Is Placement of HVAC Refrigerant Lines ok?

[dbg305]

I had a new central a/c installed yesterday and because I am disabled I was unable to check what the installers were doing. I am concerned about the placement of the Refrigerant lines though the company I used is well respected and should know what they are doing.

The lines from my old A/C could not be used because the new unit has R410A refrigerant and the old unit was installed in 1987. The new lines were run into the basement between a window and a large heating duct and run along the heating duct to the furnace. The vent for the heating duct is directly below the lines and will blow hot air onto the lines and their insulation during the winter. As hot air rises I have no doubt they will receive a hot blast from the furnace when it is on. I think it is possible that the installers and salesman mistook the heating duct for a cold air duct as it is as large as a cold air duct.

My question is whether this placement will affect the refrigerant lines in any negative way. If so, how do you think I should deal with this problem?

thanks :)

[the dangling wrangler]

Pictures would be a big help.

[dbg305]

Thanks I'll get my son to take some later today and upload them if I'm able to.

[beenthere]

Yea some pics would help.
Its doubtful the heat will hurt the lines. Some line sets are exposed to 150*F+ temps in some attics.

[cmajerus]

should be fine, unless there will be flames shooting out of those vents:D

[dbg305]

Thanks LOL:D I hope there won't be flames :D Here are the pictures. The last one that shows the lines going through the furnace room make me wonder too because they will be exposed to anyone going into that area to clean the electronic air filter and get at the water heater.

[I_bend_metal]

Hacks :o

[beenthere]

I would have looked for another way to run that line set, just for appearance.
The heat won't hurt it.
But that, well, that just ain't right.

[Refer-Madness]

Hacks :o

Yep...................thats the best that could have been done with the line set?;)

[dbg305]

On the other side of the heating duct is the electric panel that runs from the duct to the side wall. The original lines ran into the far side of the electric panel and along the wall/ceiling to the furnace room. The area was finished after the installation of the original AC in 1987. They said they couldn't use the old lines because of the difference in refrigerant and my research supports that. However, they did make a mess in the room and I'm concerned about the furnace room and crimping of the lines by someone who is in there to clean to air filter. Copper does distort very easily IMHO.
Should I call them and raise H**?

[the dangling wrangler]

On the other side of the heating duct is the electric panel that runs from the duct to the side wall. The original lines ran into the far side of the electric panel and along the wall/ceiling to the furnace room. The area was finished after the installation of the original AC in 1987. They said they couldn't use the old lines because of the difference in refrigerant and my research supports that. However, they did make a mess in the room and I'm concerned about the furnace room and crimping of the lines by someone who is in there to clean to air filter. Copper does distort very easily IMHO.
Should I call them and raise H**?

What was written in the proposal? You did get one? Chances are, if it wasn't in the proposal,it's not gonna get done as a no charge.

[dbg305]

What was written in the proposal? You did get one? Chances are, if it wasn't in the proposal,it's not gonna get done as a no charge.

It says " T4A324 central A/C fully installed wiith permits and lineset exposed
reconnect to existing Thermostat and Electrical"

I guess I should have read that about 'lineset exposed' but I didn't see it until just now. The word 'exposed was on the next line with Parts and Labour Warranty. However, the lineset running under the duct in the furnace room isn't kosher IMHO because it leaves it exposed for people to damage where it is.

They also charged me for a "pleanum" their spelling not mine, that they didn't end up needing because they couldn't get the original off the furnace so they did something else instead...they told me.
They also said they would refund the cost of the plenum ..I'm waiting to see that on my credit card.

On the bottom of the proposal is printed that "All work to be completed in a workmanlike manner according to standard practices"

is this installation "standard practice"?

[the dangling wrangler]

It looks like it can be re routed.But as far as getting it done at no charge... Too bad you couldn't have caught this before they hooked everything up. It's possible they would move the lines for free but,not probable. You could build a small fir down around the exposed lines,but under the ducting,that's another story. As far as the heat affecting the piping,I wouldn't loose any sleep over it . Good Luck .

