Please help...compressor out!

[moodymans]

I posted a topic with no responses...maybe more detail will help in getting an answer...here it goes:

My compressor recently went out on my A/C and I was told the cost of the new compressor is a little above my divorced mother of 6 budget...for model H29B35UABCA Bristol (?). The quote came from a friend of a friend who is a refrigeration specialist and works for a reputable A/C company. He stated no charge for labor but does have to charge for new freon, etc. I want to call around to see if I can find a compatible compressor for less (and have him pick it up, as I am told only a licensed specialist can buy compressors). My house is up for sale and I need something until I move in 30 days...is there a compatible compressor that may cost less??

HOT IN ARIZONA.

No pricing read Forum Rules (http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=1241)

[Edited by moodymans on 07-21-2006 at 06:56 PM]

[tinner73]

hmm....hard to believe no one answered you. no pricing. read forum rules.

[coolwhip]

:rolleyes:

[moodymans]

There was no pricing in my first post...I have read the terms and apologize from the bottom of my heart but still no answer on whether or not model numbers are interchangeable.

[tinmantu]

Will you be informing the buyer of your home that you found the cheapest compressor you could find just so you could be comfortable for the next 30 days and could care less if it has a warranty?

[plain spoken]

While there is usually a way to install a compressor other than the exact replacement, the cost will all be about the same. You have my sympathy but a compressor is an expensive item and there is no way to get around it.

[moodymans]

Ironically enough when the inspector came out to the house the first thing he noted was the unit was old and needed to be replaced...although he said within the next 3-5 year. 3 days later the compressor went out. Strange thing is I had just had it serviced at the beginning of summer and that technician mentioned nothing about the condition of my compressor, in fact stated everything was fine. The friend told me that my A/C unit had basically worked too hard as the A/C size was not compatible to the square footage in my house.

Due to inspectors report the buyer was allowed to decrease the by a very significan amount and rightfully so. So in essence, I am paying for the new A/C unit. I just need to see what I can do to make it through the heatwave.

[danglerb]

Keep in mind just how insulting it is to your friends friend for you to shop for him. Basically you are saying that he is either a liar or a cheat or just stupid.

I am a consumer, but I got 9 hits with that part number in a generic web search. It "appears" to be used in several Goodman units, and very reaonably priced, and sold to anybody with a credit card, but that isn't going to get it installed and hooked up. Look at the price yourself, think about it being the middle of summer, and decide.

Also the part number is very specific as to connection options, so its really the job of a professional to get the correct unit.

[moodymans]

I bargain shop on everything...and I mean EVERYTHING!! I was just seeing if I could possibly find it less expensive myself then to have him calling all over the place attempting to do it himself. He does have a full time job and this time of year is very busy...I greatly appreciate the fact that he is willing to help but if I can save money, I will make every attempt to do so. I have searched all over the internet and have not found one site that will let me know if there is a less expensive alternative that this compressor. I searched auction sites as well as free classified listings and see several inexpensive compressors but not the model number that was given to me...I am simply trying to determine if one of these model numbers is compatible with my A/C. Is there any way to determine that???

[plain spoken]

To put it bluntly, you are wasting your time. There is no way you will be able to buy it locally, if at all, than someone in the business. Auction site: you never know what you may truly be getting, if you get anything at all. Again, I am sorry you have this problem but I do not see a way around your problem. Be grateful this guy is willing to help you and appreciate the savings he is willing to give you. If you keep this up, he may change his mind.

[aircooled53]

I hope that you find a good cheap compressor this summer and have it installed. Maybe you will get 1 year warranty and no labor warranty. Maybe it will make it until you move out 30 days from now..


LOL

[trane]

I find it hard to believe there are people as tight as you seem to be. A friend is selling it to you at cost, not charging labor and you want a better deal. What do you do for a living?

[coolwhip]

Originally posted by trane
I find it hard to believe there are people as tight as you seem to be. A friend is selling it to you at cost, not charging labor and you want a better deal. What do you do for a living?

and moonlighting to boot.

[danglerb]

Its a goodman part, a dozen places will have it and sell it to anybody, but I think that is NOT a smart idea.

Since I am cheap too let me speak plainly, Have you considered that your friends friend gave you a price that includes a bit of profit for himself? Pay for doing this job?

