I installed a fully variable speed 23 seer heat pump air handler system in my own home from Blueridge (built by ACIQ hence the mother brand). $4500 which included all extra gas, special bending tools, the correct brazing equipment, gasses (nitrogen and refrigerant) all added parts, all the sheet metal and vent components. I educated myself on the entire process from calculation to completion. I have zero heating or cooling performance issues, no moisture issues, or overrunning issues, no rusting of the metallic ventilation or anything else. I saved $20,000 by easily educating myself, even got permits and still maintain the warranty. Common spare parts are already on hand. I even got certified for the gasses I am using in that price tag. 2 years, no issues, but I am good if there are problems., won't cost me much.
Ran into a couple snakes looking for HVAC provider. You know a snake always smiles before they bite you. Watch OUT! Do your homework! Call your warranty people on your brand. Go to refrigeration parts supply and ask for best contractor on your brand and area.They will help you separate snakes out.DO NOT go to HOME DEPOT major box stores.
Was able to walk in off the street and buy Durastar (Furgeson Plumbing’s Reem rebrand). Small gas furnace only, no AC for $900. The lowest quote we got here in Seattle to do the job was $8500. Thanks to your videos, I replaced it myself last summer!
Anyone with a sound combination of Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical and Tin Smithy fundementals can do these jobs. However, I sure hope that you had a Pro Furnace Contractor come in to do a full inspection for, 1) Correct sizing of furnace to the house. 2) check for correct "gas certified" teflon tape/dope used as you never use white plumbing teflon! 3) Test for gas/fuel leaks. 4) Proper venting both fresh make up air and flue exhaust. 5) Emissions leakage around the furnace and ducting. Never fail to do these things! 👍👍
@@blondestrainger On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, they are charging 16 K for a 3 ton AC replacement, lineset and coils. A total rip off, yet people pay it. I have also seen proposals for 20K , AC, gas furnace and coil. Somebody is making some cash!
I sincerely wish the Hvac scammers would ALL get proper training, and become quality companies, sadly, they can scam, and charge a fortune, as we quality companies don’t have the resources to serve everybody.
@whochecksthis There needs to be more or better laws in place. Maybe certified. It's bad. I am a smart diyer and trying to find a hvac company that actually knew there stuff was hard. I am in a hot climate.. so we are flooded with hvac companies. Just no reason I should have the problems I end up with. I look bad as a customer because I am fishing. I am sure I have lost a couple good companies because of that. I get it.. it's annoying. But so is shitty work that I need a company to come back 6+ times or I have to fire and hire someone else.. or learn it myself and do it myself. I look back at 100year old houses that are still solid. Then look at modern houses that don't last more than 30 before they are beyond repair. I guess there were swindlers then.. just damn!
Yea, we hate losing cheapskate price shoppers. LMFAO. I have owned my company for 35 years and have filtered my customers down to the ones that pay immediately, the ones that let me in their home anytime with either a key or garage door code.
@@anthonyspadafora1384 Brother Anthony, interesting comment you give here. But I gotta ask, when you do go to your "easy-to-get-along with customers," and once you're inside, how do you interact with all they're cute little Pets though?
You bet they do. Hopefully a few more guys like this on the internet will put the crooks out of business. They will have to go back to stealing hub caps.
A few yrs ago the house I bought had just installed a complete system, believe me EVERYTHING was replaced & contractor did a good turn-key job. It cost the owner totally $15,000. Having background in real estate ownership and maintenance, I can tell you that I could have saved about $7000 simply doing what this video recommends. I wholeheartedly recommend ANYONE who sees a need for new air conditionin to subscribe to this channel & learn the HVAC basics and hopefully more. Just like automotive knowledge and maintenance, a majority of our nation’s population knows virtually nothing about HVAC stuff. Knowledge is a powerful thing!
Mike, you are so correct. As a 40 yera HVAC tech and contractor, there is alot of money that can be saved. I'm a single person shop and I'm never looking for work. I enjoy educating my customers about both their chiices and their system. My word of mouth work from just being honest and allowing the customer to save money on things they are comfortable doing is better than advertising.
@@Fredoldschoolfamilyman Fred, I suspect we have things in common, I do consider myself old school plus family man (8 children!). My engineering background enables me to understand mechanical & electrical systems but doing some limited HVAC work (I don’t hold a candle to your 40yrs of experience) ALWAYS gives me great satisfaction plus saves significant money. EG: The $15k a/c system I referenced in my comment has a yearly extended “free warranty” to check system performance. The massive air filter that is changed only once a year cost $105.00, it took me 5 minutes to change out. The service tech said they charged $250.00 for filter/installation. With the many UA-cam videos available, a person does NOT need an engineering degree to do basic maintenance & save $$.
About 4 years ago, my small HVAC Contractor replaced my existing 2 Goodman units. 2 new Goodman units. We put a package unit downstairs and a split 96% gas furnace with 16 seer AC. We increased the upstairs unit by a ton. All for $11,500. After it was installed, I decided to create a network with 3 zones. It was a fun project! I am saving tons with energy efficient units. We are empty nesters and it is great cranking up the AC. Our first set of Goodmans could have lasted another 3 years. I had them for 22 years. I had the money and decided to do under my terms. My son is in HVAC in another state and he talks about units lasting 10-12 years. The best thing to do is purchase a case of each filter size you use and set your phone to remind you every 90 days to change the filters. Wash the coils at the compressor with some dawn and a pump sprayer let it soak and was it gently. Before washing vacuum the leaves inside the compressor.. I totally agree dust is a killer of HVAC units. I also agree a good installer makes a huge difference! Especially the line sets. We use the existing one because it never leaked. One last thing, if you get it repaired stand and watch the tech. Some of these guys are thieves. If the tech wants you to see the salesman run! It’s a scam!
I already have the basic knowledge for repairing car AC. Recently bought a Goodman (Daikin made) mini split for the shop. Got new gauges for R410, adapter, flare tool, bender, micron gauge. Got everything connected and pulled vac for an hour, and we were in business. The information is out there and it’s free, thanks to great guys like these and their content.
Lol...go to your local pawn shop...there's tons of A/C tools in them. My friend figured out how simple car A/C were, so we went there, and he bought the gauges, a suction pump etc, everything... registered himself as a business for tiny bucks, got a tax exempt number so he could buy A/C freon and did his car, his old van, a neighbor's car and his friends car.
@@j.t.4299 Well? Actually GOODMAN is a pretty solid make. Wouldn't have bothered me to have a GOODMAN installed, but since I live over on the central east-coast of Florida, plus my house is something like 250yds from da Atlantic Ocean, I had a very good HVAC fellow install an AMERICAN STANDARD-System just about 14 years ago - no problems either. Only reason why I didn't get a GOODMAN? Because my installer advised me that GOODMANs sometimes don't perform very well too close to da Ocean.
Both of my AC units are Trane and I've very pleased with them. Yes, they were expensive, but they are quiet and very efficient. I live in central Florida, so they get a workout. Trane won't allow installers unless they approve them, which goes a long way to ensuring they are installed properly and reliably.
@@scottlanier5133 yea, there all built to last about 10 years. I got smart and only go with small window units and let them run on low all day (i live in south Georgia). At night, I only use my window ac in our bedroom. And my electric bill is half of what it used to be!!! Not sure why, they use less electricity, but I love it. My initial investment for 4 window units was under a 1,000 and they all have LIFETIME FILTERS which I just take out and clean monthly during the summer. So NO BUYING OF FILTERS--EVER!!!. The window units that I have had in the past usually last at least 10 years. I also use a quite window ac in our bedroom (Midea inverter 8,000) which is super quite. At night we only run the bedroom window AC. so that is a big saving on electricity. So I saved over 10,000 on my initial investment, and I'm continuing to save by not having to buy filters and lower electricity bills. $$$$🤔
I bought a house back in 2016 that has a Williamson unit installed in 1988. This unit is now 36 years old, and I've done nothing but clean it and change filters every few months! They don't make em like they used to.
100% agree! a contractor you can trust, that has installed systems leak free and remain leak free for minimum of 5 years. I am in Memphis Tn and 25% of the work I do is fix the leaks that other contractors either create, leave in place or ignore. Its disturbing.
HVAC/R Tech for 30+ yrs. When my Homes system needed upgrading, I searched different sites and found some equipment that had been installed, however improperly sized and was removed by the same Contractor. I went and inspected this equipment and it was properly pumped down and care taken with the line and low voltage removal. Made the guy an offer, took it Home and installed it myself with new stand, line set, drainline, etc. Has been operating perfectly for the past 4-years. The brand...Lennox!
My son was quoted 48,000 thousand, I. Albuquerque NM. , to remove gas furnaces, install two new units with refrigeration. My son and I got it all done for 12,000
typical. I've had good older appliances all my life. Nowdays, everything is full of chips & plastic, built to fail. Make work for the handymen, now at obscene prices. Manufactured and serviced in a predatory manner.
Our Trane is over 23-years old, and still working fine. Had only three problems. Blower motor had to be replaced once, due to brass bearing sinking so far down that it caused rotor scrubbing. Bought a better motor. Capacitor at blower failed after about 10-years, easily replaced. Vibration from the blower motor caused break of one wire, to a four wire motor. Had a really scamming contractor come in, who recommended a whole replacement of the system. Got another reliable contractor who diagnosed the problem, just moved the wiring to the next lower speed, for 80-dollar repair. Compressor capacitor and motor is still working just fine (low useage). Original Freon. Don't fall for the scam shops, they look at the age, and decide to scam you, since you fall for the old-age panic trick. Trane systems run forever if maintained.
@@robr.5044 In our area, we only use the air-conditioning for (maybe) 120-hours per year, so anybody who comes in and says you need a compressor is a screwer. In Death-Valley this trick would probably be accepted. In our area, we DO use the heating for about 1500-hours per year (used to be 2000, but global warming eased this). As such, we are waiting with "baited breath", as the scammers identify their fish, for the eventual failure of the heater-exchange tubes. CO detectors are installed nearby and throughout, and these should pickup CO, and hopefully unburnt hydrocarbons.
I have a Goodman AC unit that is 14 years old and it looks and runs like new. I am very pleased with it! My contractor (an elderly gentleman) did say however that, in his opinion, any unit is only as good as to how it was installed.
Goodman is garbage. Sorry. He is correct to a point but goodman is known to have poor vent fans, ignitors, compressors are undersized in outdoor units, the plate between the primary and secondary heat exchangers rot because they arent stainless. The list goes on. Garbage
Funny how something is called garbage but if you got 14 years, I think you got your money's worth. If you pay twice as much but it doesn't last twice as long, it's not worth the money IMO 😊
We installed Goodman units in a school, one section of it for temporary service, ended up being in there several years, those units worked superbly! No maintenance except for filter changes! Goodman is an excellent product!
We have a Goodman in our home for the last 5 years, zoned with 3 separate thermostats. Never a minutes trouble and always extremely cold in the summer. GREAT UNITS! Over 5000 sq feet with temp set at 72 the average electric bill runs around 225 a month.
@@carlexus3133 Yes, all on 1 unit and it will freeze you in the summer and warm you in the winter. I personally know the supplier and installer and I said, at time of installation, do this house like it was your home. No regrets !
It's certain that this year will bring more challenging challenges. Looking back, I realized that I spent the entire previous year making expensive financial blunders because I was so consumed with worrying about my portfolio. I was forced to decide between raising my investments and purchasing a home. I discovered that the property I had bought needed more work than I had anticipated after deciding to sell my investments. It's becoming more difficult to determine how much longer I can take this.
Invest in companies that provide current cash flows to diversify your portfolio. I hired a planner at the end of 2022 to enhance my portfolio, and in the last ten months, I've made profits in over fifty thousand different marketplaces. Should 2023 teach us anything, it's that luck doesn't last forever. Even in times of abundance, we should put in more effort to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
How can one find a verifiable financial planner? I would not mind looking up the professional that helped you. I will be retiring in two years and I might need some management on my much larger portfolio. Don't want to take any chances.
As a former HVAC business owner, you are offering good advice, and you are right on with your brand recommendations and advice about hiring an HVAC contractor. Way to Go!!!
I've had a Trane for 15 years. Since, I've replaced the fan motors, capacitor, and leaky Schrader valve. It's running fine in 95 degree weather. If I could find the exact unit, I'd definitely buy another one. I hear A/C units are not built as well as they used to be.
I helped my brother choose a replacement 4 ton heat pump to replace a 4 ton R-22 based AC + propane furnace in the Houston area. Propane has become extremely expensive; they are in a rural area without natural gas available. Heat pump is a great solution for them. We got the system online - then spent MONTHS trying to find a company in the Houston area that would install it. No takers. I had a friend in the DFW area (4 hour drive away) who is an independent HVAC contractor come down to do the install; had to pay for his gas, hotel, meals and travel expenses. Just be aware - it can be very difficult to find an installer.
Yeah it's kind of rude, that's like bringing a raw steak to a restaurant, and telling them to cook it, because you don't want to pay the $100 price on the menu. There's a whole lot more than just parts or raw materials. As a contractor, why would you want to go install some cheap brand equipment that you're totally not familiar with, and missing all kinds of other pieces like wiring, thermostat, drain piping, fittings, duct transitions, pad, disconnect, whip. There's tons of other small things besides just buying the main equipment
I think many customers like me wouldn't mind paying reasonable honest hard work cost to well skilled knowledgeable hands on reliable contractors. The problem is when you get ripped off thousands of dollars by the low life SOB that take advantage of customers that have no knowledge of HVAC systems or don't want to do the work themselves for various reasons
It's because they get pissed off that you took away a HUGE profit margin. I've been called a scab and some other choice words once I learned I could buy new equipment online so....I learned how to do the monkey work and do all my own rentals. I've saved so much bypassing the clowns.
@@brnmcc01goodman is cheap? Trane run trus are cheap? Mr. Cool is cheap? What I find funny is that only a few companies manufacture the coils, blower motors and computer boards...I think the ol AC units are basically engineered with mostly off the shelf components and installed into boxes made by the brand you are purchasing. I think it pisses you off that you can't phuq someone out of THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS and pay for your lifted 80k truck. Those little things you speak of...ain't that big of a deal. How much is a roll of thermostat wire? How bout that whip? Not much buddy....good try though.
Before I retired I was an energy consultant for residential homes. I never peaked out my system but I did get up to 40,000 cu. ft. @ ton of cooling. I worked with the framers, insulators, HVAC, and I did a caulking package on the home. I blower door tested each home twice. 1st time when the insulators finished (they were still on the job site) and 2nd when the home was finished. I only used either variable speed or multi speed HVAC systems. I also installed ERV's (in my area). 70,000 cu.ft homes heating and cooling with 30,000 Btu's. Less than 1 degree temp difference from basement and main floor. This was done in SW MO.
Kenhurley4441 Brother Ken, very informative comment you make here Good Sir! And in "Southwest Mizzou?" Absolutely GORGEOUS part of da country for sure! Might talk myself into living up that way in the future. (ps: Plus, during the "War-Between-The-States," that part of Missouri was um, part of our glorious South too!)
Had a complete Payne system (furnace and AC) installed over 20 years ago. With regular maintenance, no issues whatsoever and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
KISS. Goodman is "contractor" grade because it doesn't have all the bells and whistles. I put one in my mom's house with a basic 4 time 7 day thermostat. She runs it under time of use electric plan. It's been running perfectly for 17 years now. My neighbor bought dual Lennox units with all the bells and whistles, fancy thermostat, variable speed compressor, etc. Installed by the #1 company in our city. The A/C company has been out 7 times in 2 years so far.
My niece had the same problem you mention in the house she recently bought. It had a 2 year old Goodman system with a leak that "couldn't be found". After around 6 service visits, the "technician" finally put a stop leak product in it. It still leaked after that. My brother yanked out the POS and installed a new Rheem AC and gas furnace (the furnace was old). She's had no problems since.
