Coretemp Heating and Air

We had coretemp replace our 25+ year old natural-gas furnace with a new Rudd natural-gas furnace and central air. Richard was always available whenever I called to ask questions (which I did often!) and Janice made the scheduling pain-free all over email. The job was done on time, on budget, as expected and without any hiccups. I wish all contractors were this good. We are 100% satisfied!

Quick update: in December of 2012 my furnace stopped giving off heat. Upon inspection I noticed that there was an error code flashing on the furnace's main board. I called CoreTemp and 45 minutes after my call Richard walked me through the problem over the phone. Turns out the drainage pipe had been bumped out of place and wasn't allowing water to drain from the furnace. I should note that at the time Richard was on vacation outside of the country but he still immediately called to help me fix the problem. Top notch service!

We were thinking of replacing our 27 year old furnace and perhaps our AC as well. I found Richard via Homestars and when I called, he actually answered the phone! We made arrangements to meet on a weekend at a specified time. Richard arrived on time and took the time to answer all of our questions. After, Richard did a thorough inspection of the furnace which revealed a cracked heat exchanger. We already had 2 quotes from other contractors and it was time to decide. Since he first started out as a service technician (as opposed to a salesman), we trusted his judgment and commissioned him to replace both furnace and AC. Both units were professionally installed and this revealed the fact Richard takes pride in workmanship – something that is almost gone in today’s society. As of today, the AC unit outside operates very quietly and cool air circulation in the house is much better than before. I will be writing an update in the winter regarding the furnace. A while ago, I was in the neighbor’s basement and noticed they had their furnace replaced as well but by a different contractor. The install looked very shoddy with no pride in workmanship. My other neighbor over paid for both his units and we know someone else who had a furnace installed that would not turn off. At this point, I definitely knew I hired the best contractor and I will recommend Richard for all heating and AC work. In my opinion, other contractors pale beside Richard and CoreTemp. Cheers!

Richard got us good pruducts.Ruud furance is quite and works really well. air conidtioner also quite and works really well. also really like on demand hot water heater.

felt conifident with instalation

Coretmep also helped made sure i got a rebate

Coretemp was one of three vendors rated very highly on Homestar that we interviewed to replace our water heater, furnance and central A/C unit. All three were prompt and professional, appeared to offer timely and careful service and made very good presentations. Coretemp seemed to have the best quality products on offer for about the same price so we went with them.

Unlike sales staff of the other vendors, Richard had installed and maintained furnaces and A/C units for many years as a technician and had come to appreciate different aspects of product quality. All vendors recommended a Rinnai RC80HPi tankless water heater for our house for within $200 of each other. One vendor recommended an Amana furnace and A/C unit; the other, Lennox. Richard recommended a Ruud furnace and a Keeprite A/C. Richard compared product quality using photographs and drawings from the sales brochures. It was easy to spot differences in equipment quality from them alone.

Coretemp installation was efficient, polite and careful. Technicians were courteous and friendly. The main work was completed in a day with follow-up work and final touches completed the next business day. The work area was cleaned each day. Compromises were not made in the installation. The finished work looks solid and thorough. Visitors have commented on the high work quality.

The Ruud furnace (RGFE-07EMCK), the Ruud programmable thermostat (RHCTST501CMMS), Keeprite A/C (C4A424)and Rinnai water heater have so far worked very well. Given the hot summer, we have used the Keeprite A/C on many occasions. It is relatively quiet compared to other A/C units nearby. The furnace fan used to move the cool air throughout the house can barely be heard yet the house is cooled quickly. The programmable thermostat is easy to use. The Rinnai reliably gives an endless supply of hot water which, now and again, we need.

As Coretemp largely employs installation and maintenance technicians and seems to have few other sales staff drawing salary or commission, as Richard could make a compelling comparison of product quality, and since his price was about the same as the other 2 vendors, we selected Coretemp and are glad that we did. We believe we got good value for our money.

