Question about installs

[KevinBacon]

Okay, so my friends Condensor unit is about 26 years old. The compressor is shot. He wants to get an entire new unit. My questions is ( I am very new to the field ).

How hard is it to switch out the unit?

What do I need to know (square footage of each room? duct size? evaporator coil?)

I said I would look into it and me and him can do it, if I think its possiable. I know my company gets disscounts on stuff, so I would just get the stuff for him. He is expecting a kid in like 3 weeks. We dont want that kid to be stuck in the heat.

Anything would help guys, thanks!

[Tool-Slinger]

Okay, so my friends Condensor unit is about 26 years old. The compressor is shot. He wants to get an entire new unit. My questions is ( I am very new to the field ).

How hard is it to switch out the unit?

What do I need to know (square footage of each room? duct size? evaporator coil?)

I said I would look into it and me and him can do it, if I think its possiable. I know my company gets disscounts on stuff, so I would just get the stuff for him. He is expecting a kid in like 3 weeks. We dont want that kid to be stuck in the heat.

Anything would help guys, thanks!
I assume you are trying to do this on the cheap....

You should replace the equipment with the same size equipment and leave the duct-work alone, unless there was some problem with the original size unit. Stick with the same type equipment to avoid problems,... by this I mean do not try to replace a gas furnace with a heat-pump.

Lucky for you, the new indoor equipment shouild be smaller in size than the old one. You will probably need a piece of duct-board and LOTS of foil-tape. Compare measurements before you buy.

I could probably do it in a day with a helper, you 2 could probably get the thing lined-out in a weekend if you start early enough Friday night. You might need someone with more experience to set the charge and make the electrical connections. Expect some things to have to correct.

[billva]

Have him do it through your company, they will have all the necessary tools and experience. Plus a warranty.

Another plus- he won't call you at 0300 when it fails.

[BigJon3475]

Or we could follow Forum Rules.... (http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=1241....If) If your new to the field apply for Pro membership...

[Tool-Slinger]

Have him do it through your company, they will have all the necessary tools and experience. Plus a warranty.

Another plus- he won't call you at 0300 when it fails.
ROFLMAO!

You know, I was really thinking, LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of foil-tape!"

ROFLMAO!

"A saw? is that not considered carperentry work?"

ROFLMAO!

[Tool-Slinger]

Or we could follow Forum Rules.... (http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=1241....If) If your new to the field apply for Pro membership...
He claimed to be a newbee in the field, not some DIY. I do not think he could buy the equipment without the proper employment connection. Just a green-horn trying to help a friend.

[mallron]

Would it be possible to ask someone you're close to from your shop to come and give you guys a hand? Maybe bar-b-que and a 12 pak may sweeten the deal.

-JB

[chillbilly]

Hmmmm.
I get the feeling he's not only "very new" to the field but likely not qualified at all.
After reading his post, I'll not give him any info other than DIY info.
Have your company perform the work using qualified people.

[BigJon3475]

He claimed to be a newbee in the field, not some DIY. I do not think he could buy the equipment without the proper employment connection. Just a green-horn trying to help a friend.

It's not illegal to buy equipment thats pre charged sites all over willing. If information is what is really wanted then he can find all he wants in the pro sections and also the search feature. Not trying to be mean but asking for DIY help on the first few post isn't starting out on a good foot. Really green tech install trying a total replacement with internet knowledge only = disaster...unless the money is free and this is a learning exp. I didn't get that though from the "baby on the way" response.

[Tool-Slinger]

Would it be possible to ask someone you're close to from your shop to come and give you guys a hand? Maybe bar-b-que and a 12 pak may sweeten the deal.

-JB
GREAT IDEA!

I highly reccommed it. Baby on the way, BBQ in the mean-time!

[Tool-Slinger]

Hmmmm.
I get the feeling he's not only "very new" to the field but likely not qualified at all.
After reading his post, I'll not give him any info other than DIY info.
Have your company perform the work using qualified people.
I am new here, a little suprised at the 'standards'. I can say anything and it will not hurt me at all, as I am always very candid with customers. My customers are perhaps easier. In the future, I will try to not answer 'how-to' questions by regular members, okay?

[Tool-Slinger]

It's not illegal to buy equipment thats pre charged sites all over willing. If information is what is really wanted then he can find all he wants in the pro sections and also the search feature. Not trying to be mean but asking for DIY help on the first few post isn't starting out on a good foot. Really green tech install trying a total replacement with internet knowledge only = disaster...unless the money is free and this is a learning exp. I didn't get that though from the "baby on the way" response.
Sorry, I will be more careful about replies in the future. I was only trying to help, never suspected I was being used as a run-around for professional services. I never had the intention to dis-locate profits as due for the expert in the area.

[BigJon3475]

Sorry, I will be more careful about replies in the future. I was only trying to help, never suspected I was being used as a run-around for professional services. I never had the intention to dis-locate profits as due for the expert in the area.

You can do as you wish...I'm not the mods....helping is great....However you don;t know Adam from Eve on here and somehow everyone that seems to be green in the field always has a bay on the way....LOL go figure...Not saying this guy isn't totally honest....again "I" don't know him from Adam or Eve and besides it's against the rules and it's kinda hard to learn when you can't post to ask questions when your lost.

