Honest HVAC, LLC

Honest HVAC, LLC Heating and air information, tips and tricks, and suggestions, from a tech in the trade.

05/22/2026

Here's the latest tactic I just heard about that one of the bigger hvac outfits is doing to charge you close to $30k for a new system.....

My neighbor stopped over to pick my brain on it yesterday when i was out gardening with the fam.

So when I was out of commission a few years ago battling lyme and RA, he ended up signing a service agreement with this other well known company. I saw their trucks out there like 2 weeks ago, I figured he was getting a new system. Turns out, his equipment turned 10 yrs old this year so when the service tech came out for his maintenance check, they automatically sent out a sales guy with him as well. System is working fine by the way. Sales guy tried talking him into buying a new system anyway. They put an average life of about 15-18 yrs on equipment these days, so his current system should still have plenty of life left in it. Didnt matter to them. They just want that $$$$$. They quoted him so much money a month for 10 yrs, which turned into about a $28,000 price tag in the grand scheme of things! But if he signed now, they could take off $2k and they could start on it tomorrow (high pressure sales tactics anyone?). I think he said it was setup like a lease, so he wouldnt have to pay for any repairs on it during those 10 years, but still.....$26,000 for a new system after discount, 14 SEER which is entry level stuff, even with all the repairs included over those 10 years, maybe $1-2k worth unless a compressor craps out which is rare during that 10 yr time, deduct that from the total and you're still paying, say $24,000 for it, which is still WAAAAAY over priced by about $10-13k!

I wonder why they dont advertise it like, "1 system for the price of 2"? Lol.

And now that im thinking about it, I had another customer over the winter that was talking about her thankless water heater and how it wasn't working right and how it was on a 10 yr lease. And come to think of it, it was the same company name that I saw on that water heater that approached my neighbor with these shenanigans! She was not happy at all with the water heater deal in hindsight.

DON'T FALL FOR THIS TACTIC PEOPLE!!!!! Finance it if you have to, it'll probably be way cheaper.

Honest HVAC, LLC will never treat you like this! Thats my company. I'm currently a one man shop out of Bellbrook. I'm the guy who has your best interest at heart because ive seen how shady some of the other techs/companies out there can be and I don't think its right. Its not fair to you guys as customers who may not know any better. It should be our job to guide you through the process, whether for repair or replacement, with your best interest first. Ive seen people pay thousands of dollars on repairs or replacements who get screwed over on gouged prices, improper install, or just real shotty work. I hate going into a home and finding people who fall victim to these things, yet, on the other hand, i kinda like it at the same time because it fuels my desire to be better than them and makes me feel good about myself too for always being on the up and up. But we work hard for our money to just have it squandered away by people who operate like that. It costs you hundreds or thousands to have them "fix" your stuff, then you have to pay me hundreds or thousands to fix their work. Its not a rare thing and thats why my approach is to be on your guys' sides. I work with you, not for you. Its not all about the money for me. The money will be there. The true value for me is building up a huge inventory of loyal clientele who will only call on me and nobody else, so I can keep my schedule full and hopefully start looking at hiring some help. If I dont get the big sell now, so be it. Ill get it later, when its actually due. I'm a big believer in treat people how you want to be treated and what goes around, comes around. By me taking care of you guys now, I trust that you guys will in turn take care of me later, simply by becoming my loyal clientele, instead of just a one time customer. This is why i treat you guys the way I do and i educate you guys the way i do. I feel its a win-win for everybody that way and it allows me to sleep easy at night, knowing im doing things right. If you guys ever need anything, I'm around!

05/01/2026

More cooler days are in the forecast. Not ideal weather for cooling inspections, but its great for saving money by opening windows instead. If you opt to do this, remember to turn your system to OFF, which I often forget to do, and turn your fan to ON. This will help circulate more of the "free cooling" throughout the home. Its also good for bringing in fresh air which is good for indoor air quality. Make sure its not too humid outside for your liking though or it will just make your home feel muggy. If your seasonal allergies start flaring up, maybe try just cracking your windows instead. You might also be interested in having an air purifier installed to help minimize the allergen particulates in the air so you can have the benefits of open windows without the extreme allergies. Honest HVAC, LLC can help with this upgrade if you're interested. 937-654-6619

04/14/2026

The time for cooling inspections has begun. This season, don't be taken advantage of when a tech says its time to replace your system. Most breakdowns can be fixed and most of the time, a repair is all you need, but sometimes replacement can be a better option.

Here are some scenarios and pointers to consider when being faced with the decision to repair vs replace.

1. Compressor failure. To replace the compressor, you're looking at about 1/2 the price MINIMUM of a new system. By the time they go bad, your equipment is likely old anyways, probably best to go the rest of the way and start fresh. One tell tale sign of a bad compressor is it'll REPEATEDLY trip the breaker or pop a fuse.

2. Leak in the system. I'd say 4 out of 5 times, if you develop a leak in an older system, I find the indoor coil to be the culprit. You may be able to replace the indoor coil, but it'll cost you about 1/3 - 1/2 the price of a new system. I'd say depending on the age and condition of the equipment, yeah, you could replace the coil, but it might end up being more feasible just to start fresh a lot of times.

