I need a new Heat Pump and I have questions.

[Jultzya]

Originally posted by rkm
I think you misinterpreted my question? I read the forum rules that is why I didn't post my prices of the units I found.

First, site rules state no pricing, so it has been removed from your first post.

Originally posted by rkm
I am not a tech. as you guys well know. I know nothing about the name are they a good system or is it a "Internet Queen" so to speak for those who think they can do it themselves. Again I am not nor would I ever attempt to install it myself. I have a HVAC Foreman friend for that.

rkm, your questions have an open end of answers.

The equipment matters very little. As any and all equipment DEPENDS on a qualified installer to properly size, install and set up the equipment to operate with-in the manufactures specifications.

So in the end, the equipment is only as good as the installer. So, get the best installer you can find and go with the equipment he recommends.

As to having your friend do this on the side... well, what kind of warranty is he going to provide?
Is he going to be around when it breaks at the most inconvenient times?
Since he's doing this for BEER and PIZZA, do you also expect him to do a qualified job that will last 15-20 years?
Is it worth the risk of losing a good friend over saving a little money?
Just some things to think about...

[Advanced Response]

The last post by Jules summed it up..

Many people in this business have be doing it wrong for yrs upon yrs.. Who know your friend might be one of them..

Get a quality contractor and go with the brand he recommends..

Just check out the thread "Did I buy the wrong furnace" by Jeff.. He did not buy the wrong furnace, he did not find the right contractor!!

If your friend was qualified, he would be able to answer your questions and would be able to provide the brand he recommends.. You would not have to get one of the internet!!

Do it the first time Right.. Or try, try again!!!

Good luck
J

[re2ell]

Originally posted by rkm


Is the new refrigerant something to keep in mind for servicing down the road. Should I make sure I have the new style if I choose to replace this year?

[Edited by rkm on 03-15-2006 at 10:55 PM]

rkm, you might want to read this on the issue of what you might face down the road. Some pretty good info presented here.

http://www.corp.carrier.com/static/C...WhitePaper.pdf

[xv80satisfiedcust]

Like I said on another post, I got a Trane furnace installed (Trane authorized seller/installer) for not much more than a Goodman (but, I picked the lowest of the Trane quotes and only had 1 Goodman quote). Hint - the Trane website does NOT show all Trane dealers in your area. They rotate the list.

Get quotes on Goodman brand if you are really trying to save money on initial purchase price. I would have a (professionally installed) Goodman installed before I would have a friend install a Do It Yourself of ANY brand (dangerous operation).

Maybe the company that installed my Trane wasn't the most skilled or most expensive, but several places I lived had trouble free Trane equipment made in the 1980s and 1990s still running in 2006 (all NOT Do It Yourself installs) - most were apartments !

The "Did I Buy The Wrong Furnace" thread -- I truly believe this customer shopped until someone told him his ducts were ok and he could have a large (regular - non high velocity) furnace installed. That thread should be archived forever under "Ductwork" or "Load Calc" nightmares.

By the time this guy gets finished, radiators with boiler heat would probably be cheaper ! He probably heard all the advice of HVAC Talk from his bidders and didn't believe them. Swapping out the insides of a furnace - I hope the real "Bryant" reads about this. I would bet money they wouldn't recommend it. That thread almost sounds like DIY (or soon to be).

The professionals on HVAC Talk are giving you VERY good advice. Read all the horror stories. These don't happen by coincidence. (I'm studying a lot in prep for future central AC decision - procrastination you know).

[beenthere]

Originally posted by rkm
Actuall the quality of the install from my friend should be great. This is what he does. The only problem would be the equipment. If it were a bunch of B.S. That I dunno from the Brands. I could always see if our local HVAC guys service the brands if I absolutely had to go that route. They do service contracts all the time.

At one point you were interested in parts and labor warranty.
If your friend does the install on the side, then you have no labor warranty from the factory.

Will your friend get out of bed at 2 in the morning when you have no heat, and come right over and fix it.

Doesn't matter which brand it is, it could have a failure 6 monthes down the road.

You know the quality of your contractor, by the service he performs after he has your money.

[dan sw fl]

Originally posted by xv80satisfiedcust
Like I said on another post, I got a Trane furnace installed (Trane authorized seller/installer) for not much more than a Goodman (but, I picked the lowest of the Trane quotes and only had 1 Goodman quote).

The "Did I Buy The Wrong Furnace" thread -- I truly believe this customer shopped until someone told him his ducts were ok and he could have a large (regular - non high velocity) furnace installed. That thread should be archived forever under "Ductwork" or "Load Calc" nightmares.

That thread almost sounds like DIY (or soon to be).

Read all the horror stories. These don't happen by coincidence.

