Astar Heating & Air

Tom S.

New installation doesn't work ! It's on emergency heat almost all the time. In 4 years, Astar visited 15 times and it stills doesn't work ! Waste of money and time. Find someone else.

George I.

S#!tshow heating & A/C; an absolute catastrophe from the moment I sent them money until they finally got their act together to finish the project four and a half months later (with mediocre results at best).

Their ability to communicate was abysmal and they utterly failed to take any sort of meaningful responsibility several times over. They proved unable to track information both internally and especially coming from me (even by email!) and in the end seem not to have much of an understanding of the products they sell.

The trouble started when they failed to note the several times I told them I was in Putnam rather than Dutchess county. Turns out they're not licensed in Putnam, but instead of doing the right thing and telling me that so that we could find a solution, they gave me nebulous excuses about how there was a snag with the electrical permit and that it was going to take a little more time. They were quick to get some things installed (probably so I couldn't walk away from the contract), but then were unresponsive and would only give me a runaround on when things would happen and never answered my questions fully. This issue almost screwed me out of a rebate as I had to tell them several times that I'm with NYSEG instead of Central Hudson before they got it right.

Their initial timing estimate left me with the choice of shlepping diesel for a few weeks to keep my hot water running or dealing with 100+ gallons of fuel oil when the job was done, so I went with the former. That would've been easy if it had hit their early target of two weeks and a reasonable but manageable hassle at their late target of six.

They left me cold for three unexpected months (Jan-Apr) during which I spent many hours and hundreds of dollars on diesel, firewood, and electric heaters (not to mention an astronomical electric bill). In compensation they took roughly $1200 off my $43000 bill, which feels about like getting a dollar tip on a $50 check.

Along the way, there were other issues (such as their plan to leave the boiler ""as a backup"" for me to deal with despite my having told their sales rep point blank that my whole aim was to remove the boiler).

The quality of work was OK, but by no means great. The vents they use are absurdly cheap, don't really open & close properly, and the control knob frequently comes out when I try to operate them. Information from the installation planning meeting was either ignored or changed on the fly but their technicians, and one of their guys gouged my mechanical room door while removing the old boiler tank (which would've been easily avoided with the extra minute's work to put a blanket over it) & didn't so much as apologize for it. On top of it all, I'm still finding trash from the job around my property.

Finally, their design of the system doesn't allow different rooms to run different functions; an issue I never would have accepted if I'd known. (for what it's worth, that seemed a surprise to the technician who came back to address the non-functioning thermostat they initially left me with).

Also: upon the end their last scheduled install day, and with zero warning that this was going to happen, the installer demanded that I pay the remaining $23000 balance right then and there as though everyone simply has that amount of cash in their checking account or available on their credit card at all times and would not leave until I put half on a card, only accepting the half payment because I could name issues they still needed to come back and fix.

The rep that sold me the system in the first place was kind, courteous, and gave me lots of faith in that company but I deeply wish that they'd sent someone less likable and more reflective of their actual business. They sell an image of professionalism but can't back it up. Read the Yelp & BBB reviews for an accurate picture of this company.

Xjoe M.

Lack of communication between dispatch and techs not always a professional job gets done .... once you Pay job gets done and its over they Wont get it the rigth way . Dispatch agree to get it redone and fixed when I sent the pics after setting up the apmnt tech show up with nothing but a piece of cover . A Shame

Tara W.

I called a few days ago to schedule an appointment for an issue in the home I rent. The female customer service rep was rude from the moment I said hello, it's as if she could care less and was annoyed at the prospect of helping me which was by the way a simple appointment for a problem I did not cause, also to mention the landlord has a few packages with this company to keep everything in working order which is very pricy. Rude customer service.

Olga D.

