“Look into the true cost of running a business and you’ll find out why.”

Is it HVAC value gouging—or the price of doing enterprise with knowledgeable? An HVAC technician’s TikTookay video began a dialog that divided owners and enterprise homeowners on air con restore prices.

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HVAC professional @gettheblow_air shared a July 1, 2025, video of a buyer who Googled an element to match its value with the worth listed on the bill for the home name. The buyer, together with loads of individuals within the feedback, balked on the 1000% markup on a $20 half. “Yeah, I charge $220 for a $20 part. It’s not just the part—it’s knowing which part, why it failed, and fixing it right the first time. Cry about it 😂,” he wrote.    

Business homeowners commented that the markup is honest. Diagnostic charges compensate professionals for his or her experience. But amid record-breaking warmth waves within the US, owners who’re all of a sudden and desperately depending on their air conditioners did cry about it, accusing HVAC corporations of value gouging, overvaluing their expertise, and stealing. Commenters replied that they will get the job finished themselves at a fraction of the worth by way of ChatGPT and “YouTube University.”    

Homeowners claimed, “HVAC industry is a scam with salesmen parading as ‘technicians.’” But techs clapped again: “HVAC is a scam till you need somebody to fix your AC in the middle of the heat.”

@gettheblow_air’s video exhibiting a buyer debating a $220 line merchandise for the $20 air conditioner half wanted to restore their unit has over 700 thousand views. He prompted fellow technicians on TikTookay, “HVAC techs—what do you do in this situation?” 

Techs fought off DIY owners within the feedback to clarify that the markup covers specialised instruments, guarantee and legal responsibility, insurance coverage, and numerous enterprise overhead prices—to not point out the coaching and years of expertise that get the job finished.

@gettheblow_air Yeah, I cost $220 for a $20 half. It’s not simply the half — it’s figuring out which half, why it failed, and fixing it proper the primary time. Cry about it 😂    #hvac #hvactechnician #fyp #foryoupage #fypシ #hvacarmy #hvaclife ♬ New Flame (however I promise you) (feat. Usher & Rick Ross) – Chris Brown

“To all homeowners mad at HVAC companies. There is no profit replacing a capacitor for $100. Look into the true cost of running a business and you’ll find out why. To have a licensed company send a technician to your home,diagnose the problem and explain what is going on under an hourly rate. Sorry cheap ole homeowners, we don’t do work for dog sh*t money.”

“I’m not an HVAC guy. I’m the type of guy that works on his own broken sh*t. Even I know diagnosis is where all the work truly is.”

“I always show them the price of the tool that proved it was bad.”

Homeowners are leveraging AI with a purpose to keep away from inflated HVAC costs 

The HVAC business’s argument is smart. You pay Picasso costs for his 15-second sketch on a serviette since you’re paying for the many years of funding and apply that made the painter’s serviette drawing potential. That’s a whole lot of worth. But owners with web connections aren’t shopping for it. 

DIY’ers commented that they’ve been in a position to restore and preserve their AC items on their very own. All it takes is a few queries to ChatGPT and in a single day transport from Amazon Prime.

“ChatGPT, and a multimeter will have the HVAC scammer crying in the end.”

“Just installed mine with zero HVAC experience yesterday 😁.”

“These HVAC guys are thinking they are ‘safe’ from AI taking their job but the reality is, we can diagnose our own problems now with ChatGPT, and I encourage everyone to use it for these circumstances. Don’t get robbed.”

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