[DanW13]

I have to say I feel sorry for you because I feel you were in a way taken advantage of due to your incapacity of being in a wheel chair and unable to look the job over prior to final payment, also these installers are not someone you would want to call back just because they probably will take advantage of you in the future knowing your unable to look things over before they can leave your home, IMO they didn't treat this install as if it was there own home they were working on and did things the fast and easy way where if this was done in there home they definately would not have run this lineset that way in there family room !!!!! I would atleast call them back and ask them to work with you and see if there willing to move the lineset so it is not in the open like it is now, Atleast they may be able to find something to cover the lineset where it is now so atleast it is out of site and now in plain view. Good Luck !!!

[dbg305]

Thanks for all your help I think I will call them on Monday and get someone who knows what their doing out here to look at the job that was done.

I forgot to mention something I found outside today when I got out to look at what they had done with the outside unit. There is an electrical connection on the wall above where the lines go into the house and I pulled up the outer cover and the plate covering the wires fell out on the ground. They said they were getting the electrical permit but I really wonder if this was inspected by anyone other than the very young salesman they sent to sell me the unit. I am going to raise H about that, because as far as I'm concerned the inner metal plate should be attached so it doesn't fall out of the little electric box it is in.

I think I am going to use their "to be completed in a workmanlike manner according to standard practices" to try to get some satisfaction. I can also call the electric company or whoever is supposed to inspect these things.

Yes they did take advantage of my inability and for that they should really feel some heat ;)

[cmajerus]

the lineset does look like crap there, but the other option would have probably been trashing your sheetrock on the existing soffit, this way a simple extention on the register takeoff on the trunkline and some 2x2 furring strips, sheetrock and paint will blend it in to the rest of the soffit. cheaper than re rocking the entire chase. I agree they probably could have done a neater job in the mech room though.

[the dangling wrangler]

I have to say I feel sorry for you because I feel you were in a way taken advantage of due to your incapacity of being in a wheel chair and unable to look the job over prior to final payment, also these installers are not someone you would want to call back just because they probably will take advantage of you in the future knowing your unable to look things over before they can leave your home, IMO they didn't treat this install as if it was there own home they were working on and did things the fast and easy way where if this was done in there home they definately would not have run this lineset that way in there family room !!!!! I would atleast call them back and ask them to work with you and see if there willing to move the lineset so it is not in the open like it is now, Atleast they may be able to find something to cover the lineset where it is now so atleast it is out of site and now in plain view. Good Luck !!!

It says " T4A324 central A/C fully installed wiith permits and lineset exposed
reconnect to existing Thermostat and Electrical"

[DanW13]

Even though they said linesets exposed and the OP said he did not see that until after the fact due to the way the contract was written.... none the less I still feel they took advantage of his situation, and yes he probably should have questioned them, besides what does it take to knock a few holes into the drywall to run the lineset inside the soffit and have the customer do the repair work or hire someone either way I don't think he was given the option due to his disadvantage's:eek:

[captube]

If the line set is in contact with the metal ducting it can transmit noise throughout the house.

[the dangling wrangler]

Even though they said linesets exposed and the OP said he did not see that until after the fact due to the way the contract was written.... none the less I still feel they took advantage of his situation, and yes he probably should have questioned them, besides what does it take to knock a few holes into the drywall to run the lineset inside the soffit and have the customer do the repair work or hire someone either way I don't think he was given the option due to his disadvantage's:eek:

Starting to sound like buyers remorse. The contractor fulfilled his end of the contract. End of story.

[Refer-Madness]

It says " T4A324 central A/C fully installed wiith permits and lineset exposed
reconnect to existing Thermostat and Electrical"

I guess I should have read that about 'lineset exposed' but I didn't see it until just now. The word 'exposed was on the next line with Parts and Labour Warranty. However, the lineset running under the duct in the furnace room isn't kosher IMHO because it leaves it exposed for people to damage where it is.

