program, any small parts are free, and ALL labor is free.
    anyhow...

    We are purchasing a carrier unit to replace our goodman, and the quote we received with all the discount was $3600 with 12months 0% financing. Wanted to see if anyone have used this company to replace HVAC units, and if the price/financing terms look ok.

    Any advices would be greatly appreciated ! Thanks in advance !
     
  2. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    sounds salvagable to me... could just be small components in error that could be fixed under your service contract.
     
  3. lilpea

    lilpea Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    3,079
    Likes Received:
    16
    We haven't used Michael & Sons for HVAC - but we did get several electrical & plumbing prices and WHOA they were flipping expensive.

    However a few years ago, we switched from Whitman (they are listed on our builder installed thermostats) to Modern Mechanical. Modern doesn't charge emergency or weekend rates, I think the only exception is Christmas.

    I've recommended Modern Mechanical to several neighbors The owner Shawn Mitchell, lives in Broadlands - he and his company have been very responsive. I'm pretty sure if you called (even in the snow) they'd have a truck to your house within 90 minutes and they won't charge you an arm & a leg.

    http://www.modernmec.com/

    Hope that helps.
     
  4. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
    Messages:
    319
    Likes Received:
    24
    I'll second Modern Mechanical. My main AC died on the hottest day of the year last year a day before we were going to have 100 folks over. They got it done and done right at a reasonable price.
     
  5. Dawne

    Dawne HOA Sec/Treas, Tech Comm

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2001
    Messages:
    626
    Likes Received:
    14
    I would do the best patch you can for now, but investigate a new HVAC system. Install in mid spring - their low season - to get some great pricing. If you plan to stay in your house for 5-10 years (to recoup the investment), it may pay off to replace it:

    1) You get to enjoy a toasty warm/nicely cool home
    2) You reap the benefits of a more efficient system
    3) You save the $54 a month you're paying for a maint contract (this seems very pricey)

    If you're going to look into new HVAC, you might check out Climatic (Sonny). We got a great deal, amazing customer service, and an impeccable install.

    We changed ours out as we had already replaced a $300 circuit board and it was horribly inefficient (as most contractor grade units are). Even though our HVAC was fully functional at the time and only 12 years old... it was worth it. The new system has a variable fan, so we rarely even hear it running. Much more efficient, we're down about 20% a month on our HVAC bills.
     
  6. designerRob

    designerRob New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Why replace it when it could be repaired for much less?:screwy:
     
  7. Dawne

    Dawne HOA Sec/Treas, Tech Comm

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2001
    Messages:
    626
    Likes Received:
    14
    Good question - and a boatload of variables to take into account. You'd have to consider your own situation and run numbers. Generally, if you consider you'll stay in your home for 7-10 years, it may be worth it to do a deep dive into the numbers. In our case, we determined we'd recoup the cost over the time we stay in the house. Plus, when we go to sell, our HVAC is about 10 years old, instead of 22 years (if it made it that long). The bigger plus for us is that our house is now very comfortable and we've less worries about a breakdown and costs of emergency calls.

    In short, our average January gas bill has been $189.80 (avg of past 7 years). I just got my Jan bill - and it's been fairly cold this past month - and it was $122.

    Of course, in doing a bill-only comparison, you'd have to consider average temperatures from year to year, KWh/Therm costs, etc. I don't mean for my example to be an end-all cost comparison. [So please, don't everyone jump on me about my numbers being fuzzy.]

    I think if you're HVAC is costing you in repairs (and inconvenience) you should at least consider if it's worthwhile to replace it with something more efficient. (Not to mention the issues with getting Freon re-charging anymore!)
     
  8. mdfiji

    mdfiji New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2009
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    I second Climatic. We replaced a few years ago and have been really happy with how much more comfortable our house has been. We had to decide between repairing and replacing , but think we made the right choice based on how many repair trucks we have been seeing at the neighbors.

