I called ARS to wire a Nest Thermostat. All that was needed was a single wire. I was quoted around $160 to set up this Common Wire. This was more than it should have been, but fine, whatever. The guy spends 15 minutes hooking it up. He then starts talking about how old the hvac system is. He hooks his gauges to the heat pump outside and says I'm low on refrigerant. None of this is a surprise, I knew how old the system was. He writes up the visit detailing the wiring work and what the system needs. Shows me the tablet for payment, zoomed in on the wording of the work done. Like an idiot, I provide the card info without seeing the bill, because I trusted what he said earlier. No emailed receipt is received. I notice a $269 charge later that day. I have to call them and request a copy of the receipt. While on the phone I was told that I was charged for the wiring and 2-4 pounds of refrigerant. Absolutely no work was done there. My system is still low on the refrigerant. I requested a call from the manager. I waited a day for that call that never came. I called them back, explained the issue and was told someone would call me soon. No one called. Part of this is on me for not verifying what I was told, but I'm a trusting person. Too bad that ARS takes advantage of people. read more

Wow. After several years of very satisfactory service from ARS, I won't be using them again. Had a service tech come out for regular maintenance of our AC. He told me it would be a $1,000 to clean the unit - having to cut out the coils to clean and then re-solder back in place. He also said the coolant was fine. At that time, I began gathering quotes on replacing the unit since it wasn't cooling. Another company came out to give a quote on replacing and said it was low on coolant and could be cleaned in place. Needless to say, I had them service the unit ( for MUCH less $) and it is working like a champ now. Sorry ARS but you just lost my business. read more

I contacted ARS in N. Charleston, SC on Monday 9/3/12 and they informed me that they would be at my home to repair my AC unit the next morning on 9/4/12. The technician told me "mid-Morning, around 10am". By 430pm, I contacted ARS to ask why no one came. I was treated harshly by the phone rep and she argued with me before reporting my concern to the technician. He arrived at 7pm with a 'chip on his shoulder' and a foul attitude. He refused to give me eye contact and told me that he needed to come into my home to to look at my air filters. I explained to him that the problem was with the actual a/c unit outside and then he proceeded to assess the machine. He told me that I needed a contacter and offered to charge me $234 plus the $89 diagnostic fee. I told him that I could not afford that price, being a single mother. He proceeded to argue with me and show blatant disrespect to me, the customer. He left with his initial fee of $89.00 paid in full. He refused to write the model and serial numbers on the invoice so that I could not seek an alternative to resolve the repair problem. I placed an ad on Craigslist and found out that the contacter is a $5.00, and found another service tech to replace it for a more reasonable fee. I will never go to ARS for any service again. Terrible service. read more

I got a $39 contract to service my AC. They were supposed to call within 48 hr, which did not materialize after 48 days. After much persuasion, they finally came (Waited from 3:30 to almost 4 before a rep came) and spoke arrogantly and stated that this charge was only for evaluation of the system. The service guy then left saying that there was a short circuit somewhere and that he did not have the equipment to test it. I would easily rate this as the worst AC company I have worked with. read more

The worst customer service experience of my life. Total rip off. I paid for the "Home protection plan" that covers preventative maintenance and guaranteed service within 24 hours. I got neither. I do not get calls back. A/C not working despite 10+ visits in 2 year old 3 BR house. Every time they come out they "have to order a part" which takes a week and then they never call back. The incompetence is maddening. read more

Still no HVAC. Sunday $89 for diagnostic - need new fan motor Monday $349 for fan motor install this was labor for 1 hour - motor is under warranty - in making the repair our freon line was broke - 2 options $650 to have it repaired or $1000 to replace - opted for $650 - all along being told we have pay for the repairs to something that wasn't broke before they got here!! Tues - guy comes out it's not repairable has to be replaced Wed - yes we'll be there between 12-5, 5:12 no has shown or called us so I called them - no we're not coming today we ordered your part we don't when it will be here - but I was told you had it twice by Hope today - we'll call you in the morning to let you know about the part it's after hours Thurs - that part is backordered for a week, the manufacturer is making them and sending them out as they get them made - me that seems fishy this a newer unit - I'm calling the manufacturer- they say it's in stock and could have been here today if they would have paid to overnight - I was told by ARS to go buy window units until the piece comes in - called ARS corporate office - still no resolution - still no air Steam rolling out of my ears - anger and tears - the GM of our local ARS called he was upset that I called his corporate office. He then asked me for the information of the person I spoke to at the manufacturer, I gladly gave it to him. He called me back later and said he had did me a favor and found the part in NC and it would be here Fri or Sat. No call on Fri, no return calls until late Fri night. I was told the part would be here Sat. Saturday- they called and said the part was in this was great. But they didn't have anyone scheduled or available to install until Monday. Monday - they send out the technician. He starts working. I go out and speak to him around 10:45 he says he should be done by 12. I ask about the price and he quotes me the same price as last week. Even after his GM told me he would take care of the hotel for one night and give us a discount for all the hassle. I call back to corporate. We go back and forth several times and agree on a price. As soon as the happens the GM pulls the technician from my house. No one called me or rang my doorbell to tell me. I waited 2 hours. I called the office and was told he wouldn't be back today per the GM. This is the most childish bullshit I have ever spendured. I'm out over $2000 waiting on them to fix something they broke and are charging me for. read more