The Goodman unit I had replaced at my parents house was an embarrassing POS. It was the typical contractor grade junk, made out of aluminum foil and duct tape and lasted about 6 or 7 years before it died and had to be scrapped. Goodman is known to be the cheapest junk you can find. Builders buy them in bulk because they are the cheapest junk they can find, and will be long gone when you have to replace it 5 year later...
My neighbor is an AC guy, worked for Johnson Controls for years, he put a Payne unit in my house about 7 or 8 years ago now, I put a soft start on it and so far its been awesome. Hope it last at least another 10 years.
Most licensed and insured HVAC companies I know of will not install customer provided equipment. We did it one time, and the evaporator coil was no good. The manufacturer who made the equipment would not warranty the part, as a licensed contractor didn't purchase the system. The homeowner was forced to go through the website they ordered it from, and that took ages to get any resolution
Most contractors wont install it bc they dont get to mark it up. Theyll make 5-7k off a normal ac job then someone wants them todo the same for half that.
Same with auto mechanics. From their perspective, why would they forgo the markup and install your parts that you got on the cheap from eBay or wherever? Good luck with that.
I have Lennox heating/AC system, going on 20 years, never have had a problem. Of course, like any other expensive home repair or upgrade, I absolutely dread the time my system will need replacing - not only will it be 10 times the cost of my current system, but also with longevity not even close to what my system has had up to now.
FYI - this Fall (2024), there will be new refrigerant based AC system (all brands in US market, thanks to our EPA) and all current models will be no longer be sold any where. There will be approx. 20% increase in HVAC cost that will be passed on to customers. If you have an old system on its last leg, you may want to purchase a system now.
@@jwb1227 No you were saying that there would be a new refrigerant based AC system, if you get a system with this refrigerant will you be able to get if if needed in the future??
@@paulrobilotti9294 Short answer is YES. You can still get R410a refrigerant in the future even after R32 and R454b based AC systems become the new standard in the industry. The R410a is still manufactured but the yearly limit on production is reduced every year to phase out gradually as older R410a AC systems go out of service and newer AC systems are put into service. The biggest thing you can do is make sure the INSTALL is done properly. When ACs get less than 10 years of use, the usual cause is due to improper install and lack of yearly maintenance (filter change mostly). With normal routine maintenance, your AC should not have a leak. I have a 38 year old Carrier AC system running on R22 refrigerant and it is running fine (of course they built them to last back in the day... not any more). Only thing changed was the condenser fan motor and start/run capacitor. You can still get new OEM replacement motors and parts for them from Granger and Carrier. The new systems are built to provide you generally 14-18 years on average before having to replace. That is why I am taking care of my AC until the wheels fall off. I already got return on investment from it 3 times over and counting.
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, Lennox and York made pretty good equipment. Now, I wouldn’t sell a pile of York to my worst enemy. Lennox seems to have leaking coil issues. My Lennox A/C lasted 29 years and probably would have lasted longer if the installer had put a filter-drier on the liquid line.
@@paulrobilotti9294 Yes. I have a 38-year old R22 based AC system from Carrier and R22 is still available. There is even R427A which was developed as a modern replacement for R22. So, the current R410A refrigerant will be available for many years by that same logic.
My contractor gave me three options based on efficiency and price, Trane and Reem. I choose Trane and have no regrets, my electric consumption was reduced by 20%. I am very happy,
Did you notice the SEER number of each unit? SEER numbers tell you the efficiency of the units. My Amana is SEER 19, and we get lower electricity costs compared to lower SEERs.
A lot of companies won’t install what you buy. I ran into that with a mini split and ended up installing it myself. Check with an installer before you buy.
check your warranty to these on line will advertise 10 year warranty but when you go to get parts the distributor will go where did you buy that at??? we have no record of you purchasing it here.... oh well you'll have to send the parts back to them.... call the distributor in your locality who distributes the brand your going to by and ask..... otherwise you maybe waiting for day's or weeks to get parts....
@@garyo8546 the 10 year warranty ain't shit....the ac contractor will still charge you a ton to do the work. In my case, I've learned how to do most of the work so if I have to buy a compressor....it comes out cheaper since I'm doing the work. I had to replace a blower motor once because they use that variable speed crap so I just bought the whole box and installed it. Was totally worth it.
Just did a Mr. Cool 20 SEER (Oct 23) with air handler myself. 3500.00 all in. Couldn't be more pleased. Power bill dropped 30% or more. Original Trane was a 8 SEER. Programming and linking my phone to the thermostat was the hardest part. Nowadays every bit helps. 10k is out of range for most of us.
Great advice Dave 👍🧡 Congrats on the launch of learning center! We are one of the few premier HVAC contractors willing to help DIYer in Dallas, TX and surrounding cities.
So true. I had 2 Lennox units which were installed in 1996. I was charged $400 to replace the capacitor in my 27 year old Lennox. It was still running fine after the replacement. Two years later I decided to replace one of the units and this same company quoted me $16,000 for a new (SMALLER) A/C and Heater unit (Daiken). I told the salesman that I would not buy from him since I thought the previous charge of $400 to replace a $15 part was excessive. The salesman tried to convince me that they had to charge that much to keep good techs and thus do a good job installing and repairing his units. Which is total BS. I ended up spending around $11,000 for a Bryant unit from a smaller company which the owner and a helper came out to install. Thus far, no problems
@@redbaron6805 I sold the house a few years ago. I talk to the owner sometimes and he said it still works good. I agree about the wasted power but I replaced a big window unit when I had the central air install and my electric bill dropped considerably.
@@johnnyhawk329 I don't doubt you saved money when removing the window unit, but those are dismally inefficient. Even a SEER 16 unit is over 60% to 70% more efficient than your unit from 1990. That is the downside of old units even if they are running well. Replacing it with a more efficient unit will literally pay for the new unit, and then some, unless you live in some colder state where you only use air conditioning a few months a year.
One thing about the old units versus the newer ones is the old units were made SO much better. Even the sheet metal was much better. My neighbors 4 year old Bryant condenser and Carrier Air Mover already needed a blower motor and TXV replaced. In warranty but still costs $300 labor. My 15 year old 5 ton Goodman has only needed a condenser fan and capacitor replaced once and it flooded twice. So, it’s a newer more efficient unit that won’t last 10 years or an older one that’s going strong for now. $10k for the 4 ton new one installed. Geeesh
@@TxGuitarPlayer People really need to keep perspective on a single case or a single unit. My 2002 Carrier needed a compressor after around 9 years, which had been failing for 2 years before that, stopping at random for no reason at all. At my parents house, their 7 year old Goodman from 1999 died completely and had to be replaced. So, the claims that the newer and more efficient units "won't last" 10 years is just comical nonsense...
I’m having a complete Rheem system installed in my house today. Replacing my 22 year old Carrier system, it made it 20 yrs without any problems but the last 2 yrs have been one problem after another, both the furnace and AC.
My AC Contactor charges 5k for a complete 2ton air package system including the lineset, drainline and return duct... He is a Mom and Pop Operator. I don't think I could do it cheaper than what he charges. I am enjoying using this guy as long as possible. The Bigger Companies want arount 8 to 10k for the same setup.
I have an A/C contractor, old guy who now just does it for fun as he's semi retired. I sent him to my friend who's A/C was on the fritz. He went there, replaced the capacitor ( a very common, simple problem) checked the whole unit out and charged him $280 for the trip, labor and parts. Anyone else would have charged my friend $3,000 or more.
I happen to have a local guy who runs his own business with a couple small guys, he’s honest and will do anything he can to help someone. Only charged me $100 for a basic service call and to help get my drain line unplugged since I couldn’t manage to get it myself. He’s worked on my in-laws unit at their house and installed a complete unit there for them when their old trane unit finally gave up. I’d trust him over any big company out there
@@bobbyshmurdahill You are very lucky. I have called both the big and little HVAC shops in my area and all give way over priced estimates. They seem to think they have a license to print money. The worst part is they also do a poor job presenting the quote. You'd think the quote would at least be done well for the price...but no. Everything from one line hand written (that was the best) to can't get email to work to quote items like insurance...which I said I didn't want. They may have a license but they sure aren't professional, in my area.
I did apartment maintenance for 25+ years and they typically buy Goodman. Back in the 80's Goodman was owned by the Square D corporation and they were a really good basic A/C. But like so many of the cheap brands they're owned by foriegn companies. I'm retired now and recently had to replace my home A/C. I chose Trane and stick by it. I recommend Trane to anyone who ask me what brand to buy.
Goodman is now owned by Daikin. I installed 2 Goodman systems when I remodeled my house in California. One was a 70,000 BTU Goodman furnace with a 2 ton refrigeration unit, and a 140,000 BTU Coleman branded 80% furnace with a 4 ton refrigeration unit. My neighbor’s son was a distributor, so it cost $1800 in 1989 for all the equipment.
I agree entirely about Trane. Bought a top of the line Trane (3.5 ton) HVAC system new in 2010. Our area averages 15 days of 100°+, 20 days of 95° to 100°, & 25 days of 85° + yearly. The Trane has kept our house cool, & our summer monthly power bill below $160, without missing a beat. We also get a few weeks of bone chilling winter weather, & the 97% A.F.U.E. gas burner keeps us cozy for under $170/mo. Anything else but Trane is honestly "less than".
My mom has a Trane and loves it, she did replace the original Trane HVAC unit a few years ago after about 18 years use. I have a Daiken unit does a great job so far.
I purchased a Goodman HVAC system 3 years ago (pretty much a shoe-in replacement for my 30 year old system). I used my HVAC tech/ friend's account at the local Johnstone Supply and paid $2800 + tax, complete. (quotes I received for turn-key contractor replacement costs to me ranged from $6K to $7K) not terrible but this was really an easy job for just about anyone... I did the fit-up, plenum work, wiring, copper runs myself. I then hired my friend for 3 hours to check my work and help me with the final tie-in...brazing, vacuum, pressure test, freon charge etc. I paid him $300. Some friend, huh?...and, well, I do give him lots of HVAC referrals from my RE client base thus, we take care of each other.
Replaced my system 5 years ago Amana cost about $8k for 16 Ser . works ok; wish I saw this then . Think they made about 50% in 3-4 hours Got screwed live and learn Does your course help to become a contractor?
The bigger problem with oversizing equipment is in cooling mode you don't dehumidify the air enough, so you end up with cold and clammy air, and in heat mode you will get constant hot and cold swings as the heat shuts off before the structure and contents warm up. (Thermal inertia.)
I will tell you a story about over sizing, when my home was being built 1998 in a development we were given the option to put in a high efficiency furnace 95% & AC for extra, we did it, years latter a friend who had his own Heating/AC business when fixing my furnace said to my I had a furnace that was to big for my home 125K BTU, home 2,600 sg ft, I was like really this is what the builder put in. That is my story
People always warn you off of oversizing, but remember that a properly sized AC is designed to provide a 20ºF drop from outside air temps. If it's 103º outside you won't enjoy it if your AC can't pump out air cooler than 80º or so.
@@VideoArchiveGuy That's what happened to my sister's new built home. She found out about the 20degree thing. Since we lived in Louisiana and it regularly gets over 100 degrees she put in one 50% over the size they were going too. Still staying cool 😎
I bought a 3.5 ton Trane in 2010...for a 2 ton house. Three summers ago, Father's day kicked off a blistering heat wave; a string of 35 straight days over 100°, eight in a row of 107°+. We peaked at 115 & 118...it never "cooled" below 88° at night. It was nice staying at 72 indoors through that...
I just purchased a 36,000 BTU Mitsubishi mini split. Trane-American Standard have teamed up With Mitsubishi. I purchased it through a commercial Trane account. I’ve worked out the installation with a certified/registered installer of Trane/Mitsubishi since it comes with a 10 years parts/labor. It cost more than a Chinese knock brand like Pioneer, Mr. Cool. Mitsubishi has an excellent reputation for quality and reliability for the long term.
I have a Rheem series 80 from 1984 and it still works great. I dread the day the heat exchanger burns through, which could be any time, I suppose. It didn't get installed until 1989, but that's still 35 years old! Got my money's worth.
@@brbob4934 Not to be a Debbie Downer, but my mom spent a lot of money on a new 4 ton rheem to replace her 20+ year old rheem, and they are not the same quality as they used to be. She only got one summer out of it and the following summer it broke down. They repaired it under warranty, part only so they charged her labor, and guess what, it didn't last a second summer before it broke down again. So now the condenser is on its third fan since it was installed new in 2022. I have a 30 year old rheem that is on its last leg and I was going to replace it with another rheem but am not going to after what is going on at my mom's house. She lives seven blocks away from me, so same environment. You may get lucky and have no issues with yours, but it would be too early to tell since it's only a few weeks old. A friend of mine who does hvac for a living told me a lot of these manufactures don't make their own components any more and are outsourcing parts from other manufactures to increase their profit margins. The name is the same, but the internals are no longer.
@@bendeleted9155 Same here, a rheem that is 30 years old and needing to be replaced. But as I described to brbob4934, new rheems are not of the same quality so I will be looking for another brand.
Rheem/Ruud now owns Freidrich (the king of window units, and the last company making them in North America) and according to their web info, they now brand Rheem/Ruud central systems under the Friedrich name. Friedrich used to make theirown central systems back in the 60s and 70s, and they were battleships. You can still find some old ones still running, much like old York units and Airtemp units from the era before Chrysler sold the brand off.
Mikejaquith9075 Brother Mike, that is awesome! I didn't know RUUD had that kind of quality - good for you my man! But I gotta ask this: Does your "RUUD-System" sometimes ever insist on being impolite (as in "rude") to you & your family? Like make interrupting and funny sounding noises (as in LOUD burps and farts) when it shouldn't?
I'm glad I work for a major HVAC supplier. I put a 120k btu 96% 2 stage variable speed ECM furnace and a 2 stage highest seer without being variable speed for under $4k with my employee discount. I work on commercial HVAC equipment. As far as Goodman or Rudd I've not heard very good things about them. You live in the same city I do, salt Lake. You've probably been by our supply house.
I had full Lennox system installed in dec 21, in a home I purchased, Chose them because costco uses them exclusively.. Then months later I found out about the DARK past of the AC problems... The installer said they corrected these issues... so far so good but it really made me uneasy... I would have chosen a different brand had i know. So far so good... lets hope it lasts as long as the others. However , on another note, google nest thermostats do not properly work on Lennox systems... I had to switch to Emerson smart thermostat.
@@bradroth7005 The bad Lennox units were made from late 2007 thru 2015 because they had uncoated copper coils that corroded too easily. Lennox switched to aluminum alloy coils in late 2015. Copper is actually a better conductor than aluminum, but can have corrosion problems. I just did some research and Google Nest will work on some Lennox units, but the Lennox units with iComfort Wi-Fi thermostats it is a lot more complicated to install a Nest, because you have to change some DIP switches on the Lennox furnace control circuit board.
RUUD HVAC system here, built in '98 and still running. Thanks to videos like yours I've been able to do simple repairs and maintenance on the system myself to keep it going.
"Does not matter how good the equipment is, if it is poorly installed " - very important. Undersized duct work is a real issue. Oversized filters on the air return is a great idea. Proper wiring as systems are getting more complicated.
I feel fortunate to have a son who is the lead installer for his company and highest paid employee among service and install techs because of the quality of his work and his customer service skills. His work is immaculate so when I have to get a new system, he's my guy. He gives similar advice to this video that it's more about the install than it is about the brand. I have 2 Amana units (basically Goodman) that have needed nothing but an outdoor fan on one and a capacitor on the other. Installed in 2012 by a local company (son was too young then to work HVAC). With his knowledge I plan to run them until they cannot be repaired but they have been 100% reliable so far. Maybe I got lucky, but I'd have no issue having a Goodman system installed despite the hate they get. My son installs Carrier and American Standard systems, but hasn't had any unusual issues with Goodman or Amana. I will say, however, that I had Luxaire systems when the house was built and those were garbage. The parts in the air handler (A-Frame I think it's called) rusted badly and leaked. My Amana system still looks brand new inside. I'd never allow another Johnson Controls brand in my home, but that's based on personal experience and I saw the failure and reason for it myself. Horrible quality parts used.
