Advice please!!!

[restowood]

We have been in our new to us home for about 7 months and our heat pump has bit the dust. We have a home warranty through Old Republic that the seller of the home included and I am just wanting to verify a few things. And of course want your professional opinions.

1. Our condenser is leaking in an unrepairable place.
2. We currently have a 10 SEER Evcon unit that is 15 years old
3. It is a duel fuel with Gas furnace for emergency heat.
4. We have 1300 sq ft. in Kansas with a full basement.
5. Is a 2.5 ton unit big enough to handle this effeciently
6. They are wanting to put in a 2.5 ton 13 SEER Payne condenser coil and Evaporitive cooler in.
7. The contractor is telling us that we should spend the extra $$ and go ahead and change the furnace out as well.
8. What are the advantages of doing so??
9. Do you really get what you pay for if we decide to upgrade?
10. I have them quoting a 3 ton 13 SEER Goodman condenser and coil.
11. I also have them quoting a 3 ton 13 and 15 SEER Goodman complete unit with furnace included.
12. WHICH Way do I go????? upgrade or let them put the Payne smaller unit in.
13. Thanks in advance!!!

[air2spare]

if they do not perform a manual J calculation and give you a copy for proof (fee may be required) then send them packing...getting a couple of estimates is customary and usually free but don't go with the lowest quote because you will get what you pay for.

[summit]

Home warranty companies are concerned with only 1 thing when you file a claim. Saving as much $ as possible. If they could purchase a cheaper system for you, they would.

The replacement condensor is cheap and utilizes 20 year old technology. It really is not much different from a standard 20 year old unit. You really can benefit from an upgraded system that operates at a higher efficiency, lower sound rating, and operates more comfortably for you. Get a quote from an American Standard dealer if you can. They will show you the difference in quality www.americanstandardair.com

[tigerdunes]

rest

I would consider a settlement with the Home Warranty outfit. It is well known that they only get the lowest end/cheapest equipment and their installs can be problematic.

If not a settlement, ask for the model numbers and you might consider upgrading to better equipment.

IMO
:)

[macdaddy]

Good luck with your home warranty, I don't know about Old Republic but the warranty company that I deal with, if the unit needs replaced they buy out the policy and yes that may help but it's far from the cost of a new unit

[timby]

It's always hard to decide with all the options available which is the best course of action. Also, we are not in your area and don't know your comfort range. :confused:

I have a home warranty on my house and have had some good success. However, I see they always call someone who is willing to perform the service for the cheapest. This doesn't alway warrant a good outcome. :rolleyes:

As others have said, I would ask for a settlement and then get a good installer to come and perform a manual J. Then let the installer help you decide on the best course of action. You may need some additional work such as ducts.

Just my 2 cents .... ;)

[OOC]

I had a home warranty through a larger company (3 initials) and when our AC was deemed unrepairable by their contracted repairguy, I asked them ahead of time what the cash payment would be if I didn't want the cheap unit they wanted to put in. They told me and it was very, very much higher than what I was expecting and jumped on it. The point being to discuss it with them before they schedule a replacement. All my warranty company needed was a receipt and proof of installation from the company I did hire. I upgraded from a very old GE package system to a Trane high efficiency split system HP & furnace. I was please with my experience with the home warranty company, but I didn't renew the policy the following year because I really no longer needed it.

[summit]

OCC, could you post the name of that warranty company? I've never heard of someone being happy with a warranty company when they need new equipment.

[OOC]

OCC, could you post the name of that warranty company? I've never heard of someone being happy with a warranty company when they need new equipment.

