Started with one dismal star and have ended with five; please read on . . . It was July 20, 2009 when my 11 year old HVAC system decided to enter terminal failure. I polled friends and neighbors for their heating and air best bets. A local friend and neighbor told me about SSI. I had never heard of the company and knew nothing of their practices. An SSI technician (Joe) came to my home and told me that my air conditioning coils were dirty (they'd never been serviced to my knowledge) and that the freon was very low. I knew I would likely need a new system so he set up an appointment with their sales person (Brian). At the end of the day I paid $550.00 for the service contract, freon and the visit. I was told that costs of freon would be put toward the cost of the new system. Joe admitted he suspected a freon leak but did not want to charge me the labor and time associated with finding the cause of the leak when a new one would be installed. On August 7, 2009, I called Joe back to the house; the system was dead again. He found a blown part, replaced it and put in still more freon, another $600.00. I finally got Brian to come to the house to tell us about the options for a new system. On August 12, 2009, a new system was installed. There was a team of people present and the whole operation was completed under 10 hours. We got a new heat pump and humidifier. The system was working like a charm, I didn't get as much of a freon reimbursement as I'd hoped and wound up paying over $9000.00. Thanks be to God that we could get the money, although the company is happy to work out financing. My family was now back to just needing one shower per day ;-) Here comes the one star part . . . Brian had made an appointment to come to our house on August 13 to check the installation and go over the operation and maintenance of the system; he did not honor the appointment nor did he return numerous phone calls. The system was working well and I was fed up. January 6, 2010, I called SSI because the humidifier did not appear to be working. My husband met the technician who, I kid you not, opened a damper. This was something that would have been reviewed with us if we had ever gotten a system review as promised. The poor technician nearly lost his head when he informed my husband that he would have to charge 99.00 for the "diagnostic charge." My husband paid him and asked him to leave our home. Husband made me promise to never deal with the company again because of the shoddy treatment. Flash forward a year . . My new TRANE system was acting weird and I didn't think that my humidifier was working correctly. So I began researching new HVAC companies on the net and saw Marty M's review. I just got mad again. I wrote a pointed, scathing review here on YELP! *and then a FIVE STAR thing happened. The residential manager of SSI, Shane B., contacted me and wanted to make things right. He contacted me through YELP!, talked with me on the phone and reviewed my records. He informed me that Brian was no longer with the company and offered to have a technician come to my house the same day, January 12, 2011. Drew M., a wonderful senior technician with SSI, came to my house. He unfortunately found a number of things that would have been caught by the next day scheduled inspection; those same things were causing my system to run poorly. Drew quickly found, diagnosed and fixed the problems with the humidifier. He showed me how to correctly operate the system and change the filters (I'd been remiss in this area). Drew informed me that was no charge for the visit and explained that Shane had graciously offered another service contract for the year at no charge. A friend came to my home when Drew was finishing up at my house, now she wants to hire SSI too. Shane, Drew and SSI cleaned up the wreckage of a former employee and made a wrong right, a year later. This is truly wonderful and honest customer service. I can not speak highly enough of the wonderful people who are now at SSI. Thank you for all that you have done. God bless you all read more

It took me a couple months to write this review due to the needs of my special needs baby and medical emergencies so my apologies for the lateness. I have worked with a lot of AC and Heating companies and these guys are as professional as they come. At the time of my dealings they were the best deal for the value. My home is about 20 years old when one of my AC units was not working and is beyond the worth of repairing. My second unit was on it last leg. I decided to bit the bullet and replace both AC units and heading units for my home. I reached out to 10 companies (small businesses and large). Only three companies was able to respond immediately (ACE, SSI and McCrea). After about 5 days other companies responded and some did not respond at all. Thinking about the needs for my special needs baby and wanting to replace the units ASAP its not good for companies to delay in responding. None of the companies works over the weekends but I worked with the companies that took the time to respond to my weekend emails not that it was a requirement but it showed that they wanted my business. Of the 6 companies I reviewed for quotes SSI was the best value for the buck after comparing models and visiting the respecting companies website for specifications. My consultant Chris was a real down to earth guy and conversations was very pleasant. Chris gave me good tips on the workings of the AC and heating units I had currently in my home and options to consider when buying/replacement units. He also did not assume he would get the contract to replace the units. But still offered tips on what to look for if I decided to use another company and make sure they do this or that when replacing the unit. I thought that was nice he freely offered those tips. Keep in mind I have AC-heating, and electrical degree background. I never revealed that detail up until this posting. Both McCrea and SSI was my last two options but SSI was the best value by far over the two businesses for my case. About the install: The time for the installation of both AC units and both furnaces took one day. SSI was very good in covering work areas over carpeted and hardwood areas. Trash and removal of units was clean and no damages to walls etc. The SSI team consisted of two 2-man teams Brandon, Dan, Reid, and Eric. All of these guys was cool to chat with and was very professional and had no issue with me hovering over them and asking questions. Keep in mind I have an AC/heating, and electrical trade background from years back and this was not revealed to them. They were very friendly in responding to all my questions and said they did not mind at all me asking and hovering around. The work done on the units was one of the best I have seen as far as neatest and installation. They made sure all connections were secure from the ducts, pipes, electrical, neat and tired up. Nothing loose or out of place. I took some pics to post of the units installed but I am unable to post them here. I had also mention this a few times to the guys during the installation process and to Chris about the excellent workmanship. Know this that you might find a company that is cheap to perform the installation and/or units but if your installation is not good you will pay out of your pocket in the long run for a bad installation. That said I lucked out for the best value for the buck and a perfect installation. No issues so far since the installation completed a couple months ago. I wish I could have posted pics of the work done. Inspection: Inspector came and reviewed the installation and asked me who did the installation? Really he did so I said SSI. He said these guys did an excellent job at the installation. Will I recommend these guys to anyone else? You bet I will!!!!! Great job guys!! read more

