And getting an honest diagnosis, and fair cost on the repair may be a gamble at best.
Most Common Air Conditioner Problem
The most common air conditioning failure, especially during very hot weather is the capacitor that runs the fan motor and the compressor. A capacitor is a small metal cylindrical can about six inches high that stores a charge of electric and powers the motor and compressor. Typically it's a "dual run" capacitor, one terminal runs the fan and another the compressor. One or both can short out, or go weak or bad. The indication will be that the fan outside stops, or the fan runs but the compressor does not, and therefore the house will be longer be cooled.
Photo: Typical dual run capacitor
The capacitor is a low cost item on Amazon for less then $20. You will pay much more though when provided by an air conditioner repair tech. This should be the first thing a technician should check when the fan or the compressor is not turning on. (The capacitor micro-farad rating must be the same as the original. Technicians may not have the correct one on hand and watch our for them trying to replace it with an incorrect value.) It's a 10-minute change out. Check YouTube for videos that show how to diagnose and replace the capacitor. YouTube is also handy source to see how technicians may try to do unnecessary work or replace or repair items not needed.
Adding Refrigerant
Your air conditioning system is a totally closed system. There is no reason for adding refrigerant into the system unless there is a leak. Adding refrigerant is an easy way to charge you for that expensive service. And it will not fix the leak.
Finding An Honest Company
We researched a few Fort Myers companies, after learning that the North American Technical Excellence organization (NATE) tests technicians and lists those who qualify for certification on it's website.
Unlike many certifications that may only require passing a basic test or focus on narrow specialties, NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification requires both academic proficiency and hands-on work experience (minimum two years) before attempting the exams. The required tests assess a technician’s understanding of not just theory, but practical skills in safety, diagnostics, proper installation, and system optimization across numerous HVAC specialties.Home-Tech advertises "All of Home-Tech’s air conditioning specialists are NATE certified (North American Technician Excellence)" but on checking with NATE it was found they only have one person listed. When I called Home-Tech to verify if they have more than one, they said "all" were, but would not give me a NATE ID for any of the technicians to verify certification.
Next was Advanced Air And Refrigeration. NATE's website said they had one certified tech. When calling their number 239-768-5558 a male answered the call in what sounded like a polite informal voice coming from an office where you could hear keyboards clicking.
But when we tried to talk, the voice interrupted many times, and didn't seem to understand what we wanted to ask, but irritatingly and repeatedly asked if we wanted to make an appointment. After a few minutes it was discovered that the voice was an AI voice, almost convincingly mimicking a real human voice. When asked it if the voice was "AI" it confirmed it was. Eventually, the voice said it would have someone call me back and asked for my name.
A few minutes later a real human female called. Unfortunately, she didn't seem to know about NATE certified technicians and said someone would call me back.
And they did within a few minutes. The head of the training department called to say they did not believe much in the NATE certifications, saying the test were old and out of date. He said at one time he personally had the certification, but let it lapse. He indicated one of his trainers may have the certification.
Googling and using AI searches for NATE certified techs in Fort Myers brought up several more companies including United Mechanical, Certified Heating and Cooling Inc., Ellsworth’s Heating & Cooling, and Spectrum Air Conditioning. This credential was a part of their marketing and an explicit promise to customers seeking expert HVAC service.
These HVAC providers in Fort Myers explicitly showcase NATE certification as a key service feature:Home-Tech highlights that all of its air conditioning specialists are NATE certified, describing the credential as evidence of their technicians’ superior training, expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction. Their website directly emphasizes that NATE certification “helps the customers know that there are knowledgeable and dedicated technicians working for that company” and uses it as a core selling point for their service team.
Spectrum Air Conditioning in North Fort Myers features NATE certification as a prominent reason to choose their team, specifically citing their “high level of knowledge,” ability to deliver “fast and efficient service,” lower utility bills, and longevity for HVAC systems because of their NATE-certified professionals. They encourage customers to schedule appointments with NATE-certified technicians as a central assurance of quality.
United Mechanical (UMI) in Fort Myers also explicitly states that "many of our technicians are NATE Certified," making this credential a public differentiator for their AC repair and installation services.
Although these companies directly market NATE certification on their websites and communications, positioning it as a reason for homeowners and businesses to trust their HVAC service, none (except for Home-Tech) were listed as having certified techs on NATE's website.
NATE Certification look up: https://natex.org/homeowner/find-a-contractor-with-nate-certified-technicians/find-a-contractor-with-nate-certified-technicians
Excellent research and helpful advice.
ReplyDeleteDear Don Browne,
ReplyDeleteI would like to begin by stating clearly that the Employee Owners of Home-Tech strongly advise against consumers attempting to replace air conditioning capacitors themselves. This is a serious safety risk. Capacitors store high-voltage electricity, even when the power is off, and if not properly discharged, they can cause severe electric shock.
Our HVAC technicians are specifically trained to handle, test, and replace these components safely using proper tools and procedures.
In addition to the physical danger, accurate diagnosis is essential. A failed capacitor may not be the root issue; it could be a symptom of a larger problem. Without the right training and equipment, a misdiagnosis can result in costly secondary damage.
Capacitors also vary in microfarad (μF) and voltage ratings. Installing an incorrect part can lead to system inefficiencies or premature failure of expensive components. Our technicians ensure the exact specifications are matched to manufacturer requirements.
It's also important to note that DIY repairs often void equipment warranties. Home-Tech’s professional repairs are documented and supported by our warranty, giving customers added peace of mind.
Some things are best left to professionals.
We also want to address the 2-star review you recently left on our Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile. This affects our A+ rating that our Employee Owners have worked so hard to achieve and maintain.
After careful review, it appears you have never received any service from Home-Tech, and your comments reference general industry concerns rather than a personal experience. While we absolutely welcome public discourse, transparency, and accountability, we believe review platforms like the BBB should reflect actual customer experiences to provide fair, reliable information for all consumers.
Furthermore, we noticed that your blog post was published on Southwest Florida Online, a platform covering the Hendry, Glades, and Lake Okeechobee regions. Home-Tech does not provide service in those areas, which makes the context about Home-Tech inapplicable. We have provided Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota, and Manatee Counties exceptional service for over 44 years.
Regarding NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification, it is not a universal requirement for HVAC companies, but we have employed several NATE-certified technicians over the years. Certification statuses can change due to expiration, job role transitions, or other staffing updates.
We are currently in the process of reviewing and updating our marketing materials to ensure they accurately reflect our team’s current certification status. It’s also important to clarify that NATE certification applies exclusively to HVAC professionals, not appliance repair technicians. Additionally, NATE requires a minimum of two years of field experience before a technician is eligible for certification. For this reason, our website specifically refers to "Air Conditioning Specialists" when discussing NATE certification, rather than applying it broadly to all technicians.
Whether NATE-certified or not, all of our technicians undergo continuous, in-house training led by our full-time, on-site training manager. This robust program ensures our technicians meet Employee-Owned Home-Tech’s high internal standards for service quality and professionalism.
Out of respect for our employees’ privacy, we do not disclose individual NATE ID numbers publicly. However, if you have specific questions or require additional information, we encourage you to reach out to us directly. In doing so, please clearly identify yourself as a member of the press so we can route your inquiry appropriately and ensure you receive accurate, verified information. We trust that, as a professional, you understand the seriousness of publishing inaccurate claims about a business and the potential implications regarding defamation.