They also charged me for a "pleanum" their spelling not mine, that they didn't end up needing because they couldn't get the original off the furnace so they did something else instead...they told me.
They also said they would refund the cost of the plenum ..I'm waiting to see that on my credit card.

On the bottom of the proposal is printed that "All work to be completed in a workmanlike manner according to standard practices"

is this installation "standard practice"?
Looking at the photos and what you're now saying about the contract, you got exactly what you paid for. As long as you're refunded for the parts you say the didn't use and the unit functions, I'm inclined to back the contractor.

[Refer-Madness]

Even though they said linesets exposed and the OP said he did not see that until after the fact due to the way the contract was written.... none the less I still feel they took advantage of his situation, and yes he probably should have questioned them, besides what does it take to knock a few holes into the drywall to run the lineset inside the soffit and have the customer do the repair work or hire someone either way I don't think he was given the option due to his disadvantage's:eek:

How many line sets have you run?:p

[beenthere]

I don't think its buyers remorse.
A case of not reading the contract close enough, and maybe not asking enough questions while the salesman was there.

But if you look at the hole in the drywall, they didn't use a hole saw. Looks more like a hammer was used.

The customer should be informed where the line set will be run, and how it will look when your going to leave it exposed in a finnished basement, and given options of paying to have it ran in different locations. Or the condenser relocated, and pay for running the electric different.

[dash]

If the old line set is the correct size,reuse it!!

[KB Cool]

If the old line set is the correct size,reuse it!!

Exactly,
I don't care how many plugged up TXV's i would have to replace. I'd much rather do that than have a line set running across my living space.:eek:

[I_bend_metal]

Another option we have used in the past (for replacing lines that are too small and cannot be re-used).......


A few (2 maybe 3) holes in that soffit to gain enough access to get a new line in there can easily be covered up with a few, white plumbing access doors. They don't look bad and will continue to give you access in the future.

With that being said, how does a salesman and a few installers fail to mention to the HO that the line is being run this way? Would they do that to their own home? If the HO says "knock out what you need to, I will have it fixed" then so be it....but since he is the HO it should be his choice as to how it gets run. Thats freaking nothing but being a lazy hack IMHO.

[dbg305]

Starting to sound like buyers remorse. The contractor fulfilled his end of the contract. End of story.

I thank you for all your comments but its not buyer remorse. I expected a workmanlike job and I don't believe I got one. My concern about the refrigerant lines being heated by its location next to the duct is obviously not an issue but the following are:

The line may be exposed in the living room and the contract said it would be but the lines location prevents the vent cover from being replaced in the hole in the duct. So besides the lines there is a gaping hole in the duct and probably no room to build a box around them.

They have left the soft copper lines exposed in the furnace room so that anyone who has to work under this duct or get to the other side to access: the water lines to shut off or turn on the water to the humidifier, get to the items on the shelves on the right in the picture, access the hot water heater which is due to be replaced as it is 14 years old, or clean the air cleaner which is directly below the duct and refrigerant lines is likely to hit their head on the duct and refrigerant lines because the distance to the floor was less than 5 ft under the duct before they installed those refrigerant lines.

The electrical box outside that they installed for the service shutoff is not locked and the inner plate falls to the ground when the lid is lifted. There is no screw or lock of any kind to hold this inner plate in place. There is nothing to keep a child or my 3 year grandchild from touching the wire connections. The cover plate that is supposed to be over the wires falls to the ground when the lid is lifted. There is a swimming pool within 10 feet of this box as well and children swim in the pool.

Personally I think this is shoddy work and it was done with this lack of care because I am disabled and was not able to inspect their work or watch what they were doing and they knew it.

[dbg305]

If the line set is in contact with the metal ducting it can transmit noise throughout the house.

