ductwork issue

[tipsrfine]

I'm interested about these 3 companies who came out and couldn't deliver an answer to the complaint. Are they licenced HVAC contractors? Handyman type of people?
Specifically, did the OP here contact 3 different licenced HVAC contractors and neither one of them had a clue?

?

[ajtalorico]

one for certain was a HVAC, because that was the one i told my wife to call.

he never went into the attic, he removed some dirty air cleaners, left me with a bill for $95 and was supposed to have someone follow up. no one did

dont know what the other guys were to be honest, but they didn't do anything.

i dont think this is a rare or even complicated problem, my limited knowledge and 20 minutes with a flashlight and I think I figured it out.

I emailed the HVAC company and asked them to come back and take a look after listening to what you guys said.

i think there is a pretty big issue in terms of workmanship, or just short cuts

[timebuilder]

Depending on the age of the installation, it may have been done at at time when rules of thumb were used instead of calculations.

Where are you located?

[ajtalorico]

Depending on the age of the installation, it may have been done at at time when rules of thumb were used instead of calculations.

Where are you located?

Im in Western Pa, I think it was done in 2003..

where would I look to find out who did the work, a mark or signature of sorts?

[timebuilder]

If you could contact the first owners, you could ask. But, they may not know. If it is a part of a development, the the company may still know who the subs were.

It's probably better to make some calls and ask for someone to do a heat load calc and a manual D. If they say, "what's that" then thank them for their time and call the next HVAC co on the list.

Someone in your area knows how to do this. How far are you from Pittsburgh?

[lynn comstock]

....Are flexible insulated ducts a good product for this application, They are a good product. and do they reduce air flow? Yes, compared to smooth sheet metal of the same size.

Would a booster fan do the trick installed close to where the duct drops down the wall? Mabybe.

Can I wire the booster fan to the control board humidifier connection I don't know. and a hot line so it only runs when the blower operates? There are ways to make a booster fan run with the system fan.

Your idea could work or it could fail, it depends on the fan chosen and the proper installation of the fan. That is the rub.

[genduct]

agreed, I know better. unfortunately most of the service calls were my wife calling them when I was at work, and me giving in to save my eardrums.

now that i have actually gone into the attic I see the issue, and from what it looks like to me, there is no way air is going to make it all the way down that long flexible line,

My idea was a booster fan, but I was also debating running 10inch trunk through that OWL line so at least it is insulated and then use a booster at the furthest point from the main before the duct runs down the wall?

does that make sense?

You "system" doesn't deliver, and probably never has So do you have a claim against the person who sold you the home and didn't disclose that info OR the original builder/ subs whose insurance is always going to be available since it wasn't done right in the first place.
That only means you need to document the current situation and the fix, which as I stated earlier, is a real trunk duct with flex branches that could be flex connections salvaged from you current install.

[timebuilder]

You "system" doesn't deliver, and probably never has So do you have a claim against the person who sold you the home and didn't disclose that info OR the original builder/ subs whose insurance is always going to be available since it wasn't done right in the first place.
That only means you need to document the current situation and the fix, which as I stated earlier, is a real trunk duct with flex branches that could be flex connections salvaged from you current install.

Most states do not expect a homeowner to have professional expertise of any kind on a seller's disclosure, unless they fall into a category where they obviously DO have expertise, and even THAT fact must be disclosed in Pa.

It is unlikely that you would have any claim against a company that did the install unless warranty of serviceability or sufficiency was offered to the property owner at that time.

That would not typically happen.

It's now up to you to have it fixed right. When you sell, keep your docs and mention the repairs (and permits) as a part of your sales info.

[genduct]

Funny how there doesn't seem to be a time limit on anything that wasn't done right in the first place.
Served as an expert witness for 300 Condo unit job that was 10 years old before they went after the builder, sub, and manufacturer ( I supported the manufacturer's point of view) and the case continued forward and WAS NOT THROWN OUT because of time limit.

That one year limited liability thing is not solid, in my experience. Oh and the contractors defense was they DID IT ACCORDING TO THE CODE. And you know what? They were telling the truth. So if you are hanging your hat on Code Compliance, I think you should reconsider that approach as well

[timebuilder]

Funny how there doesn't seem to be a time limit on anything that wasn't done right in the first place.
Served as an expert witness for 300 Condo unit job that was 10 years old before they went after the builder, sub, and manufacturer ( I supported the manufacturer's point of view) and the case continued forward and WAS NOT THROWN OUT because of time limit.

That one year limited liability thing is not solid, in my experience. Oh and the contractors defense was they DID IT ACCORDING TO THE CODE. And you know what? They were telling the truth. So if you are hanging your hat on Code Compliance, I think you should reconsider that approach as well

Let's stipulate that the court system in Philadelphia plays a role here. As for myself, I would sooner hang my hat on what my attorney tells me are the requirements for expected performance and workmanlike installations.

Most codes I see spell out that the manufactures' requirements supersede code requirements.

I don't have time for a call today, but how did the story end???

[ajtalorico]

You "system" doesn't deliver, and probably never has So do you have a claim against the person who sold you the home and didn't disclose that info OR the original builder/ subs whose insurance is always going to be available since it wasn't done right in the first place.
That only means you need to document the current situation and the fix, which as I stated earlier, is a real trunk duct with flex branches that could be flex connections salvaged from you current install.

the previous owner was a relocation company, however I am trying to find who did the mechanicals. all of this was done in 2003 or 2004 when the previous owner extensively remodeled the home.

where would there be a service tag if you guys did the work?

[timebuilder]

The only "tag" I typically see is a sticker, usually on the furnace.

That does not mean the same Co did the ductwork, either.

[genduct]

I would sooner hang my hat on what my attorney tells me are the requirements for expected performance and workmanlike installations.

That's what some Philly Lawyers paid me to do... Explain it to them! Maybe your guy knows as much about the IRC as he does the UCC. That would be interesting if true. Thing is in Philly or any other place, the contractor is perceived to have held themselves out as the "EXPERT" to the less than informed CONSUMER and wooo to those who don't follow the rules. What rules did you ask? well I am convinced that the latest ACCA best Practices were instituted to define just that so every thing else that a lawyer could think of wasn't included as well

ajtalorico, did they pull a permit? Main point is you have a problem and need someone who understands this stuff to sort it out. If you are going to be living there, don't feel bad about fixing the problem, you'll probably save that cost times 10 with lower operating costs. If it turns out that the installing contractor was in fact at fault, well that just means you might be able to recover some of your repairs. An economic decision you'll need to make