American Home Shield (AHS)
I think thesecret is doing things in order.
1. I called in with a complaint of no cooling
2. They sent a repair guy within 2-3 days
3. He told me the leak was the coil and was unrepairable and unreplaceable since the unit was >35 years old. I asked him about the next steps. He told me they could schedule me a new system install or I could take the cash option.
4. I called AHS and they said they needed to wait to verify my equipment was approved to be condemned.
5. I called back a couple days later and they said they got the report and agreed to replace it. I asked about the cash option instead. She told me what I needed to do and how much I was entitled.
a. Have new equipment installed on my nickel- labor and equipment.
b. fax, email, or mail the receipt & contractors proof of installation to the investigation dept. I asked how long before I'd get my check after sending it, she said 7-10 days.
c. I had 4 contractors bid, selected one, had the system installed, got the installation proof & receipt and faxed, emailed, and mailed copies to AHS.
d. I called and emailed 2 days later to ask if they got my stuff and was told they got them and were processing. I confirmed the 7-10 days before my check was mailed, and they agreed.
e. I got my check in about 6 days I think - much quicker than my rebate from Trane :D

I am the first to admit this is the most straightforward story I've heard of anyone dealing with any home warranty company. Like I said, I didn't renew it when the term expired though.

[restowood]

I could only wish that mine would have worked that smoothly. I talked with them in the order you stated and they insist they are doing all they can. We are getting $1,600 from them. I spent about 45 minutes on the phone with them and got nowhere. I am really looking at a whole new Amana system because we don't have unlimited funds. I am thinking of a 14 seer 2.5 ton heat pump and a 80% variable speed furnace. I am impressed with Amanas warranty on the major components. Any input on this system??

[catmanacman]

some of the biggest hacks in the ac industry do work for homesheild and old republic

[optomos]

I'm having an Amana HP (ASZ16) installed starting tomorrow though its an all electric split system. You can't beat a 10 year all parts and labor warranty through the manufacture and a lifetime on compressor. I can post pictures if you want once they are done.

I had homeshield for 11 years. I paid a total of more than what this whole new system is costing and that includes a whole house dehumidifier, duct cleaning/sealing, 16 SEER HP and VS blower. Homeshield just did not want to replace unit even when the techs said it should be replaced; all they did was repair it and freon would be added twice a year (XX over and above plan for every visit) until the compressor blew. After that they replaced the compressor and I dropped them last August. It was the biggest waste of money IMHO.

[timby]

I could only wish that mine would have worked that smoothly. I talked with them in the order you stated and they insist they are doing all they can. We are getting $1,600 from them. I spent about 45 minutes on the phone with them and got nowhere. I am really looking at a whole new Amana system because we don't have unlimited funds. I am thinking of a 14 seer 2.5 ton heat pump and a 80% variable speed furnace. I am impressed with Amanas warranty on the major components. Any input on this system??

I too have AHS and they have been good at getting people out. Workmanship is suspect on some things. :confused:

I have a new Goodman (parent of Amana) and am very happy with it. I have a 16 SEER (13 EER) 4 ton with a VS 95% gas furnace. It's performing well in our Texas heat and humidity. I got quotes for Trane and Lenox but with the help of the installer decided on the Goodman (best bang for the buck for me). :D

IF you have a reputable installer you shouldn't go wrong with what they recommend. :)

Best of luck with your Home Service.....:rolleyes:

[restowood]

I told them to just send me the cash so that I can do what I want. Really I am OK with that because with us only being in the house 6-7 months I am really just getting $1,600 cash back on any system I choose. I am trying to get a Lennox system at wholesale through my brother in law who sales Lennox in California. I am in Kansas but he thinks he could order my system from a distributor here and I would only have to pay for an install instead of high mark-up on equipment. We currently have Trane, Goodman, Coleman, Lennox, and Amana quotes out. Time will tell

[beenthere]

Your asking for trouble doing it that way.

Your local Lennox dealer may not install it for you. Then you'll be stuck with some company that may not be familiar with teh equipment, and might install it wrong, and let you and your brother in law holding the bag.

[restowood]

I have checked with two local Lennox dealers and both of them said that as long as the equipment was brand new they would not have a problem installing and backing the equipment. Quite honestly I think my brother in law is going to buy it from the distributor that is closest to me. So it's probably from the same distributor that the local dealers are using. I am just hoping I can work it out so that I can get a good price on the whole thing.

[beenthere]

Lennox doesn't have a distributorship like you think of one.
He may be getting it through one of them though.