Worked with SSI for over 4 years with several projects. House 1: Entire HVAC system replacement (furnace, compressor, coil, thermostat, etc) and new hot water heater. Previous builder grade system in a town house was on it's last leg where SSI quickly prepared several options on system replacement and assisted with the paperwork for federal tax credit. After install the system was explained on how it worked, with two follow up visits for maintenance at the 6 month and 12 month mark. A recall item was noticed on one inspection, with the replacement part installed at no charge. House 2: Adding 2nd HVAC zone, relocating two return registers, moving duct work for home remodel, replacing a hot water heater, and pre-wire interior part of house for a gas line to be run in the future. Had to replace the hot water heater earlier than expected. Noticed it starting to leak one late afternoon, called SSI on the issue and we worked their office staff to schedule, and they put me in contact with one of their experts to discuss features of each model. They were able to install the very next morning! Adding a 2nd zone to the house, JR was able to look at the current system, and offer several solutions on how to move ahead. He quickly answered any questions we had and was easy to narrow down which solution was the best. With a home remodel JR was able to meet with our design build company to coordinate scheduling, duct changes, and discuss scope of work. JR and his staff were able to integrate seamlessly with a large construction project. Small changes to duct work, changing hot water tank orientation was done on the fly and without issues. SSI is the only HVAC company I would consider! read more

Last Friday, I had a new 2nd floor HVAC system installed and couldn't be happier with the way it went. Jose C. showed up right at 7:30a as promised. Jose was a total professional and worked very diligently all day, occasionally taking the time to keep me informed what was going on and what their schedule looked like (they finished a bit early). Because it had been raining over night, Jose spread drop clothes out all the way from the front door to the attic stairs,keeping the carpet underneath perfectly clean. However, what I was most appreciative of was that Jose brought to my attention that the new outside unit they would be much taller than the one they were removing and as such, it might be more visible under/out the window where it sat. Jose offered to install the new one about 8-10 feet to the right if we wanted and for reasons unrelated, we decided not too. Just thought it was nice that he even brought it up, as well as a potential solution. Jose was accompanied by Reid M. who unfortunately for him had the bulk of the outside work. (Thankfully it was just wet as the rain had stopped). Reid is a younger/newer installer but seem to work very hard and did a great job installing the unit as it was much lower below the window than expected and he may have had something to do with that. Reid had a great attitude during all my interactions with him and together, they seemed to make a solid team. I can say, if I ever need to get the other HVAC unit replaced, I will specifically ask SSI to make sure we schedule it on a day when Jose and Reid are available. read more

I recently had an outstanding experience with Service Specialties Inc. (SSI) for a water heater tank replacement. From the moment I contacted them, Kaileen and SSI Team's commitment to customer service shone through. Their communication was prompt and transparent, providing a clear explanation of the process and offering fair pricing options tailored to my needs. They listened to my inquiries including a tankless water heater, which ended up being a better fit for my home and budget. On the day of the replacement, Elmer and his colleague arrived on time and were not only skilled but also took the time to address all my questions and concerns. Their professionalism and friendliness put me at ease. SSI's dedication to customer satisfaction was evident as they went the extra mile to ensure everything was perfect, even offering tips for maintenance. Angelica assisted with paperwork, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. Their genuine care and respect for my home left a lasting impression. making them my go-to for any plumbing needs. SSI's exceptional service, expertise, and dedication to customer satisfaction truly set them apart. If you're looking for a plumbing company that goes above and beyond, I highly recommend Service Specialties Inc. Thanks SSI team; Kaileen, Todd, Elmer and Angelica and the other names that were involved in this process. I really appreciate you guys! read more

