Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - A/C replacement questions
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bjadams
05-24-03, 11:17 AM
Yesterday my central A/C started triping my breaker switch. I got it going again once and then after triping the breaker several more times the compressor would not come on at all. I got a service man out to look at it and without even opening the unit he said that 24 years experience told him the compressor was shot and I need a new unit (this one is 12 years old).
Assuming he is right I was wondering if I have to replace both the outside unit and the air handler in the garage. I am told that replacing the air handler will give me a more efficient unit but I wondered if it is absolutely necessary as it does cost a good deal more. My neighbor replaced his outside unit last year without replacinge the air handler and says the system works just fine. Another person told me that if the coils are in good condition the inside unit does not have to be replaced. One dealer told me that the blown compressor may have shot oil into the coils that would compromise my new unit. Another just said that replacing both on a 12 year old unit is probably a good idea.
I'd appreciate some informed opinions.
Bill
Assuming he is right I was wondering if I have to replace both the outside unit and the air handler in the garage. I am told that replacing the air handler will give me a more efficient unit but I wondered if it is absolutely necessary as it does cost a good deal more. My neighbor replaced his outside unit last year without replacinge the air handler and says the system works just fine. Another person told me that if the coils are in good condition the inside unit does not have to be replaced. One dealer told me that the blown compressor may have shot oil into the coils that would compromise my new unit. Another just said that replacing both on a 12 year old unit is probably a good idea.
I'd appreciate some informed opinions.
Bill
Ed Imeduc
05-24-03, 01:14 PM
First off . That first guy you had that said it was shot and didnt open the case. I hope you showed him the door.
Too what way to go there are a lot of ifs .First the cost to do it. Then is it for sure a bad burn out and need a lot to clean it up or just a new compressor.Then yes a new ouside unit will work with the old coil. Then yes a new O/D and a new blower coil would be better. You can get a better SEER with the new units that are out now. Get 3 bids on the job first . I know of a A/C unit that is now 39 years old and runs like a top.
I see that you are down here by me. For sure what ever you do have them put on a delay timer on the new unit. The power here isnt worth a D--------;) ED
Too what way to go there are a lot of ifs .First the cost to do it. Then is it for sure a bad burn out and need a lot to clean it up or just a new compressor.Then yes a new ouside unit will work with the old coil. Then yes a new O/D and a new blower coil would be better. You can get a better SEER with the new units that are out now. Get 3 bids on the job first . I know of a A/C unit that is now 39 years old and runs like a top.
I see that you are down here by me. For sure what ever you do have them put on a delay timer on the new unit. The power here isnt worth a D--------;) ED
bjadams
05-24-03, 05:22 PM
First, thanks for the helpful reply.
Second, the guy who didn't open the case, to be fair, didn't charge me for a service call either (holiday rates $85) he just left me with an estimate for a new unit. I decided I have to wait until Tuesday when the holiday weekend is over and I'll get another person in to look at the unit and get two more estimates on replacement if necessary.
Last, is it feasable to replace the outside unit now and the coil and blower maybe in a year or two?
Bill
Second, the guy who didn't open the case, to be fair, didn't charge me for a service call either (holiday rates $85) he just left me with an estimate for a new unit. I decided I have to wait until Tuesday when the holiday weekend is over and I'll get another person in to look at the unit and get two more estimates on replacement if necessary.
Last, is it feasable to replace the outside unit now and the coil and blower maybe in a year or two?
Bill
bigjohn
05-24-03, 08:52 PM
You could have a problem as simple as a burned off wire or a bad capacitor. Round file his estimate and call someone else. If you have to replace, do both the indoor and outdoor sections. Some a/c manufacturers void the warranty if you couple their outdoor section to an older or different brand indoor section.