HVAC recommendations

[Blkvoodoo]

I'm done putting money into our 17yo heat pump, $400 last summer, marginal performance after, and over the winter.

It has been getting progressively weaker over the last few years ( and more costly to operate ) currently DOA, I have no interest in spending another dime on it.

2.5ton package unit, total electric, would also like to replace all the flex duct under the house while doing this, but that may also be a project for later. ( depends on cost )

who knows someone, or has someone they would recommend ? Clayton NC area

 

[rodney eppes]

I was going to have a new 1 buy now, but got 3 estimates, a Lot of confusion, & other problems, have delayed me. One thing I do know, you Need to get rid of that Flex crap, & get real sheet metal installed, with insulation wrapped on the outside! Most 2 important points of a HVAC unit, is Correct-installation, & Proper duct work! They are the Life, of any unit. My 30 year old Heat Pump, is proof of that. Good Luck

 

[DSM Turbos]

Mike Keith just did mine and did an awesome job. 919-796-1587. Has done some repairs in the past also for me. He did the furnace and ac on our downstairs system last month. Same situation that I did not want to spend money on my 18 year old system. I got three quotes and he was the one I liked the best and did not bs around on buy the higher seer etc he just showed me what he would do to his own home. Tell him todd sent you if you call him.

 

[R Q]

I was going to have a new 1 buy now, but got 3 estimates, a Lot of confusion, & other problems, have delayed me. One thing I do know, you Need to get rid of that Flex crap, & get real sheet metal installed, with insulation wrapped on the outside! Most 2 important points of a HVAC unit, is Correct-installation, & Proper duct work! They are the Life, of any unit. My 30 year old Heat Pump, is proof of that. Good Luck

Rodney, call Air Central of the Carolinas. I've known these guys since they were a one man operation. They did mine and I've referred them on many jobs and never had a complaint

 

[UTfball68]

My folks just did the exact same thing last summer...had a 15 year old unit, limped it along for years. I can't remember the specifics, but they bought a unit from a distributor on ebay, significantly cheaper than any retail within 45 minutes of Salisbury. Apparently their duct work was 'obsolete'...so new ducting under the house, and repairs were made in the attic. New slab, since the unit was bigger...new digital thermostat. When it was all said and done, it was in the 5k range. Biggest thing was getting the new unit off ebay. So far, so good...energy bills have been cut in half...and pretty sure they got a tax credit for going with an energy star unit.

 

[shawn]

Only input I have is as follows: We have a Carrier split heat pump with gas furnace. It's at least 15 years old. We have never had to do anything to it. None of this shit that people talk about with replacing starting caps and stuff. Just change the filters every once in a while. It's all insulated flex duct. We had it inspected about 18 months ago when the house was renovated, and it checked out fine. My favorite thing about it is that it's damn-near silent. I can hear our neighbor's new Goodman condensing unit from inside our house, but I have to walk over to ours and look down at the fan to see if it's running or not.

Our in-laws bought a new heat pump a few years back. Theirs sits right alongside their deck. It makes a hell of a racket when it's running. Really sucks.

 

[DSM Turbos]

My brand new goodman/amana unit is whisper quite, the old one made a huge racket. I can still hear our old upstairs unit which was not replaced over the new one. Our unit is also right below our bedroom window about a half a floor down.

Many of the HVAC guys that came to give us quotes said the units are not made like they used to be and in 10-12 years now they will need to be replaced, getting 18 years out of them now probably won't happen.

 

[karatejosh]

I am currently limping my gas pack unit along but old Freon is getting more explesive ever year

 

[benmack1]

My folks just did the exact same thing last summer...had a 15 year old unit, limped it along for years. I can't remember the specifics, but they bought a unit from a distributor on ebay, significantly cheaper than any retail within 45 minutes of Salisbury. Apparently their duct work was 'obsolete'...so new ducting under the house, and repairs were made in the attic. New slab, since the unit was bigger...new digital thermostat. When it was all said and done, it was in the 5k range. Biggest thing was getting the new unit off ebay. So far, so good...energy bills have been cut in half...and pretty sure they got a tax credit for going with an energy star unit.

