Heating and Air Conditioning
Freedom AC & HeatingComplaints
This profile includes complaints for Freedom AC & Heating's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 3 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:03/14/2025
Type:Product IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I made the mistake of giving this company a large deposit for a new Heat Pump HVAC system in November. After being assured by the owner *********** ********, "You will have your ***** before you know it", on January 7th, I've been completely ghosted. I've phoned and texted numerous phone contacts, and sent multiple emails to various addresses requesting he contact me to schedule. Crickets. I'm upset because he seemed trustworthy, but now I'll have to try and reclaim my money for no work done.I believe he may have also absconded with $9,500 in rebates that I assigned to him for the work... $1,500 from TECH Clean (CA), and $8,000 from the ********** (FED) program.
Business Response
Date: 06/20/2025
Dear BBB and *** ******
I want to sincerely apologize for the stress and inconvenience *** ***** experienced. As the owner of Freedom AC and Heating, I take full responsibility for the delays and communication issues that occurred during this process.
Last year, I enrolled customers in new rebate programs promising significant savings, but these programs faced unexpected administrative delays and slow payment cycles. This disrupted my businesss cash flow and, unfortunately, caused a lengthy delay in *** ****** installation.
I also regret that my communication during this time did not meet my standards. *** ***** made several attempts to reach me, and I failed to respond promptly. For that, I sincerely apologize.
Once I recognized the situation could not be resolved quickly, I reached out to *** ****** apologized in person, and fully refunded his deposit via cashiers check (proof attached). No installation work was done, and no rebates were received or kept by my company.
I have since updated my business practices to avoid similar issues, including improved communication and not collecting large deposits for rebate-dependent projects unless funds are guaranteed.
If the BBB or *** ***** needs any further information or documentation, I am happy to provide it.
Respectfully,
*********** ********Customer Answer
Date: 06/20/2025
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.I will consider this complaint resolved.
Regards,
***** *****
Initial Complaint
Date:05/31/2024
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Freedom AC and Heating, LLC did not complete the job that was proposed to us. Firstly, they were suppose to come to their schedule appointment (April 19, 2024) but they rescheduled because ***** was going to be out of town. Then we rescheduled for April 26, 2024 and that time they never showed up. My husband and I had to take off work to be at home and we arranged for dog sitter because our Labrador is very aggressive, so we didnt want to have an issue. That was time taken away from our jobs so that we can be accommodating to their job. Then on the day of May 5, the owner told us he could not get ahold of his employee, so they ended up showing up the next day, May 6. They made holes in my walls that were not patched up correctly. Those holes were not there prior to starting the job and now you can visibly see them. They told us that it was where they were going to originally put the vent but then at the last minute ended up changing their minds and moving the vent. We had a ******** wall heater in our home prior to ** and Heating that was removed, but they didnt complete the drywall, and left a huge space at the bottom where you can see through the wall. There was a huge mess left, and it was as if they grabbed dirt and touched my walls, and they were left like that. They did not clean up after themselves. I had to pay for a maid service to come clean my house. The vent cut outs are all cracked. They left my walls cracked and all the vents are crooked. Some of the vents in my home are not completely flush to the wall, they look like theyre lifted up off the wall. When ***** came and verbally proposed that he would add an extra vent in our sun room for our dogs, but then at the last minute stated he would not be adding the extra vent. ***** came very enthusiastically to the home, making it seem as if he was going to get the job done in a professional and timely manner. The work was done poorly and he still has not been back to finish or get the ** permits.Customer Answer
Date: 08/26/2024
No they have attempted to reach out to us
Business Response
Date: 08/27/2024
Freedom Team
Attachments
Aug 26, 2024, 11:06 PM (13 hours ago)
to me
Freedom AC and Heating LLC ("Freedom AC") respectfully submits this comprehensive response to ******************************* claim. We'd like to thoroughly review the following facts and evidence, which unequivocally show that the claim is inaccurate and without merit.
1. No Property Damage:
******************** allegation of property damage is categorically false and unsubstantiated. Upon completing the **** installation on May 14, 2024, Freedom AC obtained a PEARL ************ Excellence After Retrofit Labeling) certificate, a rigorous third-party verification of energy efficiency and quality workmanship. This certificate, attached as evidence (Exhibit D), confirms that the installation met or exceeded industry standards and had no negative impact on the property's condition. In fact, the installation of a new, high-efficiency Bosch **** system likely increased the property value due to its energy-saving benefits.
