HVAC Question

Last winter my heater wasn't working so I called an HVAC company that lit the pilot and replaced the filter.

They then proceeded to pitch me on an HVAC replacement as my unit was 25 years old, for several thousand dollars.

Last fall the AC worked just fine. Now it doesn't work at all. I'm thinking the HVAC company disconnected something to FORCE me to buy a new system.

Unfortunately at this time I have no money for that and it's been in the high 90's for the last week!

Does anyone have a suggestion on how I can get my AC working again?

I really believe the HVAC people did something to keep the AC from working.

Ask around locally for a reputable service person, they're out there amongst those who aren't.
I had a similiar experience with a local contractor who said my furnace had a cracked heat exchanger.
He told it could be used but for complete safety the furnace should be replaced.
Had a another person look at it and he tore it down far more than the previous and guaranteed there was no crack in the heat exchanger.
He asked me "who told you it was cracked?" Told him and he stated "they're known for this and wanted you to buy a new $urnace."

Good luck!

It's unlikely that the HVAC company intentionally sabotaged your system. In the first place, it's unlikely any company would, and then also, if they would, they wouldn't fix what you needed right then and break something that would only show up 6 months later.

No one can answer your question on the web. The units are complex and will simply not run unless the internal tests run by the controllers all come back positive. Many cars have circuitry like this now; the car simply will not start if there is a diagnostic error.

You can use fans and also something that works great, a "cool air humidifier," while waiting to have the unit serviced.

You could be right about something possibly was done to your unit-or- maybe your 25 year old unit just went kaput. JM2300 is right, ask around. There are honest a/c repairmen out there. Good Luck.

It's 25 years old. Odds are it's at the end of it's life expectancy. It varys by source but do a search and you will see that the life expectancy can be any where from 8 to 15 years while other say 20 years.

Although there is a chance you might be able to put some money into it to try to squeeze out another year but realize it will likely have to be replaced in the near future.

As to gettng it work, I doubt that unless they are a HVAC repairman and can give you a educated guess there really is nothing anyone can do for you. You are going to have to call someone in the HVAC field. It could just be low on freon or perhaps the breaker has been turned off for winter. These are things you can't tell without seeing it.

Check with your friends and see if any of them have had their central air replaced. Talk around and find some reputable repairman and get quotes on what's wrong.

After 15 years, central air systems can go bad. Also by replacing it, you will save money on the energy you use as new units are vastly more efficient.

Wow, you did well to get 25 years out of your unit.

I feel your pain. I bought a new system last September.

My AC is 9 yrs old. I've had to fix it twice.

Most electric utilities provide repair service and also extended warranties. I would trust a public utilities honesty over someone I didn't know. Like most service people it is difficult to find those that are, honest, competent and reasonable. I know usually warranties are not a "good bet" (pun intended), but if large expenditures are a problem it could be.

Check the breaker or the fusebox first.