I honestly have no idea how this branch of ARS is still operating. Our experience is still not over... I will be updating my review. We called these guys after having a decent experience with them for a plumbing issue. Unfortunately our HVAC unit needed to be replaced. We made an appointment for someone to come out and give us a quote and whatnot. The sales guy who we will call R, was great. Very personable, jolly, made us comfortable. Two days he said. No problem. $10,000. Wow, we knew it would be a lot. Fine. He let us know we needed a bigger return. Okay. By the way, not only the HVAC we were having out duct work replaced as well. Two guys showed up, no heaters as promised. It was one of the coldest weeks of the winter and we have a six month old and a nine year old. Thankfully we have a fireplace. The guys worked for two days but by the end of the second day we knew they would not be finished. We had no heat over the weekend - maybe Sunday - I can't remember if they came Saturday. Again, this is still ongoing. After delivering the wrong unit - that also cost another day - the system was finally hooked up. We got no new return from the two men that showed up. The unit was completely off level, and the hood looked like I - or me and my girlfriends got together and decided to install an HVAC hood for fun. Horrid. The guys came back to level the unit - the first time - and stuck some metal under one side and called it good. The second time they came to level the unit they decided to take dirt FROM OUR YARD to smoosh under it, and they were using a one foot level for a... 4-5 foot unit. My boyfriend went outside after having surgery, and gave them a proper level. Finally it was level but the platform was now crooked and weird. Whatever at this point. R came back to collect a check. We did a walk through - no return and showed him the unit. Even he could not believe how bad it was, he took a ton of pictures and called his supervisor. He did not take any money from us and also requested that the supervisor come out and see how bad it truly is. We have not heard from them since. The job started on Jan 30th. Do not. Call this company. R was great, that's about it. I forgot to mention they disconnected our sump pump to hook up the unit and did not re-attach the pump. We now have it hooked up with an extension cord. Thanks guys - looks good. I will update if we ever hear from them again. read more

ARS sent out David J. to help with my AC. David showed up several hours early (ARS called to see if that was ok first) and was one of the most professional people I've ever encountered. Great guy, really knows his stuff. Really went the extra mile to explain different temporary and long term solutions to fit my budget, and didn't try to sell me on anything. Whatever they pay this guy it's not enough! read more

Josh could not have been more knowledgeable about what was going on with my HVAC unit. He spoke with me over the phone since I was at work. He explained precisely what was happening, potential future issues, and a few solution options. He did not once make me feel stupid and was very polite as I interrupted him with questions. I was a customer service manager for many years. People like Josh are few and far between on the front lines with customers because they tend to get promoted quickly. I imagine this will be the case for him. And he deserves it. Kind, Knowledgable, and PATIENT. He is a 10. read more

Roberto was very professional and efficient. He was in done and gone within an hour.

Excellent work, meticulous, timely done. Josh provided detailed explanations and useful information.

You are crazy if you do business with this company. I had them install a new heat pump for the second floor of my house. When the temp was 88 outside it wouldn't cool below 84 inside. I had them out many times but they just said that there was only so much the unit could do. Hired an independent to work on it and he had it cooling perfectly in one visit. Also they want $100+ per year for preventive maintenance (and to keep the warrenty up) every time they came out for their semi-annual checks everything was ok but a week after they were here the unit would break. Stay away from these people. read more

Chuck provided excellent service. He made sure the job was done properly and cut no corners on installing my new thermostat. He is very professional and kind. He is the only technician I want to come out and service my unit. If you are looking for the best possible HVAC technician, Chuck is the man!! read more