Issues with water heater (silt and brown water). Contacted ASTAR with this plumbing issue asking that a plumber be sent out. Sent HVAC tech who was not knowledgeable about this issue, although this is not to disparage the tech as he may be wonderful for HVAC. My husband told him he thought we needed new anodes but wasn't sure. Tech left and placed order for anodes. When the anodes came in, we received call with installation date and time - Tues 04/26/22, 12:00PM-5:00PM. Kept the afternoon free for the tech by scheduling an app't for that morning. Monday the 25th, call from the original HVAC tech stating he'd be here on the next day. I asked why they weren't sending a plumber. Said he was trained in plumbing also, but I questioned why he couldn't diagnose the problem when he was here, and that I'd like a plumber. Said ok, he'd let them know. My husband called later that same day with a question, and confirmed the time, 12:00-5:00. The following day, I was on my way out the door for a 10:00 app't when my husband forwarded to me a text stating the tech was on his way. I called the office and reminded them that our app't was for the afternoon and I was on my way to an app't. Sorry, but he needs 3 hrs for the anodes replacement so needs to come now. I reiterated that I was on my way to a 10:00 app't and he needed to come at the stated and confirmed time. Again, sorry but he must come now and didn't know why we weren't informed. We could reschedule for next week. NO! I rearranged my day to accommodate them and I expected them there no earlier than 11:30, at which time I was sure I'd be back home. Put me on hold and another women answered who I believe was a supervisor. No idea I was being transferred. Explained again and was greeted with a condescending and patronizing attitude....I apologize for the inconvenience but he must come now, not at 11:30 or 12:00-5:00. No concern for the fact that we were never informed of their change in time, or that I'd scheduled an app't that I now needed to cancel just minutes before my arrival time. In the long run, I was forced to cancel my app't in order to have the silty, brown water corrected as we'd been living with it for several weeks already. The plumber was very knowledgeable and professional, taking care of the problem. He spent time testing the water and filling the tub mid-way in order to visually see the problem (something the HVAC tech did not do. He merely ran an inch or so of water and said it wasn't happening for him, which wasn't true since I'd informed him that it happens when the tub is filled quickly to capacity, not just an inch or 2). Noah also called the mfg of the water heater in order to help diagnose the problem. No other issue with the water so far, but we'll see as time goes by since our total bill was for well over $800. Noah is the only reason I am giving 3 stars. I also don't blame the original HVAC tech for not knowing how to diagnose as this was not his area of expertise, although I was still charged the $200 plus tax for a diagnosis. The office supervisor/manager was unprofessional; uncaring; patronizing, rather than making it right. For that reason alone, I would not recommend this company. Also, if you are having a plumbing issue, be sure to insist upon, and verify that you will have an actual plumber, not an HVAC tech.

Mark V.

This company is a JOKE. i have been paying them a lot of $$ monthly to be part of their 24 hr emergency COMFORT CARE CLUB And when i called them because i had no heat, they sent a technician to fix it. The guy said he fixed it and 2 hours later it wasn't working again. I called again and they sent a tech out at 9 pm who was here for 3 hours and couldn't fix it because he didn't have the nozzle that was needed so left and said the company would be back in the am. It is 2 degrees this am and now KIM the dispatcher said they will send a tech on tues. That's in 3 DAYS! So NO HEAT FOR 3 DAYS AND SHE COULDNT GIVE A DAMN!!! stay far away from this company. THEY TAKE YOUR MONEY, promise emergency service and then leave you hanging with no compassion or care!!!! Calling the better business bureau now as this should be illegal!!!

Steven D.

Do Not Use This Company...Complete rip off artist. The Tech try to take advantage of my elderly parents and overcharge them! He wanted almost $3000.00 to fix two different shower valves. Thank god I intervened in time and found another plumber who was honest and charged them $150 for one set of valve replacement. If i could give them no STARS I would. Shame on this company.

Carla J.

Terribly expensive
Had them on 3 occasions.
1. Replace AC system. They had to return next day because it wasn't properly installed. Still doesn't work correctly.
2. Replace a sink. Again, most expensive estimate. Person installing threw backsplash away. They are rectifying the mistake however two months have gone by and I'm still waiting for the backsplash to be installed.
3. Replace hot water heater and boiler. Astronomical fee and heat won't shut off. Have to wait u til tomorrow to call to have someone fix while the heat runs all night. Foe the money they charge, quality is terrible. Only giving 1 star solely because the workers were polite. Think twice before you hire. Quality does not match the price

Erica R.

I called a few plumbing companies Astar in Middletown was the first to call me back. They can the next day and looked at the job. I needed a new well tank. After quoting me a price and I had no choice I needed water. I went with it. It took them 4 days to come out with the tank. And once installed water was running. Smaller tank which I was not happy with but installed. Next to the tank was my washer and dryer. They had to move it but I. The process now no longer works. Thanks to Astar. If you have someone that can watch what they do and is knowledgeable of things. Watch them. They will break other things just to come back and charge you more for what was already working. Just a head up stay away from these thieves. No longer want them in my house. If I can give a 0 star I would. Charged me $2150 for a small tank that was installed in less than half hour. I have camera no I know what they did. And please don't go around looking and the rest of the house there are no plumbing in the bedrooms.

Katherine C.

Worst experience with an HVAC company to date. The salesman that took my order in October 2020 (it is now July 2021 and I am still dealing with them) gave false information on my furnace and ac replacement, as well as failed to measure the gas conversion unit for my fireplace. $20k investment and they proved to be extremely incompetent and their work was less than professional. The owner claimed he fired the salesman from so many complaints. I don't think he was the only problem as this company doesn't know how to provide good service, period. They left a huge gaping hole above my fireplace that my two year old can climb into. More than once they promised to re-install the marble surround they removed to install the conversion. They measured the unit wrong then left me with the hole that I now have to pay a carpenter to custom a surround for. The owner said he would come and look at it and then had his secretary call and say he would be here in 2-3 weeks. Save yourself the hassle and use a competent and reliable company.