How did they go about the install on a system bought from E-bay. Been thinking about doing something like that myself. I assume most installers out of the phonebook would want to sell you the equipment to pad their profits and not want to just quote on the installation labor. I'd be interested in hearing how this went.

 

[rodney eppes]

Rodney, call Air Central of the Carolinas. I've known these guys since they were a one man operation. They did mine and I've referred them on many jobs and never had a complaint

THANKS RQ! Vance says you'll be getting a free Dinner! SO Glad you recommended them; I checked them out, called, & Vance showed up. After looking over his presentation, info on "American Standard" heat pumps, & Very honest Quote, he got my handshake! Will be a couple weeks, before install, but I'm sure I've made the right decision! Now, if I can find an Honest deal on "windows"? Mr.Rogers, is Outrageous! I'll start a new thread.

 

[Ron]

Is that supposed to say info "on" American Standard"?

 

[Blkvoodoo]

Trane and American Standard are sister companies now ( since 2007ish, both owned by Ingersol Rand ) they share a lot of the same products.

I've been quoted $6400 installed for a 2 ton 14 Seer Trane XL14c package unit. Seems high to me, still looking.

 

[UTfball68]

How did they go about the install on a system bought from E-bay. Been thinking about doing something like that myself. I assume most installers out of the phonebook would want to sell you the equipment to pad their profits and not want to just quote on the installation labor. I'd be interested in hearing how this went.

Local HVAC company was more than willing to come out and do it. Just told them we had a unit we needed installed and new ducting. But it was one of those deals where the installer had to be 'certified by the brand' to not void the warranty.

 

[R Q]

THANKS RQ! Vance says you'll be getting a free Dinner! SO Glad you recommended them; I checked them out, called, & Vance showed up. After looking over his presentation, info no "American Standard" heat pumps, & Very honest Quote, he got my handshake! Will be a couple weeks, before install, but I'm sure I've made the right decision! Now, if I can find an Honest deal on "windows"? Mr.Rogers, is Outrageous! I'll start a new thread.

Oh great Rodney! Vance and Wes are first class guys. I'm sure everything will be fine.
And honestly , windows are very easy to do yourself. Replacement windows can be ordered for any size opening and after doing a couple and getting it figured out, it only takes maybe 30 minutes each after that. I did all of mine myself.

 

[trailhugger]

Trane and American Standard are sister companies now ( since 2007ish, both owned by Ingersol Rand ) they share a lot of the same products.

I've been quoted $6400 installed for a 2 ton 14 Seer Trane XL14c package unit. Seems high to me, still looking.

14 Seer isn't worth the extra expense for the supposed* additional energy savings (over a 13 Seer unit) in a residential application.

*Houses just aren't tight enough to realize the 'energy efficiency.'

 

[Ron]

14 Seer isn't worth the extra expense for the supposed* additional energy savings (over a 13 Seer unit) in a residential application.

*Houses just aren't tight enough to realize the 'energy efficiency.'

but but but What about the planet?
Think about the kids!

 

[rodney eppes]

Is that supposed to say info "on" American Standard"?

Yes, I fixed it; good eyes!

 

[rodney eppes]

Trane and American Standard are sister companies now ( since 2007ish, both owned by Ingersol Rand ) they share a lot of the same products.

I've been quoted $6400 installed for a 2 ton 14 Seer Trane XL14c package unit. Seems high to me, still looking.

Yes, it is High! I had slightly higher quote, for the 16 Seer - Trane. Not wanting use use Exact figures, but I'm getting the American Standard-17Seer / 2 stage/variable speed, for just a bit more than Your quote.
Every company, I've had quote me, did offer "Slightly" different options, so your trying to compare lemons-to- limes!

 

[rodney eppes]

14 Seer isn't worth the extra expense for the supposed* additional energy savings (over a 13 Seer unit) in a residential application.

*Houses just aren't tight enough to realize the 'energy efficiency.'

Well, that's the First time I've heard that statement. I have no proof, either way, but my house was built for a Duke Power Engineer, & in my opinion, is very efficient. Another thing to consider, on most new 2 stage/variable speed units, Most of the time, their running in Low,& will be in the 18 - 21 Seer range, in Low. Not many have a 30yo unit running, like I do, & it rated at 7 Seer.