Installed a new HVAC and duct work through Home Depot. Best price by a few thousand. They have been back a few times to make adjustments / repair a faulty thermostat valve at no cost. Jim Cameron worked with my budget and got the job done. Mike Piercy followed up with me and verified the system is operating to the designed specifications. They have gone above and beyond their scope of work to make sure I was happy. read more

new ac unit over 5k repaired 18 times in 17 months. no show appointments. had to purchase tenant portable ac unit. reduced rent by 25 each time system went down and ARS will not accept they put in a Lemon. this is my 3rd ac unit purchased from them and referred several of my clients to purchase. (realtor) excellent sales person but does not excuse poor service lack of feedback and countless broken promises. I will be needing another for one of my rentals and will be going elsewhere. I feel bad for sales agent who is great guy. read more

I am so glad I read these reviews before calling these people. I saw a Groupon they have for an A/C check for $39.00. My unit got fried by the recent lightning storm/power outages early Friday morning and I need to have it replaced. I dealt with this company years ago and didn't have a good experience then but, thought maybe they changed. After reading the reviews (thanks guys!), I wouldn't dare call them. I guess I will get Baxley's Heating & Air or Sweatman's since they both do emergency repair work and respect your time. read more

Well where do I start. My dad purchased a carrier unit from them in a part of the house that rarely gets used to help the ac downstairs. Well they came were good, did what they needed to do. A few months later I meet my fiancé and he works in the ac industry. He proceeded to tell me that the unit they put in was a 120,000 and for the room size should have been a 2 ton unit. So my dad spent thousands to get this thing installed with them, and now we are stuck with a unit that doesn't thoroughly cool the room. Another problem with it is it was low on refrigerant a year later, well their mistake for having a leak in the system. The next thing about the system is they didn't even hook it up fully so the button on the unit was non functioning, and another problem is they sold my dad a system which was too old to be sold for. Once a unit gets so old, they aren't to be sold, only can be given away. They also lied on the receipt that my unit was installed in January, when it was installed in April to make that window of it being able to be sold. Now let's talk about some jacked up work here. And the warranty that comes with carrier, they didn't load up the warranty. So there is no warranty through carrier just what my dad paid ars for which is a joke. Warning these are con men. My fiancé will forever have my ac installation needs because I know he isn't trying to rip me off. read more

We have been with ARS for over 5 years and we have not had any major problems. We even got a new unit with the company. Something went wrong on sunday 7/2/2018. We called but because of the holiday, they could not come until 7/5/2018. They were suppose to arrive around noon but did not get to our home until 6:30. The motor is done, but they promised to call us and let us know if they had the motor in stock. They did not call, we called them. They stated that the technician would come today, but could not give us a time. It is now after 8 at night, after a week of sweltering and having to buy a portable unit to get some relief, we are still without a technician and air. We are trying really hard not to be truely enraged, but that is eroding with each passing hour. So far, we have not gotten good service. You can generally tell how a company is by the treatment given during an emergency, it is not good. Not good at all. Andrea read more

Worst customer service I have ever experienced! Failed to show for appointment. They did call to inform me that they were running behind but would be sure to take care of me today. Two days later I called them to cancel and request a refund for the service agreement payment made. I called again the next day and the person I spoke with said I needed to put in an email the reason why I wanted to cancel and that I was requesting a refund. I did this on June 27,2016. On July 15, 2016 they charged my credit card another payment. I have sent two more emails to them and as of August 04, 2016, I have not heard a word from them. I will not use ARS ever again! read more

Our AC quit working this past July, which is on record as the hottest month to date, at 6 am I put a call into ARS for a service call. I reached their call center, they advertise as a 24 hour service business, and was told to expect a call back in 30 minutes. An hour and half later, I called again, they were only able to take a second service call, so I left the same information again. At this point, I called a second service company, Pardee Heating and Air. Ten minutes later I received a call from dispatch for service, it was from Pardee Heating and Air, they were sending a tech out to my home. To this day, 15 plus days later, I have never received a call from ARS! Pathetic!!!! read more

Had my semi-annual system check-up. Doug was my technician. He took about an hour to service two heat pumps. Very friendly and very professional. He offered a couple suggestions on some things that I might consider for future consideration.No pressure from him. Overall, a good visit. read more

we have used ars for years. 2 years ago we bought a new ac central ac. they have been out here 5 times in 3 years. we are now on day 2 of no ac for a frozen condenser and anyone in charleston today knows at an outdoor temp of 98 it does not take two days to thaw. we are sick from heat our dogs are sick and we are headed to a hotel. ars will be paying for this. the little guy who came last night was the last liar i have dealt with from ars. please get in writing from who evere you buy your unit from their service times. do not use these lying fools from ars on oscar johnson road. it also would be helpful to not send a repair person who is not fluent in english. i am sure there are english speaking hvac people needing jobs. stay as far away from this business who clearly has people on the phone who are adept in the art of lying to everyone. two days and we were on the emergency list due to a health condition? liars the lot of them. I can not wait to see this bill, he may end up losing more than money on this deal. No 2 year old unit should need service 5 times. Call Smoaks and get a Trane, for real , it will save money in the end. Update: told they would be here in 30 mins., they were rerouting a tech.....that was 2 hours ago. read more