I could not be more happy with the service I have been provided from SSI. Within a week of moving into my house the furnace stopped working. Based off of reviews I hired SSI to come out and take a look. Clint, the field technician, came to assist me and immediately noticed that there was some exposed wiring in the bottom half of my furnace. Giving a quick look Clint realized that two safety features have been by-passed. This is extremely dangerous and I am in the midst of going back to the home inspector who missed this only a month before. I called SSI back two weeks later to diagnosis what all has been done on the system and to give me an idea of what the cost would be to get the unit back to operational state. It actually turned out that the furnace was in much worse condition then I was told by the home inspector. Clint and the SSI team has been extremely helpful in getting me to the point I am now and to provide me with options on how I can proceed. Clint's level of professionalism means a lot. It is reassuring to see a company that values integrity and honesty. Clint actually gave a hoot about the situation and was not there to simply charge me. Due to Clint's honesty, SSI has earned a customer for life. I can't speak higher of Clint or SSI. read more

We recently found ourselves needing a new HVAC system. SSI sent Chris "Bacon" Charbonneau out to give us an estimate. He was very friendly and took the time to answer questions and explain things as he examined the setup in our house. I felt very comfortable working with him and SSI in general. We got a few other quotes as well, including others that sold Trane equipment. SSI had the best price on Trane equipment by far and there was no pressure to sell to us on the spot. In the end it was an easy decision to go with SSI. Joe Sechler and Reid came out to install the new system. Joe was very patient and answered all my questions while diligently working on pulling out the old system and preparing the new system for installation. They were both very considerate and I was very comfortable having them in my house. And best of all, at the end of the day I had a brand new AC system and furnace installed and working. I'm a very happy SSI customer and I look forward to working with them for years to come. read more

ssi installed our hvac system in april, 2016. this was the first of two included seasonal services included in that purchase. joe came by as scheduled and was courteous, professional and knowledgeable. he performed the seasonal mainitenance in a timely manner. he also discussed with us our interest in getting an accessory on the hvac system to help with air cleaning/purity. we had to wait to install this until now as the new system used the entire budget we had in april. after discussing everything with joe, he installed our air cleaner and so far, we are very happy. i also received calls with arrival time updates from a young lady named "sam", who was also very courteous and helpful. based on our first experience with the seasonal maintenance and the interactions with employees, we will most like purchase a seasonal service contract from ssi once we have used our remaining visit in the spring. read more

My A/C unit recently went out earlier this summer. A friend of mine recommended SSI and even before I called I glanced at their reviews and saw nothing but positive comments. I explained my situation to Renee Murphy in which she promptly scheduled a visit the next day to assess the extent of the problem. A young man named James stopped by and evaluated the situation and explained what needed to be done. Knowing how hot it was outside and how it was even hotter inside my residence Renee was able to setup an installation that very same week to fit my schedule. The day of the installation Reid & Jose completed the installation in less time than I had anticipated and thoroughly educated me on the equipment and what was completed. I truly would recommend this company to anyone and will continue to do business with them as they are professional with their customer service yet affordable for the middle class. read more

Service Specialties has been coming to my house for years!! Their customer service and knowledge of their products is what keeps me coming back year after year. It all starts with the ladies that answer the phones. They are always polite and knowledgeable, and I have had 3 different technicians to my home within the last couple years and they all have been very knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions that I had. I had to get a system installed this year, and it just validates the reason I use them! The Salesmen was friendly and outgoing and was able to make me a proposal within a day which was reasonably priced. My system went in within a week of me signing my proposal with no issues and I had a nice cool house the whole summer! It is so hard to find an honest service company these days, but I definitely will be continuing to use them and will be recommending them to everyone I know! read more

We've enjoyed knowledgeable and reliable service of our HVAC from Service Specialties for years. When we needed a new system this past week, SSI's salesperson provided all the information we needed. He explained about the thorough training of all the SSI employees - they are not short-term hire workers but are highly trained professionals who continue to educate themselves to keep up with new HVAC systems. Installers arrived promptly and covered all the floor areas in order to not dirty anything. Our regular service person who is most familiar with the layout and condition of our home also made sure to come by and make sure the installation would proceed optimally. Everyone involved was kind and professional. When complete, installers showed us the new system, cleaned everything to perfection, and offered to help with any follow up questions. Thank you Chris, Chris "Bacon," Joe and Isaac! read more

Joe W. has come out twice. The first time was when our AC stopped working. The system is ~12 years old and I figured we would be told we needed a whole new system. Joe said it was just the capacitor. He replaced that and put in a hard start booster capacitor. A few weeks later, the other unit did the same thing. I was able to replace the capacitor and booster myself. Joe said the system was old, but it should be ok for awhile and didn't ever even mention a new system. We purchased a maintenance plan which gave a discount on the initial service and then two followup inspections. It really paid for itself with the discount. Joe definitely earned my trust. I fully believe he was honest and could have easily upsold us on a new system. I don't have any experience with other technicians from SSI, but I would definitely trust Joe to cme into my house and service the HVAC system. read more