2. Code Compliance:
Freedom AC adheres meticulously to all applicable building codes and industry standards. The allegations that the installed ductwork, vents, and electrical components are not up to code are inaccurate and misleading.
Electrical: During periods of peak cooling demand, the 30-amp fuses remain well within the acceptable range specified by the manufacturer (see attached documentation, specifically Table 11) and the National Electrical *********** This is because the inverter technology allows for efficient power modulation, ensuring that the system only draws the necessary current to meet the cooling load, even at total capacity.
As suggested by *******************, upgrading the electrical system to accommodate a larger fuse would have been an unnecessary expense. It would not have provided any additional safety or performance benefits in this specific scenario. The Bosch IDP 3-Ton Package Unit is designed to operate safely and efficiently with 30-amp fuses when functioning in its primary mode of cooling in the climate of ******************** residence.
Vents: The claim that vent registers must be framed in place is incorrect, particularly in existing homes with limited attic access, like ******************** residence. Neither California Building nor Mechanical Code mandates vent framing in such situations. This is further supported by the prevailing industry practice of not framing vents in retrofit installations where space constraints exist.
3. Permitting Delays (Force Majeure):
At the time of the contract signing on April 19, 2024, Mr. ********************** acting on behalf of **************************** repeatedly emphasized the urgency of replacing their existing **** system due to the approaching summer heat. Freedom AC was eager to accommodate this request and scheduled the installation promptly. However, unbeknownst to both parties, the City of ******* was in the midst of a significant transition to a new online permitting system. This unanticipated shift resulted in unforeseen and substantial delays in processing business licenses, including the renewal of ********************** AC's license, which was necessary to obtain permits for the project.
These delays were entirely beyond Freedom AC's control and constitute a force majeure event as defined in Section 12(a) of the signed contract. This section states: "Neither party shall be liable for any delay or failure in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to... acts of government."
Freedom AC has diligently pursued the permit process, submitting all required documentation on June 25th. However, as of the date of this response, the City of Yucaipa continues to experience technical issues with its new system, hindering the timely issuance of permits. We remain fully prepared to obtain the necessary permits and promptly address any code-related concerns the city inspector raises.
4. Unnecessary Repairs and Out-of-Scope Work:
******* AC's suggested repairs in their report are either unnecessary (e.g., rewiring, framing vents) or fall outside the scope of work agreed upon in the contract (e.g., drywall repair). Freedom AC cannot be held responsible for repairs that are not required by code or industry standards or were not part of the original agreement.
5. Lack of Communication:
******************** claim of a lack of communication on our part is categorically false and unsupported by evidence. Attached to this response is ******************** customer profile and a detailed call log from our business phone system. These records show that neither **************** nor **************** attempted to contact Freedom AC via phone, email, text message, or any other means between the project completion date of May 14, 2024, and the filing of this claim on July 16, 2024.
As a small business owner operating in a high-demand industry, I receive a substantial volume of calls and messages, particularly during peak season. To manage this volume and ensure that all customer inquiries are handled efficiently, my personal voicemail recording explicitly instructs callers to contact our main office line for assistance. Despite this, there is no record of either claimant attempting to reach us through the designated channels.
Additional Considerations:
(a) Contractual Scope of Work: The signed contract between Freedom AC and ****************, dated April 19, 2024 (Exhibit A), explicitly details the agreed-upon scope of work. This included the removal and disposal of the existing **** system, the installation of a new Bosch IDP 3 Ton Package Unit, necessary modifications to the existing ductwork to accommodate the new unit and the removal of the existing wall heater. The contract does not include provisions for drywall repair, framing of vents, or any other aesthetic modifications to the home.
While the contract does not explicitly exclude drywall repair, it was never discussed or agreed upon as part of the project. This is further evidenced by ******************** desire to remove the entire wall where the wall furnace was located as part of a larger home renovation project. As a C-20 licensed **** contractor, Freedom AC's expertise and authorization are strictly limited to ****-related work. **************** was informed of this limitation before the project commenced, and he accepted the responsibility for any non-****-related modifications.
(b) Tech Clean California Program Compliance:
Although not explicitly mentioned in the contract, the removal of the existing wall furnace was a mandatory requirement for ******************** participation in and receipt of benefits from the Tech Clean California program. This program, established by the *************************************** aims to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the replacement of older, less efficient gas appliances with newer, high-efficiency alternatives.