I had the A/C on during the night and it is noisier than the one I had replaced that was 21 years old. The vibration of the vents is audible but fortunately not too distracting

[dbg305]

I don't think its buyers remorse.
A case of not reading the contract close enough, and maybe not asking enough questions while the salesman was there.

But if you look at the hole in the drywall, they didn't use a hole saw. Looks more like a hammer was used.

The customer should be informed where the line set will be run, and how it will look when your going to leave it exposed in a finnished basement, and given options of paying to have it ran in different locations. Or the condenser relocated, and pay for running the electric different.

It was a case of not reading the proposal carefully enough. The salesman did tell me that he would run the lines exposed and I told him I didn't want that because it would lower the value of my house. He said he's done it a number of times without a problem so I finally said OK. I had no idea that it would end up looking the way it does because I expected them to attach it neatly like the original lines were. They ran straight across without the 'waves' and were installed by the same company as did this work.

I have hired very few people to do work on the house and when I hire someone with a good rep I expect a good job that is not going to cause problems in the future. Maybe when my husband was alive I would have been more forceful about what I wanted but I treat people who I hire as though they are professionals and will take care with their work. It's more my naivety than anything else.

I knew about the lines running exposed but did not expect them to cover the vent hole in the duct so the cover couldn't be replaced, nor did I expect them to run the lines the way they did in the furnace room due to the fact it creates an obstruction for maintenance of everything else in there. I look at the duct and think they could have run the lines over the duct rather than under it but I may be wrong. However, the plenum where the new A/C is above the duct in the picture.

Yes it was my fault for not pursuing the issue of what they were doing, but it is very difficult when I can't see what they are doing while they did it. I used to spot check any people doing work on the house but unfortunately unless they are working upstairs I no longer can.

Thanks for all the info and help I appreciate it.

[dbg305]

Exactly,
I don't care how many plugged up TXV's i would have to replace. I'd much rather do that than have a line set running across my living space.:eek:


I was told that the reason they had to use new lines was the difference in refrigerant from R22 to R410A.

[dbg305]

Thanks everyone for your help and comments. I chose this company to do the work because they installed the original A/C for the previous owner and they also installed our furnace 10 years ago for us. Both were neat, clean jobs without any problems. I had no idea they would be less than careful and respectful of my property.

The electric box outside is a small thing but to me it says they were sloppy with the work they did not doing the finishing touches that others might have done. I am amazed that it passed inspection.

Maybe my attitude to treat people who are professionals with respect and expect them to treat the inside of a person's house as they would their own. That's what I expect from a professional. Maybe I should have had more quotes from different companies, but the temperature was in the 90's and my health suffers in the heat. I had past experience with this company and expected the same kind of treatment I received in the past when my husband was alive.

Thanks everyone for your comments, I appreciate all the opinions. :)

[hangfirew8]

Personally I think this is shoddy work and it was done with this lack of care because I am disabled and was not able to inspect their work or watch what they were doing and they knew it.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself. I am able-bodied and I've had shoddy work done right while I was watching it. :eek:

-HF

[dbg305]

Stop feeling sorry for yourself. I am able-bodied and I've had shoddy work done right while I was watching it. :eek:

-HF

no matter what it is still shoddy work

[beenthere]

Exactly,
I don't care how many plugged up TXV's i would have to replace. I'd much rather do that than have a line set running across my living space.:eek:


Generally run a new line set when ever possible, but.
Got a fair amount of R410A swap outs that are using the old R22 line set.
Explain why they aren't causing any problems.

If your really worried about it, install the filter drier at the TXV where its suppose to be.

Not all manufacturers tell you to run new line sets.

[the dangling wrangler]

My take on this is ,a contract is only good if it covers the home owner. We're only hearing 1/2 the story here. If the job isn't to your liking ,call them back. I won't call these guys hacks. I don't know the whole story,so I'll side with the contractor on this one.