That's true. There are many contractors who will not install a unit that they didn't purchase, but there are definitely some who will. The only downside I see to purchasing your own equipment, is that when you do, now you're responsible if something is broken or not working correctly, and not the contractor, unless you can prove it was the contractor who broke the equipment or who's improper installion caused the equipment to fail. And this is where it can be a problem because if the equipment is damaged or not working properly, the contractor will tell you it's your headache and you'll need to deal with the supplier and you might even have to pay the contractor more to uninstall the equipment and then reinstall any replacement equipment or parts, which could eliminate all the projected savings and even end up costing more. When you pay a contractor for a turn key solution, the contractor then is responsible for all related issues should something not work properly or there is equipment failure. Some homeowners might not want to deal with these extra headaches in which case the turn key solution is the better solution for them. I'm not saying buying your own equipment is a terrible idea. It's not, but only if you're willing to deal with the extra headaches and possible extra costs associated with purchasing your own equipment. And not every homeowner is.
Yeah, they're gonna whine the whole time how this ac is the worst pos you can buy, and how it's twice as much work (= money) to install YOUR particular system. At the end you'll end up paying more than just let the contractor buy it.
I am still running a 1995 Rheem 3 ton. It refuses to die. Also have a 2.5 ton Trane and a 6 ton Goodman. Since 2008 I have spent around 5k. Most of that was just installing the Goodman and Trane. I put a new evaporator in with the Trane. The Goodman and Rheem are using what was installed sometime before 2008.
I have a 10 year old Duane system. Made by Lennox. Have no problems with it. Caveat I take care of it. And that is with the installer was a hack and had to come back and rebraze the copper lines twice cuz he sucked. But still running good!
dude seriously this is 2024 there has to be a way to make screw/bolt on connectors that doesn't require silver brazing. They can make those connectors on Automotive and cars are subject to all kinds of vibration.. it just seems like another scam doesn't it.. so you can't fix your own products.... like making cellphone batteries require surgery instead of popping out like they did for so long.. difference is they gain access to your phone and can view all your files and accounts. phones are getting bigger and bigger now they can't say its about saving space.
So your point is: Don’t worry about the brand, focus on the install? I could not agree more. In upgrading the HVAC in my house, the hardest part was finding a “contractor” who was willing to do a professional job. Sadly, I was unable to find one willing to manage the entire job and wound up acting as a general contractor myself. Let me explain: I was a fully licensed / bonded electrical contractor. I had partnered with several other trades, including an HVAC contractor. Our work was primarily light commercial. As such, I learned what a “proper” install was. I also had relationships that allowed me to call upon other trades as needed. For example, if I needed a slab poured I had someone to call; if I needed something fabricated, I had two sheet metal shops that would fabricate as needed. To my amazement, NONE of the HVAC companies in my area had any means of providing a concrete slab for anchoring the unit or providing a protective cage. NONE of them were willing to get under the house to run the condensate drain (I guess they planned to dump the water into the crawl space). None had any interest in running the line set in the shortest, most direct manner, or supporting and protecting it in any way. Don’t get me going on their proposed “electrical” work. None were interested in pulling the necessary permit and inspection. Heck, none even checked the availability of the equipment I wanted. At the time, there were major “supply chain” issues. I eventually did half the work myself, bringing in a guy from two states over to make the connections and replace the ducts. What I had to do myself included: - Perform all calculations; - Purchase and provide ALL equipment; - Pour the slab; - Run the line set; - Wrap / protect the line set; - Construct the protective cage; - Run the drain line; - Replace the access door; and, - Provide the necessary electrical work.
Wherever you are living must not have any reputable companies. The cage and pouring a slab are not so common here: most companies use light-weight portable pads that can be easily transported to the job site.
I was just sayning this to my wife, that the labor is excessive now. They were asking $12k for a 4 ton and $10k for a 3 Ton when the price on the internet was less than $5k. What a rip off.
Yes, I’m observing the same thing. Labor costs are ridiculously high. The cheapest quote I got for a simple 5 ton, said he makes $2800 for the install. He said it would take him 6 hours. That was the best deal by far but seems pretty high to me.
i just saw a quote from 2 of the biggest a/c compaines here in phoenix for 14k and 15k for equipment that cost 5500 and 6200.. figure that out... with the elbow, stand, wipp, disconnect, thermostat, crane lets say 6200 and 7000 ... my home owners insurance went from 508.00 in 22 to renew in 6/24 to 1000.00 doubled in two years.. those a/c units went up 1200.00 in two years and next year they 're going to be higher... all the companies are using the roll out of this new refrigerant next year to scare/ justify these prices......
larger companies won't install systems that they didn't sell you .. I'll tell you one thing the Carrier vs Bryant i know for sure is all about the amount of units a contractor sells.. Carrier will only give Carrier units to contractors that sell a lot.. I don't think you can buy a full carrier system unless you're a preferred dealer
I'm a carrier dealer, we put in carrier and Payne, but we're not allowed to put in Bryant, because that's what we chose when we started with carrier. We were starting to put in Lennox but they would only sell us the merit low units and none of the premium Signature units until we sold $100,000 of the merit systems. It was super dumb, Carrier will sell you any level of Carrier as long as your a contractor.
@@Blilar yeah none of that makes sense and the fact they even have different brands of products like that. If one was a commercial line and the other residential then that might be understandable but all of this seems scammy. You are confirming what I said happens but for you it happened with Lennox not Carrier.. maybe in the case I talked about it was the market that guy was in had too many carrier dealers and they wanted to keep him on bryant i don't know and only carrier knows i guess.. that company is not the best company anyway.. made in Mexico.. i don't mind made in Mexico but not at the expense of America. can't trust anyone i guess
We replaced both of our late 80's vintage Trane air handlers and heat pumps (our home has two systems) about 3 years ago. We replaced them with Trane equipment, and have been very pleased. For both air handlers and both heat pumps it was just under $10K. If they hold up as well as the 30+ year old units they replaced, I'll be happy.
I have a twelve year old Rheem AC and am on my third evaporator coil, the third one being a parts-only warranty replacement that cost over $1000 in labor to install.
On third condenser ECM fan. Will never buy another Rheem! Fan cost me $550…the cheapest I could find. Also, would never get a communicating system, just too difficult to tbl shoot!
Years ago we only had central heat. After getting several very high quotes on heat &AC units I told the wife" Forget it." I cut and framed a hole in the livingroom right at the ceiling where all the hot air gathers. Then installed a Carrier 29,500 BTU high efficiency widow unit. Not only did it cool the whole 1400 Sq. Ft. house, but my electric bill went down $45a month. 😊
I am a single person in a medium sized house. When I moved in I looked around and said "Self, why should I cool/heat the whole house when I sleep?" So, I put a medium grade window A/c in my bedroom only, and the hum of it at night is a built in white noise, and I sleep like a baby. Remember, you spend at least 8 hours of every day in your bedroom. And, yah, my bill is 1/2 of what my next door neighbor's house is, same size.
Changed fan motor on my 3.5 Goodman outside unit last year. Local company wanted 850. I got motor for $105 and was 4 bolts, plug and play wiring. Took old motor apart and was a $3 bearing. Now I have a replacement. Tip- put a grease fitting in end cap of motor and will last 30 years. Allows you to lube that bearing. Older motors have a lube port but they don't get to sell as many motors that way so they are removed.
brand new goodman 4 ton 14seer purchased and installed for $4,900, 10 yr warranty parts, 7 year labor warranty, central air heat pump/ac and air handler, ocala, fla
I just did a 2 ton unit gas split system down stairs cost me delivered 3100. Merritt Island Fl. Wad quoted from a big company 11,700 for a lynx and got a quote from another guy for a goodman for about 8,000. Crazy if you can install yourself do it.
14 Seer is the bare minimum, and in a state like FL where you run your A/C pretty much year round, it is far smarter to install a more efficient unit which will pay for itself long term. Installing a 18 Seer unit vs a 14 Seer unit would save you $5,500 over 10 years, meaning you more than bought your 14 Seer unit for the second time in energy costs in 10 years...
I had a control board short out and I was quoted $800... My neighbor and my coworkers, who both do HVAC said that's a rip off... They both said it's easy and if I got the part, they'll install it but I ended up doing it myself and it's working fine
I have Rheem 96% "system" , nine years old.The electronic blower motor control went after 5 years . Part was warranted ,but not the labor ( about the same amount $500). The inducer pressure switch failed a few years later . The dealer service wanted $350 to replace it, in addition to the $200 initial house call -all this after I told them that the switch failed ( I have a VOM). I said no thanks and bought the switch and a spare for 30 bucks on line and it took all of three minutes to replace it. I don't call them furnace manufacturers : rather "furnace assembly " companies. They buy parts from third party factories and frankenstein the final product together. I am not even sure they make their nameplates !
A couple of things. I have installed hundreds of furnaces over the last 27 years because a good share of them were top tier Carrier Infinity units which had failed because their DC variable speed blower motors were too expensive to replace a third time, or because the secondary heat exchanger plugged up as the interior metal scale sloughed off. Your photo showed a Lennox, and you skirt the lawsuit which happened 25 years ago where EVERY customer was given the option to have their furnace replaced or have the heat exchanger replaced at Lennox's expense, because the original solder was found compromised in SOME Pulse furnaces circa 1981. Pulse was a revolutionary idea but noisy. That callback was in my opinion way beyond what they needed to do but it is a testimony of what a great company needs to do to keep their good reputation. However, I can tell you as well that you are correct in saying that the lower contractor brands are about the same as the name brands they come from. The components and interior layout are usually interchangeable. What I notice most is that the paint or finish is different. A top tier unit will look good years longer, sitting in the sun compared to their contractor siblings which are dull, faded and often rusting. If that is of concern then buy top tier. And speaking of looks, a good HVAC contractor will have the sheetmetal experience to make a professional looking job inside your house that the typical DIYer is unable to pull off. But hey, if you can save the money and it is down in a basement next to the kitty litter box then go ahead!
He's very disingenuous bringing up a Lennox lawsuit but not brining up all of the other ones like Goodman/Amana and Bryant/Carrier. All of these companies suck in one way or another. Just like any other major appliance.
I am sorry but for him to imply a Goodman is a possibly quality product indicates to me what kind of person they are. I used to install Lennox 22 plus years ago it was a great product. When I started my business I switched to Armstrong and been selling that for 22 years. In that time frame the service issues on our installs is pretty much non existent. Service issues that are present are due to the fact that the home owner thinks maintenance is not required. Also pathetic. Past the pulse and that Complete heat product Lennox had YEARS AGO the product line in my professional opinion is bullet proof. Telling people to buy equipment off line and someone will simply install it again I do not know a reputable contractor that wants that reputation either. Ethan I agree with your comments though and well written too. Nice job.
what about rheem ruud leaking indoor coils lawsuit???? i got screwed on that one in the 2011-2014 era... put in 30 of the package units (rqpm/ rqrm/) 14 and 16 seer dedicated horizontal discharge units went back and replaced about 28 of the coils over the 10 year period all on my nickel .. some i did twice over the 10 year period.. customers were like GOD you said they were good units...yea , yea , don't worry about it,,,,,,, i'll take care of it ... still seeing leaking indoor coils from split's from that brand.....
Personally I have seen more problems with Lennox and Carrier , They both add things to the system I have always felt where problematic and unnecessary, I have always liked Trane and goodman. I like the info your are putting out for people I have seen a lot of HVAC companies ripping of there customers. Lucky for the ones I have seen they called me when things seemed off. I always felt I should treat a customer like I would want to be treated. Im retired now, just keeping up on the new stuff out there. The biggest scam I use to see was a contractor telling a customer he had a bad heat exchanger when it was really just bad vent pipe or improperly in stalled vent pipe.
My 15 year old 15 SEER Trane AC is on its 3rd coil. They only seem to last 5 years before they start leaking refrigerant. They have had a bad issue with corrosion and poor workmanship on their coils, which were made in Mexico as of the last one I got. Other than this I have liked the unit, it keeps the house comfortable and is very quiet. A plus since the air handler is in a closet in the hallway in the middle of the house.
I bought my central AC united from Carters Lumber and installed myself, that was almost 30 years ago and still running. In that time, I replace the capacitor twice.
I had a new install, it started up around middle of May, after 5 weeks or so after dealing with very high humidity the system hasn't draining. Went upstairs in attic and water was leaking all over. There was damage to a couple of walls which the contractor did repair and paint. I wasn't very happy. I had a 3.5 ton Daiken installed with gas furnace. It's working great.
Solutions for most of the country, Multi zone Mini Split systems. Ser 22 and higher. Easy to install. Extremely more efficient. No air handler involved allowing loss of temperature through vent travle. The rest of the world has been using mini split systems for 35 years now.
There are always trade offs. Having to run multiple lines and drill through brick vs using existing ducts is not something many people want to deal with.
I installed a new Goodman furnace, AC, and coil. Top of the line gmvm furnace and basic 15 seer AC system. Furnace installation was easy except for routing PVC vent pipe, had to remove some ceiling for that. AC had a friend help some, used staybrite 8 for connections, not sure why everyone doesn't use this. Equipment cost was $4800, would have cost at least $15k for the installation if I went outside. I actually downsized some and the system is awesome, really love the cool cloud app and setting the unit up exactly as desired. DIY for this type of thing is not that difficult if you are mechanically inclined and know your limits.
A lot of companies won’t install what you buy on line , we pay for the insurance for liability for that equipment we purchase . We also have the equipment to handle the hazardous materials we also pay for that equipment ,and to keep it up to date . Cost of that is thousands of dollars .
The best ones I've owned were York and Goodman. The parts and maintenance costs were very low. The worst one was Trane. The contractor did an excellent job. The motor went out while still in warranty, and I still had to pay for part of the repair. Also, the replacement parts were expensive.
I installed a Montgomery Ward furnace back in 1979 in my home and it ran until I upgraded to a 96% Carrier in 2013. Never had a problem with that MW furnace.
They were made by Rheem. I used to service them. Installed a Rheem in my house 20years ago. I've had only evap. drain pan rust out two years ago. I'm seriously doubt you'll find a HVAC company to install your equipment you've bought.
I bought a minisplit online and learned the hard way that most HVAC places will NOT touch anything they didn't sell. I ended up having to buy the pump and manifold myself - and I did it - but it was ... a journey ... to realize I was going to have to nut up any buy $150 in tools for a one-time job and work without a safety net. Aggravated by learning that when the manufacturer pre-charged the exterior unit with the coolant they didn't close the valve so loosening the "protective" cover the first time let a tiny bit of refrigerant out. I had to re-tighten and then close the valve before connecting the line set. Lovely. Super fun. DIY-able but go in with open eyes. Given the large amount of money I saved from going fully with an HVAC pro, I'd rate it a 7/10.
Great info from your video's. I bought my house in 2010 and it has a westinghouse single stage split system I only replaced a capaitor 1 time and never payed for maintenance so I figuard I have saved about 1500 dollars minimum. And at the high cost for HVAC I will install myself after online purchase of Rheem or Ruud equipment. I don't see any independent HVAC in Reno NV. And with all the scams HVAC installers pull who can you trust.
