Smart Energy

With over 30 years experience we thought he was well qualified. We contracted with him for labor, materials and design for $30,000, $15,000 of which we paid up front. Construction was delayed and this apparently irritated Mr. Rist. We thought all was well till we met him on the jobsite to review where the ventilation ducts would be positioned. When we asked that some of the locations be changed, he became visibly irritated. When we asked him about the merits of using a tankless water heater rather than the traditional one he chose, he was against it, comparing it to an Amana unit from 30 years ago. I didn't understand how he could compare it to 30 year old technology when tankless hot water heaters have only been available for a few years. When I asked him about controlling the unit over the internet or via smartphones, he had no knowledge or experience on the subject. When we told him that we'd decided to go with a tankless hot water heater, he told us we could install it ourselves and he'd leave the one he bought in the basement, then he proceeded to walk off the job the day before he was supposed to start. He also refused to return our money and refused to give us an invoice for the equipment he supposedly bought on our behalf. He wouldn't even tell us what he bought, what he paid for it or where he bought it. Rather, he threatened to show up at the jobsite and just leave it there thinking we'd then be even. After speaking to several area HVAC guys to take his place, most knew him well and weren't surprised. All the HVAC guys had several customers that were unhappy Smart Energy customers whose systems didn't work. Apparently he has only one way of doing things and hasn't changed in 35 years. His equipment choices are outdated, his knowledge of internet controls is non-existent and he is one of the most stubborn, antiquated people I've ever met. Avoid him like the plague.