I rarely write negative reviews, but I felt compelled to share this experience so others can make…read morean informed decision.
The fan on our outdoor A/C condenser stopped spinning. After doing some research and consulting ChatGPT to better understand the symptoms, I concluded that the most likely cause was a failed dual-run capacitor. I also watched several YouTube videos showing that replacing the capacitor is generally a relatively simple repair.
Although I considered replacing it myself, I decided it would be better to pay a reputable HVAC company to confirm the diagnosis and perform the repair. My wife spoke with a friend who highly recommended Integrity, describing the company as honest and trustworthy. Based on that recommendation and the company's excellent reviews, I scheduled a service call and agreed to pay the $125 diagnostic fee.
The technician, Josh, arrived, and I explained that the condenser was operating but the fan was not spinning. I also told him that I suspected the capacitor had failed. Josh retrieved a test capacitor from his truck, disconnected the leads from the existing capacitor, and connected them to his test part. The entire process took about ten minutes. When he restored power, the condenser fan immediately began spinning.
At that point, I was genuinely impressed. His quick test appeared to confirm exactly what I had suspected: the capacitor had failed. Since replacement capacitors generally retail for around $20, I assumed the repair would involve installing a new capacitor, with a reasonable markup for the part, labor, expertise, and company overhead.
Instead, Josh listened to the fan and commented that it did not sound very good and appeared to wobble slightly. He then returned to his truck to prepare several repair options.
He remained in the truck for what seemed like an unusually long time for what I believed was a straightforward capacitor replacement. Eventually, I walked out and told him that the amount of time being spent preparing a plan made me concerned that this was about to become a lengthy and expensive repair. I explained that this was not what I was looking for. Josh said he would be finished in a few minutes, so I returned to wait.
When he came back, the first option he presented was to replace the capacitor for approximately **$1,000**.
He then began describing another option that included replacing the condenser fan motor. That repair would have added approximately **another $1,300-$1,600** to the bill, on top of the capacitor repair.
At that point, I stopped him. I told him that I had researched the capacitor and understood it to be a part costing approximately $20. I directly asked whether I was mistaken in understanding that I was being quoted $1,000 to replace a roughly $20 part. Josh responded by asking whether I had gotten that information from ChatGPT.
I told him that I could not justify spending $1,000 to replace such an inexpensive part, even allowing for labor, expertise, insurance, overhead, and a reasonable profit.
At that point, the proposed price changed. Josh explained that the original estimate involved a higher-quality or premium part. He said that if I wanted a standard capacitor instead, the repair would cost approximately **$500**, with the $125 diagnostic fee applied toward that amount.
Feeling somewhat relieved that the price had dropped from $1,000, I tentatively agreed. Josh then went to his truck to retrieve the standard capacitor. Fortunately for me, he did not have one available. We therefore scheduled a return visit for the following Monday.
After Josh left, I replayed the entire interaction and became increasingly uncomfortable with how the visit had unfolded. The test capacitor had already demonstrated that replacing the failed capacitor allowed the fan to operate. Yet the initial proposal was approximately $1,000 for the capacitor replacement, followed by a substantially lower price only after I challenged the estimate.
I also looked up replacement fan motors compatible with my condenser and found them listed on Amazon for approximately **$100-$300**. I understand that retail part prices do not include diagnosis, professional installation, warranties, company expenses, or profit. However, that comparison made the proposed additional charge of $1,300-$1,600 for the fan-motor replacement even more difficult for me to understand.
Rather than wait until Monday, I went to Home Depot and purchased the correct capacitor for **$21**. After reviewing the replacement procedure again, I installed it myself in approximately ten minutes. The condenser fan immediately began spinning, and the air conditioner cooled our home normally, just as it had before the capacitor failed.
I called the company and canceled the follow-up appointment.
I want to emphasize that Josh was polite, personable, and easy to talk to throughout the visit.
