RE: HVAC fun

My HVAC guy gave me 2 quotes, one just to replace the unit where it sits and adjust the ducting a little, 9k. The other moves he unit into the attic, all new ducts/returns and moves the outdoor unit to the back of the house (out of the drive way and direct sun 12hrs a day and into the shade) 17.8k

I know the 2nd plan will lead to a better cooling solution for the house but i'm brain locked on the decision.

-V

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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

On Wednesday,August 07, 2024 at 12:02, Veeb0rg wrote:

RE: HVAC fun

My HVAC guy gave me 2 quotes, one just to replace the unit where it sits
and adjust the ducting a little, 9k. The other moves he unit into the
attic, all new ducts/returns and moves the outdoor unit to the back of
the house (out of the drive way and direct sun 12hrs a day and into the shade) 17.8k

I know the 2nd plan will lead to a better cooling solution for the house
but i'm brain locked on the decision.

How much do you spend on the electricity for that thing now? How many months would 8k pay for?

-x



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--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

I know the 2nd plan will lead to a better cooling solution for the house
but i'm brain locked on the decision.

Ouch. That price makes it a hard choice. Hopefully they do a good job whichever one you pick.

Is it easy to get a couple more quotes?
→ 
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

My HVAC guy gave me 2 quotes, one just to replace the unit where it sits
and adjust the ducting a little, 9k. The other moves he unit into the
attic, all new ducts/returns and moves the outdoor unit to the back of the house (out of the drive way and direct sun 12hrs a day and into the shade) 17.8k I know the 2nd plan will lead to a better cooling solution for the house but i'm brain locked on the decision.

If you are interested (since you like in MD), you could try calling the HVAC company I used and highly recommend. Pure Air HVAC. https://pureairhvacmd.com/

I'm not sure their coverage area in MD, but they might be an option.

- Mark

:.: Weather Station BBS · telnet://bbs.weather-station.org :.: :.: http://www.weather-station.org/bbs · Bel Air, Maryland - USA :.:
      
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

My HVAC guy gave me 2 quotes, one just to replace the unit where it sits
and adjust the ducting a little, 9k. The other moves he unit into the

So, we just got back from an extended trip to Michigan (we live in Virginia). We left and all was good. We set the thermostat to 78 and locked up the house. We got home and the AC unit was DOA. We are on a heat pump system, so the AC unit is running dual-duty. Needless to say, we have a person coming on Monday to hopefully FIX the unit. I am afraid with it being the original from when the house was built (2011), I am looking at something a little more expensive than a repair. I will post an update after Monday.
--Matt

 
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

So, we just got back from an extended trip to Michigan (we live in Virginia). We left and all was good. We set the thermostat to 78 and Virginia) locked up the house. We got home and the AC unit was DOA. We Virginia) are on a heat pump system, so the AC unit is running
Virginia) dual-duty. Needless to say, we have a person coming on Monday Virginia) to hopefully FIX the unit. I am afraid with it being the
Virginia) original from when the house was built (2011), I am looking at Virginia) something a little more expensive than a repair. I will post

Best advice I ever got from a HVAC friend -- buy the cheapest unit that will meet your needs because you will NEVER get back what you put into it in savings, no matter what they tell you. He's been right.

-dmxrob

--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Best advice I ever got from a HVAC friend -- buy the cheapest unit that
will meet your needs because you will NEVER get back what you put into
it in savings, no matter what they tell you. He's been right.

-dmxrob

Well, it turned out to be the capacitor and a refrigerant recharge (R22). I now know how to change the capacitor myself, so that won't be an issue in the future.
--Matt
 
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Well, it turned out to be the capacitor and a refrigerant recharge
(R22). I now know how to change the capacitor myself, so that won't be
(R22) an issue in the future.

Glad to hear it was simple. My parents have a unit that isn't turning on, and I figure it's something like this, but I can't seem to find any box attached or panel to open on the thing!
→ 
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Best advice I ever got from a HVAC friend -- buy the cheapest unit that
will meet your needs because you will NEVER get back what you put into it
in savings, no matter what they tell you. He's been right.

No doubt about it. Don't pay way more for the better SEER ratings on the AC units. Get the cheapest (but best made) one, likely the single speed unit. There is no way you will ever make your money back on the unit/power costs in the lifetime of the unit.

I'm using the largest residential unit you can get (5-ton unit) with a single speed motor. Same with natural gas - using the 120k BTU natural gas furnace. They use more resources, but get the job done way quicker.

- Mark

:.: Weather Station BBS · telnet://bbs.weather-station.org :.: :.: http://www.weather-station.org/bbs · Bel Air, Maryland - USA :.:
      
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

As I watched the repair tech work on ours, there were a couple screws on the side of the unit that opened up to expose the capacitor, and what-not. It should be an easy fix if it happens again. Hopefully you can find a way to access it on your parents' unit.
--Matt
→ 
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)

Well, it turned out to be the capacitor and a refrigerant recharge (R22).
I now know how to change the capacitor myself, so that won't be an issue

Often times, that is all it is. The capacitors are around $40 each and very easy (but a bit dangerous) to replace. Just have to be careful when doing it.

- Mark

:.: Weather Station BBS · telnet://bbs.weather-station.org :.: :.: http://www.weather-station.org/bbs · Bel Air, Maryland - USA :.:
      
--- WWIVToss v.1.52
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (11:1/101.0)