Pop H29B35UABCA Bristol into either of these search engines;

froogle.google.com
dogpile.com

Look at the price, but don't talk about it here, and think for a few minutes about just what the situation is. Is your friends friend too stupid not to know how common a 10 seer bristol compressor is or how to cross check parts? Do you REALLY think its happy news to help him shop? Replacing the compressor is more work than replacing the whole outside unit I bet.

Frankly I think you are wasting both time and money by not replacing the whole AC NOW, if you are stuck with the terms of sale, buy a window unit and stay in one room.

[tinner73]

this guy is unbelievable. just be glad he's not YOUR customer. i truly feel sorry for the poor guy helping him......he has no idea. you may have to cash in your saving bonds from your communion. cheap SOB.

[Shophound]

Buy a window unit and pick your favorite room. Stick it in the window and hang out there until you sell the house. When you move, take the window unit with you. Sell it cheap if your new place has functional central a/c, or keep it as a backup in case your new dig's a/c also craters.

If your buyer has already got your house price down due to non-functioning a/c, they're expecting to fix it when they get the house.

I can't imagine any pump out there being cheaper (in more ways than one :D) than a Bristol.

[freefall]

Originally posted by moodymans
I bargain shop on everything...and I mean EVERYTHING!!


Im sure the rest of your house reflects this

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

Originally posted by freefall






Originally posted by moodymans
I bargain shop on everything...and I mean EVERYTHING!!


Im sure the rest of your house reflects this





Rat trap?

[Furnace_dude]

ok, time for a session of doogie says:

i never reccomend replacing a compressor unless its under warranty. that compressor quit for a reason. why? its anybodys guess. i imagine that there is a problem in the refrigerant circuit somewhere. if you just replace the compressor with your bristol [ :rolleyes: ] you may get a week, or a year, but that compressor will go out again. so you might spend that money and it will be cheaper than a new ac, but you change that compressor a few times and then see how much money you spent.



there are some things that are worth spending money on. and if you skimp on everything to save ca$h, then you should have some dolla dolla bills to put into a new ac.

fo shizzle...

[dachipsta]

There is a very fine line between getting a good deal and the pay now or pay later philosophy. I think you are pushing your luck IMHO.

1. You are getting it done as a side job..Big savings already.

2. Getting a Bristol at cost which is one of the cheapest compressors anyways......Big savings.

If you take it any further you are asking for trouble. I understand you are selling your house and dont want to have to invest any more money than is absolutely nesc. Think about this. How is it going to look if you have the compressor installed as cheaply as possible, having no diagnostic time included to investigate why the other compressor failed, and to your dismay while the house is under contract....damn, that brand new compressor you worked so hard to get done cheap takes the big crapper. Now you have to probably get an entirely new outdoor unit under the intense scrutiny of the potential buyer. Now how much money has been saved?

Trust me. You will either pay now for a good job or pay later to clean up the mistakes of the half-assed first one.

I know it is just killing your wallet and standards, but just let the friend of a friend do his job, furnish the compressor and have the job done as well as it can be done. You will have peace of mind that it will make it thru the sale and you wont wind up paying 2 or 3 times moneywise what it would have to have gotten it done right the first time:).....Just my .02.............out

[Jultzya]

Originally posted by moodymans
my divorced mother of 6 budget...

Just curious if those 6 children have the same father?

Than we have the two below comments:


The quote came from a friend of a friend who is a refrigeration specialist and works for a reputable A/C company.


The friend told me that my A/C unit had basically worked too hard as the A/C size was not compatible to the square footage in my house.

These two comments contradict each other.

[riderman]

Jultzya

Just curious if those 6 children have the same father?
__________________________________________________ _____

I was beat up for asking HVAC related issues.

From a MOD, is this comment even acceptable? Man that's just plain cold.

Rider

[Jultzya]

Originally posted by riderman
I was beat up for asking HVAC related issues.

From a MOD, is this comment even acceptable?

I'm just curious... can I not ask a question?

Where did you get beat up for asking a HVAC question? Do you have a link?

[riderman]

I'm to embarrassed to show ya

Someone here will show it I'm sure.

I did deserve the beating. I was giving my oppionions to masters, playing devils advocate. I learned alot though, for what it's worth.

Ya Gatta admit though, nobody questioned my family values here.

Rider

[Jultzya]

Originally posted by Jultzya
Where did you get beat up for asking a HVAC question? Do you have a link?

Nevermind... I found it.

[thoglow]

Originally posted by moodymans
I bargain shop on everything...and I mean EVERYTHING!! You get what you pay for.Hope you don't bargain hunt for a guy to install it.