Heating and air

#51
#51
kiddiedoc said:
Not to derail, but we are having issues with the unit that services our main floor and basement. It's probably 13 years old and is apparently leaking freon. My HVAC guys tell me that replacing the coils (?) is not a good investment for $2000, due to the age of the system. So, they have been out three times to refill it in the past year, but it has only been two months since the last refill and we already have warm air.

The choice we have is apparently to continue forking over $200+ a visit for freon or to get a new unit (which they quoted as very expensive -- circa $8k IIRC). I just wonder if I should get a second quote on a system.
Click to expand...

Do you happen to know what ton the unit is they're pricing you?
 
#52
#52
InVOLuntary said:
This^^^^. A capacitor is a $20 part. I can't imagine the compressor is shorted out if it runs at all. I think it's probably something simple.
Click to expand...

You're right, a contactor that could be sticking might be $40. Even if it's the fan motor it shouldn't be more that $200 to $400 depending on the size.

JC I talked to a HVAC guy that said the only way a thermostat could make a breaker kick is if it was going bad and called for air and heat at the same time. But if they didn't meter it and watch for this and just told you this in the yard I would be suspect.

He also said a capacitor can be going bad but still working and cause it. Like InVoluntary said, $20 dollar part.
 
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#53
#53
kiddiedoc said:
Not to derail, but we are having issues with the unit that services our main floor and basement. It's probably 13 years old and is apparently leaking freon. My HVAC guys tell me that replacing the coils (?) is not a good investment for $2000, due to the age of the system. So, they have been out three times to refill it in the past year, but it has only been two months since the last refill and we already have warm air.

The choice we have is apparently to continue forking over $200+ a visit for freon or to get a new unit (which they quoted as very expensive -- circa $8k IIRC). I just wonder if I should get a second quote on a system.
Click to expand...

We changed out our complete HVAC system after 30 years of patching an old Trane 2 Stage Heap Pump. We needed all new ductwork too. As its taping was coming apart the duct cleaners were telling us to just get new.

So I had TVA do the home energy survey. They give a list of competent installers. I looked at a dozen different dealers/ installers from Greater Knoxville, Farragut, Maryville, Oak Ridge area. Got quotes from six.

Chancey & Reynolds
Knoxville Office. 614 Van St,
Knoxville, TN 37921. Phone: 865-525-5076

Did a GREAT job.
Five Stars
⛤⛤⛤⛤⛤

Edit: When not working in Heavy Industrial/Power Generation Design & Construction I've worked with a few architects on commercial/ residential stuff. I've had my share of HVAC contractors with far too many punch list items to come back on. These guys had none. Done in 2012, so five years ago and zero, zed, nil problems. Quiet, efficient, hardly know its there. I actually have to open the door to the garage and listen to make sure the air handlers not pulling a draft before lighting a fire as it'll pull smoke into the room otherwise.
 
Last edited:
#54
#54
Doc:

Do you know whether it's the inside unit or out? I am sure it's an R-22 system. R-22 is not allowed to be imported or manufactured in the US so it is limited by the supply on hand. The price for R-22 has skyrocketed in the last 2-3 years. It is currently going for over $800 for a 30# jug wholesale. If you are having to add frequently it will pay you to change out the unit.

Is it a heat pump or an AC with gas furnace? If it leaking on the inside you can change out the coil fairly inexpensively but the unit will have to be refilled with as much as 5# of new R-22 which as stated above is expensive. If it is the outside unit, it can be replaced as well and you can replace it with a R-410 system and because the two refrigerants are not compatible, the inside coil will have to also be replaced. They can flush the coolant lines and reuse those. Depending on what they are replacing the $8K seems very high to me. I have a couple of guys that I can refer you to that I have used for years that I trust extensively.
 
#56
#56
InVOLuntary said:
Doc:

Do you know whether it's the inside unit or out? I am sure it's an R-22 system. R-22 is not allowed to be imported or manufactured in the US so it is limited by the supply on hand. The price for R-22 has skyrocketed in the last 2-3 years. It is currently going for over $800 for a 30# jug wholesale. If you are having to add frequently it will pay you to change out the unit.