Freedom AC, as a registered and participating contractor in this program, is obligated to adhere to the program's stringent guidelines. These guidelines mandate removing and properly disposing of existing gas appliances when installing new, energy-efficient **** systems. Before the project's commencement, **************** was presented with detailed documentation outlining this requirement, and he verbally confirmed his understanding and agreement as a condition of receiving the rebate.
(c) Payment Terms and Common Industry Practice:
******************** allegation that Freedom AC insisted on a cash payment is false. As clearly outlined in the signed contract (Exhibit A), both cash and credit card payments were acceptable forms of payment for the project. The attached credit card receipt for $13,485.00 (Exhibit B) confirms that most of the project cost was paid via credit card.
While the remaining $3,000, representing half the cost of the **** unit itself, was paid in cash, this was done at the request of the client, ****************, to avoid credit card processing fees. This common industry practice allows us to pass on savings to our customers, which was agreed upon by both parties at the time of payment.
(d) Third-Party Work and Limited Liability:
Any modifications or repairs to ******************** property beyond the scope of the **** installation, such as drywall repair, vent framing, or other aesthetic work, were performed by a third-party contractor hired and directed by ****************. Freedom AC was not involved in the selection, supervision, or payment of this contractor and, therefore, cannot be held liable for the quality or cost of their work.
(e) Positive Referral and Reputation:
It is significant to note that **************** was referred to Freedom AC by a former employee, *******************************. ******************, who worked for Freedom AC and is familiar with our high workmanship and customer service standards, recommended our company to **************** based on her positive experience.
False Claim and Resulting Damages:
The evidence presented herein overwhelmingly demonstrates that ******************** claim is unfounded and based on a misunderstanding of the contract, industry practices, and the Tech Clean California program requirements. This false claim has caused Freedom AC, a small business, significant and undue financial hardship due to the forced chargeback of $13,485.00. This chargeback has resulted in significant overdraft fees, a loss of potential business opportunities, and undue stress and hardship for our company.
Conclusion and Demand for Relief:
Based on the comprehensive and irrefutable evidence presented in this response, including the detailed scope of work outlined in the signed contract (Exhibit A), the PEARL certification affirming the quality and compliance of the installation (Exhibit D), the credit card and cash payment receipts (Exhibit B), and the supporting documentation regarding the Tech Clean California program requirements (Exhibit C), Freedom AC and Heating LLC respectfully demand the following:
1. Dismissal of Claim: The claim against Freedom AC's bond (AHD-0012663) should be promptly dismissed. The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that the claim lacks merit, is based on factual inaccuracies, and misrepresents the scope of work and contractual obligations agreed upon by both parties.
2. Cessation of Investigation: We urge ****** ***************** to immediately cease all investigative activities related to this claim. Just so you know, further inquiry is unwarranted and will only exacerbate the damage this frivolous and unsubstantiated claim has already inflicted upon Freedom AC.
3. Recovery of Damages and Costs: Freedom AC reserves the right to pursue all available legal remedies to recover the full extent of damages incurred as a direct result of this false claim. The complete amount of the unwarranted chargeback, totaling $13,485.00, should be returned to Freedom AC without delay.
We hope a thorough and objective evaluation of the evidence presented here will lead to a swift and equitable resolution for Freedom AC and Heating LLC. We remain committed to providing high-quality **** services to our valued customers and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
*****************************************
Freedom AC and Heating LLC
Enclosures:
Copy of signed contract
PEARL certificate
Customer company profile, call history
Credit card receipt for $13,485.00
Tech Clean California rebate documentation
Bosch manufactures electrical specifications
Photos of the installed Bosch IDP 3 Ton Package UnitInitial Complaint
Date:07/05/2023
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Description will be under expl***tion
Business Response
Date: 07/21/2023
To whom this may concern at the BBB,
My name is ***** ********, I am the owner of Freedom AC and Heating. I want to start by apologizing for not replying earlier as I have changed my business email to: *****@freedomacandheating.org. I have also updated that on my BBB dashboard to receive any future communications.
I am concerned with *** *******s complaint as I am with all the feedback we receive, good or bad. We are a small local HVAC company in the city of Corona CA, and we take pride in serving the community I and a few of my staff grew up in. We are not perfect, but we do good honest hard in our community to support our loved ones at home.
*** and I first met on April 27th, 2023, as I went to her home to give a free estimate on replacing her HVAC equipment. I went over my usual presentation that includes the IRA (inflation reduction act) and explained that it is a program to get away from fossil fuels and it had tax incentives from switching from a gas furnace to a high efficiency heat pump system. We also went over numerous options on how we could install her new system including relocating the condenser. I tried to convince *** to stay away from gas furnaces for numerous reasons including it does not qualify for the tax credit. But she was stern on purchasing a gas furnace with 80,000 BTU (high air velocity fan motor)
Year to date this is the only furnace we have installed.