    Gald to be rid of the goodman junk they put in.

    www.climaticva.com
     
  9. lauralynne

    lauralynne Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2007
    Messages:
    242
    Likes Received:
    10
    Yeah, Climatic is great. We replaced our system last April and were very pleased with our experience -- from our first contact, to the estimation stage, to the installation, to the follow-up twice-yearly general maintenance.
     
  10. tideland

    tideland Resident Since 1998

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2003
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Another thumbs up for Climatic. I had my entire HVAC system replaced in early November 2012. Great service from beginning estimate to finishing installation.
     
  11. jjna

    jjna New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2008
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    0
    Does anyone have any other recommendation? I've been trying to get Modern Mechanical to come to my house for estimates with no success. They seem awfully busy and I hate chasing businesses to give them my money!
     
  12. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    If it's for HVAC - call Climatic. Sonny posted his contact info in this post
    Sonny is very responsive and very much a straight shooter.

    I assume we are getting into their busy season as the seasons change.. but he has always been very responsive in getting back to us both in email and voice.

    We just used them for the second time and would highly recommend them.
     
  13. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2003
    Messages:
    5,236
    Likes Received:
    249
    Go
    with
    CLIMATIC!

    It is worth it towards your wallet to include them for an estimate.

    TRUST ME!
     
  14. jjna

    jjna New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2008
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thank you for the recommendation.

    I am considering the following companies to deal with the HVAC/water heating systems in two houses I own, one in Ashburn and one in Western Fairfax (near 50/28/Ffx Cty Pkwy):

    Modern Mechanical
    Climatic
    Shanahan
    Air Comfort Specialist
    JBB Heating
    Twin Air

    I don't see on its website that Climatic serves Fairfax County, so I am going to send the proprietor an e-mail to see if he would. Having the same company take care of both houses would be a big plus. I have a lot in mind.

    For the house in Fairfax: 1) replace existing cheap whole-house humidifier with a more robust unit, 2) modify existing electronic air cleaner for two units to accept media filters (I read that the power supply has to be removed or disabled), 3) install a whole-house water filter or softener and finally, 4) install battery backup systems for two sump-pumps and 5) annual maintenance service contract.

    For the house in Ashburn: 1) replace two water heaters (I don't know what size they are, maybe 40 gallons each?), 2) annual maintenance contract.

    I read good things about Modern Mechanical and Climatic here. What about Shanahan's, Air Comfort, JBB and Twin Air? Does anybody here have experience with any of those? I hear Shanahan's has the best price of any HVAC company in the area, bar none.
     
  15. jjna

    jjna New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2008
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    0
    I send him an e-mail with a list of services I am considering. Thank you.
     
  16. BzyCookn

    BzyCookn New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    0
    We had a service contract with Michael and Son's a few years back, and used them several times for a variety of repairs. Honestly, a few of their guys didn't give us the impression they were as skilled as they should be.

    When our a/c crapped out for the zilionth time, we decided it was ready to be replaced. Received estimates from both M&S, Climatic, and a few others. Climatic's quote was several hundred dollars less than M&S - even with our service contract. Climatic had the cheap original replaced the very next day, we signed a service contract with them, and we never looked back.

    Sunny is fantastic, and the few guys we've worked with for maintenance checks were very polite and professional, especially Cliff.
     
  17. Pluto

    Pluto New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2006
    Messages:
    433
    Likes Received:
    0
    anyone has refilled freon lately? how much it costs per pound?
     
  18. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2010
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    53
    Over 95 bucks per pound...
     
  19. Pluto

    Pluto New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2006
    Messages:
    433
    Likes Received:
    0
    ok, thanks.
     
  20. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
    Messages:
    319
    Likes Received:
    24
    I'm withdrawing my recommendation for Modern Mechanical. I've been trying to get someone to call me back for two weeks and I'm tired of arguing with the girl with the attitude that picks up the phone as to whether they do HVAC or not....

    Looks like Climatic is my next call. Tough for MM too - will probably end up costing me $12k before I'm done.
     

Share This Page