[KB Cool]

explain why they aren't causing any problem

Uhh...Because you blew the crap out of it with nitro, maybe even used rx11 flush and ran a nitro purge while brazing.:p

[Freezeking2000]

Looking at the photos and what you're now saying about the contract, you got exactly what you paid for. As long as you're refunded for the parts you say the didn't use and the unit functions, I'm inclined to back the contractor.

I agree, not a bad job at all.

[Freezeking2000]

Thanks everyone for your help and comments. I chose this company to do the work because they installed the original A/C for the previous owner and they also installed our furnace 10 years ago for us. Both were neat, clean jobs without any problems. I had no idea they would be less than careful and respectful of my property.

The electric box outside is a small thing but to me it says they were sloppy with the work they did not doing the finishing touches that others might have done. I am amazed that it passed inspection.

Maybe my attitude to treat people who are professionals with respect and expect them to treat the inside of a person's house as they would their own. That's what I expect from a professional. Maybe I should have had more quotes from different companies, but the temperature was in the 90's and my health suffers in the heat. I had past experience with this company and expected the same kind of treatment I received in the past when my husband was alive.

Thanks everyone for your comments, I appreciate all the opinions. :)

I do not think you got taken......look at the wall of shame to see bad workmanship.

[beenthere]

Uhh...Because you blew the crap out of it with nitro, maybe even used rx11 flush and ran a nitro purge while brazing.:p

When I blow out a line set with nitro, I blow it from the indoor unit to the outside with a rag around the line to catch any crap that comes out.
So there isn't going to be a bunch of crap in the lines.
Flowing nitro while brazing prevents oxidation, it doesn't create it.

I also flush from the inside when using RX11.
Still don't have these clogged TXVs you talked about.

[the dangling wrangler]

Let's deal with the facts we have ,and not our emotions. #1 your contract says the lines would be exposed,#2 they didn't cover them,#3 I can't see anything that would cause this install to fail an inspection. Let me ask you this 305. What exactly do you want your contractor to do to make you a happy camper??

[beenthere]

She asked an honest question in his first post.
She admitted he didn't take notice to the exposed line set in the contract.

It doesn't look the greatest. They could have ran it a lot neater then they did.

And weather you, I or anyone else likes it. It looks SLOPPY.

[the dangling wrangler]

He asked an honest question in his first post.
He admitted he didn't take notice to the exposed line set in the contract.

It doesn't look the greatest. They could have ran it a lot neater then they did.

And weather you, I or anyone else likes it. It looks SLOPPY.

It's a she first of all. Is it the contractors fault she didn't read the contract? NO. It looks like they ran a line set,no more ,no less. It should be covered,then it won't look at all. Do you include sheet rock work in your bids? Never mind,I think I know your answer . If this is so unacceptable ,why don't you go take care of the problem,at no cost to her?

[dbg305]

Let's deal with the facts we have ,and not our emotions. #1 your contract says the lines would be exposed,#2 they didn't cover them,#3 I can't see anything that would cause this install to fail an inspection. Let me ask you this 305. What exactly do you want your contractor to do to make you a happy camper??

You answered me accurately in your first post and asked the appropriate questions. I do not understand the change of tune in your attituce toward me.

#1 is NOT about the lines being exposed, I already admitted that was my error, what more do you want
#2 I didn't ask them to cover them, or you if they should be covered, someone else mentioned that
#3 do you always leave wires exposed where a child could handle the connections that are 10 ft from an inground from swimming pool? I don't believe that is up to code, if it is, there is definitely a problem in the legislation that covers HVAC inspections. This oversight or whatever it is only proves that they did not take the care they should have in the entire installation.

To answer your question about what would make me happy, I want the lines in the furnace room run again so that there is no chance they will be damaged when routine regular maintenance is done right under them. This will happen one way or another. My understanding of copper pipes is that they are soft and bend and kink very easily, however the copper pipes used in an A/C installation may be of a harder copper than water pipes are.

[dbg305]

He asked an honest question in his first post.
He admitted he didn't take notice to the exposed line set in the contract.

