AC Repair Scam Exposed: How They Charged $1,700 for Nothing (video)

Introduction

It’s estimated that nearly 90% of US homes use air conditioning. With the current heat wave, there is a good chance that your AC is on full blast. There is nothing worse than having your AC break down in the summer, but can you trust the repairman you hire? Lisa Guerrero from Inside Edition conducted a hidden camera investigation to find out.

The Setup

To conduct the investigation, Inside Edition rented a home in New Jersey. They brought in two experienced professionals, Michael Iino from Edison Heating and Cooling and Michael Blan from Petri Heating and Cooling, to examine the home’s AC unit inside and out. Together, they have over 70 years of experience in the heating and cooling business. Both experts confirmed that the unit was in excellent condition, operating normally, and required no repairs.

Creating a Simple Problem

Next, the experts created a minor issue by disconnecting the low voltage circuit. This caused the outside unit not to turn on when the thermostat called for air conditioning. They explained that reattaching these contact wires would power the unit back on. This fix should be easily recognizable by any novice HVAC technician within five minutes.

Hidden Camera Investigation

The home was rigged with hidden cameras, and appointments were booked with four AC companies in the area. From a control room in the garage, the team could monitor the repairmen’s every move.

Technicians’ Responses

One by one, the technicians arrived, inspected the unit, and made their assessments. Three out of the four technicians correctly identified the issue. They reattached the disconnected wires and had the system back up and running. One of these technicians charged $115 for the repair. Inside Edition congratulated him on a job well done.

The Outlier

However, the fourth technician from a company called Gold Medal Service had a different approach. He examined the unit and returned with bad news, claiming that the system was not cooling efficiently due to a leak in the refrigerant. He described it as a “microscopic leak,” which was not true. His price to fix this non-existent leak was $1,736.

Confrontation and Outcome

Lisa Guerrero revealed her true identity to the technician, explaining that the air conditioning unit did not need the repairs he suggested. She informed him that the only issue was the disconnected wires. The technician quickly packed up his gear and drove off, leaving his tool bag behind. Despite multiple attempts, Gold Medal Services did not respond to requests for comment.

Conclusion

The investigation revealed that three out of four companies accurately diagnosed and repaired the minor issue with the AC unit, highlighting the integrity of those technicians. Unfortunately, one technician attempted to upsell unnecessary repairs, charging an exorbitant amount for a non-existent problem. This investigation serves as a reminder to homeowners to be cautious and seek multiple opinions when faced with potentially costly repairs.