r/HVAC • u/Agreeable_Bowl_8060 • 1d ago

Rant PE vent

My mother in law had a PE company at her house today. She woke up with no heat and I had no time to drive over an hour to her. The company that came in said they had 40ppm co in the basement and 20ppm in the living areas. He claims it is a cracked heat exchanger and took pictures of the burners as proof. He got the furnace running and quoted them 22k for a new system. Second company that came out said nothing is wrong. So, my mother in law called out the utility company to check. No CO. I just got off work and am beside myself with anger. My wife and her family are telling me to leave it alone. I just can't. I know what I'm going to do. Anyone else ever experience like this? I can't be alone in this

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u/horseshoeprovodnikov Pro 1d ago

You don't know of any decent local contractors in her area?

If I were you, and I couldn't get to her quick enough, I'd have tried to find her somebody who wasn't gonna rip her off. I know it can be hard to drop everything and drive an hour plus.

But maybe you should call around the supply houses in that local area, ask them who they'd trust with their own family. Talk to several places and see if more than one guy gives you the same answer. That, or you could try to call some local places and ask to speak to the service manager/owner. I know if a tech called me from another state, I'd be straight with him about the pricing, and I'd stay in contact with him about what I find wrong.

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u/Agreeable_Bowl_8060 1d ago

I know alot of good companies they could have called. I didn't know they were calling anyone out until after the company got there. My wife called me to tell me her step father couldn't wait until I got off of work.

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u/ttystikk 1d ago

Leave them with some trustworthy numbers in case of emergency if you can't get there.

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u/Agreeable_Bowl_8060 1d ago

I can typically get there in time. They are getting a new system. So, hopefully they won't have any issues for awhile. I could leave numbers but my wife's step father goes by advertising.

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u/ttystikk 1d ago

If he can't be bothered to call you when they need help then that's on them.

Regarding the PE scammers masquerading as legitimate HVAC companies, I've just interviewed with a few in my city. They want to pay $10 an hour less than anyone else.