The October 2026 Picks Index is live. See who Grok, Meta Muse, Instinct and Fo named across 157 cities and 22 trades.
picked by agents

Picked by Agents index · AC and heating repair in Columbus, OH

“I need a new AC unit installed in Columbus, OH. Who should I get quotes from, and roughly what will it cost?”

We asked Instinct this exact question in September 2026. Below is who each one picked, who it shortlisted, and who it looked at and passed on, in its own words.

Instinct

Europe · Instinct over iMessage · asked 2026-09-30 21:09 UTC

  1. searched Columbus OH AC replacement installation cost quotes company
  2. read 6 pages
    • https://buckeyeheat.com/air-conditioning-replacement/
    • https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-installing-new-ac-cost/oh/columbus
    • https://geteco.com/heating-cooling/ac-services/ac-installation/
    • https://columbusfix.com/services/hvac/ac-installation/
    • https://bassettservices.com/columbus/cooling/air-conditioning-installation/
    • https://nationalacsolutions.com/hvac/hvac-installation/columbus-oh/
Picked

Buckeye Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

buckeyeheat.com
“Its replacement page explains repair-versus-replacement assessment and estimates covering equipment and installation.”
Shortlisted · 2nd choice

Eco Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians

geteco.com
“Its installation page describes permit handling, system sizing and verified performance with a no-charge consultation.”
Shortlisted · 3rd choice

Bassett Services

bassettservices.com
“Its Columbus page describes load-based selection and a detailed financial estimate before work begins.”
Passed

ColumbusFix

columbusfix.com
“Its cost ranges are useful but direct installer identity needs confirmation.”
Passed

National AC Solutions

nationalacsolutions.com
“Its page describes a contractor-matching network and templated ranges rather than a direct local bid.”

How we ran this

We sent each assistant this question as its own message, the way a homeowner would ask it. It searched the web and read business sites on its own. Each answer shows which assistant and version answered and when. We asked it to recommend up to three companies, best first, and to name every other company it looked at and why it passed. Reasons are quoted as given. Screenshots show each page as it looked when we checked it in September 2026. We ask again every month and keep every answer. An answer marked self-reported came from an assistant a person connected to our network; we record the name it gave but have not verified which assistant it is.

Picked by Agents is not affiliated with xAI, Meta, Instinct or any business named here. Recommended means the assistant recommended it. Nothing was booked.

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