One star for ARS, 5 STARS FOR TECHNICIAN, CHUCK NORRIS! Chuck Norris is one of the best technicians we've ever had. After many disappointing visits over the last couple of years with ARS, who installed a new heating and air unit, we were ready to give up and find a new company to maintain our new unit. We decided to try them one more time and we certainly got lucky!! CHUCK NORRIS, yes, his name is Chuck Norris, was the nicest technician we have ever had. He was personable, on time and most important, knowledgeable about his job. He diagnosed the problem immediately and came back on a Friday evening to fix the problem correctly. This was after we had several prior visits with other technicians, a no show visit and a manager who promised to "make it right" and still could not get the problem fixed. We appreciate Chuck's professionalism and hope ARS treats him with the respect he deserves. Thank you Chuck!!! read more

i have had air conditioning work done by doug and he is really a nice guy. he does good work and makes sure it is acceptable to me. when I have called ars for preventive maintenance or a problem, they are here on a dime and I appreciate their fast service. i always make sure I ask for doug. yes, I recommend them. one other thing, my son uses their air service as well but I was introduced to ars by my son who first used their plumbing services. read more

I contacted ARS on 6/21/2014 at 7:15am to let them know that my AC had gone out. I asked if they could confirm if it was under warranty because they had installed the unit. I was informed that she couldn't tell me if it was under warranty, but they would send a technician out that morning. I called them back at 10:00am to try and get a better idea of when they would be coming; I was told there was no record of me calling. At 1:30 pm the technician showed up and I told him the condenser motor was over heated and had leaked oil. The technician came across very arrogant. He still could not confirm if the unit was under warranty. After two minutes of trouble shooting he replaced the capacitor and the unit was up and running. I was told he that since it was running he couldn't do anything about the condenser motor. I was told that since he could not confirm the warranty, he would have to charge me for the work, $331.00, and once the warranty was confirmed (on Monday) they would void the check and re-bill me. After 10 days and 7 phone calls I finally got confirmation that the part was under warranty. After another 14 days and 4 more phone calls, I finally got someone helpful and she got the paperwork to their accounting department. The surprise was my refund was only going to be $102. Somehow five minutes of labor cost me $140 plus the $89 diagnostic charge. So for a warranty repair, with a $30 part that took longer for him to write the receipt than do the work I was charged $229. I honestly believe if I wouldn't have been persistent I wouldn't have gotten any refund. If you expect friendly, honest service, look elsewhere. read more

I recently scheduled an appt. with them on Wed. June 23 as I noticed the a/c unit was not cooling the house. I received three calls from them on June 24th to verify the information I provided, the second call to advise they still had me scheduled between 12 and 5 and then the call from the technician to advise he was on his way. Once he got there he sat in the truck for 15 minutes. He inspected the outside and the inside units and advised the entire system was froze. He said he could do nothing but allow it to unfreeze. He then said I could run the heater to unfreeze it for a few hours but he obviously was not willing to do that because it was close to time to get off. I paid my service fee and he said he would be back tomorrow between 12 and 5 again. Since he was suppose to be the professional I listened. Well on the 25th I called the office at 2pm to see if they still had me scheduled and Stephanie advised they did. Well I waited and waited. At 4:15pm I called back advising that it was almost 5 and I had not heard from anyone. At that time she advised that they attempted to contact me by two numbers, numbers that were under my service contract from when the house was built in 2009, not the number I had provided them on Wednesday. She said, "I am sorry ma'am we did not have the right number for you, all the while I am getting a survey text from the business at the number they said they did not have while we are on the phone. She asked do you want to have someone to come out on Saturday, I said no I want someone today because I already paid yesterday. Stephanie said okay a dispatcher will call you when the tech is on the way. I waited unitl 7:30 on Friday and no one called or showed up. Then on Saturday I get another survey call from the number they said they did not have. I am so DISPAPPOINTED in this business. I wish would have read these reviews prior to calling them.I don't usually do reviews but this lack of concern and out right mishandling of business with no apologies is unacceptable and if I can prevent anyone else from this headache I will. I am going to do my best to put my concerns on display about the lack of professionalism of this business. Heat/AC and plumbing are serioius concerns. read more