[Tool-Slinger]

You can do as you wish...I'm not the mods....helping is great....However you don;t know Adam from Eve on here and somehow everyone that seems to be green in the field always has a bay on the way....LOL go figure...Not saying this guy isn't totally honest....again "I" don't know him from Adam or Eve and besides it's against the rules and it's kinda hard to learn when you can't post to ask questions when your lost.
Sorry, I get the point, but seriously I would lead a no-brainer into more trouble than help with advice. What we do is complicated, specialized, and hard work. I personally have no fear of giving info out to anyone, as it is useless to them. I yanked a 30 ton compressor out wednesday by myself, and told the inquiring maintenance guy how I did it, no problem, he could never do it with 12 elves and a fairy godmother with a magical wand. I am new, and did not understand the restrictions on "regular members", such as myself at this time. Go ahead and beat me over the head as I need it, and I will try to do better. I am a little fuzzy on 'drawing the lines'.

[BigJon3475]

"and told the inquiring maintenance guy how I did it"

Hmm I wouldn't know anything about being the inquiring maint. guy....Ohh yeah that's right I am that inquiring maintenance guy...bunch of loser no good for nothing maint. men.....

[Tool-Slinger]

"and told the inquiring maintenance guy how I did it"

Hmm I wouldn't know anything about being the inquiring maint. guy....Ohh yeah that's right I am that inquiring maintenance guy...bunch of loser no good for nothing maint. men.....
No insult intended, guy I talked to is a friend and delivers pizzas at night. His boss and the building owner is much smarter than me. but they could not have pulled that calf either. I am good at what I do.

[BigJon3475]

LOL.......Yeah yeah.....I was just messing with you. Not everyone on the site is a 30 year HVAC/R specialist....

[beenthere]

OP.

With the questions your asking, you not ready to be installing equipment by yourself.

Since your asking here instead of asking the guys ay your company, I take it you don't think they will help you.
If thats the case, if you had any trouble with the system, how would you fix it for your friend.

If your really a friend. Don't do it.

[Tool-Slinger]

Okay, so my friends Condensor unit is about 26 years old. The compressor is shot. He wants to get an entire new unit. My questions is ( I am very new to the field ).

How hard is it to switch out the unit?

What do I need to know (square footage of each room? duct size? evaporator coil?)

I said I would look into it and me and him can do it, if I think its possiable. I know my company gets disscounts on stuff, so I would just get the stuff for him. He is expecting a kid in like 3 weeks. We dont want that kid to be stuck in the heat.

Anything would help guys, thanks!
As you can see from the thread, my original answer was rather unpopular. And for good reason. If this is a one-time thing, it is not worth the experience of trying to do it yourself. I would expect a rather tacky job in the end, even if it works, and lots of blood. Sheet-metal will slice you to bits until you get a few years experience working around it. I correctly advised you to get a good tech to do the "start-up", because if you mess-up there you could damage the new equipment. You could do it, but be partly motivated by learning experience, not just the money. There is no way it is worth the money.

Let me try again:

Your company can get you the equipment discounted, so they should be able to get you a competent tech discounted as well. If not,(perhaps a wholesaler?) then they can reccommend one. You may be able to get a further discount by offering to act as a helper, if you can find someone to accept that. I would, I basically work by myself nearly all the time and I do not have lots of employees and an install crew. A small operator will often be willing to "cut a deal", especially if you are flexible about the time-frame.

[chillbilly]

Tool-Slinger;
I really wasn't judging you for your response.
I simply think that from the description the OP gave, it indicated that he probably needed more than just guidance.
If you feel differently, that's fine.
It wasn't my intention to tell you what to recommend or post and I wasn't judging you at all.
I was questioning the OP's ability and I did make a judgement about his level of expertise.

Sorry if it appeared to mean something else.

[Tool-Slinger]

Tool-Slinger;
I really wasn't judging you for your response.
I simply think that from the description the OP gave, it indicated that he probably needed more than just guidance.
If you feel differently, that's fine.
It wasn't my intention to tell you what to recommend or post and I wasn't judging you at all.
I was questioning the OP's ability and I did make a judgement about his level of expertise.

Sorry if it appeared to mean something else.
HELLO BUDDY!

I think you and the others are correct in the initial critisism, The original poster only had ONE post on record when I checked. You guys gotta tell me when I am being stupid or I will never know it and continue! GO ahead and hit me over the head if I deserve it! I love to be corrected. AND I need it from time to time. I am also a known a$$, I think that will register some forgivenes from you.

[chillbilly]

OK Cool.
You're the original concept artist of my club so I don't want you to think I don't respect you as a bonafide member. :D :D

[KevinBacon]

I am very new, 7 months in the field. I am certified. I just dont know residential that well. right out of school a company picked me up to work commercial/indust. I am just trying to help a friend out. I asked the guys I work with, they said I am better off staying away from it. I was just hoping I could do it for him and get experience out of it. I still might, haha.

also, would it be in his best intrest to go with 410a or stick with R22? because the new 410 units are huge. He lives in Chicago and doesnt have much of a yard

[beenthere]

Why do you think you co workers told you to stay away from it.

Once you install it, your going to be married to it if anything goes wrong.

You may think this next piece of advise is foolish, but its not.

Get yourself a liability policy.

Learnig on a friends system, is not always the best thing to do to a friend.

[Atticmonkey777]

If your questioning on how to install an R-22 condenser...then installing a new r-410a system is WAY out of your league....your talking about replacing more than just the outdoor unit then....better stick with the "get a buddy from work and feed him BBQ and beer" deal.;)

[jmiles]

hey there I am in the chicago area I could give you my number if you would like