HVAC system advice, repair or replace
rmfgames
6 years ago
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mike_home
6 years agotigerdunes
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Summer is coming -- HVAC repair or replace?
Comments (12)Thanks all! I am learning a lot. The reason I am thinking it is coil that is leaking is because the AC guy who performed initial diagnostic last Spring used some kind of a device which looked to me like "electronic leak detector", according to the posted description. At this time, I don't have a reason to believe he did a bad job last year. He poked his instrument in different places. One of the places that (according to him) showed the "leak" was the coil (which was, by the way, located inside the furnace cabinet in the basement, not outside.) The reason I am not completely sure about the diagnostic is the following. He said that according to his instrument's reading the leak was pretty minor. That's probably why he recommended simply recharging puron. However, the puron he put back into the system apparently leaked out over the course of last summer. So maybe the leak at the coil was not so minor in the first place? Or it could be because there was more than one place where the system has a leak? Anyway, I am going to call a different company this time. Based on the info I have so far, the coil might be only part of the problem. That's why I try to keep an open mind and consider alternatives. Yes, I read that 16 SEER is a minimum rating to qualify for tax credit. My concern is that I already replaced the gas furnace not so long ago. Can I pair my furnace (Carrier 58CVA110-20) with another modern Carrier AC unit of 16 SEER or higher so that they work seamlessly together? If yes, what model would match my Carrier furnace? If a new (comprehensive) test confirms that the leaking coil is the only problem, how much I should be prepared to spend on fixing it? The company that quoted me the price of ~$1600 last Fall told me that they would have to first evacuate the puron from the system (which is expensive), then replace the coil, and then put another load of puron into the system. That's why it is so expensive, they told me. Does it sound right? I've seen quotes for complete AC system installs at around $6K. Considering what I have to spend on diagnostics and repairs anyway, plus accounting for $1500 tax credit, I figured I will end up only couple of $thousands short of being able to replace the whole AC system... Or am I missing something and the difference between repairs and replacement is actually a lot more?...See MoreHelp! Need advice on replacement HVAC solution!
Comments (1)buck one of my pet peeves is how GCs and HVAC subs want to ruin good new home construction comfort which is exactly what has occured to you. only with divine intervention can you effectively heat/cool three floors off one system without zoning controls. here's my suggestion. not cheap but will be a vast improvement over what you have. I would install a separate system for upstairs most probably a three ton but you need to verify with a professionally performed load calculation for correct sizing. this three ton would be a high eff HP system with var speed air handler. you will require a complete new ductwork system installed in the attic with supplies/returns cut in the ceiling. you need to determine if existing system is salvageable. if not, I would look at a dual fuel system-VS gas furnace with two stg HP, and zoning controls for the main floor/basement. this will not be cheap but you will be happy in the long run. For the main floor/basement system ,I recommend Carrier which has the best system with integrated zoning controls for residential. IMO...See MoreAdvice needed for replacement of HVAC System
Comments (16)please block out your name and address. I thought that 80% gas furnaces were not being sold in the north anymore. savings to upgrade to 90%+ offset costs to make this change in efficiency. not sure what date this goes into effect, but when the hvac industry makes this kind of change..its a big deal. doesn't often happen that they change the minimum efficiency that the law allows. the minimum efficiency for a/c for example changed from 10 SEER to 13 SEER because of the difference in efficiency. as energy raters we saw every rating the savings between 10 & 13 SEER. when the hvac industry makes this kind of minimum standard change..there is a good savings. use the rebate to offset costs between losing 20% of your heating costs to losing only 10% or less. with 96% your loss drops to 4%. has any company done a load calculation to correctly size the unit? has any company tested or even inspected duct work for duct loss? if you air seal the ducts and returns and invest in air sealing the house.. then the unit will perform better and your comfort will improve. utility costs will also be lowered. check with Resnet for an energy rater in your area to blower door test house & test ductwork. make repairs, test again. reducing air/duct leakage has a fast payback plus other benefits. best of luck....See MoreIs my HVAC high limit switch working or not? Two HVAC pros said it is.
Comments (25)WHAT IS A HIGH LIMIT SWITCH? https://www.newcentralairconditioner.com/ The high limit switch in your gas furnace is a small part with two very important jobs. This switch plays a role in the normal operation of your furnace. Turning the fan motor on and off is the high limit switch’s main job. This is the role it plays in every cycle of your furnace’s normal operation. But that’s not the only thing that the high limit switch does. It’s also safety device that helps prevent your furnace from overheating. The high limit switch consists of a long temperature-sensing probe attached to a metal mounting plate. From the mounting plate, the switch is wired to the blower fan motor and to the gas valve. The switch is generally located just past the heat exchanger. This is so that it can detect the temperature of the supply air. In other words, the air that’s about to be blown into your home....See Morermfgames
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6 years agolast modified: 6 years agormfgames
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6 years agotigerdunes
6 years agoAustin Air Companie
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