Heating/Air conditioning knowledge needed...

Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by LauraR, Jun 12, 2008.

  1. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Is anyone here at all knowledgable about Heating/Air Conditioning units?

    We had almost a week of really hot days. As a result, I've discovered that I think I am going to have buy a whole new unit (which makes me feel like I need to throw up). Ours is 16 yrs old and I think it is approaching the need for retirement (or burial). I am trying to have it fixed. The guy tried something today, but that didn't seem to work. It's just not cooling very well.


    ANYWAY...does anyone have an knowledge or expertise that they can share with me on best brands to buy. Or anything else that I should know.

    I generally research stuff like this to death, but I don't know where to start and so far I haven't found much info out there.:(
     
    LauraR, Jun 12, 2008
    #1
  2. scorcer

    scorcer ajMro keGe

    http://www.yorkupg.com/HOMEOWNERS/index.asp


    have heard nothing but good about them

    as far as your old one ( I don't know how much you use it) is out dated tech wise as well as effeciency. You are just gonna keep dumping $. Recharging the coolant isn't going to do much, because to lose it there has to be a leak, and unless you find the leak, the new stuff is gonna leak. Then you also have the blower unit which can be old and tired, I'm gonna stop right here cause I could ramble on, just like in the geek forums, I need more specs;)

    post more about what you have and I'll help how I can
     
    scorcer, Jun 12, 2008
    #2
  3. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    I googled ACR, Tx. I don't know what you want me to find though. What does it stand for? The closest I could find was ACR Heating and Cooling in Michigan. I live around Philly, PA.
     
    LauraR, Jun 12, 2008
    #3
  4. dyamond

    dyamond Imelda Marcos of Majorgeeks

    Laura,

    I know your sorta near my area, so if you want I can pm you the name and phone number of the company I used to work for. They do this sorta thing. My old boss will come out, give you a free estimate, explain everything to you and show his recommendations and all of your options.

    They do some good work, Im not just saying that cuz I used to work there but because in the time I've been there we've had alot of satisfied customers.

    Its up to you, just thought I'd throw it out there, couldnt hurt :)
     
    dyamond, Jun 12, 2008
    #4
  5. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    We use our unit a lot. It gets into the high 80s/90s in the summer here and below freezing in the winters. My old one is only cooling my house to 81F at this point. It was sort of going back and forth as far as how well it was working and whether it was cooling. As of now, it doesn't seem to be cooling much at all. The air is coming out and it's cool (kind of) but not cold.

    The guy told me today the freon (??) was low and that meant there was a leak (just as you said) and that it would just keep leaking and get bigger. I'm not desperate yet, and it's kinda working, but I think I'm going to have to get quotes before they know I am desperate.

    Our neighbors just got a Lennox unit with a SEER Rating of 15 and spent a mint on it.

    The guy I've been using installs American Standard, which I think are supposed to be good.
     
    LauraR, Jun 12, 2008
    #5
  6. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    PM me the number, dy. That would be great. :) Do you know what brand they sell? I've read that most of them have to sell one brand exclusively.

    My problem is I hate not knowing how much I should spend and I don't want to get ripped off.
     
    LauraR, Jun 12, 2008
    #6
  7. dyamond

    dyamond Imelda Marcos of Majorgeeks

    I will do, Laura.

    They sell (from what I remember) Bryant, Carrier, York, American Standard.. but if you want a particular one - they will find it for you.Like TX said the higher seer the better but you will pay for it.. I'd say (between the model and seer you select) it'll be about $4,000 - $8, 000 (DONT quote me on this LOL)

    My old boss is the type of guy to bend over backwards to help a customer out, in the time I worked for him (cuz I was the one typing the proposals) he usually right on the money (sometimes cheaper!)
     
    dyamond, Jun 12, 2008
    #7
  8. scorcer

    scorcer ajMro keGe

    Those are all good brands, it sounds like dyamond has the inside scoop you need, ;)
     
    scorcer, Jun 12, 2008
    #8
  9. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    So my guy is out and basically the problem is my fan motor. The fan will run going the right direction and then when the air shuts off, sometimes it starts up and goes the wrong direction (blowing down). I'm going to spend the $200 to replace the motor and start getting quotes from people to replace the whole unit.

    I really want to make it through the summer. I just think I'll have more leverage with them as far as pricing goes.
     
    LauraR, Jun 13, 2008
    #9
  10. scorcer

    scorcer ajMro keGe

    Finally , I knew what I was talking about rolleyes
     
    scorcer, Jun 13, 2008
    #10
  11. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    lol...you were dead on scorcer.

    Thanks for everyone's imput. Of course, this is a temp fix, so I may come back here after I get some quotes.

    I'm just not sure which is better...picking a brand and getting quotes on that brand from a few different places (basically comparing apples to apples), or getting completely different quotes (which feels like going into a dealer and trying to compare a Ford car to a Honda or something). :confused
     
    LauraR, Jun 13, 2008
    #11
  12. scorcer

    scorcer ajMro keGe

    pick a brand for the quotes, you might also ask for quotes involving using multiple brands to see if there is a difference in labor costs and/or material cost.

    If you are unable to use dyamond's guy because of distance, maybe you could send copy's of the quotes for him to look over and tell you if they are on the level.

    Also, the bigger the A/C guys business is (volume ) the better deal he can get from the manufacturer, a smaller business might give you a better labor rate, but the materials will cost more, it sounds like you will be able to get by with the motor replacement so take your time because this is an investment. Another thing to think about, if you can wait till the "off" season, you most likely will get a better deal ;)
     
    scorcer, Jun 13, 2008
    #12
  13. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Yeah, I think picking a brand makes more sense. My guy has his own business and sells American Standard, which I've read is a very good brand. I really like him and think he is good and think he is honest (which is important to me). This does not mean that I will have him do the install if he isn't competitive, but I would like to give him the business. I've told him I will be getting a bunch of quotes.

    As far as off season, that's what I'm counting on. I want to make it to September. For Philadelphia, that's the off season since we are in the 60/70 degree range here.
     
    LauraR, Jun 13, 2008
    #13
  14. dyamond

    dyamond Imelda Marcos of Majorgeeks

    It sounds like you found a good guy but I have one question. Did he tell you just to replace the blower motor or did he give you an option to replace?

    Alot of the time if they offer only to repair (not replace or offer a quote to replace) its because they know it will cost you more money in the long run to just keep replacing the parts (meaning they make more money off you). Especially, if the tech is familiar with your system. Im not saying thats what he is doing but I've seen alot of techs do that.

    American Standard is good but the price does vary depending on brand.
     
    dyamond, Jun 15, 2008
    #14
  15. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    No, I asked him how much it was to replace it. I want to get through the summer (which he knows). I figured spending $200 on a motor would save me money in the long run if I replaced the whole system in September rather than now. He's been doing some routine stuff for us, so he knows I'm in the market to replace it.

    Actually, as I"m rereading, did you mean did he offer to repair the motor? No, he didn't. lol..actually I didn't even think about it since the cost of the new one didn't seem all that high to me. But to be honest, it's 16 yrs old and I asked him to replace it so I didn't have to worry about it.
     
    LauraR, Jun 15, 2008
    #15

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