I had a DAY AND NIGHT 3.5 ton unit that lasted 30 years....only changed the dual run capacitor and contactor. Condensing unit was on North side of house and I cleaned fins every 3 years. 1993 Carrier manufactured unit with R12? Lasted forever in the shade 97% of the time plus changed out filters every 90 days. Thanks for videos...GBYAY
10 years ago I did a full replacement of my furnace and AC with Lennox, put in by a small local outfit. The sales guy named a price that was lower than everyone else and said the parts warranty was 10 years and I only had to pay labor, after the original full warranty was up. I decided to shoot for the moon and I asked the guy if I could add labor warranty and how much it would be. He said sure, and with them, apparently it wasn't set in stone because I haggled it to $150. It was written into the contract too, 10 years parts and labor covered. I was amazed, didn't know you could ask for that. So OF COURSE it hasn't needed a single thing in 10 years. I wash the coils every year and it has one of those 5 inch 1 year filters but I change it every 6 months because the installer told me no matter what a filter says, change it twice as often. I looked inside with my flashlight after 10 years of changing that filter every 6 months and it's clean as a whistle inside. Hoping for many more years of service.
You lucked out. I had issues with my system shortly after install. I've had the same issue every year since I had it installed, which was 12 years ago. They have come out to "fix" it at least once every year. They've replaced so many parts, some covered, some not covered. Nothing has ever fixed it.
Most people don't understand this, and A/C system in your house, car whatever, is a closed system and should last for 100 years, IF the gaskets, seals and stuff like that stand up or are not made in China. A recharge of 1/4 # of refrigerant every 7 or so years due to minute leakage around the seals should make it last at least for 60 years.
@@mutteringmale how do you know when it needs 1/4# of refrigerant? Mine doesn't ice up and easily hits whatever temp I set it for. Once the kid set it for 67 when it was over 100 outside and it pulled the whole house down without a struggle. Obviously thats not a normal thing we do but i was curious what the signs would be that more refrigerant is needed.
@@danwake4431 No signs. It's a very gradual thing over years. You don't notice it and only when you think about it and think "It used to be a lot colder". 1/4 to 1/2 # is nothing, and the only way to tell is with good gauges. It's just a maintenance thing. But when it's down 2# or more you can tell. Problem is the law is strict and if you determine that "the unit is leaking freon into the air" that's another whole kettle of rotten sardines. A good A/C guy will just top it off, a bad one will tell you he can't "top it off" and you have to get a whole new system.
I have in my house HVAC Goodman brand 3.5 ton unit installed in the year 2013. I have not done any maintenance other than replacing air filter. One thing I noticed is the sheet metal they use is of thinner gage for the furnace. This perhaps reduces the weight of the unit but looks flimsy.
My father and I installed a Goodman system in my house in 2008 that has been nearly 100% reliable. Had to install a new contactor and capacitor in the condenser unit last year and has been the only failure so far. He's a retired HVAC contractor and can still get units from the local supply houses, which helps keep the costs down.
My experience has been that If you shop around and buy privately, most HVAC contracting firms will either refuse to do the installation since they didn't sell it, they won't warranty the installation and or the product. It's the same as with Auto maintenance repair! And by the way, as you mention that the same company such as Carrier having products under multiple brand names is just like GMC and Chevrolet. Both GM identical products but branded separately. Anyone else remember when GM, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Buick and Pontiac and maybe more were all separate entities and until GM bought each of them out?
That's true of firms that advertise on TV, radio and mail fliers. But they are generally the expensive companies that try to up sell you to pay their marketing expense. If you want to do this you need to be creative in finding a contractor. Ask on Nextdoor or out in the rest of your community if anyone is an independent HVAC licensed contractor, works for a firm but does side jobs, or has used an independent person they like.
@@rhyfelwrtherwyn1070 🤷♂🤷♂ And you know that absolutely for sure since you know personally all of the 7,500 installers across the country. Right? And on top of that, you haven't even highlighted whom you're speaking to or any of their individual comments. You're like a man standing on a street corner on a Sunday morning talking to yourself. 😜 🤣🤣
@@rhyfelwrtherwyn1070 I did just that 6 years ago. I found a small business but he wasn't pleased to do it once on site. It is impossible to find someone.
i got a Lennox 4 ton two stage system through a Costco sponsored contractor about 5 years ago. So far so good. Going from a single stage to two stage is saving me $100/mo. during the summer months.
Great video as usual. I followed your advice last year and too the initiative to get my cert. I’m in compressed gas business and now I feel better equipped to answer questions from my industrial customers regarding refrigerants and regulations. Also now I can buy refrigerant and maintain my own refrig levels over time should I need too.
All this info is amazing! I didn't know half the stuff he said and I am so greatful. HVAC guys are up charging so much its impossible to get units replaced.. I'm joining today!!!
1:15 My advise on buying equipment direct. Talk to contractors in your area before you make a purchase. Contractors make a lot of their money on equipment mark up. They may not want to install if they aren't making markup or you might not save that much if they figure in what they would have made if they sold you the equipment. Warranty repairs may be a little more difficult if you bought the equipment yourself. It may be on you to do all the warranty leg work.
I would love to spec out every single piece of my HVAC system and have a contractor install it but a lot of them won't even touch it unless it's ordered through their thing or they won't warranty it or anything like that this is the extreme difficulty I've been having I don't want to pay 30k for two zones
My Rheem has been awesome its almost 30 years old a 3 ton classic heat pump. The coil is now really dirty and it will not be long so I will certainly buy Rheem again.
I replaced my furnace, air conditioner, coil humidifier and all the sheet metal for the return air drop back in 2021 for $2400. . Got direct from a supply house through a friend who had an account with the supply house. Labor costs are through the roof
$10,000. On Average? Thats a Joke !!! I was quoted by a A/C company that i have been using for 10 years for service on both my units. To Replace The Outside Unit and the Coil Only $15,556.00. And For that price it does not include the furnace !!! That price represents 1 UNIT only !!! On 6/26/23.!!! Needless to say i purchased the equipment my self and the equipment cost me a tad under $5,000 14 Seer Goodman with Coil
@Jfrieshvac Who cares about warranty if you can install the system yourself (you can, it's not that hard) for $2,000 😂 My first AC unit was installed by a contractor for $1,450 CAD all-in back in 2006. The latest one I had put in to our brand new house bought in 2013 cost me $3,300 installed again by a contractor. Paying anymore than that is criminal gouging, period.
@@Jfriesheatingandcooling Was not that complicated !! Me and my sons watched a bunch of youtube vids and took our time we had couple of problems that we overcame and its been 10 months the A/C is nice and cold and the Heat nice and toasty. Plus to save $10,000.00 by doing it myself, i'll take my chances on the warranty!!
Ive been buying online for many years now. Im on my 11th unit but this year I changed things up and got a Trane runtru system (2ton) and a 4/5 ton Mr. Cool heat pump for my personal house. Ive been procrastinating on the trane one but i have to face the music this month plus my home one is just awaiting a new pad and ill get going on it as well. Its not hard at all...brazing is about the hardest part if you ask me. I did invest into some equipment...still dont have a micron gauge but i let my vacuum pump for 30 to 40 minutes because its a cheap harbor freight unit, let it sit for 3 or 4 hours under vacuum and let it loose. Ive only had issues with 1 blower motor so i spent the money and bought the blower portion of the unit because, by the time you pay some company to come do it....you still saved money biying brand new stuff. The rates these contractors are charging these days should be outlawed...criminals at work but they figured out a legal way to rob and stay out of jail
@@Random_DIY I bought 10 system through ac wholesalers and then I started buying from Ingram's air. There is a warranty, as I understand it, through ac wholesalers but as I understand it you would need to send the parts back to them and wait it out. I've only had one failure but if you do the math...you come out ahead buying another new one and reinstalling said new one vs paying some clown contractor to do the warranty work. Warranty's aren't worth shit when the equipment is so inexpensive. The con tractors will eat up any savings.
@@johngatsby1473Good to know. I am trying to move into what you’re doing as I’ve had some really bad experiences trying to hire people. I’m sure there are good HVAC people but I can’t find them at a fair price.
@@Random_DIY I've had to seek out individual techs in the past but I just got to where I could save more doing them myself. It's really not that hard. Diagnosing is more a skill from experience and that's where I'm a bit weak but there's always a UA-cam video that helps walk you through it. At worst, get it all installed and have a company come out and tune it up for you....still saving TONS of money
My parents just replaced their unit with a Rheem 2 years ago. My dad had installed his old system 3 ton 45 years ago. Yes!! you read that right 45 YEARS it lasted. The HVAC guys could NOT believe it. It was made by Sears Roebuck and the coil was made completely of copper. My dad turns 90 this year and has already had a service call on new system. Yes, the new system is more energy efficient but still such a rarity of quality built units.
My current system was installed in the summer of 1997 when my home was built. It is a 4 ton Intertherm/nordyne system and is still operating. I replaced the capacitor 3 times and the evaporator coil once due to a leak. I will buy a new system this year before the new refrigerant system becomes mandatory and the 410a systems will no longer be sold. I also will buy a couple jugs of 410a and store it for future use. I am fortunate to live in a rural area and have a lot of outdoor storage and can do this. From what I am told the new refrigerant for next year contains propane and all sorts of safety sensors and evacuator fans will be necessary in the event of a leak since the propane is flammable. The EPA has been sticking it to the people for several decades now and there is no relief in sight.
Yup. My guy told me the same thing. My unit is more than 20 years old. Getting a new one this year. He told me he stocked up on the old ones already so I won't have to buy bidens garbage.
@@wheaterz7567 if I'm understanding my guy right. It goes back to his global warming bullcrap. All new units will have reduced hfc( hydrofluorocarbons) by early 2025. Replacing it with supposed eco-friendly refrigerants. One is classified as flammable. So not only will the cost of these units go through the roof ( unit without installation = $12,000. ) but it is flammable and could catch fire.
3 місяці тому
Your honesty will caused you to have a lot of haters. But thank you for been who you are Sir. I wish the world had more people of your character. God bless you, and keep up the good work. I really have learn a lot since I start listen to you.
I have a carrier central air. After a few years I kept having the service tech adding refrigerant. Now leaks so bad I stopped calling them cause the cost of adding the 410a was breaking me, I come to find out the evaporator was a copper and should have been aluminum. Carrier messed up because I found out many other people went through the same shit. I said the hell with that and bought 2 window air conditioners.
You have been given bad info. Copper is superior to aluminum. I assume you are referring to the coil. The aluminum coils leak more than copper. Copper is also an upgrade over an aluminum coil. That doesn't mean a copper coil won't leak. Just stating aluminum is worse.
@@joefran619 You were explained to wrong or didn't understand something. That isn't a thing. R-22 had chlorine in it. R410a doesn't so if anything R-22 would have been worse and copper was fine. R410a operates at a higher pressure and you may have just had a poorly constructed coil. I would take a copper coil any day over aluminum. Acid has an effect on copper but that isn't from R410a and an entirely different subject. It's called formicary corrosion.
I installed a fully variable speed 23 seer heat pump air handler system in my own home from Blueridge (built by ACIQ hence the mother brand). $4500 which included all extra gas, special bending tools, the correct brazing equipment, gasses (nitrogen and refrigerant) all added parts, all the sheet metal and vent components. I educated myself on the entire process from calculation to completion. I have zero heating or cooling performance issues, no moisture issues, or overrunning issues, no rusting of the metallic ventilation or anything else. I saved $20,000 by easily educating myself, even got permits and still maintain the warranty. Common spare parts are already on hand. I even got certified for the gasses I am using in that price tag. 2 years, no issues, but I am good if there are problems., won't cost me much.
Thanks so much for sharing. That’s awesome!! I hope our videos helped. Cheers bro
Awesome job! I was just curious how they treated you being the homeowner pulling the permits?
That’s very impressive!
Bs a standard ac with a 80% furnace is 4500.00 14.3 seer tools to properly install a system is minimal 1500.00
@@tavhigh Mine is the 2 ton for my smaller house, after tools and extras I came in around $4500 and it's 2 years performing just fine.
Honest companies never run out of work, the problem is finding one nowadays is damn near impossible.
Ran into a couple snakes looking for HVAC provider. You know a snake always smiles before they bite you. Watch OUT! Do your homework! Call your warranty people on your brand. Go to refrigeration parts supply and ask for best contractor on your brand and area.They will help you separate snakes out.DO NOT go to HOME DEPOT major box stores.
Was able to walk in off the street and buy Durastar (Furgeson Plumbing’s Reem rebrand). Small gas furnace only, no AC for $900. The lowest quote we got here in Seattle to do the job was $8500. Thanks to your videos, I replaced it myself last summer!
Anyone with a sound combination of Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical and Tin Smithy fundementals can do these jobs. However, I sure hope that you had a Pro Furnace Contractor come in to do a full inspection for, 1) Correct sizing of furnace to the house. 2) check for correct "gas certified" teflon tape/dope used as you never use white plumbing teflon! 3) Test for gas/fuel leaks. 4) Proper venting both fresh make up air and flue exhaust. 5) Emissions leakage around the furnace and ducting.
Never fail to do these things! 👍👍
I think your 8500 was including the whole system or 95afu
@@blondestrainger On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, they are charging 16 K for a 3 ton AC replacement, lineset and coils. A total rip off, yet people pay it. I have also seen proposals for 20K , AC, gas furnace and coil. Somebody is making some cash!
@@warningsigns4526YUP! HVAC can be such a racket!
@@warningsigns4526 That's BS. Here inSW Ohio 3 ton HP w/electric BU. high end 11,000. average 9500.
All HVAC scammers must hate you for all that information you providing to all of us .Thank you very much .George Z
I sincerely wish the Hvac scammers would ALL get proper training, and become quality companies, sadly, they can scam, and charge a fortune, as we quality companies don’t have the resources to serve everybody.
@whochecksthis
There needs to be more or better laws in place. Maybe certified.
It's bad. I am a smart diyer and trying to find a hvac company that actually knew there stuff was hard. I am in a hot climate.. so we are flooded with hvac companies.
Just no reason I should have the problems I end up with. I look bad as a customer because I am fishing. I am sure I have lost a couple good companies because of that. I get it.. it's annoying. But so is shitty work that I need a company to come back 6+ times or I have to fire and hire someone else.. or learn it myself and do it myself.
I look back at 100year old houses that are still solid. Then look at modern houses that don't last more than 30 before they are beyond repair.
I guess there were swindlers then.. just damn!
Yea, we hate losing cheapskate price shoppers. LMFAO. I have owned my company for 35 years and have filtered my customers down to the ones that pay immediately, the ones that let me in their home anytime with either a key or garage door code.
@@anthonyspadafora1384 Brother Anthony, interesting comment you give here. But I gotta ask, when you do go to your "easy-to-get-along with customers," and once you're inside, how do you interact with all they're cute little Pets though?
You bet they do. Hopefully a few more guys like this on the internet will put the crooks out of business. They will have to go back to stealing hub caps.
A few yrs ago the house I bought had just installed a complete system, believe me EVERYTHING was replaced & contractor did a good turn-key job. It cost the owner totally $15,000. Having background in real estate ownership and maintenance, I can tell you that I could have saved about $7000 simply doing what this video recommends. I wholeheartedly recommend ANYONE who sees a need for new air conditionin to subscribe to this channel & learn the HVAC basics and hopefully more. Just like automotive knowledge and maintenance, a majority of our nation’s population knows virtually nothing about HVAC stuff. Knowledge is a powerful thing!
New generations don't know how or want to do ANYTHING
Mike, you are so correct. As a 40 yera HVAC tech and contractor, there is alot of money that can be saved. I'm a single person shop and I'm never looking for work. I enjoy educating my customers about both their chiices and their system. My word of mouth work from just being honest and allowing the customer to save money on things they are comfortable doing is better than advertising.
