I moved to Florida April 1, 2014. Within a week, Florida Energy Water & Air contacted me about purchasing a water softening system for my home. I agreed to a meeting and their sales rep came on April 16, 2013. They promoted the system promising better tasting water, improved dishwasher performance, and other benefits. It was financed with Home Depot who does free water tests and then sends these folk out. From the first, I noticed my dishwasher was not cleaning the dishes, glasses were badly spotted and about a third of the plates had to be re-washed by hand before putting them away. I blamed the dishwasher so purchased a new one. After it's installation I noticed there was little improvement. The water had always tasted odd to me, but I reckoned it was because I was used to northern water.
In Feb 2014 the water became increasingly unpalatable. Finally in on April 9 I set up an appointment to have the system serviced. The service team arrived (5/7/2014), tested the water and said it was 'hard'. They looked at the unit and said it was broken. I was given a quote of $133.25 for labor, $5.20 for the replacement part and $5.00 for it's shipping and handling. This unit was barely more than a year old, with a life time warranty. I objected and contacted the company. ‘Paul’ claimed the repair team should not have tried to charge me for the parts but the $133.25 labor would have to be paid.
I told them I paid $7600.00 for this unit, I expected it to last more an 12 1/2 months. I should not have to pay anything. In subsequent calls I was quoted 144.00 per hour for labor and when I said I wanted to disconnect and return the system, they quoted 144.95 for the first half hour and 144.95 for every hour after. I said fine I wanted it off my property, returned and my Home Depot account credited for the balance due. Their service man arrived and said he could disconnect it but could not take it back to the company because "I bought it".
On May 21 I called as spoke with Jason at Florida Energy. I told him the history and he said 'they should have tried to charge me and they'd come fix it for free. But I would not allow a return because 'I bought it'. I've contacted Home Depot to file a credit dispute, but it's been longer than 12 months so they will not help. I have contacted H Depot customer care and they are 'seeing what they can do' but I have to let the company have a chance to fix it. They had a chance, during the 4 previous phone calls.
I have since learned only Florida Energy can do repairs because the parts are propriety and can only be purchase from Rainsoft by them. As a result they can gouge their customer for labor ($144/hour). Other company's charge between $39-$60. Having been in Florida a while now I see how things are. I feel this company preyed on me when I first arrived. I was grossly over-charged for a system that does not live up to it's promises and because of the propriety nature of its parts will continue to gouge consumers on maintenance and repair. Their service people have tried to pad the bill.
And I suspect they timed the service visit to ensure it was more than 12 months after the installation.
Also when they put the system in, they cut the Verizon cable line that has been installed earlier that same day. The workman never said a word to me about it. I only found out because Verizon sent someone to the house that evening and they discovered their cable cut. Florida Energy sold me the system and had it installed within hours.
I realize now they didn't want to give me time to reconsider. I made a stupid decision but I feel repeatedly victimized by this company. I want to system removed and the remaining amount owed credited to my Home Depot account. I have no faith in the company, their staff, customer service or the quality of the 'lifetime' system they sold me. DON'T let them in your home.
A few months later another sales rep contacted me about blowing insulation into my attic to reduce home enery costs. The quoted me $4,000. I contanct serveral other companies who quoted between $400-$900 for the exact same materials and specs.
My first year in FL has been an ongoing nightmare. Apart from dealing with a major move and new job, I've dealt with tradesmen over a new roof leaking , a newly installed air conditioner break down, a security system that failed to work when my house was broken into, been delivered a new dish waher that was badly dented, paid to repair termite damage that was unnoticed by the home inspector. The list goes on but this is the last straw. Florida Energy , Water and Air is predatory, dishonest and fraudulent in their sales and servicing.
First off buyer beware and any person intending to seek work here , beware . This company is fraudulent and deceptive and their managers sexually harass you and use intimidation and threaten to fire you . They lie to customers and over charge for the softners . Try another water co and you'll get for 2,000 vs, 7,000. Their whole company is based on lies and deception . they make promises to people and do not deliver. My husband and I just moved here and we were called by Home Depot and we agreed to a free water test . They send out this sleezie old guy who is making eyes at my 14 old daughter and trying to grope me . My husband threw him out of the house . We will never Allow another water co in our home again . Thanks Hone Depor for sending out Florida energy and Bruce to our home .
