Never heard of that one.

Thats a new one.

Being creative, ripping you off for an easy fix like reset the breaker or perhaps he could'nt spell capacitor?

I think that guy is blowing smoke up your dupa! Considering you've got some knowledge in the workings of a system I'd trap this crook. When he calls you sound like you're really interested in having this work done. Then when he comes out immediately ask him to show you that voltage absorber, how it works, how he reset it etc. Scare the hell out of him, write down all the info on that part, better yet got a digital cam? Then tell him you subscribe to this forum and you want to find out what this thing is from the pros in the forum. Nail this SOB as bad as you can. These type of crooks that take advantage of people should all be hung by their ba--s!

Voltage absorption system: a system whereby the hack sneakingly turns the voltage back on while quickly absorbing your money.

V

Ok - So I am not the only one smelling a rat here. I'll chat with him on Monday and see what he has to say. My wife just told me that she saw him carry something silver from his truck to the condenser. It was just larger than palm sized. I am still going to give this guy the benefit of the doubt and assume that what my wife saw was a new cap being put in. The old one would have only been starting its third season, but perhaps it did indeed fail.

If he tries to convince me that the 'cooling field shifter' and the 'ambient heat consolidation module' are in need of replacement too, then I will have a little fun with him before I run him through. Perhaps I'll ask him to take a look at some imaginary ducting at the far end of our 18" high, dirt-floored, spider-infested crawlspace.

I don't mind people trying to have a little fun with my ignorance, but when someone tries to take my wife for a ride, I get upset.

Maybe he replaced an ‘MOV’. Ask to see the defective parts.

Look into, ‘Whole House Surge Protection’ installed at your
load center. That will ‘protect’ all your appliances, 110v & 220v.

IMPO

SR

Robert Matheny: There is no such part or subsytem on a condenser. There is a capacitor (often one for the compressor and the condenser blower motor)... But that's like calling a hammer an "inertia enhanced impact generator".

A Voltage Absorption System is completely bogus.

that's like calling a hammer an "inertia enhanced impact generator"

LMAO

Robert Matheny: Since you install them every day, you wouldn't mind posting a photo, or a link to where I could purchase one of these.

Because here's the thing: I am pretty smart. I've worked on plenty of condensing units and I've got a pretty solid background in electrical theory as well. Your brief explanation of how the system works (even the name of it) is bogus.

All that said, sometimes people have different names for things and so I googled it. All that comes up is references to customers being cheated.

Google Images never showed a photo of one either. What it did show was:

So, please do post a photo or a link to where I can buy one.

Here is a video which will clear up the confusion of what is a voltage absorption system. If follows right after the GEICO commercial.

Great link mike

I might be dating myself, but when I went to school we called them run and start capacitors. I also used to call automotive service technicians mechanics , but now I am slowing picking up the new terminology.

This is the reason I hang around this forum. It seems like I'm learning something new everyday!

Robert Matheny: So, again no pictures of this mythical beast. Your Wholesale supplier hasn't heard of it either apparently. I'm not sure how you "install them every day".

The mention in the NewFlatRate website suggested it was a capacitor -- and of course the video above also suggests that it was a capacitor and that the consumer got taken advantage of (including by flat rate pricing, BTW).

The Youtube video from an HVAC company just shows the outside of a condenser.

I do know how a capacitor works and your description isn't accurate -- certainly not on an alternating current circuit.

Forget about legitimate websites, I didn't get proof from ANY website that this thing, system, or sub-assembly of parts, exists. And that's pretty remarkable considering there are photos of bigfoot, the Easter bunny and martians.

Virtually every mention of it is associated with someone being taken advantage of.

Yeah, isn't Youtube great! I've used it for everything from reminding me how to lay out stair stringers to how to get a specific laptop apart. I haven't had the nerve to try the DIY appendectomy (kidding).

But I learned my AC / DC electrical theory in prep for my ham radio license when I was in grade school. The math was almost over my head, but I pulled it off. I understand how capacitors work.

In addition to the classes I took on HVAC, most of my practical knowledge came from a mechanical contractor who I worked with. He taught me the right way to charge a system using the superheat method or by weighing it in. I did a lot of work with small split systems then - as well as maintenance on boilers and larger chillers.