Is it a heat pump or an AC with gas furnace? If it leaking on the inside you can change out the coil fairly inexpensively but the unit will have to be refilled with as much as 5# of new R-22 which as stated above is expensive. If it is the outside unit, it can be replaced as well and you can replace it with a R-410 system and because the two refrigerants are not compatible, the inside coil will have to also be replaced. They can flush the coolant lines and reuse those. Depending on what they are replacing the $8K seems very high to me. I have a couple of guys that I can refer you to that I have used for years that I trust extensively.
Click to expand...

Good stuff right here. ⬆️
 
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#57
#57
Call this guy Greg McFadden 865-237-7737.
He'll install a brand new Carrier , other brands as well at a fraction of the cost of some of these big name companies with 200 employees.

He's an independent, good guy and knows his stuff.

Do it , just call him. The only thing you have to lose is 30 mins for an estimate and $$$k savings
 
#58
#58
Zues1 said:
Call this guy Greg McFadden 865-237-7737.
He'll install a brand new Carrier , other brands as well at a fraction of the cost of some of these big name companies with 200 employees.

He's an independent, good guy and knows his stuff.

Do it , just call him. The only thing you have to lose is 30 mins for an estimate and $$$k savings
Click to expand...

Is he insured?
 
#60
#60
So, after an afternoon of getting into the unit, the HVAC guy (who seems very good) discovered that we actually have plenty of coolant, but that -- at some point -- the incorrect piston was used in a flare joint between the high and low pressure coolant system, which is causing it to freeze up. He also informed us that the condenser, pump, and coils are all mismatched. Oh, and that the unit is four years older than the house.

***Note: this is our second "builder's house," and the crap we've found is astounding.***

SO: He hopes that replacing the piston Monday will fix it and buy us a few years, if the pressure hasn't permanently damaged the unit.
 
#61
#61
That info was mostly Greek to me, but I believe he said the piston was a 62 size when it should have been an 81 (???)
 
#64
#64
chargervol said:
I so wanted to respond with a Beavus and Butthead gif but I'm an adult.

.
"Orfice" huhu
Click to expand...

I'll dive down in the gutter for ya :)
Politically-Correct.jpg
 
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#72
#72
Orangedogsrule said:
We changed out our complete HVAC system after 30 years of patching an old Trane 2 Stage Heap Pump. We needed all new ductwork too. As its taping was coming apart the duct cleaners were telling us to just get new.

So I had TVA do the home energy survey. They give a list of competent installers. I looked at a dozen different dealers/ installers from Greater Knoxville, Farragut, Maryville, Oak Ridge area. Got quotes from six.

Chancey & Reynolds
Knoxville Office. 614 Van St,
Knoxville, TN 37921. Phone: 865-525-5076

Did a GREAT job.
Five Stars
⛤⛤⛤⛤⛤
Click to expand...

That's who put our newest unit in for the upstairs. We had trouble with it for YEARS. As soon as it got above 86 outside the air conditioner couldn't keep up. The setup we have now is a hybrid, and not something they typically do but they installed it and warrantied it.

kiddiedoc said:
So, after an afternoon of getting into the unit, the HVAC guy (who seems very good) discovered that we actually have plenty of coolant, but that -- at some point -- the incorrect piston was used in a flare joint between the high and low pressure coolant system, which is causing it to freeze up. He also informed us that the condenser, pump, and coils are all mismatched. Oh, and that the unit is four years older than the house.

***Note: this is our second "builder's house," and the crap we've found is astounding.***

SO: He hopes that replacing the piston Monday will fix it and buy us a few years, if the pressure hasn't permanently damaged the unit.
Click to expand...

If he can save it then that's great. At 13 years old though you're creeping up on that replacement mark.
 
#73
#73
Coug said:
If he can save it then that's great. At 13 years old though you're creeping up on that replacement mark.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the person who repaired ours last time actually said that 13 years is his normal suggestion to replace.
Basically said it was his 100,000 mile mark on an old 4 cylinder. The repairs just start coming too often.






Oh.. and "orifice"
 
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