Help, heat pump is done....

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 4:42 pm

Like the title sez, my heat pump is down and out for the count. This Train unit lasted 20 years, but it's done. I just received a quote, holy sh!t. 7K for a 2 ton upstairs unit? I can't quite swing that one. I'm willing to help out w/ the work in regard to sweat equity. I can remove the old unit and run the new line set.

Anyone have some recommendations for a good HVAC company w/ good references? I just need someone to work w/ me on getting this installed.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

i have a guy that has done some work on my rental properties, he's reasonably priced and not opposed to giving a discount for cash. email me jtower at gmail if you want info.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 4:53 pm

I don't know that he wants to be known as the HVAC guy, but Mitch does all his own work on his rental property. You could at least ask to see if he has the time Rodney.

Also FYI, Randy Melton (who some think is a dumb redneck) replaced ALL his HVAC in his house by himself, bought all the components on-line, and saved a sh*t-ton of money.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 5:01 pm

So it's purely a heat pump where there is a set of coils in the house/attic (which is all fine) and then the fan/compressor/coil unit outside (which needs to be replaced)?

If so, $7k is absurd. Basically if you are competent enough to work on a BMW, you can do some simple wiring with the new unit, braze the refrigerant lines, rent/borrow a vacuum pump to make sure the system is sealed and dry and then you can pay a HVAC guy $100 to properly charge the system. How much was the unit alone in the quote?

clinehall · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 5:42 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

I don't know that he wants to be known as the HVAC guy, but Mitch does all his own work on his rental property. You could at least ask to see if he has the time Rodney.

Also FYI, Randy Melton (who some think is a dumb redneck) replaced ALL his HVAC in his house by himself, bought all the components on-line, and saved a sh*t-ton of money.

Where is the like button?

When I replaced my down stair unit I though i got a good deal but a buddy of mine found the same unit (Goodman) on line, had it shipped to his house, found a guy that repairs hvac at his plant and had him do the labor for about 600 and saved about 50%

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 5:51 pm

JamesShort wrote:

So it's purely a heat pump where there is a set of coils in the house/attic (which is all fine) and then the fan/compressor/coil unit outside (which needs to be replaced)?

If so, $7k is absurd. Basically if you are competent enough to work on a BMW, you can do some simple wiring with the new unit, braze the refrigerant lines, rent/borrow a vacuum pump to make sure the system is sealed and dry and then you can pay a HVAC guy $100 to properly charge the system. How much was the unit alone in the quote?

Actually, it's the upstairs air handler that's kaput in regard to the coils. We've done a fair amount of service on the outside unit. Problem is you can't buy the matching air handler any more.

I'm all about trying to do some/most of this myself. Which begs the question. As a home owner, what can I do and what can't do in regard to replacing this beast? Freon is all but gone so no recovery issues there. What "legally" needs to be inspected? There's not a lot to this, easy access to the attic air handler and outside unit. My biggest issue is changing out the line set that interconnects the 2 units. From what I understand now, the new refrigerant gas is 410 and needs larger lines, so the old ones have to come out. The primary issue is I have to pull them out of the wall. As far as I can tell these are free in the wall and can be pulled out w/ some effort.

Mitch, you out there? Want some paid work?

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:34 pm

if you change your mind......... i have a guy. :thumbsup:

at $7K you could replace the unit, the air handler, the duct work etc. etc. etc. way too high.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:06 pm

steve remchak wrote:

if you change your mind......... i have a guy. :thumbsup:

at $7K you could replace the unit, the air handler, the duct work etc. etc. etc. way too high.

OK, so have "your guy" call me please!! numbers are on the main contact page.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:44 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

Actually, it's the upstairs air handler that's kaput in regard to the coils. We've done a fair amount of service on the outside unit. Problem is you can't buy the matching air handler any more.

Bullshit, You have a HVAC guy trying to sell a $8,000 new unit.

Our upstairs air handler had a leak that couldn't be fixed, got a new one installed for $1,200. 2 ton Amana unit. Find the make and model and call around. Luckily Furgueson Enterprises had mine IN STOCK.

BTW, my HVAC guy quoted roughly the same $8K for a new R410a unit, the new "green" standard stuff is mucho expensive.

Mitchell Moore · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 3:11 pm **Posts:** 197

RodneyWright wrote:

JamesShort wrote:

So it's purely a heat pump where there is a set of coils in the house/attic (which is all fine) and then the fan/compressor/coil unit outside (which needs to be replaced)?

If so, $7k is absurd. Basically if you are competent enough to work on a BMW, you can do some simple wiring with the new unit, braze the refrigerant lines, rent/borrow a vacuum pump to make sure the system is sealed and dry and then you can pay a HVAC guy $100 to properly charge the system. How much was the unit alone in the quote?

Actually, it's the upstairs air handler that's kaput in regard to the coils. We've done a fair amount of service on the outside unit. Problem is you can't buy the matching air handler any more.

I'm all about trying to do some/most of this myself. Which begs the question. As a home owner, what can I do and what can't do in regard to replacing this beast? Freon is all but gone so no recovery issues there. What "legally" needs to be inspected? There's not a lot to this, easy access to the attic air handler and outside unit. My biggest issue is changing out the line set that interconnects the 2 units. From what I understand now, the new refrigerant gas is 410 and needs larger lines, so the old ones have to come out. The primary issue is I have to pull them out of the wall. As far as I can tell these are free in the wall and can be pulled out w/ some effort.

Mitch, you out there? Want some paid work?

Sorry Rodney but I'm kind of swamped with working on my own stuff. Here is a guy that I use when I'm out of town Dave Saunders 919-455-8706 He will install a Goodman system for way less than 7K.

One good thing you should see a pretty good drop in your electric bill.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:53 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

if you change your mind......... i have a guy. :thumbsup:

at $7K you could replace the unit, the air handler, the duct work etc. etc. etc. way too high.

OK, so have "your guy" call me please!! numbers are on the main contact page.

i'll give you his number.

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