I gave up that work a while ago and do computer networking now.

So, although I'm out of that line of work, I fully understand both the electrical side, and the physics of the refrigeration side of things.

And you still haven't shown me a picture or given me a link to one of these that you install every day.

There are basically only 3-‘Non-Linear’ components or discrete
devices that ‘absorb’ electrical energy. They are capacitors, inductors and MOV
(Metal Oxide Varistor) – that’s about it!

IMPO

SR

This robert guy is the biggest troll. What bridge did you come out from? LOLOL

Vith your right I have been arguing with this guy all day, and it's just stupid of me. Lol his last post had me laughing so hard I started tearing up. He is quoting his Ham Radio class from when he was 8 then he starts saying he learned the "proper" way to charge systems and never once mentions sub-cooling.

GOD DAMN IT MAN I TOOK A HAM RADIO CLASS THAT MEANS I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT HVAC!!!!

Or maybe he is just a guy who thinks construction work takes no brains whatsoever. I find that most educated people feel that way and he did take a Ham Radio class. This will be my last post on this subject.

Either way you can't argue with stupid.

SaltiDawg Indeed it could be anything. It could be a hard start kit, it could be a start / run capacitor, it could be a completely bogus thing to pad the bill (what I'm thinking). The fact that you can't buy one, you don't see a photo of one, and you don't ever see a legitimate discussion of one leads me to believe it's nonsense. Even the name is nonsense (nothing "absorbs" voltage). We are all left trying to make sense of this complete fiction.

Robert Matheny So, yeah... I was in 5th grade, took the AC/DC theory classes in the evening at the local community college and I had to pass those tests to get my ham radio license. I think it was an 8 week course. Part of that was learning about capacitors and inductors both for the tuner side of things (RF) and for the power supply side.

I did learn to use the sub-cool method to charge a system, I just never used it. The units I was working on didn't have txv's.

BTW: I'm not someone who thinks the skilled trades takes "no brains whatsoever". However, I do think that people who don't really understand what they are doing, who don't have the knowledge they profess to have, and who make up BS like "Voltage Absorption Systems" in order to pad a bill do a huge disservice to those who actually know what they are doing.

Well I just paid 405.00 for a voltage absorbion system, a furnace check up and cleaning and a one year service/maintenance plan. I straight up asked if this is a capacitor, he said yes. I then asked why they don't just call it what it is and does it cost more than a capacitor. He said no, of course, and that's just what we call them now days. I'm pretty sure it's so they can charge more though. That said my ac is working beautifully now and I felt it was a reasonable price. I was afraid I was going to need way more work or a new unit which was really making me anxious. Did I just get ripped off. Thanx in advance.

Did you get ripped off? That's hard to say exactly, but I think the answer is "yes". It depends on how diligent they were.

So if your capacitor on your compressor or your outside fan had failed, your unit would not have run. Replacing the capacitor is a Service call + perhaps an hour of on-site field tech time + the part. Let's say that's $100+100+25 = $225

If they really cleaned the indoor and outdoor coil (not likely) then you might have gotten something of value.

What does the one year service / maintenance plan get you really? is that scheduled maintenance for a year? a discount on repairs?

The problem is that often things like "inspect, clean, and maintenance agreement" are filler and provide little value to the customer - especially when the work isn't really even done.

At least he didnt waffle when you asked if it was a capacitor. Blower motor inside has a capacitor as well.

I find it interesting that some techs were trained to call it that. Anything that uses electricity 'absorbs voltage'. A capacitor technically stores voltage (gives a boost during startup to go from stopped to run).

Patrick Dolan What does the maintenance agreement do?

After seeing all of this, I personally would chase any HVAC Tech off my property and sue them in small claims court for fraud if they mentioned "Voltage Absorption System".

Jake the maintenance agreement is two inspections and cleanings + 30% off parts. Plus they waived the $79.00 diagnosis fee.

The jiggawatts are stored and released in the voltage absorption system via the flux capacitor.. this stabilizes the discombobulator in order to initiate the proper alignment of the compressorizer .. everyone knows that

Yes there are techs out there that use the term "Voltage Absorbtion System".. Why? Because homeowners know what a capacitor is.. They've most likely had capacitors replaced before, and can easily google "ac capacitor" and throw their phone in the service techs face and say:

"You're charging me $400.00 for a part that only costs $14.00 online??? I am not paying this.. Let me speak to your manager.."