@@Fredoldschoolfamilyman Fred, I suspect we have things in common, I do consider myself old school plus family man (8 children!). My engineering background enables me to understand mechanical & electrical systems but doing some limited HVAC work (I don’t hold a candle to your 40yrs of experience) ALWAYS gives me great satisfaction plus saves significant money. EG: The $15k a/c system I referenced in my comment has a yearly extended “free warranty” to check system performance. The massive air filter that is changed only once a year cost $105.00, it took me 5 minutes to change out. The service tech said they charged $250.00 for filter/installation. With the many UA-cam videos available, a person does NOT need an engineering degree to do basic maintenance & save $$.
About 4 years ago, my small HVAC Contractor replaced my existing 2 Goodman units. 2 new Goodman units. We put a package unit downstairs and a split 96% gas furnace with 16 seer AC. We increased the upstairs unit by a ton. All for $11,500. After it was installed, I decided to create a network with 3 zones. It was a fun project! I am saving tons with energy efficient units. We are empty nesters and it is great cranking up the AC. Our first set of Goodmans could have lasted another 3 years. I had them for 22 years. I had the money and decided to do under my terms. My son is in HVAC in another state and he talks about units lasting 10-12 years.
The best thing to do is purchase a case of each filter size you use and set your phone to remind you every 90 days to change the filters. Wash the coils at the compressor with some dawn and a pump sprayer let it soak and was it gently. Before washing vacuum the leaves inside the compressor.. I totally agree dust is a killer of HVAC units. I also agree a good installer makes a huge difference! Especially the line sets. We use the existing one because it never leaked. One last thing, if you get it repaired stand and watch the tech. Some of these guys are thieves. If the tech wants you to see the salesman run! It’s a scam!
You bought Goodman lol. You get what you pay for.
Goodman had a bad run 10-20 years ago, now they produce much better products.
@@josephross8305 Not sure what World you live on. A majority of shit that fails are cheap ass Goodman and LG units.
@@Ace707xtc so 22 years of service in Atlanta without any issue isn’t enough for you?
@@josephross8305 Sure hope so, the one I replaced was an embarrassing piece of junk.
I already have the basic knowledge for repairing car AC. Recently bought a Goodman (Daikin made) mini split for the shop. Got new gauges for R410, adapter, flare tool, bender, micron gauge. Got everything connected and pulled vac for an hour, and we were in business. The information is out there and it’s free, thanks to great guys like these and their content.
Yeah, but it is a Goodman. 😢
Lol...go to your local pawn shop...there's tons of A/C tools in them. My friend figured out how simple car A/C were, so we went there, and he bought the gauges, a suction pump etc, everything... registered himself as a business for tiny bucks, got a tax exempt number so he could buy A/C freon and did his car, his old van, a neighbor's car and his friends car.
@@j.t.4299 Well? Actually GOODMAN is a pretty solid make. Wouldn't have bothered me to have a GOODMAN installed, but since I live over on the central east-coast of Florida, plus my house is something like 250yds from da Atlantic Ocean, I had a very good HVAC fellow install an AMERICAN STANDARD-System just about 14 years ago - no problems either. Only reason why I didn't get a GOODMAN? Because my installer advised me that GOODMANs sometimes don't perform very well too close to da Ocean.
My ac is a Goodman also, nine years old, runs great, nice cold air, absolutely no problems here in hot/humid south Florida.
Both of my AC units are Trane and I've very pleased with them. Yes, they were expensive, but they are quiet and very efficient. I live in central Florida, so they get a workout. Trane won't allow installers unless they approve them, which goes a long way to ensuring they are installed properly and reliably.
My 11 ye old train condenser just bit the dust / coil copper pipe leak
@@scottlanier5133 yea, there all built to last about 10 years. I got smart and only go with small window units and let them run on low all day (i live in south Georgia). At night, I only use my window ac in our bedroom. And my electric bill is half of what it used to be!!! Not sure why, they use less electricity, but I love it. My initial investment for 4 window units was under a 1,000 and they all have LIFETIME FILTERS which I just take out and clean monthly during the summer. So NO BUYING OF FILTERS--EVER!!!. The window units that I have had in the past usually last at least 10 years. I also use a quite window ac in our bedroom (Midea inverter 8,000) which is super quite. At night we only run the bedroom window AC. so that is a big saving on electricity. So I saved over 10,000 on my initial investment, and I'm continuing to save by not having to buy filters and lower electricity bills. $$$$🤔
Luckily I have a good HVAC guy who genuinely cares to help people. I can tell you are the type who likes to help people as well. Thank you
It must be me
I bought a house back in 2016 that has a Williamson unit installed in 1988. This unit is now 36 years old, and I've done nothing but clean it and change filters every few months! They don't make em like they used to.
Same
Exactly. Companies don't make $ when things last forever...its all by design now
@@thulsa5218 yeah I’m dreading the day when these old units finally die and I have to buy some of this new shit
They really do not. The old ones were excellent at taking out humidity. Much better than these current ones.
Ours is 31 years old. 😊
100% agree! a contractor you can trust, that has installed systems leak free and remain leak free for minimum of 5 years. I am in Memphis Tn and 25% of the work I do is fix the leaks that other contractors either create, leave in place or ignore. Its disturbing.
Interesting. Are the leaks mostly due to poor brazing?
HVAC/R Tech for 30+ yrs. When my Homes system needed upgrading, I searched different sites and found some equipment that had been installed, however improperly sized and was removed by the same Contractor. I went and inspected this equipment and it was properly pumped down and care taken with the line and low voltage removal. Made the guy an offer, took it Home and installed it myself with new stand, line set, drainline, etc. Has been operating perfectly for the past 4-years. The brand...Lennox!
My son was quoted 48,000 thousand, I. Albuquerque NM. , to remove gas furnaces, install two new units with refrigeration.
My son and I got it all done for 12,000
I live in ABQ not surprised, typical..
@paulleos 162 that initial price is a way of saying "we do not want your business".
who did the work? I'm in ABQ
typical. I've had good older appliances all my life. Nowdays, everything is full of chips & plastic, built to fail. Make work for the handymen, now at obscene prices.
Manufactured and serviced in a predatory manner.
48,000??? I paid 45,000 for my first house 🏠
Houston Texas
That is either totally insane or totally wrong!!!
Our Trane is over 23-years old, and still working fine. Had only three problems. Blower motor had to be replaced once, due to brass bearing sinking so far down that it caused rotor scrubbing. Bought a better motor. Capacitor at blower failed after about 10-years, easily replaced. Vibration from the blower motor caused break of one wire, to a four wire motor. Had a really scamming contractor come in, who recommended a whole replacement of the system. Got another reliable contractor who diagnosed the problem, just moved the wiring to the next lower speed, for 80-dollar repair. Compressor capacitor and motor is still working just fine (low useage). Original Freon. Don't fall for the scam shops, they look at the age, and decide to scam you, since you fall for the old-age panic trick. Trane systems run forever if maintained.
It will run until it doesn’t.
@@robr.5044 In our area, we only use the air-conditioning for (maybe) 120-hours per year, so anybody who comes in and says you need a compressor is a screwer. In Death-Valley this trick would probably be accepted. In our area, we DO use the heating for about 1500-hours per year (used to be 2000, but global warming eased this). As such, we are waiting with "baited breath", as the scammers identify their fish, for the eventual failure of the heater-exchange tubes. CO detectors are installed nearby and throughout, and these should pickup CO, and hopefully unburnt hydrocarbons.
I have a Goodman AC unit that is 14 years old and it looks and runs like new.
I am very pleased with it!
My contractor (an elderly gentleman) did say however that, in his opinion, any unit is only as good as to how it was installed.
Goodman is garbage. Sorry. He is correct to a point but goodman is known to have poor vent fans, ignitors, compressors are undersized in outdoor units, the plate between the primary and secondary heat exchangers rot because they arent stainless. The list goes on. Garbage
@@chevysaregr8 Well sir, I appreciate your opinion but time will tell with mine, so far so good.
Funny how something is called garbage but if you got 14 years, I think you got your money's worth. If you pay twice as much but it doesn't last twice as long, it's not worth the money IMO 😊
@@chevysaregr8 Mine is going on 20 years...Next to nothing issue wise
24 years and counting on my Goodman, never had a repairmen out after installing.
We installed Goodman units in a school, one section of it for temporary service, ended up being in there several years, those units worked superbly! No maintenance except for filter changes! Goodman is an excellent product!
I know some HVAC contractors that have installed Goodman in their homes.
We have a Goodman in our home for the last 5 years, zoned with 3 separate thermostats. Never a minutes trouble and always extremely cold in the summer. GREAT UNITS! Over 5000 sq feet with temp set at 72 the average electric bill runs around 225 a month.
I have Goodman 3,floors, 3,units. Are you running 1 unit @5000 sqft?
@@carlexus3133 Yes, all on 1 unit and it will freeze you in the summer and warm you in the winter. I personally know the supplier and installer and I said, at time of installation, do this house like it was your home. No regrets !
It's certain that this year will bring more challenging challenges. Looking back, I realized that I spent the entire previous year making expensive financial blunders because I was so consumed with worrying about my portfolio. I was forced to decide between raising my investments and purchasing a home. I discovered that the property I had bought needed more work than I had anticipated after deciding to sell my investments. It's becoming more difficult to determine how much longer I can take this.
Take things easy, we've all made mistakes
Invest in companies that provide current cash flows to diversify your portfolio. I hired a planner at the end of 2022 to enhance my portfolio, and in the last ten months, I've made profits in over fifty thousand different marketplaces. Should 2023 teach us anything, it's that luck doesn't last forever. Even in times of abundance, we should put in more effort to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
How can one find a verifiable financial planner? I would not mind looking up the professional that helped you. I will be retiring in two years and I might need some management on my much larger portfolio. Don't want to take any chances.
Leah Foster Alderman. You'll undoubtedly find out more if you look her up online.
She appears to be well educated and well read. I ran an online search on her name and came across her website, thank you for sharing.
As a former HVAC business owner, you are offering good advice, and you are right on with your brand recommendations and advice about hiring an HVAC contractor. Way to Go!!!
And to think, they call our state the "Free State"..
I have always said..no matter the brand..as long as you get it installed properly.
And keep it maintained. Any big brand will crap out if you don't do maintenance
I've had a Trane for 15 years. Since, I've replaced the fan motors, capacitor, and leaky Schrader valve. It's running fine in 95 degree weather. If I could find the exact unit, I'd definitely buy another one. I hear A/C units are not built as well as they used to be.
@@qua7771 That is true. My grandpa has an old york diamond A/C with a propane furnace. Still runs as well as it did new!
Step one: Find a good AC Contractor that I trust. Step two: So you're saying I'm screwed then!
Easier to spot a unicorn in your yard.
I helped my brother choose a replacement 4 ton heat pump to replace a 4 ton R-22 based AC + propane furnace in the Houston area. Propane has become extremely expensive; they are in a rural area without natural gas available. Heat pump is a great solution for them. We got the system online - then spent MONTHS trying to find a company in the Houston area that would install it. No takers. I had a friend in the DFW area (4 hour drive away) who is an independent HVAC contractor come down to do the install; had to pay for his gas, hotel, meals and travel expenses. Just be aware - it can be very difficult to find an installer.
This is exactly what I was just explaining to him no company will installed a online purchased because of the liabilities
Yeah it's kind of rude, that's like bringing a raw steak to a restaurant, and telling them to cook it, because you don't want to pay the $100 price on the menu. There's a whole lot more than just parts or raw materials. As a contractor, why would you want to go install some cheap brand equipment that you're totally not familiar with, and missing all kinds of other pieces like wiring, thermostat, drain piping, fittings, duct transitions, pad, disconnect, whip. There's tons of other small things besides just buying the main equipment
I think many customers like me wouldn't mind paying reasonable honest hard work cost to well skilled knowledgeable hands on reliable contractors. The problem is when you get ripped off thousands of dollars by the low life SOB that take advantage of customers that have no knowledge of HVAC systems or don't want to do the work themselves for various reasons
It's because they get pissed off that you took away a HUGE profit margin. I've been called a scab and some other choice words once I learned I could buy new equipment online so....I learned how to do the monkey work and do all my own rentals. I've saved so much bypassing the clowns.
@@brnmcc01goodman is cheap? Trane run trus are cheap? Mr. Cool is cheap?
What I find funny is that only a few companies manufacture the coils, blower motors and computer boards...I think the ol AC units are basically engineered with mostly off the shelf components and installed into boxes made by the brand you are purchasing. I think it pisses you off that you can't phuq someone out of THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS and pay for your lifted 80k truck. Those little things you speak of...ain't that big of a deal. How much is a roll of thermostat wire? How bout that whip? Not much buddy....good try though.
Before I retired I was an energy consultant for residential homes. I never peaked out my system but I did get up to 40,000 cu. ft. @ ton of cooling. I worked with the framers, insulators, HVAC, and I did a caulking package on the home. I blower door tested each home twice. 1st time when the insulators finished (they were still on the job site) and 2nd when the home was finished. I only used either variable speed or multi speed HVAC systems. I also installed ERV's (in my area). 70,000 cu.ft homes heating and cooling with 30,000 Btu's. Less than 1 degree temp difference from basement and main floor. This was done in SW MO.
Kenhurley4441 Brother Ken, very informative comment you make here Good Sir! And in "Southwest Mizzou?" Absolutely GORGEOUS part of da country for sure! Might talk myself into living up that way in the future. (ps: Plus, during the "War-Between-The-States," that part of Missouri was um, part of our glorious South too!)
who cares old man. come out to south texas and lets see how good you are.
@@notlisted-cl5ls if you're building a new home I'll be your energy consultant for free!
Had a complete Payne system (furnace and AC) installed over 20 years ago. With regular maintenance, no issues whatsoever and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Most Central A/C and furnace units made from the 80's - early 2000's were built well
KISS. Goodman is "contractor" grade because it doesn't have all the bells and whistles. I put one in my mom's house with a basic 4 time 7 day thermostat. She runs it under time of use electric plan. It's been running perfectly for 17 years now. My neighbor bought dual Lennox units with all the bells and whistles, fancy thermostat, variable speed compressor, etc. Installed by the #1 company in our city. The A/C company has been out 7 times in 2 years so far.
My niece had the same problem you mention in the house she recently bought. It had a 2 year old Goodman system with a leak that "couldn't be found". After around 6 service visits, the "technician" finally put a stop leak product in it. It still leaked after that. My brother yanked out the POS and installed a new Rheem AC and gas furnace (the furnace was old). She's had no problems since.
The Goodman unit I had replaced at my parents house was an embarrassing POS. It was the typical contractor grade junk, made out of aluminum foil and duct tape and lasted about 6 or 7 years before it died and had to be scrapped.
Goodman is known to be the cheapest junk you can find. Builders buy them in bulk because they are the cheapest junk they can find, and will be long gone when you have to replace it 5 year later...
I install more Goodman’s ..because there is no bells and whistles..they just work.
@@GlennBalent-nq7rh Yes, people buy cheap stuff all the time that doesn't last, instead of paying more for better products that last.
Goodman is garbage.
Loud, poorly built, and unreliable. There's a reason why it's the cheapest out there, and you get what you pay for.
My neighbor is an AC guy, worked for Johnson Controls for years, he put a Payne unit in my house about 7 or 8 years ago now, I put a soft start on it and so far its been awesome. Hope it last at least another 10 years.
Most licensed and insured HVAC companies I know of will not install customer provided equipment. We did it one time, and the evaporator coil was no good. The manufacturer who made the equipment would not warranty the part, as a licensed contractor didn't purchase the system. The homeowner was forced to go through the website they ordered it from, and that took ages to get any resolution
yeah, generally not worth the headache.
Most contractors wont install it bc they dont get to mark it up. Theyll make 5-7k off a normal ac job then someone wants them todo the same for half that.
Same with auto mechanics. From their perspective, why would they forgo the markup and install your parts that you got on the cheap from eBay or wherever? Good luck with that.
