Do you have a model number on the furnace? Is it a gas furnace? Doesn't sound right at all.

After wandering onto this site by accident, I have become more than a little amused. In particular, concerning the supposed low cost of operating a professional heating and air-conditioning company. I have firsthand knowledge of those costs. My small business has 5 employees. In FY06, our cost of doing business was over $340,000.00. That includes wages, office and shop costs, insurance (liability, theft, workmans comp, health and auto), automotive maintenance and repair, employee retirement, tools, licensing and permits, etc. That does not include the actual cost of goods sold. Any profit that is earned beyond that amount is at least deserved. Most companies extend a one year labor warranty on the equipment they install. If there is a warranty repair, they are not compensated by the manufacturer for their time. This is a cost of doing business that most people do not consider. If a thunderstorm comes by tonight, and knocks out a compressor, we will replace it tomorrow if the year warranty is still in effect. No, that shouldnÂt be covered but we are noted for going above and beyond. It has built an incredibly loyal customer base. Three of our six vehicles are specialty utility vehicles. These are not inexpensive to purchase, operate, maintain or repair. Operation of these vehicles with gas prices at $2.50 a gallon average $.79 per mile. I am certainly not complaining about my job or my business. I make a good living and very much enjoy what I do. However, since shots have been fired, I feel compelled to fire back. Though we purposefully avoid dealing in equipment as low in quality as the unit described, I have read through a GMC 90+ Installation manual before. Reading the manufacturerÂs written instructions are not an option for this engineer. Whoever heard of an engineer that did not read the instructions? All furnace manufacturers are very specific about the installation of the exhaust vent. Regarding length, size, termination and even number of 90 and 45 degree turns allowed. Additionally on the vent, I have only seen long sweep elbows specified. The point of the exhaust vent termination is critical as are the instructions for preparing the termination area. If the directions are not followed regarding termination, you have a high probability of damaging your home. As mentioned before, we do not install GMC equipment. However, I cannot remember reading any furnace installation instructions that did not specify using a manometer for checking and setting proper gas pressure/flow. The equipment we install is very specific about transitioning mismatched sizes of furnace and indoor coil. It is obvious sir; you either did not understand or did not thoroughly read the instructions. My impression of an engineer that is earning in the mid 80Âs is they must be an underachieving, 9-5 cubicle dweller. I have been a registered PE since 1989. I think you must drive the choo choo. We are definitely not the same kind of engineer. To my knowledge, all HVAC equipment manufacturers warranties are void if the equipment is not installed by a qualified, trained HVAC professional. Your plumber looking at it after the fact does not qualify. However, manufacturers are too lenient about warranties. They will probably give you the parts that might be destroyed due to improper gas flow or improper exhaust venting. However, if something serious happens, like burning down your home or soot damage, your insurance company will want a licensed insured company to sue. Since there is not one, they just will deny the claim. My free advice here is to find an exceptionally qualified company to double check your installation. I am sure they will charge beyond what you think is "reasonable". However, you have stepped into an abyss that is beyond your comprehension.

Hi All, I have 2.5 levels in my home, which is on a crawl space. The lower level (basement) has a new Comfortmaker high efficiency furnace installed in 2014. It does not have an AC. The lower sq footage is fully finished and is about 2000 sq. ft. The upper level has a high efficiency Bryant furnace (installed in in 2010). There is an AC unit is for the upper levels. The upper levels are about 3000 sq ft. Both the furnaces are in the lower level (basement) which is completely finished. The furnace "room" is kind of "tight." I am thinking of getting a new AC for the upper levels (since it is more than 15 years old). But I also want to install AC for the basement. My questions are: 1. Can I install an AC in the lower level; it only has a gas fired furnace. Will the furnace need to be retrofitted for evaporative coils? Will it require major rework in the furnace and the ductwork? Do not use the lower level much 2. If I install a new AC on the upper level, can I "reuse" the older AC for the lower level? I know it might be oversized for it because of the area differences between the levels. I generally do not use the AC much in the basement area except during peak summer when it gets a little bit warm (75 +-). I already have a dehumidifier working to keep the humidity down. I really want to do the "reuse" option if it is remotely feasible. 3. If it is too expensive to have an AC, is it possible to install a Dehumidifier in the lower furnace? It already has a Humidifier which is used during the winter months. We live in Michigan in the Detroit suburbs. Any advice is highly appreciated.

Thanks for the comment, mike_home. Yes, it was a professional installer; I chose them partly because they had good reviews for repair work online. The furnace is very slightly quieter (the noise really seems to be loud gas jets, so not sure if something is adjusted wrong). I didn't ask why it wasn't installed level, but they claimed that the first too-small filter box was letting it tilt. I think they just didn't make sure it was level the first time. They did say that the initial installer no longer works for them. Since this is the second time they've installed it, I'm concerned that just telling them it's not acceptable again will just lead to another bad "fix." I'm thinking of having someone else come out and look at it. But concerned about how much that will cost. In checking some more, I found out that their paperwork says the ac condenser is a 4 ton, but the model number is for a 3.5 ton, so I'm guessing I have a 3.5 ton (need to look at it to find the model on the unit, but it's raining now). The A-coil is actually for a 4 - 5 ton, so it looks like that is mis-matched, and so they have now twice installed the wrong size coil. I think some say it's ok to put a larger coil in, but I don't know enough to make a good argument if they tell me it's better to do that. Very frustrated with this now.