DCS Heating & Air Conditioning

Started out great. DCS was recommended by a friend. This was the 2nd time I used them, but will be the last. I'm not sure why I did not check Angie's List the first time. My mistake, because I've never had a bad experience with an 'A' rated Angie's contractor. It was time for another furnace a/c checkup, so I called them again. Very responsive and someone came out the next day. Technician was very nice and professional looking and conversing. He told me that the capacitor on the unit was leaking. That was when the things started to go south, although I did not know it at the moment. Skipping ahead, when it was all over, I began to have doubts and called an 'A' rated Angie's technician (Timo's Heating) who came out the next day. Jumping back to DCS, the technician recommended a new capacitor for $265 installed, but if I signed up for the annual contract of $159, which included 2 checkups (one heating, one cooling), 20% off parts, and priority service after hours. That would get me a discount on the capacitor. I agreed and the price dropped to $225. DCS also recommended a $49 pan treatment to be done each time, which is supposed to prevent corrosion in the copper drain line. I agreed. My unit is noisy when it runs (fan noise in the return air duct) and the technician said my return air duct was 16" and should be 22" for a 5 ton unit and Increasing the size of the return air duct would help. That procedure would cost $1,250, but would not only make it quieter, but run more efficiently, thereby lengthening the life of the unit. He said someone would call me the next day to come out and verify the price. Nobody did. That night is when I began to doubt what I was told, so first thing Monday morning I called Timo's and Marcus came over 2 hours later to look things over--for FREE! Marcus said he agreed the return air duct was told me the air return was smaller than recommended, but would not recommend enlarging it because all kinds of additional problems could occur in a building of this age. If I had not been having any problems, he wouldn't change it. Marcus also said I would always have noise because the unit was on the roof directly above the return air duct. He said he could simply turn the fan speed down on the furnace, which would help the noise problem. He also said his normal price on the capacitor was the same as the 'discounted' price from DCS. Plus, their tune-up price is $20 less than DCS. He further said that there is no additional charge for after hours calls. Great guy! Saved me $1,250 and as I said before, no charge for the consultation. Marcus merely shook his head to say 'no' when I told him about the 'pan treatment.' Further research showed that DCS, which is now owned by The General and as with The General, has the reputation of being one of the highest price companies in the valley. I cancelled the DCS annual contract less than an hour after Marcus from Timo's left.

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Service person gave a long list of what he thought would be needed to correct the situation. Gave me an estimate of $1400 to cut the lines to find a leak. The explanation given did not sit well with me and sounded like a big sales pitch (which it was in the end based on a second opinion).

We had used them before so we were well-experienced with them. This is the most major work they've done for us. They remind us when servicing is due, they are very prompt, and they get everything done very quickly. We are repeat customers; we like them a lot.