Service starts with a phone call. One that is answered on the spot or returned promptly. Especially when an AC does not work during the hottest days of summer. Richard Payer answered my call. He listened to me (Try to fix AC but I might consider replacing it + my 20 years old furnace). He asked the right questions trying to determine the problem. He also made an appointment for 7:30/8am the morning after. He was at my home at 7:30. Fixing the AC was not really a workable solution. We discussed furnaces and what I wanted and I got a quote along with a tentative date for installation within 48 hrs (important to me). We exchanged a few phone calls that morning and by noon, I confirmed my purchase and Richard confirmed my installation date (July 9). That is how good it was, contrary to 2 competitors: one outsourced my AC service call (bad experience and a lot of “listen Lady””) and the other one had made an appointment previously but never showed up, called or emailed me…

On the day of the installation, Richard came with his employees. Everyone was wearing a uniform with the name CoreTemp and the truck was properly labelled. No mistake as to who was doing the installation. Throughout the morning, Richard and his staff keep me updated what they were doing...Had to cut some of the drywall, shown me the punctured pipe going from coil to AC unit, explained the ventilation, set-up my thermostat, etc... . While Richard gathered his staff for me to give my feedback... My asking questions (lots of them) was to fully understand how the new units work. The staff left and it is only at this point that I was presented with the bill. Imagine this! Several thousand $$ of merchandise installed and not being asked to pay upfront: only when installation is complete and I am satisfied. Richard stayed for a while talking about his passion for his work and how he sees service to clients. There was no “listen lady” and the entire process was easy for me. Interesting enough, 20 minutes after he left, Richard called stating he had forgotten to set-up the water thank for hot water. He could have told me how to use/reset the pilot. Instead, he came back to my home and did it himself.

The house became so cold within 24 hrs that I turned the AC off and has not put it back on once (the fan comes on and off and house is quite cool). This winter it is going to be quite cozy and warm. Richard will tell you, it is all about installing the right products. And it all started with a call that was answered…Thank you Richard….

Our old air conditioning unit had broken after many years, and in the midst of the recent heat wave, we called Core Temp on the recommendation of a friend. Richard, the owner, was at our door the next morning and gave us a good explanation of our options. His response to our call was very quick and the service that we received from the company was second to none.We are pleased that our house is now at a comfortable temperature and we are confident that if anything were to go wrong,Richard would be there to fix it in a timely and professional manner. Many thanks, Richard!

I came back from a weekend away to find a boiling house(28C), I attempted to lower my AC. After a LONG sweaty night (not fun with 3 kids, BTW), I realized that indeed I needed help. I left a message at Coretemp and got a swift response from Richard, who initially spent a lot of time patiently trying to troubleshoot with me over the phone to save me some $. He made time to come to my house Wednesday morning, and while he was a touch late, he did inform me reasonably. When he informed me that afternoon that the unit he had installed was dented, I was happy to keep it but he INSISTED on replacing it. Came the next day and did so (after letting us have relief the night before with the dented one). This guy is a class act from start to finish. I will never go anywhere else for any products that Coretemp services/sells, period. What a delight.

My Husband had just come home from having Open Heart Surgery and the A/C died during the June heatwave! We called Richard and he came over immediately. In only one day Richard had our new unit installed, running beautifully and allowing us peace of mind. He called several times to check on our progress and we, having been in the service industry were impressed. A few days later our neighbour encountered a problem with their new Clothes Dryer and we recommended Richard. Once again, he came, he repaired in expediant time and now has another truly satisfied customer. We will recommend Richard to one and all forever.........

I had a 50 gallon hot water heater, rented from direct energy, that needed to be serviced or replaced. Rust running down the tank from the top seem. It was also leaking gas and it seemed to be coming on frequently.. Insulation may have been getting old too.. I decided I would buy my own tank versus a rental since, in my opinion, direct energy is a rip-off and arrogant to their customers!!

When I started looking at fliers and ads I could not find anyone selling and installing hot water tanks. All I could find was tankless water heater ads.. Maybe I should be getting a tankless!! ?

Okay now what? I knew nothing about tankless products!! I spent days researching the internet for the pros and cons of having a tankless. Then spent days looking at different products. Then spent days looking at reviews of the different products. Then spent days trying to determine the right contractor!

By the time I was finished I was completely lost and uncomfortable about who to call. So I went to the yellow pages and made a list of phone numbers. No one would give a quote over the phone. 3 contractors made appointments, and 2 advised they would call back to schedule an appointment.

I wanted to see what products they were selling and discuss the installion of the actual job. I now had some idea of several models but which one?

The first guy was from Universal Energy. He gives a quote of $4000 to $5950. He is pushing the Navien unit. He looks at the area and has a can do attitude. He doesn't go outside. He leaves me with no information. I advised I will call and let him know.

When the second guy showed he was pushing the Navien models. He was very helpfull when explaining the product, it's features and benefits. He left me a quote and some material to consider.

