Without hearing the tech's side of this I couldn't form an opinion. If the breaker in pic was replaced,you should be happy paying $100-$150 for that and move on. All the time on phone does make it sound like tech lack's experience.

This is exactly why residential HVAC technicians have such a bad reputation..

Breakers do break, I have had it happen to where after you turn them off to service the HVAC unit, the spring inside the breaker breaks out of place and it won't reset, and it has to be replaced. The best thing to do as a technician (and they quickly learn) is always take your client up in the attic or wherever you go, take the client with you. So much of what we do as technicians is already unseen - the Air we condition, the heat we add or remove from the air, no one *sees* these things and it builds mystery - Everything we do is based off the data we collect and with most people unfamiliar with how their HVAC system works, an experienced technician does his best to eliminate the mystery because as you can see, if often turns into a problem.

As a homeowner it's also always best to go with the technician wherever he goes, and a good technician takes you through every little step of the process, that way when these things happen, everyone witnessed it, and there is no longer a mystery of how something was functioning before, but now it isn't.

It's common (and a good thing) for newer technicians to use their phone to call their boss. Their company instructs them to do this - "If you can't figure something out, give me a call." is what the boss will say and since what we deal with is nothing but data, a good technician (the boss) only needs his newer technician to collect that data so he can diagnose the problem over the phone and instruct the new guy what to do. And that's most likely why the other technician was dispatched to solve the problem, he became worried, and didn't want to get in trouble.

Some technicians will also never admit to fault, or if they get paid based off commission often things will mysteriously break or need to be replaced when they visit, so it's always best to follow these guys around in your home. As a technician there is nothing to hide, or be embarrassed about, if you're doing the right thing.. I personally am always very happy to show my clients probably a little too much about their HVAC system and I drag them all over the place and take videos and pictures and I guess I probably teach most people a little more than they will ever remember, but at least they know how their HVAC system functions now.

I can tell you, going to an HVAC class and working in the field are two complete different universes. Newer technicians often make mistakes, and companies know this which is why newer technicians are told to always call the boss.

Just be cautious next time, you'll never really know what happened now.. I don't believe it's correct to bill the client after these mistakes happen, even if the breaker did break accidentally, once the client feels they are being abused, they will call another HVAC company next time. They should make it right just for the sake of doing the right thing, and keeping you as a customer.

Thank you both for your answers. Good info. Things aren't always an easy fix-with any job & crazy things do happen. I can appreciate that. The thing is by his own admission, he wasn't sure what happened. He also said to me and my husband we would not be billed for the part or fix. Because I am not an HVAC person, I wanted to make sure it was ok for Unit to run like this for so long-so I called the manager twice with no return call. They sent the tech out with the replacement part, he said no charge again-I signed nothing. It was weeks later when we go this bill & I called the manager twice with no return phone call. The 2nd call I made, the secretary said he knows about it, and she couldn't say when he would call back.

We had used them before & the service was excellent. I just don't understand what happened this time. I am very disappointed & I don't think I will use them anymore.

Well if the manager knows about it, then don't pay it.
It's probably some billing departments error sending you a bill.

With larger companies, departments are assigned to different tasks as you know.. And everything has to be accounted for: The invoices, the time the technician gets paid to break your breaker, the manager noting that there is no bill, and the time the other technician was paid to come out and fix the problem, the expense of the part, ect.. Someone probably accidentally billed you and lost a customer in the process due to an error. I wouldn't worry about it especially if they don't want to call you back.

Important HVAC Maintenance Items

An HVAC examination should include the following:

https://www.air-conditioning-heating.org/

Thermostat setting assessment – Your settings should keep your space comfortable when you are around to enjoy it and change to conserve power when you are not home.

Electrical connection check – Connections should be snug, and the voltage and current readings should help reflect this.

Lubrication – Lubrication reduces resistance and helps you save energy.

Condensate drain examination – The condensate drain should be inspected to ensure that it is not clogged or obstructed.

General operation assessment – A technician should confirm that the system begins, runs and shuts off correctly.

Outdoor unit inspection – Debris and dirt should be removed from the area around the outdoor HVAC unit.

Fan assessment – The motor and blades on the fan should be checked to make sure they are not damaged.

Air filter replacement – Air filters should be replaced regularly to maintain air flow and air quality.