3. Its grown into a lemon. If your system is older, in rough shape, tired, maybe leaking refrigerant, etc, and you are faced with several repairs that add up to over $1000-1500, you have to ask yourself, "should I put this money into this old system just to still be sitting with an old system, or would i be better off to apply it toward a new system and start fresh?" Nobody can answer that question for you. Personally, I make it my perogative to give you all the information I can in order for you to make the best decision you can. Its your stuff, it should be your call.

4. "Its getting old." Dont let a tech tell you this as their reason for replacement. I did my first cooling inspection yesterday since weather conditions are finally right this week. It was a 33 yr old system. Yeah it looks old. Yeah it is old. But its still running great after replacing a wear and tear part. There's no reason my customer cant get years more out of her system. Old doesnt mean bad! Don't let "because its old" be their reasoning behind telling you its time to replace. Commission driven techs love this tactic.

5. Motor trouble. A bad blower motor (inside) or fan motor (outside) usually isnt a big enough reason to replace the entire system. Not unless you're dealing with the lemon example above. I have a bunch of homeowners ask me if they have to replace the entire system when I tell them one of their motors went bad. Most of the time, you are better off just replacing the motor.

6. Its just time. If you jave your own personal reasons, you just want something newer, more efficient, less burdensome with repairs, more peace of mind, etc, if its something you just WANT to do, than by all means, do it.

And if you do end up replacing your system this year, make sure the equipment gets registered! It usually extends the 5 yr parts warranty to 10 yrs for most brands out there. Ive seen it save customers hundreds and even thousands of dollars in that 5-10 yr span more times than i can remember. I make sure to take care of the registration for all of my installs to ensure it gets done for the customer. Not all companies will do this though, so be sure it gets done, even if you have to do it yourself.

If you ever find yourself questioning another tech's diagnosis or sales tactics, if you ever need a 2nd opinion, maintenance, or have a breakdown, or even if you just have a question, Honest HVAC, LLC is just a phone call away. 937-654-6619

03/27/2026

Its not QUITE time for ac inspections but we're getting close. If you'd like to be added to my a/c inspection call list, I will be sure to get in touch with you when temperatures/weather allow me to perform them.

Outside temps should be at least 65 degrees minimum, 70+ would be better, AND steady. If its any colder than this outside, your system isnt working, its just running through the motions, which effects readings and measurements and doesnt allow for normal operating test results. I can be like some other companies and just start knocking out inspections to get them done, but I prefer to do them right.

I'm very thorough, I tell it to you straight, I like to educate you on why bad parts need replaced, I dont sell you what you dont need, and I try to repair instead of replace unless it doesnt make sense to keep it going any longer. Either way, its your decision to make in the end. I dont like pushy sales tactics so I lay out all your options with prices whether its repair and/or replace, so you can make the best decision you can with your equipment. And you'll never hear me say your system needs replaced just because its getting old! Im a one man shop out of Bellbrook, licensed and insured, hold several certifications, and am well educated.

If you're interested, you can call me to be added to my waiting list at 937-654-6619 or you can text me (at that same number) or private message me your contact info so I can get you entered into my service app and get you added onto my list. Please include your name, address, phone #, and email. Its all kept private and not sold or anything like that. I get 15 spam calls every day as a business owner so I understand how annoying that gets. You dont have to worry about any of that with me. Then I will be in touch when Mother Nature tells us its time. My inspections run $95 and I offer up front pricing if any additional repairs are needed.

Another one done. Had to install a new furnace and a/c, some duct mods, and installed a new dryer vent up and out the ro...
03/19/2026

Another one done. Had to install a new furnace and a/c, some duct mods, and installed a new dryer vent up and out the roof on this one. I always prefer running dryer vents out the side of the house when I can because I hate the look of lint stuck on the shingles, but sometimes that option just isnt in the cards.

03/04/2026

I just saw the first ad for seasonal A/C maintenance.

Here’s why I’d advise against scheduling it just yet.

When it comes to cooling inspections, it’s not about getting them done early — it’s about getting them done timely.

Here’s what I mean…

When performing a cooling inspection, you want steady 65–70° outdoor temperatures at a minimum. If it’s colder than that, there’s no real heat load on the system. The equipment is basically just going through the motions — it’s not really doing any work.

It skews operating pressures, temperature splits, amp draws, etc. All of it can look different when the system is actually working under an actual heat load. Taking readings during low outdoor temps doesn’t give you an accurate picture of true system performance.

Right now, Mother Nature is all over the place. Cold. Warm. Freezing. Back to mild. Then cool again. That’s not ideal weather for properly checking your A/C.

If you want a meaningful inspection — one that actually tells you how your system will perform when it’s 85° and humid — timing matters.

As always, if you have questions, I’m happy to help.