I have Lennox heating/AC system, going on 20 years, never have had a problem. Of course, like any other expensive home repair or upgrade, I absolutely dread the time my system will need replacing - not only will it be 10 times the cost of my current system, but also with longevity not even close to what my system has had up to now.
FYI - this Fall (2024), there will be new refrigerant based AC system (all brands in US market, thanks to our EPA) and all current models will be no longer be sold any where. There will be approx. 20% increase in HVAC cost that will be passed on to customers. If you have an old system on its last leg, you may want to purchase a system now.
@@jwb1227 No you were saying that there would be a new refrigerant based AC system, if you get a system with this refrigerant will you be able to get if if needed in the future??
@@paulrobilotti9294 Short answer is YES. You can still get R410a refrigerant in the future even after R32 and R454b based AC systems become the new standard in the industry. The R410a is still manufactured but the yearly limit on production is reduced every year to phase out gradually as older R410a AC systems go out of service and newer AC systems are put into service. The biggest thing you can do is make sure the INSTALL is done properly. When ACs get less than 10 years of use, the usual cause is due to improper install and lack of yearly maintenance (filter change mostly). With normal routine maintenance, your AC should not have a leak. I have a 38 year old Carrier AC system running on R22 refrigerant and it is running fine (of course they built them to last back in the day... not any more). Only thing changed was the condenser fan motor and start/run capacitor. You can still get new OEM replacement motors and parts for them from Granger and Carrier. The new systems are built to provide you generally 14-18 years on average before having to replace. That is why I am taking care of my AC until the wheels fall off. I already got return on investment from it 3 times over and counting.
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, Lennox and York made pretty good equipment. Now, I wouldn’t sell a pile of York to my worst enemy. Lennox seems to have leaking coil issues. My Lennox A/C lasted 29 years and probably would have lasted longer if the installer had put a filter-drier on the liquid line.
@@paulrobilotti9294 Yes. I have a 38-year old R22 based AC system from Carrier and R22 is still available. There is even R427A which was developed as a modern replacement for R22. So, the current R410A refrigerant will be available for many years by that same logic.
I live in Canada and this guy is spot on,10 grand thumbs 👍and my guy installed a Rheem
Which website did you buy your Rheem?
@@alfred672 my local HVAC contractor did all the work .. btw if you register your Rheem online you receive a ten year warranty
My contractor gave me three options based on efficiency and price, Trane and Reem. I choose Trane and have no regrets, my electric consumption was reduced by 20%. I am very happy,
Did you notice the SEER number of each unit? SEER numbers tell you the efficiency of the units. My Amana is SEER 19, and we get lower electricity costs compared to lower SEERs.
Learned so much from this free video alone. I can only imagine how good the HVAC training videos are. Thanks so much!
They ain’t that good believe me don’t take what he says as gospel
A lot of companies won’t install what you buy. I ran into that with a mini split and ended up installing it myself. Check with an installer before you buy.
Allot of times you can find a tech and ask him to do side work...that's how I got into doing my own stuff
check your warranty to these on line will advertise 10 year warranty but when you go to get parts the distributor will go where did you buy that at??? we have no record of you purchasing it here.... oh well you'll have to send the parts back to them.... call the distributor in your locality who distributes the brand your going to by and ask..... otherwise you maybe waiting for day's or weeks to get parts....
@@garyo8546 the 10 year warranty ain't shit....the ac contractor will still charge you a ton to do the work. In my case, I've learned how to do most of the work so if I have to buy a compressor....it comes out cheaper since I'm doing the work.
I had to replace a blower motor once because they use that variable speed crap so I just bought the whole box and installed it. Was totally worth it.
I ran into the same thing.
@@davidlindgren7605 there's always a tech that will do side work...ALWAYS. Just pay him well.
Just did a Mr. Cool 20 SEER (Oct 23) with air handler myself. 3500.00 all in. Couldn't be more pleased. Power bill dropped 30% or more. Original Trane was a 8 SEER. Programming and linking my phone to the thermostat was the hardest part. Nowadays every bit helps. 10k is out of range for most of us.
Great advice Dave 👍🧡 Congrats on the launch of learning center! We are one of the few premier HVAC contractors willing to help DIYer in Dallas, TX and surrounding cities.
Awesome man. Kudos to you guys. Shoot me an email, I’d love to hear your story. Diyhvacguy@gmail.com
Cheers
I am in North Dallas - diyer need some help with my compressor.
So true. I had 2 Lennox units which were installed in 1996. I was charged $400 to replace the capacitor in my 27 year old Lennox. It was still running fine after the replacement. Two years later I decided to replace one of the units and this same company quoted me $16,000 for a new (SMALLER) A/C and Heater unit (Daiken). I told the salesman that I would not buy from him since I thought the previous charge of $400 to replace a $15 part was excessive. The salesman tried to convince me that they had to charge that much to keep good techs and thus do a good job installing and repairing his units. Which is total BS. I ended up spending around $11,000 for a Bryant unit from a smaller company which the owner and a helper came out to install. Thus far, no problems
Capacitor costs $ 14.00 . Shop prices before signing !
I had a Goodman HVAC system installed in 1990. It was called Janitrol then. Cost was 2300 dollars installed. It is still working good.
And you could probably buy a new unit every 3 years by how much power you are wasting running that thing...
@@redbaron6805 I sold the house a few years ago. I talk to the owner sometimes and he said it still works good. I agree about the wasted power but I replaced a big window unit when I had the central air install and my electric bill dropped considerably.
@@johnnyhawk329 I don't doubt you saved money when removing the window unit, but those are dismally inefficient.
Even a SEER 16 unit is over 60% to 70% more efficient than your unit from 1990.
That is the downside of old units even if they are running well. Replacing it with a more efficient unit will literally pay for the new unit, and then some, unless you live in some colder state where you only use air conditioning a few months a year.
One thing about the old units versus the newer ones is the old units were made SO much better. Even the sheet metal was much better. My neighbors 4 year old Bryant condenser and Carrier Air Mover already needed a blower motor and TXV replaced. In warranty but still costs $300 labor. My 15 year old 5 ton Goodman has only needed a condenser fan and capacitor replaced once and it flooded twice. So, it’s a newer more efficient unit that won’t last 10 years or an older one that’s going strong for now. $10k for the 4 ton new one installed. Geeesh
@@TxGuitarPlayer People really need to keep perspective on a single case or a single unit.
My 2002 Carrier needed a compressor after around 9 years, which had been failing for 2 years before that, stopping at random for no reason at all.
At my parents house, their 7 year old Goodman from 1999 died completely and had to be replaced.
So, the claims that the newer and more efficient units "won't last" 10 years is just comical nonsense...
I’m having a complete Rheem system installed in my house today. Replacing my 22 year old Carrier system, it made it 20 yrs without any problems but the last 2 yrs have been one problem after another, both the furnace and AC.
I just had a system cleaning i asked for a quote on a ac and heater they quoted me $9500! Im glad i saw your video thanks.
You must be living in BEVERLY HILLS.
Average price for A/C replacement in Texas is $10,000.
My AC Contactor charges 5k for a complete 2ton air package system including the lineset, drainline and return duct... He is a Mom and Pop Operator. I don't think I could do it cheaper than what he charges.
I am enjoying using this guy as long as possible. The Bigger Companies want arount 8 to 10k for the same setup.
2.5 ton Rudd and furnace blower for 8.5k 2 k rebate makes it 6.5 said do it !
You are very fortunate!!!
I have an A/C contractor, old guy who now just does it for fun as he's semi retired. I sent him to my friend who's A/C was on the fritz. He went there, replaced the capacitor ( a very common, simple problem) checked the whole unit out and charged him $280 for the trip, labor and parts.
Anyone else would have charged my friend $3,000 or more.
I happen to have a local guy who runs his own business with a couple small guys, he’s honest and will do anything he can to help someone. Only charged me $100 for a basic service call and to help get my drain line unplugged since I couldn’t manage to get it myself. He’s worked on my in-laws unit at their house and installed a complete unit there for them when their old trane unit finally gave up. I’d trust him over any big company out there
@@bobbyshmurdahill You are very lucky. I have called both the big and little HVAC shops in my area and all give way over priced estimates. They seem to think they have a license to print money. The worst part is they also do a poor job presenting the quote. You'd think the quote would at least be done well for the price...but no. Everything from one line hand written (that was the best) to can't get email to work to quote items like insurance...which I said I didn't want. They may have a license but they sure aren't professional, in my area.
I did apartment maintenance for 25+ years and they typically buy Goodman. Back in the 80's Goodman was owned by the Square D corporation and they were a really good basic A/C. But like so many of the cheap brands they're owned by foriegn companies. I'm retired now and recently had to replace my home A/C. I chose Trane and stick by it. I recommend Trane to anyone who ask me what brand to buy.
Goodman is now owned by Daikin. I installed 2 Goodman systems when I remodeled my house in California. One was a 70,000 BTU Goodman furnace with a 2 ton refrigeration unit, and a 140,000 BTU Coleman branded 80% furnace with a 4 ton refrigeration unit. My neighbor’s son was a distributor, so it cost $1800 in 1989 for all the equipment.
I agree entirely about Trane. Bought a top of the line Trane (3.5 ton) HVAC system new in 2010.
Our area averages 15 days of 100°+, 20 days of 95° to 100°, & 25 days of 85° + yearly. The Trane has kept our house cool, & our summer monthly power bill below $160, without missing a beat.
We also get a few weeks of bone chilling winter weather, & the 97% A.F.U.E. gas burner keeps us cozy for under $170/mo.
Anything else but Trane is honestly "less than".
Goodman was never owned by Square D. Harold Goodman owned it from the get-go.
My mom has a Trane and loves it, she did replace the original Trane HVAC unit a few years ago after about 18 years use. I have a Daiken unit does a great job so far.
I purchased a Goodman HVAC system 3 years ago (pretty much a shoe-in replacement for my 30 year old system).
I used my HVAC tech/ friend's account at the local Johnstone Supply and paid $2800 + tax, complete.
(quotes I received for turn-key contractor replacement costs to me ranged from $6K to $7K) not terrible but this was really an easy job for just about anyone...
I did the fit-up, plenum work, wiring, copper runs myself. I then hired my friend for 3 hours to check my work and help me with the final tie-in...brazing, vacuum, pressure test, freon charge etc. I paid him $300.
Some friend, huh?...and, well, I do give him lots of HVAC referrals from my RE client base thus, we take care of each other.
PIECE OF CAKE, LOL
Replaced my system 5 years ago Amana cost about $8k for 16 Ser . works ok; wish I saw this then . Think they made about 50% in 3-4 hours Got screwed live and learn
Does your course help to become a contractor?
The bigger problem with oversizing equipment is in cooling mode you don't dehumidify the air enough, so you end up with cold and clammy air, and in heat mode you will get constant hot and cold swings as the heat shuts off before the structure and contents warm up. (Thermal inertia.)
I will tell you a story about over sizing, when my home was being built 1998 in a development we were given the option to put in a high efficiency furnace 95% & AC for extra, we did it, years latter a friend who had his own Heating/AC business when fixing my furnace said to my I had a furnace that was to big for my home 125K BTU, home 2,600 sg ft, I was like really this is what the builder put in. That is my story
People always warn you off of oversizing, but remember that a properly sized AC is designed to provide a 20ºF drop from outside air temps.
If it's 103º outside you won't enjoy it if your AC can't pump out air cooler than 80º or so.
@@VideoArchiveGuy That's what happened to my sister's new built home. She found out about the 20degree thing. Since we lived in Louisiana and it regularly gets over 100 degrees she put in one 50% over the size they were going too. Still staying cool 😎
I bought a 3.5 ton Trane in 2010...for a 2 ton house. Three summers ago, Father's day kicked off a blistering heat wave; a string of 35 straight days over 100°, eight in a row of 107°+. We peaked at 115 & 118...it never "cooled" below 88° at night.
It was nice staying at 72 indoors through that...
Just replaced a system that always felt humid and sticky. New system is great, no issues. We thought we needed to replace our vapor barrier.
I just purchased a 36,000 BTU Mitsubishi mini split. Trane-American Standard have teamed up With Mitsubishi. I purchased it through a commercial Trane account. I’ve worked out the installation with a certified/registered installer of Trane/Mitsubishi since it comes with a 10 years parts/labor. It cost more than a Chinese knock brand like Pioneer, Mr. Cool. Mitsubishi has an excellent reputation for quality and reliability for the long term.
I was sweating I replaced my furnace about 9 months and its a Rheem. After watching this great video I feel better.
I have a Rheem series 80 from 1984 and it still works great. I dread the day the heat exchanger burns through, which could be any time, I suppose. It didn't get installed until 1989, but that's still 35 years old! Got my money's worth.
I just put in a Rheem 3 days ago. Whew.
@@brbob4934 Not to be a Debbie Downer, but my mom spent a lot of money on a new 4 ton rheem to replace her 20+ year old rheem, and they are not the same quality as they used to be. She only got one summer out of it and the following summer it broke down. They repaired it under warranty, part only so they charged her labor, and guess what, it didn't last a second summer before it broke down again. So now the condenser is on its third fan since it was installed new in 2022. I have a 30 year old rheem that is on its last leg and I was going to replace it with another rheem but am not going to after what is going on at my mom's house. She lives seven blocks away from me, so same environment. You may get lucky and have no issues with yours, but it would be too early to tell since it's only a few weeks old. A friend of mine who does hvac for a living told me a lot of these manufactures don't make their own components any more and are outsourcing parts from other manufactures to increase their profit margins. The name is the same, but the internals are no longer.
@@bendeleted9155 Same here, a rheem that is 30 years old and needing to be replaced. But as I described to brbob4934, new rheems are not of the same quality so I will be looking for another brand.
Rheem/Ruud now owns Freidrich (the king of window units, and the last company making them in North America) and according to their web info, they now brand Rheem/Ruud central systems under the Friedrich name. Friedrich used to make theirown central systems back in the 60s and 70s, and they were battleships. You can still find some old ones still running, much like old York units and Airtemp units from the era before Chrysler sold the brand off.
I have been really pleased with Freidrich wall ACs for my rentals.
My Ruud is 27 years old and has never been touched. 13 SEER and works great
Mikejaquith9075 Brother Mike, that is awesome! I didn't know RUUD had that kind of quality - good for you my man! But I gotta ask this: Does your "RUUD-System" sometimes ever insist on being impolite (as in "rude") to you & your family? Like make interrupting and funny sounding noises (as in LOUD burps and farts) when it shouldn't?
I'm glad I work for a major HVAC supplier. I put a 120k btu 96% 2 stage variable speed ECM furnace and a 2 stage highest seer without being variable speed for under $4k with my employee discount.
I work on commercial HVAC equipment.
As far as Goodman or Rudd I've not heard very good things about them.
You live in the same city I do, salt Lake. You've probably been by our supply house.
Have had a new lennox system for almost 4 years, not one issue works great, best investment I ever made
I had full Lennox system installed in dec 21, in a home I purchased, Chose them because costco uses them exclusively.. Then months later I found out about the DARK past of the AC problems... The installer said they corrected these issues... so far so good but it really made me uneasy... I would have chosen a different brand had i know. So far so good... lets hope it lasts as long as the others. However , on another note, google nest thermostats do not properly work on Lennox systems... I had to switch to Emerson smart thermostat.
Been using Lennox for over 20 yrs! No problems!! Do diy routine maintenance regularly & probably almost any brand will last a long time.
😅
Nest is not a great t stat. All kinds of issues. Honeywell T6 is my fave.
Lennox heat pump installed in our new home 10 years ago has been an absolute nightmare! It’s cost us thousands. Buyer Beware!