From April 27th to the day of installation May 16th *** and I went back and forth on a price numerous time with various packages to consider. And we ended up on a price of $12,500 for a 4-ton 18 seer Bosch condenser with goodman furnace installation that did NOT include relocating the condenser nor qualified for the IRA tax credit. (See attached agreement).
On the day of install, she told my crew they were to relocate the condenser, since it was not in the paperwork they were confused and contacted me. I rushed over and explained that no, the relocation was not in the agreement as cost for material and labor to install the equipment were not accounted for in price, since it was not itemized.
As a small company our margins are already small, the cost to relocate a condenser is about 8 hours of 2-man crew labor and $900 in material alone when you factor in the new line set, line set cover, electrical, and the skilled work it took to complete such job along with specialized tools. (See attached photos of finished product). Making that extra project easily $1500+ for cost alone. I understood where *** was coming from and tried to come to an understanding that she would have to cover some of the additional cost to relocate the condenser. She and I then agreed to $500 additional cost, 33% of my cost for material and labor. Making me eat the addition 66% as a loss.
As the installation should have taken 1 day it now took 2 days, however the finished product came out exceptionally good! I was extremely happy and proud of my men of the amazing work they did for Miss. *******. (See attached photos). It was very clear from the beginning that the inflation reduction act (IRA) had no benefits towards putting in a gas furnace as the entire program is directed towards Heat Pump Systems.
One thing that my team did overlook was the evaporator coil, they did install a Goodman 4-ton evaporator coil and not the Bosch 4-ton evaporator coil. This mix up came from the supply house as technically the Goodman 4-ton coil would be a better fit not only for function but for aesthetics as well. Since we installed a goodman furnace and the coil sits right on top it is important to have an exact fit, otherwise it will restrict airflow. And with matching brands it wouldn’t have looked miss matched and off color if the Bosch were used. If a coil is a 410a coil with a TXV it serves the exact same efficiency, Bosch, or Goodman. The Efficiency come from the condenser and fan motor, not the evaporator coil. If Miss. ******* would like us to switch out that coil for a Bosch Coil, we can do that since it was outlined in the original contract, and we will own up to it. However, for aesthetics and functionality of her system I would advise against it. Per manufacture specs the Goodman coil is 21” wide and the Bosch is 17” wide which would indeed restrict air flow that could lead to issues down the road since the furnace is 21" wide.
Miss. ******* still has a labor warranty of 2 years and a 10-year manufacture warranty as out lined in the original contract. Attached is a copy of the original contract, however how my bidding proposal app is programed whenever we go in and make changes it deletes any signature that was previously placed. Which is why I DO NOT have a copy of a signed contract. The fact her and I went back and forth Dozens of times on a price and system configuration, her signature was lost. I have attempted to find something to put her signature on this agreement. But, other than a date next to the tab that I can click to see the original contract I have no way of proving what she signed. Miss. ******* was also given the opportunity to print or save contracts on her own computer when they were initially signed and emailed.
In addition, if the air purifier was not installed, I would be more than happy to get that in for her. It was instructed to install one and if it was not, I had no knowledge of it. If she would like to contact our office during regular business hours, we could make an appointment to have that installed for her.
Lastly, I truly hope we can resolve this issue of confusion and put all of this behind us. Miss ******* received an exceptionally well installed 4 Ton 18 SEER Bosch relocated condenser, 80,000 BTU Goodman furnace, and evaporator coil. If she would like for us to switch out the coil for a Bosch, I can arrange that to happen even though I would advise not to. We strive to do exceptionally great work with everything that we do, and this case was no different. I will stand next to this job and be proud any day.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
-***** ********
Freedom AC and Heating
**********Customer Answer
Date: 09/01/2023
I am rejecting this response because:
August 30, 2023
Attention BBB:
I apologize for the delay in my response to the complaint submitted on July 5, 2023. I wasnt
aware of your email until last Friday 8/25. There are several inconsistencies ***** from
Freedom AC and Heating has indicated in his response.
