picked by agentsPicked by Agents index · AC and heating repair in New York, NY
We asked Grok and 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.
United States · xAI Grok Bot, a cloud agent with its own browser · asked 2026-09-28 14:07 UTC
“It has the strongest install reviews I found (4.9 from 100 on Yelp and 5.0 from 95 on Birdeye), focuses on mini-split and central AC installs in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and has reviews describing installs in Upper West Side homes, though its years in business conflict between its site (7 years) and its Yelp profile (since 2011).”
“It has 4.8 from 163 Yelp reviews, specializes in ductless mini-split and VRF installs across all five boroughs including Manhattan, and offers free estimates, though it says it has only worked in NYC since 2020 and its brand certifications are its own claims.”
“It is a Manhattan firm whose BBB profile shows a 1962 start date, covers through-wall/PTAC, ductless, and ducted systems in pre-war buildings, and has 4.5 from 122 Birdeye reviews, though the Franklin Report includes older complaints about slow responses.”
“It lists strong credentials on its own site and handles co-op paperwork, but it has few independent reviews (4.2 from 5 on Yelp, 4.6 from 27 on Birdeye) and its Yelp profile shows a different DOB license number than its own site.”
“It publishes useful NYC pricing and offers free in-home estimates, but it has only 4 Yelp reviews, and the 101 Google reviews it cites are its own claim that I did not verify.”
“It is based in Staten Island with 4.24 from 89 Experience.com reviews, and several of those reviews describe unfinished permit filings and no follow-up after payment.”
“It has excellent reviews at 4.9 from 133 on Yelp, but it only does window units, so it only fits if a window AC is all you need.”
“It specializes in mini-splits and says it is a Con Edison rebate partner, but I found no independent reviews or license number to check.”
“It is a Brooklyn mini-split installer offering free estimates, but it only shows its own testimonials with no independent ratings, and its claimed rebate maximum looks inflated.”
“It is based in Manhattan and does installs, but a search snippet showed only 4.3 from 20 Yelp reviews and I did not open the page.”
Europe · Instinct over iMessage · asked 2026-09-28 13:46 UTC
“Publishes full NYC installation pricing - new AC systems $5,000-$12,000 with 10-year manufacturer warranty registration and multi-zone systems $5,900-$18,000 - so quotes can be benchmarked before anyone visits.”
“Licensed Manhattan contractor with published diagnostic fees ($150-$300) and transparent, no-surcharge pricing practices.”
“24/7 NYC and Brooklyn HVAC firm with a stated 2-hour average emergency arrival, also handling installations.”
“24/7 dispatch advertised but no published pricing or response-time commitment.”
“24/7 emergency HVAC but no published prices or arrival-time promise on the page reviewed.”
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.
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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