Two Units Never Worked Properly Because Of Poor Installation
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation fined an air conditioning contractor $6,000 for substandard workmanship on an air conditioning system the contractor installed in a residence in Alvord. Despite complaints from the consumer, the contractor failed to correct several mechanical integrity deficiencies.
Commission Fines A/C Contractor $6,000 For Substandard Work
Two Units Never Worked Properly Because Of Poor Installation
May 16, 2007
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Patrick Shaughnessy
512-463-3208
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation fined an air
conditioning contractor $6,000 for substandard workmanship on an air
conditioning system the contractor installed in a residence in Alvord.
Despite complaints from the consumer, the contractor failed to correct
several mechanical integrity deficiencies.
The Commission levied the fine against Michael Odum, owner of Red River
Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning, which has offices in
Denison and Pilot Point.
Odum installed two air conditioning and heating units in a residence in
Alvord in February 2004. The consumer paid Odum almost $6,000 for a
two-ton unit and a five-ton unit. Within months the consumer complained
of water leaks in the interior walls of his home, insufficient cooling
and noisy operation and vibration in the units. The consumer complained
to Odum, who initially made some repairs, but the problems persisted.
Odum contended there were problems with the units and referred the
consumer to the manufacturer.
The manufacturer, Ducane, sent out a second air conditioning contractor
to review the equipment and the installation. The second contractor
determined that the units were not cooling correctly because the duct
work was inadequate and also not installed correctly. Odum failed to
seal the ducts with mastic tape, leaving an inadequate seal that allowed
cooled air to leak from the ducts into the attic. He also installed
the wrong size return air vents for both units. Those he installed were
too small, which led to inadequate cooling due to the heat pump turning
off excessively. The second contractor also determined condensate drain
lines were improperly installed, causing leaks into interior walls.
Correcting the deficiencies will cost an estimated $3,000.
"Air conditioning and heating work can be very expensive," said
William Kuntz, executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing
and Regulation (TDLR). "If the work isn't done correctly and the
contractor can't or won't fix the problem, consumers should contact
TDLR so we can hold the contractor accountable." |