@@bradroth7005 The bad Lennox units were made from late 2007 thru 2015 because they had uncoated copper coils that corroded too easily. Lennox switched to aluminum alloy coils in late 2015. Copper is actually a better conductor than aluminum, but can have corrosion problems. I just did some research and Google Nest will work on some Lennox units, but the Lennox units with iComfort Wi-Fi thermostats it is a lot more complicated to install a Nest, because you have to change some DIP switches on the Lennox furnace control circuit board.
RUUD HVAC system here, built in '98 and still running. Thanks to videos like yours I've been able to do simple repairs and maintenance on the system myself to keep it going.
"Does not matter how good the equipment is, if it is poorly installed " - very important. Undersized duct work is a real issue.
Oversized filters on the air return is a great idea. Proper wiring as systems are getting more complicated.
I feel fortunate to have a son who is the lead installer for his company and highest paid employee among service and install techs because of the quality of his work and his customer service skills. His work is immaculate so when I have to get a new system, he's my guy. He gives similar advice to this video that it's more about the install than it is about the brand. I have 2 Amana units (basically Goodman) that have needed nothing but an outdoor fan on one and a capacitor on the other. Installed in 2012 by a local company (son was too young then to work HVAC). With his knowledge I plan to run them until they cannot be repaired but they have been 100% reliable so far. Maybe I got lucky, but I'd have no issue having a Goodman system installed despite the hate they get.
My son installs Carrier and American Standard systems, but hasn't had any unusual issues with Goodman or Amana. I will say, however, that I had Luxaire systems when the house was built and those were garbage. The parts in the air handler (A-Frame I think it's called) rusted badly and leaked. My Amana system still looks brand new inside. I'd never allow another Johnson Controls brand in my home, but that's based on personal experience and I saw the failure and reason for it myself. Horrible quality parts used.
Good luck on finding a contractor who is going to install an a/c system that you bought.
It's not easy, but it's possible.
That's true. There are many contractors who will not install a unit that they didn't purchase, but there are definitely some who will.
The only downside I see to purchasing your own equipment, is that when you do, now you're responsible if something is broken or not working correctly, and not the contractor, unless you can prove it was the contractor who broke the equipment or who's improper installion caused the equipment to fail.
And this is where it can be a problem because if the equipment is damaged or not working properly, the contractor will tell you it's your headache and you'll need to deal with the supplier and you might even have to pay the contractor more to uninstall the equipment and then reinstall any replacement equipment or parts, which could eliminate all the projected savings and even end up costing more.
When you pay a contractor for a turn key solution, the contractor then is responsible for all related issues should something not work properly or there is equipment failure.
Some homeowners might not want to deal with these extra headaches in which case the turn key solution is the better solution for them.
I'm not saying buying your own equipment is a terrible idea. It's not, but only if you're willing to deal with the extra headaches and possible extra costs associated with purchasing your own equipment. And not every homeowner is.
Yeah, they're gonna whine the whole time how this ac is the worst pos you can buy, and how it's twice as much work (= money) to install YOUR particular system.
At the end you'll end up paying more than just let the contractor buy it.
@El_Diablo_LI the warranty is with the manufacturer not who installed it.
@@ChristianKurzkenope. Let them whine. I've done it and it was shipped greyhound . Saved thousands.
I am still running a 1995 Rheem 3 ton. It refuses to die. Also have a 2.5 ton Trane and a 6 ton Goodman. Since 2008 I have spent around 5k. Most of that was just installing the Goodman and Trane. I put a new evaporator in with the Trane. The Goodman and Rheem are using what was installed sometime before 2008.
I have a 10 year old Duane system. Made by Lennox. Have no problems with it. Caveat I take care of it. And that is with the installer was a hack and had to come back and rebraze the copper lines twice cuz he sucked. But still running good!
dude seriously this is 2024 there has to be a way to make screw/bolt on connectors that doesn't require silver brazing. They can make those connectors on Automotive and cars are subject to all kinds of vibration.. it just seems like another scam doesn't it.. so you can't fix your own products.... like making cellphone batteries require surgery instead of popping out like they did for so long.. difference is they gain access to your phone and can view all your files and accounts. phones are getting bigger and bigger now they can't say its about saving space.
So your point is: Don’t worry about the brand, focus on the install? I could not agree more.
In upgrading the HVAC in my house, the hardest part was finding a “contractor” who was willing to do a professional job. Sadly, I was unable to find one willing to manage the entire job and wound up acting as a general contractor myself.
Let me explain:
I was a fully licensed / bonded electrical contractor. I had partnered with several other trades, including an HVAC contractor. Our work was primarily light commercial. As such, I learned what a “proper” install was. I also had relationships that allowed me to call upon other trades as needed. For example, if I needed a slab poured I had someone to call; if I needed something fabricated, I had two sheet metal shops that would fabricate as needed.
To my amazement, NONE of the HVAC companies in my area had any means of providing a concrete slab for anchoring the unit or providing a protective cage. NONE of them were willing to get under the house to run the condensate drain (I guess they planned to dump the water into the crawl space). None had any interest in running the line set in the shortest, most direct manner, or supporting and protecting it in any way. Don’t get me going on their proposed “electrical” work. None were interested in pulling the necessary permit and inspection.
Heck, none even checked the availability of the equipment I wanted. At the time, there were major “supply chain” issues.
I eventually did half the work myself, bringing in a guy from two states over to make the connections and replace the ducts.
What I had to do myself included:
- Perform all calculations;
- Purchase and provide ALL equipment;
- Pour the slab;
- Run the line set;
- Wrap / protect the line set;
- Construct the protective cage;
- Run the drain line;
- Replace the access door; and,
- Provide the necessary electrical work.
Wherever you are living must not have any reputable companies. The cage and pouring a slab are not so common here: most companies use light-weight portable pads that can be easily transported to the job site.
I was just sayning this to my wife, that the labor is excessive now. They were asking $12k for a 4 ton and $10k for a 3 Ton when the price on the internet was less than $5k. What a rip off.
hvac is a crooked business in communist canada you cant even buy one.
Yes, I’m observing the same thing. Labor costs are ridiculously high. The cheapest quote I got for a simple 5 ton, said he makes $2800 for the install. He said it would take him 6 hours. That was the best deal by far but seems pretty high to me.
and they probably can get the equipment for 3-4k
i just saw a quote from 2 of the biggest a/c compaines here in phoenix for 14k and 15k for equipment that cost 5500 and 6200.. figure that out... with the elbow, stand, wipp, disconnect, thermostat, crane lets say 6200 and 7000 ... my home owners insurance went from 508.00 in 22 to renew in 6/24 to 1000.00 doubled in two years.. those a/c units went up 1200.00 in two years and next year they 're going to be higher... all the companies are using the roll out of this new refrigerant next year to scare/ justify these prices......
@@Random_DIY is it wonder people are driven to look for ways to save money? $466 per hour to install a 5 ton? Absurd
I got ripped off 10 years ago by ARS, I overpaid grossly for a new A/C unit. Now I knon what to do next time, thanks for this invaluable info!!!
larger companies won't install systems that they didn't sell you .. I'll tell you one thing the Carrier vs Bryant i know for sure is all about the amount of units a contractor sells.. Carrier will only give Carrier units to contractors that sell a lot.. I don't think you can buy a full carrier system unless you're a preferred dealer
I'm a carrier dealer, we put in carrier and Payne, but we're not allowed to put in Bryant, because that's what we chose when we started with carrier. We were starting to put in Lennox but they would only sell us the merit low units and none of the premium Signature units until we sold $100,000 of the merit systems. It was super dumb, Carrier will sell you any level of Carrier as long as your a contractor.
I actually found a really good independent contractor on C.L. of all places. I try to stay away from the guys with the fleet of matching vans.
@@Blilar yeah none of that makes sense and the fact they even have different brands of products like that. If one was a commercial line and the other residential then that might be understandable but all of this seems scammy. You are confirming what I said happens but for you it happened with Lennox not Carrier.. maybe in the case I talked about it was the market that guy was in had too many carrier dealers and they wanted to keep him on bryant i don't know and only carrier knows i guess.. that company is not the best company anyway.. made in Mexico.. i don't mind made in Mexico but not at the expense of America. can't trust anyone i guess
@@zippythechicken I bet that was it, his Carrier market was probably full, here we're overrun by Lennox.
We replaced both of our late 80's vintage Trane air handlers and heat pumps (our home has two systems) about 3 years ago. We replaced them with Trane equipment, and have been very pleased. For both air handlers and both heat pumps it was just under $10K. If they hold up as well as the 30+ year old units they replaced, I'll be happy.
I have a twelve year old Rheem AC and am on my third evaporator coil, the third one being a parts-only warranty replacement that cost over $1000 in labor to install.
Rheem has always had leaky evaporator coils
22 year old Ruud in Austin Texas (60-90 days above 100 deg. summertime) 2 compressor capacitors, 1 contactor, 1 blower motor, 1 blower motor capacitor
On third condenser ECM fan. Will never buy another Rheem! Fan cost me $550…the cheapest I could find. Also, would never get a communicating system, just too difficult to tbl shoot!
Years ago we only had central heat. After getting several very high quotes on heat &AC units I told the wife" Forget it." I cut and framed a hole in the livingroom right at the ceiling where all the hot air gathers. Then installed a Carrier 29,500 BTU high efficiency widow unit. Not only did it cool the whole 1400 Sq. Ft. house, but my electric bill went down $45a month. 😊
I am a single person in a medium sized house. When I moved in I looked around and said "Self, why should I cool/heat the whole house when I sleep?" So, I put a medium grade window A/c in my bedroom only, and the hum of it at night is a built in white noise, and I sleep like a baby. Remember, you spend at least 8 hours of every day in your bedroom.
And, yah, my bill is 1/2 of what my next door neighbor's house is, same size.
Changed fan motor on my 3.5 Goodman outside unit last year. Local company wanted 850. I got motor for $105 and was 4 bolts, plug and play wiring. Took old motor apart and was a $3 bearing. Now I have a replacement. Tip- put a grease fitting in end cap of motor and will last 30 years. Allows you to lube that bearing. Older motors have a lube port but they don't get to sell as many motors that way so they are removed.
When you di the motor switch you don't have to mess with the freon charging or discharging?
brand new goodman 4 ton 14seer purchased and installed for $4,900, 10 yr warranty parts, 7 year labor warranty, central air heat pump/ac and air handler, ocala, fla
Who did you buy it from?
I just did a 2 ton unit gas split system down stairs cost me delivered 3100. Merritt Island Fl. Wad quoted from a big company 11,700 for a lynx and got a quote from another guy for a goodman for about 8,000. Crazy if you can install yourself do it.
Did you get your new heat pump in 2024? May I ask name of HVAC contractor you used? TIA
14 Seer is the bare minimum, and in a state like FL where you run your A/C pretty much year round, it is far smarter to install a more efficient unit which will pay for itself long term. Installing a 18 Seer unit vs a 14 Seer unit would save you $5,500 over 10 years, meaning you more than bought your 14 Seer unit for the second time in energy costs in 10 years...
LOVE the chart with the manufacturers and their off-brand products. Thanks!
My Goodman is going strong after 24 years!
todays goodman compressors actually shake the outside screen apart
@@rockridgefarms 😬
My mother in las lasted 18 years and her 3 ton unit and air handler was replaced 2 years ago for $3700 , Del Air in FL is charging people $12,000
Oh thats good to hear. Mine is 12 years old this year. I am hoping it will last for several more years.
@@BlessedBeMyDayMy brother in law installs Goodman exclusively; least complicated, reliable & easy to work on.
I had a control board short out and I was quoted $800... My neighbor and my coworkers, who both do HVAC said that's a rip off... They both said it's easy and if I got the part, they'll install it but I ended up doing it myself and it's working fine
Installed my own AC/Furnace after watching this guys video.
🤘🏼
I have Rheem 96% "system" , nine years old.The electronic blower motor control went after 5 years . Part was warranted ,but not the labor ( about the same amount $500). The inducer pressure switch failed a few years later . The dealer service wanted $350 to replace it, in addition to the $200 initial house call -all this after I told them that the switch failed ( I have a VOM). I said no thanks and bought the switch and a spare for 30 bucks on line and it took all of three minutes to replace it. I don't call them furnace manufacturers : rather "furnace assembly " companies. They buy parts from third party factories and frankenstein the final product together. I am not even sure they make their nameplates !
A couple of things. I have installed hundreds of furnaces over the last 27 years because a good share of them were top tier Carrier Infinity units which had failed because their DC variable speed blower motors were too expensive to replace a third time, or because the secondary heat exchanger plugged up as the interior metal scale sloughed off. Your photo showed a Lennox, and you skirt the lawsuit which happened 25 years ago where EVERY customer was given the option to have their furnace replaced or have the heat exchanger replaced at Lennox's expense, because the original solder was found compromised in SOME Pulse furnaces circa 1981. Pulse was a revolutionary idea but noisy. That callback was in my opinion way beyond what they needed to do but it is a testimony of what a great company needs to do to keep their good reputation. However, I can tell you as well that you are correct in saying that the lower contractor brands are about the same as the name brands they come from. The components and interior layout are usually interchangeable. What I notice most is that the paint or finish is different. A top tier unit will look good years longer, sitting in the sun compared to their contractor siblings which are dull, faded and often rusting. If that is of concern then buy top tier. And speaking of looks, a good HVAC contractor will have the sheetmetal experience to make a professional looking job inside your house that the typical DIYer is unable to pull off. But hey, if you can save the money and it is down in a basement next to the kitty litter box then go ahead!
Well said sir!
He's very disingenuous bringing up a Lennox lawsuit but not brining up all of the other ones like Goodman/Amana and Bryant/Carrier. All of these companies suck in one way or another. Just like any other major appliance.
I am sorry but for him to imply a Goodman is a possibly quality product indicates to me what kind of person they are. I used to install Lennox 22 plus years ago it was a great product. When I started my business I switched to Armstrong and been selling that for 22 years. In that time frame the service issues on our installs is pretty much non existent. Service issues that are present are due to the fact that the home owner thinks maintenance is not required. Also pathetic. Past the pulse and that Complete heat product Lennox had YEARS AGO the product line in my professional opinion is bullet proof. Telling people to buy equipment off line and someone will simply install it again I do not know a reputable contractor that wants that reputation either. Ethan I agree with your comments though and well written too. Nice job.
Yep. I had a Pulse , first generation, and they provided a new furnace to me on warranty after 16 years.
what about rheem ruud leaking indoor coils lawsuit???? i got screwed on that one in the 2011-2014 era... put in 30 of the package units (rqpm/ rqrm/) 14 and 16 seer dedicated horizontal discharge units went back and replaced about 28 of the coils over the 10 year period all on my nickel .. some i did twice over the 10 year period.. customers were like GOD you said they were good units...yea , yea , don't worry about it,,,,,,, i'll take care of it ... still seeing leaking indoor coils from split's from that brand.....
Personally I have seen more problems with Lennox and Carrier , They both add things to the system I have always felt where problematic and unnecessary, I have always liked Trane and goodman. I like the info your are putting out for people I have seen a lot of HVAC companies ripping of there customers. Lucky for the ones I have seen they called me when things seemed off. I always felt I should treat a customer like I would want to be treated. Im retired now, just keeping up on the new stuff out there. The biggest scam I use to see was a contractor telling a customer he had a bad heat exchanger when it was really just bad vent pipe or improperly in stalled vent pipe.
My 15 year old 15 SEER Trane AC is on its 3rd coil. They only seem to last 5 years before they start leaking refrigerant. They have had a bad issue with corrosion and poor workmanship on their coils, which were made in Mexico as of the last one I got. Other than this I have liked the unit, it keeps the house comfortable and is very quiet. A plus since the air handler is in a closet in the hallway in the middle of the house.
@@lynnebucher6537 Are you near the coast , If so you may need a condensing unit that has a coating that protects it from corroding .