Perhaos, the OP of this thread is wishing for
a second place finish to
The "Did I Buy The Wrong Furnace" thread.

Time is the Essence of Truth.

[tony82164]

Originally posted by tostaos
Is the new refrigerant something to keep in mind for servicing down the road. Should I make sure I have the new style if I choose to replace this year?

There is already replacement refrigerant for R22 systems, so service for the next 20 years is not a problem. R410a systems will last longer when correctly installed.

You better have some $$$$'s if you have a leak with R410A R-22 will be here after 20 because you will be able to buy recovered R-22.

[beenthere]

Originally posted by tony82164

Originally posted by tostaos
Is the new refrigerant something to keep in mind for servicing down the road. Should I make sure I have the new style if I choose to replace this year?

There is already replacement refrigerant for R22 systems, so service for the next 20 years is not a problem. R410a systems will last longer when correctly installed.

You better have some $$$$'s if you have a leak with R410A R-22 will be here after 20 because you will be able to buy recovered R-22.

True, but you won't be able to buy an R22 compressor, so you'll be getting an R410a system anyway.


No way to know how much that recovered R22 will cost, it could cost more then R410a.

[rkm]

So far it seems that I can't get a good labor warranty. Everyone wants to cover the parts but the labor warranty is optional and needs to be purchaced. It looks like I may go with my brother inlaw and put in a new Carrier/Goodman or whatever brand I find I like that he can get. I forgot about him. No he isn't going to show up at my house at 2 a.m. but I will get a good install. The warranty will be that of a manufacture, just like the most of them are anyway. Then, when, if something happens I'll wait my turn for a reputable local HVAC company to come and fix my problem. Then I may pay for the service contract that they will gladly show me. All in all. I can almost assure you that I will have 1/2 the price of a newly installed system from my local dealer.

[pecmsg]

Fat Eddie

Do What You Want

[cmorris]

Just keep in mind, no dealer is going to warranty any equipment bought on line, at least none in my area will. So if your friend is going to provide you with a warranty, meaning buying replacment parts for busted parts out of his pocket, which I doubt, then you need to do what you came here for. Follow advise given.

Now you say well if I buy the best brand then there won't be any busted parts to replace. Same parts in all units baring compressors. So even the best brands fail at times.


As far as R-22 and R410-a, its hard for me to believe that somewhere out there somebody isn't going to find a drop-in replacement for 22 at the same operating temps/press.

[Steve Wiggins]

rkm,

1. Use existing undersized, unsealed ductwork with the stamp faced grilles.
2. Oversize your equipment - bigger is always better
3. Buy any brand over the internet
4. Have your brother-out-law install it for you
5. Don't bother with permits or inspections
6. Buy a nice washable allergy free electrostatic air filter to keep that sweet machine sparkling clean
7. Buy you a nice home warranty to cover any unexpected repair expenses
8. Get "locked-in" to a PM agreement from a large local company, again the bigger the better
9. Don't bother with secondary condensate protection - save that extra money and spend it on something else
10. Shop "SEER" and don't let anyone talk you out of it, pay no attention to those pesky crankcase heaters, refrigerant safety switches, TXVs & Start kits.
11. Get out your checkbook and be prepared to pay an extra $100 per month to the utility company for the REST OF YOUR SYSTEM'S LIFE.....lets see if your system makes it 20 yrs. which I doubt that would mean you just WASTED $24,000 to save half the price of a legitimate install ...hmmmmm....brilliant, just brilliant.

[rkm]

You know I don't get you guys sometimes. The forum is supposed to be helpful and polite. From "SOME" of you I get smart remarks.

1. My brother in law is like one of you guys. Well not a smart A@#. Does it kill you that a family member is willing to help out another family member. I know it doesn't always work out for some people but or family is close and we help each other out... I don't expect a warranty, nor do they from me when I do wrok for them. I will however fix an issue if something breaks beyond my doing and that also goes the other way around.

If something were to go bad in my system I wouldn't expect my brother inlaw to pay for it. I would expect my manufacturs warranty to correct the issue.

2. I am way past the online heat pump system. I have a friend that does installs for a living and I was thinking of haveing him attempt it IF the unit was worth dealing with. I was just reminded today that my brother inlaw does Heating and Air Conditioning for a living as well. He fixed up my last home and it was awsome with no issues. I forgot all about him. He has access to all the major brands I have be looking at. So it is up to me what one I want.

I assume none of you big time HVAC people on the board will do nothing to help out your imediate family in need of heat or AC. I feel for you if that is true. You guys know who I am talking about. It isn't all of you.

I still haven't put the money down on a system from either my brother inlaw or my local dealer. I am still getting prices.

All I am searching for now is searching for information on all the brands I can. And get quotes from as many pople as possable and listen to selling points they have for them.