It doesn't look the greatest. They could have ran it a lot neater then they did.

And weather you, I or anyone else likes it. It looks SLOPPY.

Thank you :)

[the dangling wrangler]

You answered me accurately in your first post and asked the appropriate questions. I do not understand the change of tune in your attitude toward me.

#1 is NOT about the lines being exposed, I already admitted that was my error, what more do you want
#2 I didn't ask them to cover them, or you if they should be covered, someone else mentioned that
#3 do you always leave wires exposed where a child could handle the connections that are 10 ft from an inground from swimming pool? I don't believe that is up to code, if it is, there is definitely a problem in the legislation that covers HVAC inspections. This oversight or whatever it is only proves that they did not take the care they should have in the entire installation.

To answer your question about what would make me happy, I want the lines in the furnace room run again so that there is no chance they will be damaged when routine regular maintenance is done right under them. This will happen one way or another. My understanding of copper pipes is that they are soft and bend and kink very easily, however the copper pipes used in an A/C installation may be of a harder copper than water pipes are.

Sorry If I offended you.I see a few guys here calling YOUR contractor,the one YOU chose hacks. I don't see it that way. If they were hacks,would they bother to pull permits?Call YOUR inspection agency if there's a problem with the wires. It passed inspection,correct? So it can't be all that hacky,can it?

[dbg305]

It's a she first of all. Is it the contractors fault she didn't read the contract? NO. It looks like they ran a line set,no more ,no less. It should be covered,then it won't look at all. Do you include sheet rock work in your bids? Never mind,I think I know your answer . If this is so unacceptable ,why don't you go take care of the problem,at no cost to her?

No it is not the contractors fault and I already said that earlier. I also said that I knew they were running them exposed when I discussed it during the sale of the A/C.
1. I never complained about the exposed lines, I asked if their location next to the heating vent was a problem. THat was the question I asked if you read post #1. The discussion on the exposed lines started when I posted the pictures.

2. I later complained about the fact that the vent cover cannot be replaced in the gaping hole in the duct because the lines are running over it. Would you do that when running lines, from reading what you've said, I doubt it.
What would have been nice is to be able to cover them without paying for an extension on the ductwork. They could have easily placed the lines ABOVE the vent hole in the duct.

3. I knew I would have to hire someone to cover the exposed lines because A/C technicians are not drywallers in my experience.

It all amounts to a sloppy job and one way or another it will be fixed. To what extent I have to go to get this done will be solved in the future.

Thanks for your comments anyway, no matter what you think of me, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

[beenthere]

It's a she first of all. Is it the contractors fault she didn't read the contract? NO. It looks like they ran a line set,no more ,no less. It should be covered,then it won't look at all. Do you include sheet rock work in your bids? Never mind,I think I know your answer . If this is so unacceptable ,why don't you go take care of the problem,at no cost to her?

If I'm going to be pulling the drywall, or running exposed lines or ducts, I give them the option of using a contractor that I recommend, or one of their own preference.
Thats a very easy consideration to offer to the customer. Customers like if you give them options before you make pull down drywall in THEIR house, or run a duct down a wall.
It also makes sure there is no confusion about how something is going to be
ran.

Chase work should be include in the price. or a contractor to do the chase work should be recommended.

So do you commonly just run your line sets like this?

Customers do us a favor by awarding the work to us. We can at least do the work in a professional and astectic manor. One that when their friends or relatives see and ask about. Promotes using us. Not laughing at us.

[dbg305]

Sorry If I offended you.I see a few guys here calling YOUR contractor,the one YOU chose hacks. I don't see it that way. If they were hacks,would they bother to pull permits?Call YOUR inspection agency if there's a problem with the wires. It passed inspection,correct? So it can't be all that hacky,can it?

not a problem. I did not see an inspector here at all, the only person I saw was the person who sold me the A/C. He may be qualified to inspect the work, that's what I assumed. Maybe they didn't even get a permit, I do know that A/C does not require a building permit but it does require electrical. I never saw the permit and again I should have asked for it. Another naive choice that I made. The fact that I had previous experience with this company and it is a 'family company', I certainly expected the same kind of expertise I saw with the previous installations, but then my husband was alive at the time and dealt with them and that can make a difference with some people, though it shouldn't in this day and age.