 

[DSM Turbos]

Most of the hvac folks that quoted us said the same that trailhugger said. Plus your break even point of most of them are 10 years out or so. The only ones that pushed the higher seer were people that wanted to make more money. When asking several of them what would they do personally they said I wouldn't spend any of my money on the additional seer or furnace ratings as you probably won't ever get it back.

 

[Blkvoodoo]

14 Seer isn't worth the extra expense for the supposed* additional energy savings (over a 13 Seer unit) in a residential application.

*Houses just aren't tight enough to realize the 'energy efficiency.'

good info to know, "tight" is something my house aspires to be

I'm on the fence about installing it myself, easy like pie, on a "package unit" losing any warranty support seems like the only real down fall, it's not like there would ever be another person messing with it other than me after install anyway.
I don't know it all, but I know enough that sourcing my own parts for a 200% reduction in cost is worth the hassle !

I was impressed that the sales guy didn't try to reel me in on replacing the flex duct as well, being 17yrs old, and knowing this house was built on spec, so everything in it was cheap as shit, I expected to be sold a line on the flex as well. Mostly because I asked about it.

 

[Ron]

Yes, I fixed it; good eyes!

I was wanting to see before I went where someone else already did.
AS is made by Trane. Its what I have on my house and it is...ok.

And I agree whole heartedly with Trailhugger on the 14 SEER...only maybe for a different reason...I paid about what kev is talking for 2 AS units (1 up 1 downstairs) installed with a 10 year extended comprehensive warranty.

Mine isnt the most efficient thing in the world but Im heating/cooling 3,800 sqft and the power bills run 210-220/month....so good enough.

 

[shawn]

I was impressed that the sales guy didn't try to reel me in on replacing the flex duct as well, being 17yrs old, and knowing this house was built on spec, so everything in it was cheap as shit, I expected to be sold a line on the flex as well. Mostly because I asked about it.

Flex has big benefits over hard duct, sound transmission (or lack thereof) being a big one. We use it in commercial applications all the time. Depending on the unit, there are limits about how long the duct can be, what diameter, how many turns, etc, etc. But so long as it's all there, no punctures, and the insulation is in decent shape, I'd run it. The only reason I might think otherwise is if you have certain rooms (particularly the exterior corners farthest from the unit) that always seem to be too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter. Then you might be up against a bad installation issue where you're not getting enough airflow to the more remote spaces.

 

[rodney eppes]

On the advice of my new installer, I'm also looking for a Duct Cleaner. I questioned if this service is legit, & reply is, mine is 30 years old, & New unit will blow stronger, than the old one. He's Not recommending one, they prefer not to do that, & I'm not a member of Angie's List!

 

[Blkvoodoo]

UPDATE

replaced our unit back in Mid June, kept the old unit to scrap out at my leisure, I did NOT install it myself, after a lot of hemming and hawing, and just wanting to have a good nights sleep, about $5500 for a 2ton Carrier 13SEER, physically about twice the size as the old unit

I tore the old unit down yesterday, and below is what I found, evaporator core pretty much totally covered by dust and dog hair.

YES< I change the filters every month, I have a long hair dog, there is fur most everywhere. the last 2 years I've been using the pleated panel filters, I got 3-4 cases of them for free, so likely most of this had collected prior when using the cheap fiberglass filters.

Last summer when I replaced the condenser fan motor I did pull the blower fan off and clean it ( a nice crust on the squirrel cage blades ) didn't even think to check the evaporators ( could see the "clean" side front he blower hole ) seeing this side required removing the whole top of the unit, which at the time wasn't part of the plan.

I suspect this is pretty normal for most units that don't see a lot of regular service ( who really pulls the top off their heat pump ? ) Happened to notice the neighbors was just as bad a few weeks ago when he had some one out to repair his pack ( same model as below )

SO, this is what can/does happen, maybe seeing this will save someone some $$$$, I know I'll be checking this new unit regularly from here on out !