Please Help!! McQuay vs. ICECAP

[GBCHUS]

My apartment was fully renovated last winter and three PTACs were installed. When starting up the A/Cs last week I discovered that ICECAP (made in China) units were installed rather than the McQuay (made in USA) units which were specified in the contract? Does anyone know why? Are ICECAP cheaper? Should I insist they be changed? If the ICECAP units are just as good can they be fitted with an external thermostat or remote control? What are the pitfalls to insisting they be changed? What are the benefits? What could the contractor say in his defense?
Sincere thanks for your help...

[beenthere]

Don't post the same question in different forums.

[GBCHUS]

Easy there big fella, no harm meant, just wanted to direct it to the correct forum.

Funny, though, judging by the number of replies I'm starting to see the answer for myself...

[neophytes serendipity]

Yes, they were probably cheaper. Did the bid go down? Did the contractor sub Icecap units in the proposal and you missed it?

If the other brand and model numbers were called out in the specs, and someone made a substitution, was the substitution approved?

If no approval was given, there is some leverage.

The question I would ask concerns serviceability and parts availability. If that Icecap unit conks out, can you get service and parts?

[GBCHUS]

No, the bid didn't go down... It was a total renovation. Because it's an old building we HAD to have an architect submit plans. He was paid by us to act as the GC. Obviously the sub did this... The architect is looking to see if a submission was approved.

Service and parts aside, do you know of any quality issues?

Also I really want a remote installed. Currently the control/thermostat is burried in the cabinet--It's really awkward to get to.

But even if I have the right to say "switch-em," is it worth it?

Thank you for replying!

[neophytes serendipity]

Don't know anything about either piece of equipment in particular, so can't comment.

If the substitution wasn't approved, there ya go.

Is it worth it to change? Well, I guess that would depend on the amount of rework (if any) to get the McQuay units and sleeves installed.

How nicely do you think a tenant is going to handle an akward stat control? I see lots of service calls there....

[BaldLoonie]

McQuay has been doing PTACs since they invented them. Icecap doesn't have that history. My suspicion would agree that they probably were cheaper. Some of the McQuay models are built like tanks to last 25 years instead of 10 for the cheapos. If the contract called for McQuay I'd probably ask that I get what was agreed upon.

[GBCHUS]

BaldLoonie and Neophytes Serendipity ... Thank you for your help and answers!