I still have that one question which I hope you will answer: Are the copper pipes used in this kind of installation soft and bendable like hot water pipes or are they made of the old copper hard pipe. This is my main concern in the furnace room and if they are hard pipes it sounds like I really have nothing to worry about in there either.

As for the electrical I can have the hydro shut down and put a screw in the plate that falls out every time you lift the lid and that will solve the problem of the exposed wires.

Thanks again :)

[the dangling wrangler]

Thanks for your comments anyway, no matter what you think of me, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

Believe it or not,I don't have a bone to pick with you.From what I've read ,you kinda remind me of my mother! I don't think you're asking a lot from the contractor. But if they do it for gratis, then I'd really be surprised. You might be a better customer than you think. ask them to do what you want under the original contract. The most they can say is no. Take Care.

[beenthere]

Thank you :)
Sorry about my gender confusion. ooops :(

[the dangling wrangler]

not a problem. I did not see an inspector here at all, the only person I saw was the person who sold me the A/C. He may be qualified to inspect the work, that's what I assumed. Maybe they didn't even get a permit, I do know that A/C does not require a building permit but it does require electrical. I never saw the permit and again I should have asked for it. Another naive choice that I made. The fact that I had previous experience with this company and it is a 'family company', I certainly expected the same kind of expertise I saw with the previous installations, but then my husband was alive at the time and dealt with them and that can make a difference with some people, though it shouldn't in this day and age.

I still have that one question which I hope you will answer: Are the copper pipes used in this kind of installation soft and bendable like hot water pipes or are they made of the old copper hard pipe. This is my main concern in the furnace room and if they are hard pipes it sounds like I really have nothing to worry about in there either.

As for the electrical I can have the hydro shut down and put a screw in the plate that falls out every time you lift the lid and that will solve the problem of the exposed wires.

Thanks again :)

Looks like that copper is from a roll,as wavey as it is . Not hard drawn . So,I guess it COULD bend easier . Sounds like you might need a new disconnect box.They SHOULD be able to work with you on that small of an item.

[dbg305]

If I'm going to be pulling the drywall, or running exposed lines or ducts, I give them the option of using a contractor that I recommend, or one of their own preference.
Thats a very easy consideration to offer to the customer. Customers like if you give them options before you make pull down drywall in THEIR house, or run a duct down a wall.
It also makes sure there is no confusion about how something is going to be
ran.

Chase work should be include in the price. or a contractor to do the chase work should be recommended.

So do you commonly just run your line sets like this?

Customers do us a favor by awarding the work to us. We can at least do the work in a professional and astectic manor. One that when their friends or relatives see and ask about. Promotes using us. Not laughing at us.

Thanks beenthere you just gave me another reason I can use when I call them on Monday. I will offer to show my neighbours their handiwork. I have already posted on a Canadian site where home owners who have had work done comment on the quality of the work. It wasn't a flattering recommendation at all. It can be edited if they give me what I want.

The person who sold the A/C to me looked about 20 years old or less and he is the one who showed up to do the inspections. He is related to the owner. This company is located in the town I live in and has lots of competition. With the heat wave they were very busy, but that doesn't excuse the job IMHO. When he sold me the A/C he did not tell me about the warranties that came with it, he offered me two units, entry level and the next one up from that and when I asked about the ones that were Energy Star compliant and would provide me with a rebate, he quoted me a price that was double the entry level one. I found the warranty information online at the manufacturers website while he was here and chose the higher line one after he had pushed the Entry Level one. The difference in warranties was significant. He told me while he was here that he was a service guy not a salesman and I would definitely agree with that.