— Derek
Honest HVAC, LLC
937-654-6619

I came across these in a house the other day. Ive never seen them before in my 13 years of doing heating and air. All I ...
02/06/2026

I came across these in a house the other day. Ive never seen them before in my 13 years of doing heating and air. All I can say is "no, no, no, no, no."

My theory behind this product is if you have little to no airflow coming out of a supply register, you slam these in and these little computer fans are supposed to pull air from the duct and push it into the room.

Heres my problem with these things.....

If you need to pull air from the duct, that tells me there's not enough air in the duct to distribute to the room anyway, and these little dinky fans aren't going to pull enough air to treat the room regardless. Its like putting a bandaid on a broken leg.

Not only that, but every supply register is lab tested and carries an air restriction rating with it. It is a deciding factor when designing a duct system as to what registers will be used. Looking at the bottom of these fan powered registers, look how much of the register is actually blocked off with the plastic framing. Its madness! So restrictive!

It also appears they have an unsightly permanent cord hanging out of them, and im assuming they need to be charged or plugged in to work. If these were mine, I'd pull these out and throw them right in the garbage.

The reason there's no airflow coming out of the supply register to begin with is your real issue and its due to bad duct design, improper equipment size, and/or restricted airflow. Your best bet is to check your filter and check to make sure your blower wheel is clean first. You can also check your duct work for any damage or restrictive fittings that would impede airflow from reaching its end destination. A big airflow killer is flex duct. Its pretty much dryer vent wrapped in insulation. This stuff is designed to be pulled tight, but i rarely see it installed properly. Usually it twists and turns and is left loose and that all cuts down on airflow in a huge way. Airflow is crucial and key for having a comfortable home.

If that all looks good, then you likely have issues with your duct design, duct size, or size of equipment. Sometimes this can be helped by balancing the system. It is a way to take all the supplied air and redistribute it by installing dampers to regulate how much air goes where. It allows you the ability to take a little air from each room and force it down into the back bedroom instead, where it currently gets none. On top of that, other duct modifications or even system changouts might be in order to achieve proper airflow. These repairs can get real expensive real quick, but there are better options out there that dont involve using these goofy registers.

01/30/2026

Honest HVAC, LLC is not into pushy sales tactics, however, we are into educating the customer. Sometimes that education comes in the form of offering upgrades, that more often than not, the homeowner has never heard of or even knew existed.

Here are a few of the upgrades that are available these days, that you may or may not know about...

1- probably my most popular upgrade is the iwave air purifier. As homes get tighter and more energy efficient, indoor air quality becomes more of an issue because there is less fresh air infiltrating into the home. There are many options for bringing in fresh air, and while they're are considered upgrades, I will save those for another post. The iwave, however, has proven to me time and time again that its everything its cracked up to be. It sends ions throughout the home that work to neutralize viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, smoke, odors, and other airborne pathogens. Its biproduct is water v***r so it helps cut down on static shock in the winter (not necessarily all of it) and dust over time. Ive seen this improve issues first hand with dust, allergies, COPD, musty odors, cigarette odors, dog odors, stagnant air, humid air, hard to breath air, etc.

2- if you've ever had a frozen indoor coil before, you may know how much damage they can cause to anything and everything below it and around it on the floor due to water leaking as a result. There are freeze switches that can be added to prevent these coils from freezing up so this never happens.

3- a whole house humidifier can be added to cut down on static shock, dry skin, itchy skin, dust, airborne pathogens, prevent wood furniture and floors from cracking, etc, during the heating season.

4- there's a water detection device that goes at the base of anything with the potential to leak water. If it ever detects water, it alerts you on your phone so you can cut off the equipment and address the situation so further damage doesn't occur.

5- i preach on carbon monoxide detectors all the time. I consider the standard ones to be a false sense of security because you will likely be feeling the effects of the CO poisoning before those things go off. If there are low levels of CO in the home, you may never even know it, but even extended exposure to low CO levels cause all kinds of long lasting and even permanent health issues. Dont mess around with CO people. Its no joke. I dont even offer standard CO detectors anymore. Instead, you want to install low level CO monitors. Those are the ones that will keep your family safe, in my opinion.

The list goes on and on when it comes to upgrades. There are so many ways to improve systems and performance and every single system and every single home may require different things depending on the layout of each. Heating and air goes so much deeper than just heating and cooling the air. Its comfort, its efficiency, its safety, its pretty much anything and everything to do with the home. Weatherization, humidity, temperatures, noise factors, odors, dust, thermodymics, airflow, etc, etc, etc.

If you have any interest or questions in any of the upgrades listed, or any other ones on your mind, feel free to give Honest HVAC, LLC a call at 937-654-6619.

01/29/2026

With all this snow piled up everywhere, and from what I hear, a lot more on the way, be sure to clear around your heat pumps if you have them. Dont let snow/ice pile up on top of them and make sure air can get through them on all sides. At these frigid temps, their use might be discontinued until it warms back up a little bit, but best to have them clear for when they are running for optimum performance. If you require service during this harsh winter, be sure to call Honest HVAC, LLC at 937-654-6619.

Address

Regent Park Drive
Bellbrook, OH
45305

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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+19376546619

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