I bought my central AC united from Carters Lumber and installed myself, that was almost 30 years ago and still running.
In that time, I replace the capacitor twice.
I had a new install, it started up around middle of May, after 5 weeks or so after dealing with very high humidity the system hasn't draining. Went upstairs in attic and water was leaking all over. There was damage to a couple of walls which the contractor did repair and paint. I wasn't very happy. I had a 3.5 ton Daiken installed with gas furnace. It's working great.
Solutions for most of the country, Multi zone Mini Split systems. Ser 22 and higher. Easy to install. Extremely more efficient. No air handler involved allowing loss of temperature through vent travle. The rest of the world has been using mini split systems for 35 years now.
They’re ugly, but now the new ceiling cassettes look pretty appealing to me
There are always trade offs. Having to run multiple lines and drill through brick vs using existing ducts is not something many people want to deal with.
I installed a new Goodman furnace, AC, and coil. Top of the line gmvm furnace and basic 15 seer AC system. Furnace installation was easy except for routing PVC vent pipe, had to remove some ceiling for that. AC had a friend help some, used staybrite 8 for connections, not sure why everyone doesn't use this. Equipment cost was $4800, would have cost at least $15k for the installation if I went outside. I actually downsized some and the system is awesome, really love the cool cloud app and setting the unit up exactly as desired. DIY for this type of thing is not that difficult if you are mechanically inclined and know your limits.
A lot of companies won’t install what you buy on line , we pay for the insurance for liability for that equipment we purchase . We also have the equipment to handle the hazardous materials we also pay for that equipment ,and to keep it up to date . Cost of that is thousands of dollars .
The best ones I've owned were York and Goodman. The parts and maintenance costs were very low. The worst one was Trane. The contractor did an excellent job. The motor went out while still in warranty, and I still had to pay for part of the repair. Also, the replacement parts were expensive.
I installed a Montgomery Ward furnace back in 1979 in my home and it ran until I upgraded to a 96% Carrier in 2013. Never had a problem with that MW furnace.
They were made by Rheem. I used to service them. Installed a Rheem in my house 20years ago. I've had only evap. drain pan rust out two years ago. I'm seriously doubt you'll find a HVAC company to install your equipment you've bought.
I bought a minisplit online and learned the hard way that most HVAC places will NOT touch anything they didn't sell. I ended up having to buy the pump and manifold myself - and I did it - but it was ... a journey ... to realize I was going to have to nut up any buy $150 in tools for a one-time job and work without a safety net. Aggravated by learning that when the manufacturer pre-charged the exterior unit with the coolant they didn't close the valve so loosening the "protective" cover the first time let a tiny bit of refrigerant out. I had to re-tighten and then close the valve before connecting the line set. Lovely. Super fun. DIY-able but go in with open eyes. Given the large amount of money I saved from going fully with an HVAC pro, I'd rate it a 7/10.
Great info from your video's. I bought my house in 2010 and it has a westinghouse single stage split system I only replaced a capaitor 1 time and never payed for maintenance so I figuard I have saved about 1500 dollars minimum. And at the high cost for HVAC I will install myself after online purchase of Rheem or Ruud equipment. I don't see any independent HVAC in Reno NV. And with all the scams HVAC installers pull who can you trust.
I had a DAY AND NIGHT 3.5 ton unit that lasted 30 years....only changed the dual run capacitor and contactor. Condensing unit was on North side of house and I cleaned fins every 3 years. 1993 Carrier manufactured unit with R12? Lasted forever in the shade 97% of the time plus changed out filters every 90 days. Thanks for videos...GBYAY
Thanks! I know I need to evacuate my drain from what you presented, and I did not know how best to do this.
I always recommend purchasing a package unit if the duct system is compatible or can be adjusted. This is the best bang for the buck.
I ditched my central ac/ heat for mini splits. Lots if redundancy and extremely efficient . Cheap heat pump mini splits are the way to go.
10 years ago I did a full replacement of my furnace and AC with Lennox, put in by a small local outfit. The sales guy named a price that was lower than everyone else and said the parts warranty was 10 years and I only had to pay labor, after the original full warranty was up.
I decided to shoot for the moon and I asked the guy if I could add labor warranty and how much it would be. He said sure, and with them, apparently it wasn't set in stone because I haggled it to $150. It was written into the contract too, 10 years parts and labor covered. I was amazed, didn't know you could ask for that.
So OF COURSE it hasn't needed a single thing in 10 years. I wash the coils every year and it has one of those 5 inch 1 year filters but I change it every 6 months because the installer told me no matter what a filter says, change it twice as often. I looked inside with my flashlight after 10 years of changing that filter every 6 months and it's clean as a whistle inside.
Hoping for many more years of service.
You lucked out. I had issues with my system shortly after install. I've had the same issue every year since I had it installed, which was 12 years ago. They have come out to "fix" it at least once every year. They've replaced so many parts, some covered, some not covered. Nothing has ever fixed it.
Most people don't understand this, and A/C system in your house, car whatever, is a closed system and should last for 100 years, IF the gaskets, seals and stuff like that stand up or are not made in China. A recharge of 1/4 # of refrigerant every 7 or so years due to minute leakage around the seals should make it last at least for 60 years.
@@mutteringmale how do you know when it needs 1/4# of refrigerant? Mine doesn't ice up and easily hits whatever temp I set it for. Once the kid set it for 67 when it was over 100 outside and it pulled the whole house down without a struggle. Obviously thats not a normal thing we do but i was curious what the signs would be that more refrigerant is needed.
I’ve had a Lennox for 24 years with minimal service. In my other home I’ve had a Tempstar for 20, again with minimal service.
@@danwake4431 No signs. It's a very gradual thing over years. You don't notice it and only when you think about it and think "It used to be a lot colder".
1/4 to 1/2 # is nothing, and the only way to tell is with good gauges. It's just a maintenance thing. But when it's down 2# or more you can tell.
Problem is the law is strict and if you determine that "the unit is leaking freon into the air" that's another whole kettle of rotten sardines.
A good A/C guy will just top it off, a bad one will tell you he can't "top it off" and you have to get a whole new system.
I have in my house HVAC Goodman brand 3.5 ton unit installed in the year 2013. I have not done any maintenance other than replacing air filter. One thing I noticed is the sheet metal they use is of thinner gage for the furnace. This perhaps reduces the weight of the unit but looks flimsy.
My father and I installed a Goodman system in my house in 2008 that has been nearly 100% reliable. Had to install a new contactor and capacitor in the condenser unit last year and has been the only failure so far. He's a retired HVAC contractor and can still get units from the local supply houses, which helps keep the costs down.
My experience has been that If you shop around and buy privately, most HVAC contracting firms will either refuse to do the installation since they didn't sell it, they won't warranty the installation and or the product. It's the same as with Auto maintenance repair!
And by the way, as you mention that the same company such as Carrier having products under multiple brand names is just like GMC and Chevrolet. Both GM identical products but branded separately.
Anyone else remember when GM, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Buick and Pontiac and maybe more were all separate entities and until GM bought each of them out?
this comment needs to be upvoted before this content creator tricks people into thinking buy your own equipment is a good idea...
That's true of firms that advertise on TV, radio and mail fliers. But they are generally the expensive companies that try to up sell you to pay their marketing expense.
If you want to do this you need to be creative in finding a contractor. Ask on Nextdoor or out in the rest of your community if anyone is an independent HVAC licensed contractor, works for a firm but does side jobs, or has used an independent person they like.
That’s bullshit. You can go to any hvac contractor that runs his own truck and they’ll be happy to install a new unit. Stop gaslighting people.
@@rhyfelwrtherwyn1070 🤷♂🤷♂ And you know that absolutely for sure since you know personally all of the 7,500 installers across the country. Right? And on top of that, you haven't even highlighted whom you're speaking to or any of their individual comments. You're like a man standing on a street corner on a Sunday morning talking to yourself. 😜 🤣🤣
@@rhyfelwrtherwyn1070 I did just that 6 years ago. I found a small business but he wasn't pleased to do it once on site. It is impossible to find someone.
i got a Lennox 4 ton two stage system through a Costco sponsored contractor about 5 years ago. So far so good. Going from a single stage to two stage is saving me $100/mo. during the summer months.
Great video as usual. I followed your advice last year and too the initiative to get my cert. I’m in compressed gas business and now I feel better equipped to answer questions from my industrial customers regarding refrigerants and regulations. Also now I can buy refrigerant and maintain my own refrig levels over time should I need too.
All this info is amazing! I didn't know half the stuff he said and I am so greatful. HVAC guys are up charging so much its impossible to get units replaced.. I'm joining today!!!
1:15 My advise on buying equipment direct. Talk to contractors in your area before you make a purchase. Contractors make a lot of their money on equipment mark up. They may not want to install if they aren't making markup or you might not save that much if they figure in what they would have made if they sold you the equipment. Warranty repairs may be a little more difficult if you bought the equipment yourself. It may be on you to do all the warranty leg work.
I would love to spec out every single piece of my HVAC system and have a contractor install it but a lot of them won't even touch it unless it's ordered through their thing or they won't warranty it or anything like that this is the extreme difficulty I've been having I don't want to pay 30k for two zones
My Rheem has been awesome its almost 30 years old a 3 ton classic heat pump. The coil is now really dirty and it will not be long so I will certainly buy Rheem again.
Thanks! Looking forward to variable education, including types of homes and electrical needs for new variable installs.
I replaced my furnace, air conditioner, coil humidifier and all the sheet metal for the return air drop back in 2021 for $2400. . Got direct from a supply house through a friend who had an account with the supply house. Labor costs are through the roof
$10,000. On Average? Thats a Joke !!! I was quoted by a A/C company that i have been using for 10 years for service on both my units. To Replace The Outside Unit and the Coil Only $15,556.00. And For that price it does not include the furnace !!! That price represents 1 UNIT only !!! On 6/26/23.!!! Needless to say i purchased the equipment my self and the equipment cost me a tad under $5,000 14 Seer Goodman with Coil
Yep my neighbor here in Ft Myers Florida just paid 15k for a 4ton new unit. I about collapsed when he told me.
Good luck to the homeowners trying to install their own central air. You will be calling a tech before to long.
Not to mention, your warranty is void unless installed by a licensed contractor.
@Jfrieshvac Who cares about warranty if you can install the system yourself (you can, it's not that hard) for $2,000 😂 My first AC unit was installed by a contractor for $1,450 CAD all-in back in 2006. The latest one I had put in to our brand new house bought in 2013 cost me $3,300 installed again by a contractor. Paying anymore than that is criminal gouging, period.
@@Jfriesheatingandcooling Was not that complicated !! Me and my sons watched a bunch of youtube vids and took our time we had couple of problems that we overcame and its been 10 months the A/C is nice and cold and the Heat nice and toasty. Plus to save $10,000.00 by doing it myself, i'll take my chances on the warranty!!
I bought my house in 02 and it came with a Heil and just replace the vent motor this year (2024) never any issues with it.
Ive been buying online for many years now. Im on my 11th unit but this year I changed things up and got a Trane runtru system (2ton) and a 4/5 ton Mr. Cool heat pump for my personal house. Ive been procrastinating on the trane one but i have to face the music this month plus my home one is just awaiting a new pad and ill get going on it as well. Its not hard at all...brazing is about the hardest part if you ask me. I did invest into some equipment...still dont have a micron gauge but i let my vacuum pump for 30 to 40 minutes because its a cheap harbor freight unit, let it sit for 3 or 4 hours under vacuum and let it loose. Ive only had issues with 1 blower motor so i spent the money and bought the blower portion of the unit because, by the time you pay some company to come do it....you still saved money biying brand new stuff.
The rates these contractors are charging these days should be outlawed...criminals at work but they figured out a legal way to rob and stay out of jail
Do you buy complete systems? Who have you found is good to buy from and can you get the full warranty?
@@Random_DIY I bought 10 system through ac wholesalers and then I started buying from Ingram's air.
There is a warranty, as I understand it, through ac wholesalers but as I understand it you would need to send the parts back to them and wait it out.
I've only had one failure but if you do the math...you come out ahead buying another new one and reinstalling said new one vs paying some clown contractor to do the warranty work. Warranty's aren't worth shit when the equipment is so inexpensive. The con tractors will eat up any savings.
@@johngatsby1473Good to know. I am trying to move into what you’re doing as I’ve had some really bad experiences trying to hire people. I’m sure there are good HVAC people but I can’t find them at a fair price.
@@Random_DIY I've had to seek out individual techs in the past but I just got to where I could save more doing them myself. It's really not that hard. Diagnosing is more a skill from experience and that's where I'm a bit weak but there's always a UA-cam video that helps walk you through it.
At worst, get it all installed and have a company come out and tune it up for you....still saving TONS of money
@@johngatsby1473 Have you ever looked into someone like Lowe’s or Homedepot? I see they offer installation.
My parents just replaced their unit with a Rheem 2 years ago. My dad had installed his old system 3 ton 45 years ago. Yes!! you read that right 45 YEARS it lasted. The HVAC guys could NOT believe it. It was made by Sears Roebuck and the coil was made completely of copper. My dad turns 90 this year and has already had a service call on new system. Yes, the new system is more energy efficient but still such a rarity of quality built units.
My current system was installed in the summer of 1997 when my home was built. It is a 4 ton Intertherm/nordyne system and is still operating. I replaced the capacitor 3 times and the evaporator coil once due to a leak. I will buy a new system this year before the new refrigerant system becomes mandatory and the 410a systems will no longer be sold. I also will buy a couple jugs of 410a and store it for future use. I am fortunate to live in a rural area and have a lot of outdoor storage and can do this. From what I am told the new refrigerant for next year contains propane and all sorts of safety sensors and evacuator fans will be necessary in the event of a leak since the propane is flammable. The EPA has been sticking it to the people for several decades now and there is no relief in sight.
Yup. My guy told me the same thing. My unit is more than 20 years old. Getting a new one this year. He told me he stocked up on the old ones already so I won't have to buy bidens garbage.
Do you know when they’re going to phase out Puron systems?
Also, what would they use as a replacement for refrigerant?
Thanks!! 👍
@@wheaterz7567 I think my guy said sometime this year? He is coming out to my house tomorrow morning. I can ask him then?
Thank you!
@@wheaterz7567 if I'm understanding my guy right. It goes back to his global warming bullcrap. All new units will have reduced hfc( hydrofluorocarbons) by early 2025. Replacing it with supposed eco-friendly refrigerants. One is classified as flammable. So not only will the cost of these units go through the roof ( unit without installation = $12,000. ) but it is flammable and could catch fire.
Your honesty will caused you to have a lot of haters. But thank you for been who you are Sir. I wish the world had more people of your character. God bless you, and keep up the good work. I really have learn a lot since I start listen to you.
I have a carrier central air. After a few years I kept having the service tech adding refrigerant. Now leaks so bad I stopped calling them cause the cost of adding the 410a was breaking me, I come to find out the evaporator was a copper and should have been aluminum. Carrier messed up because I found out many other people went through the same shit. I said the hell with that and bought 2 window air conditioners.
This Can't be good! Noisy! Lots of energy usage. Not good.
You have been given bad info. Copper is superior to aluminum. I assume you are referring to the coil. The aluminum coils leak more than copper. Copper is also an upgrade over an aluminum coil. That doesn't mean a copper coil won't leak. Just stating aluminum is worse.
@@scotts4125 It was the 410a reaction to the metal.
@@joefran619 You were explained to wrong or didn't understand something. That isn't a thing. R-22 had chlorine in it. R410a doesn't so if anything R-22 would have been worse and copper was fine. R410a operates at a higher pressure and you may have just had a poorly constructed coil. I would take a copper coil any day over aluminum. Acid has an effect on copper but that isn't from R410a and an entirely different subject. It's called formicary corrosion.