I was so anxious to get the A/C up and running that I made the mistakes, but relied on them to be professionals. So most of what happened was my fault.

[beenthere]

Unfortunately, many people find themselves in a bind when their A/C suddenly dies. And it can be hard to endure the heat and make a wise choice at the same time.

Where you only have to make choices about your HVAC system once ebery 15 years or so.
As contractors, we do this pretty much on a daily basis. And should know better.

[the dangling wrangler]

Chase work should be include in the price. or a contractor to do the chase work should be recommended.

So do you commonly just run your line sets like this?


It really doesn't matter how I would have run the line set.If I wanted to be a GC,then I would have . I have enough trouble keeping my own appointments,let alone a sheet rockers.What happens when the outside people drop the ball,and your customer complains about it to you?I wish I was the perfect contractor,but in reality ,NONE of us are.

[beenthere]

If the outside contractor drops the ball, then they didn't use the contractor I recommend. And I would remind them they choose to use the wrong contractor.

Don't have to be perfect to be considerate.

[the dangling wrangler]

Yea,OK.

[DanW13]

Wow !!! I didn't expect this post to grow as it did.... But I have a question for the Dangling wrangler, You stated that this install looks ok to oyu and from reading your answers within this post I supspect you would do this type of install in your own home, YES ??? Or would you do a better job than these guys did for this OP, as beenthere stated that other epople will see this work and ask who did it and may or may not want to use the contractor who did the work. If this was your home I bet you would do a much better job than this, but as I see it these guys did not take the time to do the best job they knew how to do since it seems it didn't bother them that there work is a reflection of who and how they work. Me when I do something for my customers I do the best I know how and treat there home as if it were my own and most of the time I go above and beyound in most cases to make the customer happy and I know that when I leave there home that when they need service later on I know they are going to call me back. If I were in this line of work I would have tried to run this line some other way if at all possible and explain to the customer why it would be a better choice, in the service industry it's the little things that matter most to customers, but that's my opinion. I get the feeling that since it was written linset exposed and if you were doing this job you would have done the same type of work judging from your answer to the OP and others who have responded. Just remember your work is a reflection of who you are not only as a person but as a tradesman and wheather or not you care about the quaility and craftsmanship you poses.

[dbg305]

I agree with you DanW13 I never expected this thread to be so long. I thank you all the dangling wrangler, beenthere and the others who answered my original post for giving me the information I need about my A/C. :D

I haven't figured which angle I will take with the company yet because I want to start out just asking questions about why the lines were run that way pointing out the problems to them. Starting off angry usually doesn't get anyone anywhere. That is the main reason I posted here, to find out what was acceptable and what wasn't so I'd have a better idea what I was going to say to them.

I hope to talk to the owner of the company rather than the one who dealt with me, and ask him to come and inspect the work that was done. Then if necessary I will escalate to things like "my neighbours have asked to see your work so they can decide if they will use you, do you want me to let them see it?" I have asked my son when he comes to take some more pictures showing the different connections more clearly and the lines over the vent in the duct. I will also ask about the electric box outside and if it should be covered with the plate. If the company asks I can always send them pictures of their handiwork.

The main problem with that gaping vent hole in the duct is that whoever is in that room will freeze because its in the basement and it is recommended that you block all basement ducts during the cooling season.

The day the original A/C was found to be broken was the first scorching day this year. Of course all the HVAC companies were wild with people like myself. It has cooled down this week to the 70's and has been raining most of the week so they shouldn't be as busy as they were then. We hadn't turned the breaker on until the day before the heat wave so hadn't checked to see if it was working. Last year it was fine, though it was not as cold as usual but I had no idea it was going to die at the start of the season.

Anyway thanks again all of you for your expertise and feedback. I had no problem with the gender switch because in most cases it would be a man posting here. I also took no offense at any of the other things because I realize you are answering tons of different posts and could easily forget details from one to the other.

You guys are great! :)