*ring*
"Yes sir. So Bob here tells me that I am to pay $405.00 for a voltage absorb.. excuse me a capacitor? He was only here 15 minutes.. You guys are getting paid more than a doctor and I am not paying it.. I've owned a home for 30 years and had capacitors changed several times for less than half this price.. "

ect..

It happens..

Now google the "voltage absorption system" and you eliminate this entire issue.

It's a sales thing..

Is it right? No. But I have worked for companies who put ALL their techs through sales courses during weekly meetings that involve role playing and ect, it's really cut throat out there in the residential scene.. and these are the types of companies that charge $405.00 for capacitors.. And they instruct the techs to use terms like this to avoid these encounters..

Would be better off charging for a trip charge, diagnostic, the part, and the repair. Keep it simple and easy to understand. Similar to the auto industry. This way people dont feel like they are getting ripped off. Most of the money for these simple repairs are just to cover overhead, things like the vehicle, insurance, billing, warehouse, etc. They only really make money on new installs.

Adams Air Conditioning: No, when they google "voltage Absorption system" this thread comes up top of the list and they know that they are dealing with a bullshitter.

I'm with you Vith, I don't have a problem with a company making a reasonable profit. I do have a serious problem when the customer is sold a bill of goods. Sure, it cost money to send a tech and a truck out... and I expect to pay for that... even if it's a $14 part. But it's not cool that people are being sold a lot of worthless fluff.

$405.00 all day selling "Voltage Absorption Systems" is a pretty
great profit.. The thing is, like you say, larger companies with all the
over-head such as what you describe, and marketing, and employees, and
bills all add up to shady tactics when it comes to repairs in the
residential field.

The residential scene is plagued with it.. The
key is for homeowners to become aware of how their HVAC system works,
it furthers the field in so many ways and prevents these tactics from
staying alive. But for every homeowner who is aware, there are several
more who aren't. It's made the residential AC tech the most un-trusted
guy in town, and I think it's a good thing.

Homeowners simply
don't understand what we do as HVAC technicians, because everything we
do as HVAC technicians is invisible: The air, the heat, ect.. It's all data related and It's
very different when compared to other fields such as plumbing or
electrical.. And taking advantage of people by using terms like "Voltage
Absorption" is just wrong.. But it exists because people are unaware of
how their HVAC system works.. It doesn't exist in other areas of the
field, such as commercial or industrial or refrigeration, because
stores, hospitals, restaurants, and grocery stores employed managers and
people who are experienced and understand how HVAC works to be aware of
these things and all things about building operations. Until the
homeowner educates themselves on the expensive investment that is apart
of their home, these types of things will continue to exist. It's just wrong and we see stuff like this all the time going on.

Contractors are free to charge whatever the market will bear. What may seems like a high price on one market may be the average price in another.

But to try to deceive an unsuspecting homeowner into thinking they are getting something more than a replacement of a capacitor is wrong in my opinion.

mike_home: I'm hip to the idea that there are different markets and labor rates and such. But when an industry engages in practices that encourage obfuscation and selling customers things with dubious value, then they are going after a quick buck, but shooting themselves in the foot long term. So how many homeowners are going to call back that HVAC tech after they google "Voltage Absorption System"? How many are going to give that service a bad review?

Ultimately it comes down to providing actual value for the customer at a reasonable cost. Everything else is just BS that will get sniffed out eventually. With the internet, it's hard to stay in business once you have screwed over enough people and they post those reviews.

Adams Air, I agree completely that homeowners should learn but half the problem is there is too much to learn at one time. It is too steep of a learning curve for most. Heating and cooling systems require computer hardware knowledge (control board), electrical knowledge, plumbing, ductwork and airflow calculations, and freon handling. That and they have to have enough courage to take off the panel and have a look at its innards. Many people are not brave enough, they think they might break it.

I am a homeowner and have learned each individual item required for HVAC over time (except freon, need a license anyways) and this allows me to look at the furnace and have an idea what might be going on. I have changed parts and diagnosed problems multiple times. I also have manual dampers which I use to my advantage to help my efficiency and comfort.