The third appointment never showed up! I was at the point where you just want to get it over and done!! I was now leaning toward the Navien and was still considering when I received a call from one of the call me backs. I almost told him too late.. I didn't like the first guy so I wanted a proper second quote. He wanted to come immediately. I agreed. When he showed up I thought he worked for Carrier due to his logos, which was the same as the yellow pages ad.. I thought I was calling Carrier!!

We went to the location both inside and out. He points out the different things he needs to do due to code regs. He wants to cut into a clauset and go outside from there.. He is selling the Rinnai and some other brand. After discussing the issue of no drain for a condensing model he determines that the model I needed was RC80HPi. During the meeting we were interrupted several times as he took other calls. He leaves me a quote for $3220 plus GST installed. 20% down. I now realize he is not Carrier but Cozy Comfort Plus Inc. I advise I will call back after I do some more research. As he leaves he makes a statement... 'Stay away from the Navien'

I was leaning toward the Navien!! Crap!! Now I need to do more research!! Salesman and product of the month?? Navien or Rinnai?
I decided the Rinnai had a better history for quality, support, and a fewer operational problems. Knock at the door.. The guy from Universal Energy wanting to know if I had made a decision. I advised that I was in the middle of researching and that I had told him that I would call him back. He said he would come back around 5:30. Never showed until 6:00pm when I went out to the back yard. He must have left as he was gone by the time I returned.

I called the Cozy Comfort rep back and asked him to stop by and make a contract. When he arrived he wanted to take pictures and
look at the fit again. Now he wants to tack on another $40.00 to replace a pipe, down from the usual $60.00, and not listed on the quote despite it being a topic of conversation. I just agreed to get on with it!! Once again I asked him if he had the model right as I was thinking of another model, which he had sited as the older model.

The install is scheduled for the next day, Wednesday. Later on Tuesday he calls to advise that the model we signed for was the wrong one!! It was the condensing unit. Over the phone he leads me into the Rinnai.us website. I didn't go there before because I live in Toronto. He points out the R75LSi model, which was the original Rinnai I thought was the right one!! He advises they can still do the install on the Wednesday. He advises he will send a new contract with the proper model with the installers. I agree and get started on another project. When I get back I find a phone message from the installer stating that they did not have the stock. He advises they can do the install on the Friday and they will order the unit on Friday!! Next day I called the sales rep to find out what was going on. Suddenly I can't reach him. I leave a message about service since we had discussed the subject pointing out that he had sold me the wrong product and failed to meet the install date that was agreed upon. I waited over 3 hours, no return call.

I wrote a letter to Cozy Comfort. Mailed it immediatly. Put a stop payment on the deposit cheque and arranged with another contractor over the phone!!

Who you may well ask? Coretemp Heating. I found them after re-visiting the Rinnai.us site. They were number ONE on Rinnai's best
service list. I then went onto google and found this website which also had a first class evaluation on Coretemp Heating. 100% satisfied. I went to their website and find an ad with a quote!! I made contact with the owner Richard. I was impressed just by the way we communicated on the telephone. He stuck to the quoted price and advised he could do the install on the next Monday. He examined the site and had a better solution for the install than the guy from Universal Energy. We agreed to the job and shook hands. Later Richard filled out the necessary paperwork. Messing with the gas lines Richard was obliged to check my old furnace. He explored with camera and showed where the heat exchanger was cracked in several places. He advises that he has to red flag the furnace and close it down. He advised that I had a few months left to decide before the colder weather returns. I asked if he had one in mind to recommend. He did, the RUUD model advising it was a little more expensive but it was an excellent unit or he would not recommend it.

Now or 3 months from now! I discussed again with Richard, availability, installation date, and a new humidifier.. We shook on it. He showed up on the Thursday, today, and installed my new RUUD furnace. He prepared his invoice once again after the work was started.

My THANKS to Richard's team!! Janis who made the call backs and appointment schedule. Chris who was very skilled and new exactly what he was doing. Ken who was on the job training while pursuing his formal education as a student... AND Richard himself! I was even part of the team as I assisted in running a flex hose to drain moisture from the furnace!!

It was an excellent job!! I am very very pleased, satisfied, and more relaxed about choosing the right folks for the job...

If you are researching your options, stop and give Richard at Coretemp Heating a call!! You will not regret the service or the price, about $7500 for everything... Way to go Richard and team!!

Hopefuly you would need to come here for a while but I do look forward to seeing you all again!!