Enercare Inc. review: Air conditioning unit rental

On the morning of March 16, 2018, I noticed hat my furnace was not working. I called Enercare and asked them to come asap – I was concerned about pipes bursting (it was -6C), about my two elderly cats and my own health. On March 17th, 2018 a man by the name of Hamid Koskebaghi came to assess my needs and prepare agreement forms. He told me that the furnace need to be replaced, that the hot water tank also needs to be replaced because of build-up or calcification (I haven’t noticed any problem with the hot water supply). He insisted that the water heater be replaced with a tankless one, because it was too cold outside for them to check the condition of the chimney. He was also focusing on ‘getting me a rebate’ and suggested that I get a new air conditioner as well to qualify. In retrospect, I should have been more alert, but it was very cold in the house, and unfortunately I didn’t have anyone to help me with the decisions. I was a single pensioner in her 70s with a big problem and I trusted this person’s integrity. Once the furnace, tankless water heater and A/C were installed I had more time to look at the papers he has left behind and noticed some problems.

The most disturbing is the calculation he made on the air conditioner unit, and this is the one I am disputing.

1. He priced the Carrier 24ABB324 unit at $9,200.00+$1,196.00 taxes = $10,396.00! I attached a review of this particular model and today’s retail price is $1,375.00 (installed $2,990). “The average cost of Carrier central air conditioner unit is $2,428.”

2. “This is Carrier’s most basic air conditioner.” It’s not Energy Star rated and doesn’t qualify for rebate.

3. On the quote page, he indicated that this was a DELUX option.

4. He also charged $1,196.00 HST, even though I was not purchasing the unit, merely renting it. I assume that Enercare buys at wholesale price and does not pay HST.

5. Based on the above, I feel that I have been deceived, misled, pressured and grossly overcharged.

Enbridge Gas Distribution is the supplier of gas and Enercare’s charges appear on Enbridge’s bills. I have written to Enbridge in early May 2018. My laptop crashed and I lost all my files, so I can’t provide you with my letter to them, however, I attached their reply dated May 7, 2018. The credits they mention were for charging me for both old and new units, and then reimbursing me for less than their charges were.

Since then, I called Enercare several times trying to cancel the rental. One time, I was offered a three-month rebate for the A/C rental, thanks to a sympathetic customer service person. The last time was a few weeks ago when I was told to pay $8,000.00 if I want to cancel the rental for the A/C.

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