Action Furnace Inc

Action Furnace had a deal where buying a high-efficiency furnace would also get an AC installed for $1000. Since our furnace was ancient and overdue for replacement, we decided to go ahead with the replacement and take advantage of the deal.

The sales rep told us we'd be receiving a high-efficiency AC, scaling with the type of furnace we bought - we bought a top-of-the-line furnace, but only received the basic model AC. When discussing this with the manager later, he said that they only sell those in Calgary, since the AC season is so short it doesn't make fiscal sense to get a more expensive unit.

During the quote for the furnace, the sales rep told us the furnace would be vented through the roof, in the same location the old furnace vented. When the installers arrived, however, they spent several hours deciding where to go. They asked for permission to cut a hole through our wall to make way for a vent into the backyard, through the side of the house.

I gave permission for the hole, which they cut - and then decided not to use, going through the roof after all. They patched the hole with a piece of hard plastic.

They drilled out through the side of the house to make a pilot hole for the AC's pipes - this tore out a sizeable chunk of stucco from the siding of the house. They didn't use this hole, instead drilling a different hole underneath, and plugged up the pilot hole with silicon.

When later asked to repair the damage, the original installer came out, somewhat surly, and patched it with white stucco - the original stucco was grey. His excuse - he didn't bring any grey stucco with him.

They also ripped out a section of the wall (ripped, not cut) to gain access to the drain, which they claimed 'wasn't fixable' because the pipe was in the way.

Last, but not least, I paid for vent cleaning, which was not done. The installers said that they like the new furnace to settle in before they clean the vents, but they never came back. When I called in to ask when it was going to happen, I was told they don't clean vents during their busy season (fall + winter). I've patiently waited and haven't heard a peep since, and the summer has come and gone.

The deal seemed good, but they padded the price elsewhere and it seems to have worked out the same as if I paid full price for the AC. Given the quality of work of the installers and the damage done to my house, I wish I'd gone with a different company.