I've been using Service Specialties for going on eight years now. I am a very satisfied customer. What do I like? 1) When you call you get a live person who handles you professionally. 2) If you have an emergency you can count on SSI to get out to you quickly and get things fixed 3) you don't get a new/different technician every visit so if you have a maintenance program (as I do) your technician becomes someone familiar with your system, 4) my technician is a true professional who knows what he is doing and never recommends things just to make a sale, so when he does recommend things I know that his advice is based on my need. I can and do recommend SSI without any reservations! P.S. My home had two separate HVAC systems and intitially one of them was under a service contract with someone else. I cannot tell you how happy I was when that contract was up and I could go all SSI! read more

Needed a plumber and (after terrible service from another large and well-known HVAC/Plumbing provider in the DMV area) for the first time called Service Specialists, Inc. (SSI) after seeing great reviews for the company Called SSI to schedule service and Marcia answered the phone and was extremely informative and helpful in arranging my appointment and followed up with an email to confirm. My service technician/plumber was Michael and he was nothing short of outstanding! He knows his craft and quickly and efficiently inspected my sink and tub drains. Michael was very professional, polite and customer service oriented. Additionally, he has a great personality. I liked the service provided by SSI (Marcia and Michael) so much that I immediately enrolled in their Platinum Whole Home Protection Plan. I highly recommend SSI to anyone needing quality HVAC and Plumbing services! read more

The previous installer of my HVAC unit completely screwed it up. After two years of the HVAC's poor performance, upon the referral of a friend, I had SSI come out to inspect. Chris came out and, after a thorough inspection, told me what needed to be done to get the unit working properly. It was clear in the way that he answered my questions that he was very knowledgeable with respect to my particular Trane unit, and his quote to get it up and going (it required almost a complete reinstall) was in line with my expectations. The work was done last January. As a bonus, SSI sent him back out this week to make sure everything was properly working. It was. I have already referred Chris and SSI to my brother in law, who used them in February to install a new system. He told me the service and work were flawless. Without hesitation I would recommend them. read more

We have used SSI for two years, and Clint has been our HVAC technician for most of that time. He is extremely professional and knowledgeable about the systems. He is very efficient in doing the seasonal inspections and goes beyond the minimum requirements (cleans lines with vinegar, etc.). We had one issue with a unit shortly after the warranty expired. Clint went out of his way to advocate for us because he felt the problem had occurred during the warranty period and was only late in being discovered because of the timing of the seasonal maintenance. Thanks to his efforts, SSI covered the cost of the repair. Also, we recently started using SSI for plumbing services and found Rob N. to be every bit as professional and knowledgeable with respect to plumbing issues. Will definitely continue to use them in the future and recommend to others! read more

Wow, what a great experience with Service Specialties, both JR in sales and Brendan Allen the lead installer. The team came out and gave me a reasonable diagnostic for a fix but I made the decision to replace our 15 year old unit. I was able to get very competitive pricing for a top of the line Trane unit, so I decided to go for it. Everything was exactly as promised. Most notably the team did some serous work that was not factored into the estimate and never once asked for an adjustment. Because the higher SEER unit had a larger footprint, they went to the hardware store for 4x4 lumber and building a new platform on a hill. The craftsmanship on this footing was also first class. Top notch operation and I should mention we are enjoying ice cool, ultra quiet air conditioning that I can run from my iPhone anywhere. Well done!!! read more

AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE. After spending over $16,000 in the course of a few months with SSI, they went out of their way to nickel and dime me on a plumbing issue. I called for a leaky toilet. I was told by my plumber that the gaskets on the tank were loose and paid a good chunk of money for that diagnosis. Less than two months later I woke up to water pouring from the ceiling underneath the toilet. This was on a Saturday so I had to pay emergency feed to come out and service. The technician blamed it on an overflow without cutting into the ceiling. The leak continued that night and we had to call him back out. After cutting into the ceiling we discovered the leak was from the wax seal--something that should have been discovered on the first call not the third. I was charged again. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY AT ALL. read more

SSI is a trusted name in our home! To include Todd and Renee, Joe and Clint are family to us! We've gotten to know them and it speaks volumes about a company when you can form relationships with the employees. They give their undivided attention and stay steadfast on the job until we are 100% satisfied! They've worked diligently and come to our home numerous time to take care of a condensation issue. They stuck with us until the issue is fixed. They've follow-up with us, researched and even brought a Trane rep to make sure the fix action was the best solution! We have never experienced a company so loyal, dedicated and professional. It means more than you know to have a company like you guys that we can trust not only in our home and who respects is like its their own, but takes pride in the work they do. THANK YOU! read more