Carrier compressor confusion

[Karen Calvert]

Our compressor failed yesterday and I called our service contractor. He said that our compressor was no longer under warranty and said that it would be better to buy a new unit. Our house was built in 99 (it was installed by our service contractor and has been serviced by the same since it was installed) and the unit was installed at that time. We bought this house two years ago. The unit has been serviced twice a year. Its a pretty good sized unit and so I was surprised that it was no longer under warranty. I called Carrier and yes it was still under warranty (10 years) and he felt it would be better to just replace the compressor than to buy a whole new unit. I told him that our service guy told us that if we replaced the compressor that sooner or later - probably sooner, we'd have to replace the coil and then probably the compressor would fail again. Carrier told us that it could but when the new compressor is installed make sure that they clean and make a good vaccuum on the system. Ok, this is all new to me. He might as well be speaking Greek. I don't know the HVAC lingo. How can I make sure that the compressor will be properly installed, system cleaned and a good vaccuum? My confidence in our service contractor is a little shakey right now. What should I be looking for? Help!:eek: :confused:

[BaldLoonie]

I don't blame you for being nervous about your contractor. Probably time to find a different one, someone who will work with you instead of peddling new equipment. We're gonna change a 7 year old warranty compressor tomorrow. The Boss didn't try to pressure the guy into a new unit and we told him he might still have warranty. Guess other companies aren't so customer concerned.

Ask friends and neighbors who they have had good luck with.

[mchild]

There are, unfortunately, many guys out there that are just not all that good. Find a new contractor. Get references from neighbors and friends. Post here where you are located and some one may be able to hlep you.

When a compressor is replaced they have to open the system and this allows air to enter the area where only refrigerant is supposed to be. When the system is closed back up they must pull a good vacuum to get all air and any other contaminants out. They should also use nitrogen in this process. Once the system has been thoroughly cleaned out, then they can recharge the system with refrigerant. When a compressor goes it can often send acid through the refrigerant system. It must all be cleaned out in order to not ruin the new compressor.

[Jabarco]

Our compressor failed yesterday and I called our service contractor. He said that our compressor was no longer under warranty and said that it would be better to buy a new unit.....
....I called Carrier and yes it was still under warranty (10 years).....
My confidence in our service contractor is a little shakey right now. What should I be looking for?


Thomas E. Bettcher President and CEO of Copeland Corporation, the world's largest compressor research, development and manufacture appeared in front of a United States Capital Hill Hearing and testified under oath:

"As a manufacturer, I have concern for my company and our future in this environment of decline among new technicians. While sales are exceeding expectations as the economy continues to grow, we lack the supply of workers that are capable of installing and servicing this equipment. If this decline continues, there will not be enough workers left to install and maintain our products, which in turn will have a negative impact on sales. Along with this economic boom, there is a boom in building. New offices and retail spaces (in addition to new homes) are being constructed all around us, but there are not enough workers in many of the skilled trades to maintain all of our buildings, new and old. The number one problem of our contractors today is the inability to hire new technicians. Another glaring problem facing our industry is product "takeback," the return of products to the manufacturer. The number one cause of product takeback is the incompetence of technicians during installation leading to the return and replacement of units, even when there is absolutely nothing wrong with the product. This unnecessary replacement of good machinery drives up warranty costs and hurts our reputation, all because the installer does not have enough training to install the system properly in the first place".

Heck, I already knew that!
Jabs



Therefore, I believe your HVAC service company is run by Bagdad Bob
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa214/jabarco/bagdadbob.jpg
"There are no American soldiers or compressor warranties in Bagdad".

[dash]

With the variations in warranties ,from brand to brand and worse model to model within the same brand,I can see where they just made a mistake.

They should have known better,since they installed it,but I've had new guys with the company do it.

Now the comment about,even if you change the compressor the coil will go,worse yet it will fail again,I'd be more concerned about that.

My advice call and speak with the service manager or owner,then decide if you need another contractor.

[Karen Calvert]

Our confidence in the contractor has been pretty good up until now and they have the best reputation in this area. Most of the technicians have been pretty good. I even had one guy come out and tell me he had never worked on a unit like ours, so he called the office and had them send out someone else. I appreciated that. I appreciate the comments, they make me smile.
They are installing our new compressor today. If I tell the guy he needs to make sure to clean the unit and a good vaccuum, (that's what the carrier rep told me to say) how will I know if he did that?

[Karen Calvert]

Sorry, mchild, I'm new to this site, I didn't see your reply. Thanks, that helps a lot in knowing what the rep meant when he told me what to look for.