First, he states that he gave me the opportunity to print the contract, but when I first tried to print
a copy of the contract on May 18, 2023, it was no longer available. Instead, I got an error
message saying that the consultant was updating the contract. There was no reason to update
the contract since it was finalized and signed. I waited a couple of days before contacting him,
hoping he was done updating the contract. The first text I sent him on May 22, asking for a copy
of the contract and made him aware I didnt have access to print it any longer, he responded by
saying, thats weird, I can email. He never did. After several attempts by texts with no
response, I asked my son for help who was able to reach him through a group from ******** on
June 6, 2023. He responded saying he doesnt have the contract any longer and sent me a new
contract that I refused to sign because of the many changes he had made. He continued to
send me contracts that did not match the contract I had signed originally. Finally, after submitting
my complaint on July 5, he sent me a new contract on July 22 with all the terms I had originally
signed. I went ahead and signed the new contract on July 25, hoping to have a resolution.
Additionally, ***** states that the relocation of the unit was not part of the contract which is
incorrect. I made it very clear that I wanted the unit relocated due to my backyard being
extremely small. Then, he went ahead and explained how it could be done. He gave me 2
choices on the relocation. He either could do it through the outside of the house or inside from
the garage. We both agreed that the best option was through inside the garage. Same day, April
27, he gave me a quote in a couple of units, including the relocation of the unit, but made the
final decision 2 weeks later.
Furthermore, in his response, ***** states that his crew overlooked the evaporator coil by
installing the ******* 4 ton instead of the Bosch 4 ton. On May 16, he had told me that he
wasnt going to be available for the whole installation time but that he was going to be checking
on his workers throughout the day until the job was completed. He inspected the job and he
knew exactly what was being installed. Upon completion of the job, he told me that the job had
come out perfect and he made sure nothing was missing. Now, he advises not to have the
evaporator coil changed saying that it wouldnt match measurements and it will restrict air flow.
He is talking about a different evaporator coil other than the ones I originally signed as reflected
on the last contract I signed on July 25th. He plans to install a 4 ton BOSCH BMAC4248BNTF
The unit I signed states that I will get a 4 ton BOSCH BMAC4248CNTF cased coil, which is 21
and fits perfectly to the ******* furnace ****** BTUs he installed. The difference in price is $
464.30. I would like to clarify that he installed a ******* Furnace ****** BTUs. Falsely, *****
is stating he installed the ****** BTUs. In fact, I had requested a Bosch Furnace but he told me
by text, Unfortunately, no, we can not install a Bosch furnace in this county. By law, we can only
install certain furnaces that are called Ultra Low NOx in Riverside County, 1 of the only 4
counties in the nation required this. And **** does not make a ultra Low NOx furnace. This
went I to effect October 2019. And is why I recommended to stay away from furnace. That Bosh
is compatible with the ******* furnace, I also have a great relationship with both **** and
*******. Both come with a 10 year warranty. After reading this information, and trusting his
words about compatibility on the different brands, I felt safe to get the ******* furnace.
In addition, he states that he has no knowledge of the air purifier not being installed. Well, the
day of the installation, May 16 when he came to my home to talk about him forgetting about the
relocation of the unit, he tried to negotiate by having the air purifier removed or to change the
products for cheaper ones. I refused to have any changes to the contract and made sure before
I signed, everything was the same other than the relocation of the unit added. The price for the
air purifier is $522.50.
Also, he overlooked the thermostat. He installed a Sensi universal 1F87U-42WF instead of the
Sensi Touch 2 Smart Programmable Wi-Fi Model num ST76 I signed for. This has a difference
of $154.50. Lastly, he did not cover the holes from the relocation of the unit. I had to pay for this
on my own. I will send a copy of the contract and all the evidence I have to support my claim.
Unfortunately, I do not trust Freedom Ac and Heating, nor the owner *************************** due to
failure to fulfill the contract in accordance with its terms and misleading information. I request
that Freedom AC and Heating reimburse me for the differences on the products and the cost of
the air purifier which total $1,141.30, so I can hire a credible company to make the necessary
changes.
Sincerely,
*********************
Freedom AC & Heating is BBB Accredited.
This business has committed to upholding the BBB Standards for Trust.
Why choose a BBB Accredited Business?BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.
BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period, except for customer reviews. Customer reviews posted prior to July 5, 2024, will no longer be published when they reach three years from their submission date. Customer reviews posted on/after July 5, 2024, will be published indefinitely unless otherwise voluntarily retracted by the user who submitted the content, or BBB no longer believes the review is authentic. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this company, please let them know that you checked their record with BBB.
As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation. BBB charges a fee for BBB Accreditation. This fee supports BBB's efforts to fulfill its mission of advancing marketplace trust.