Adams Air Conditioning and Vith, I'm not so sure I agree.

Sure, I'm the kinda guy who wants to understand how things work and such... but to expect that the average homeowner understand about all of the increasingly technical details of specialty areas such as HVAC is unreasonable -- especially when folks are going out of their way to obfuscate that knowledge. The truth is that a lot of HVAC techs don't even understand what they are doing -- not because they are stupid, but because the complexity of what they are working with has passed them by.

Ask a HVAC tech to explain how a capacitor works with the motors in common HVAC equipment and wait for a blank look. Have them explain how ECM motors work. Some don't even understand the physics behind phase change (from liquid to a gas and back, for example) that is the basis for cooling and heat pumps.

I don't think it's reasonable for the average homeowner to understand that enough to reliably call BS on someone determined to scam them.

What you say is undoubtedly true. So what do you do? 99% of homeowners aren't informed so they need to be educated. Manufacturers should provide more user-friendly manuals with parts breakdowns such that homeowners can look and say "I don't see a 'voltage absorption system' in my parts list". Sure, it's not going to cure the problem but its a start. Local trade groups should be encouraged to do more to educate their members, local professionals and homeowners. Ultimately, I think it's up to the profession to police its own.

sktn77a: I agree with what you said about trade groups. When I've seen other professions get abusive, there is often a trade group that gets involved in talking about best practices, ethics, etc. to reign-in some of the worst abuses. It's a self preservation thing for any industry.

Of course the other answer is to name and shame on the internet. I know that good companies can get hurt when a customer goes too far... but I absolutely would name any company that mentioned "Voltage Absorption System" .

If a tech calls capacitor a voltage absorption system - he is either a crook, or stupid.

There is no such thing as a user friendly manual for your furnace. Every manual I have looked at is the equivalent of 60 pages and most people are not interested in the learning. Honestly if you want to have an idea how your machine works you really need to spend the time to read the manual, it is worth it in the long run. The installation manual for your model is out there, find it and read! :)

My posts here together with a review on Hvac site and yelp prompted a manager to call me at home and give me a 100% total refund. $405.00. Thank you guys for the info and inspiration to tell them I felt I was ripped off. Manager was not happy with the tech and promised to have a long talk with him. Thanks again fellas, you rock.

Funny.. Someone reading this post actually called my office. I was on vacation, but I still have the voice mail. He sounded like he was pretty determined to explain to me that voltage absorption systems are real in HVAC systems, but he didn't get into describing how they work or what they are. I guess whoever you are, feel free to post the answer so all of us can read what this thing is, I would welcome any insight.

Sorry for the thread necromancy but i found it googling the term after being reminded of an interaction with our HVAC tech. I asked him, "help me understand what a 'voltage absorber' is" and he replied it helped the condenser fan motor start. I asked if it was like a capacitor and he said yes. I asked him if he was going to charge $400 to attach two wires to

a $25 capacitor and he said, "yes". I only have experience swapping out VAV fan motor capacitors but i think i can swing it for a package unit. Hth for future generations.

I had the same problem with a tech, and after consulting with three different EE friends, one who had his own HVAC business in a different state, wrote a very frank review of my experience with this con game and the tech (son of the HVAC business owner).. I also offered to retract my bad review if the tech would follow my review with and explanation of what a "voltage absorption system" is and how it gets adjusted. No response still... after almost 6 years. This bs is a total con ... and even if someone refuses the repair you end up paying for a "disservice call" ... essentially the equivalent of paying an encylopedia salesman at your front door to try to sell you an encyclopedia, and then charge you 3x extra for one that has print added to it. All I needed was a capaciter... and I replaced the motor at the same time, since that was also 27 years old. So, Robert Matheny... feel free to tell us what is done to "adjust" the voltage absorption system... use technical terms here please.

We should not give any particular service tech the benefit of the doubt if he or she cannot explain in full the convoluted (in fact often meaningless) terms they use to obfuscate a con job. This is not rocket science, and service techs are not electrical engineers... many of them are largely there to sell a new product rather than to repair the one that is broken in the most cost efficient no BS fashion.