Florida Energy Water & Air, Inc. Reviews
I moved to Florida April 1, 2014. Within a week, Florida Energy Water & Air contacted me about purchasing a water softening system for my home. I agreed to a meeting and their sales rep came on April 16, 2013. They promoted the system promising better tasting water, improved dishwasher performance, and other benefits. It was financed with Home Depot who does free water tests and then sends these folk out. From the first, I noticed my dishwasher was not cleaning the dishes, glasses were badly spotted and about a third of the plates had to be re-washed by hand before putting them away. I blamed the dishwasher so purchased a new one. After it's installation I noticed there was little improvement. The water had always tasted odd to me, but I reckoned it was because I was used to northern water.
In Feb 2014 the water became increasingly unpalatable. Finally in on April 9 I set up an appointment to have the system serviced. The service team arrived (5/7/2014), tested the water and said it was 'hard'. They looked at the unit and said it was broken. I was given a quote of $133.25 for labor, $5.20 for the replacement part and $5.00 for it's shipping and handling. This unit was barely more than a year old, with a life time warranty. I objected and contacted the company. ‘Paul’ claimed the repair team should not have tried to charge me for the parts but the $133.25 labor would have to be paid.
I told them I paid $7600.00 for this unit, I expected it to last more an 12 1/2 months. I should not have to pay anything. In subsequent calls I was quoted 144.00 per hour for labor and when I said I wanted to disconnect and return the system, they quoted 144.95 for the first half hour and 144.95 for every hour after. I said fine I wanted it off my property, returned and my Home Depot account credited for the balance due. Their service man arrived and said he could disconnect it but could not take it back to the company because "I bought it".
On May 21 I called as spoke with Jason at Florida Energy. I told him the history and he said 'they should have tried to charge me and they'd come fix it for free. But I would not allow a return because 'I bought it'. I've contacted Home Depot to file a credit dispute, but it's been longer than 12 months so they will not help. I have contacted H Depot customer care and they are 'seeing what they can do' but I have to let the company have a chance to fix it. They had a chance, during the 4 previous phone calls.
I have since learned only Florida Energy can do repairs because the parts are propriety and can only be purchase from Rainsoft by them. As a result they can gouge their customer for labor ($144/hour). Other company's charge between $39-$60. Having been in Florida a while now I see how things are. I feel this company preyed on me when I first arrived. I was grossly over-charged for a system that does not live up to it's promises and because of the propriety nature of its parts will continue to gouge consumers on maintenance and repair. Their service people have tried to pad the bill.
And I suspect they timed the service visit to ensure it was more than 12 months after the installation.
Also when they put the system in, they cut the Verizon cable line that has been installed earlier that same day. The workman never said a word to me about it. I only found out because Verizon sent someone to the house that evening and they discovered their cable cut. Florida Energy sold me the system and had it installed within hours.
I realize now they didn't want to give me time to reconsider. I made a stupid decision but I feel repeatedly victimized by this company. I want to system removed and the remaining amount owed credited to my Home Depot account. I have no faith in the company, their staff, customer service or the quality of the 'lifetime' system they sold me. DON'T let them in your home.
A few months later another sales rep contacted me about blowing insulation into my attic to reduce home enery costs. The quoted me $4,000. I contanct serveral other companies who quoted between $400-$900 for the exact same materials and specs.
My first year in FL has been an ongoing nightmare. Apart from dealing with a major move and new job, I've dealt with tradesmen over a new roof leaking , a newly installed air conditioner break down, a security system that failed to work when my house was broken into, been delivered a new dish waher that was badly dented, paid to repair termite damage that was unnoticed by the home inspector. The list goes on but this is the last straw. Florida Energy , Water and Air is predatory, dishonest and fraudulent in their sales and servicing.
First off buyer beware and any person intending to seek work here , beware . This company is fraudulent and deceptive and their managers sexually harass you and use intimidation and threaten to fire you . They lie to customers and over charge for the softners . Try another water co and you'll get for 2,000 vs, 7,000. Their whole company is based on lies and deception . they make promises to people and do not deliver. My husband and I just moved here and we were called by Home Depot and we agreed to a free water test . They send out this sleezie old guy who is making eyes at my 14 old daughter and trying to grope me . My husband threw him out of the house . We will never Allow another water co in our home again . Thanks Hone Depor for sending out Florida energy and Bruce to our home .