AC condenser units?

[dodgejunkie]

The house we bought just over a year ago has a Goodman 5 ton unit that I new was short for this world when we purchased this place. No, I didn't have an HVAC guy check it out, but knew that the unit was 17 years old and probably reaching the end of it's realistic life and needed to be changed to a more efficient unit anyway.

Last year the capacitor went bad and I replaced it, but the compressor still pulls a heavy load on start up. 70 amps at times. I will probably put a hard start cap set on it to get by until next spring. Tech came out for a seasonal check up and verified my thoughts recently.

I could buy a new compressor for around $1500.00 + installation but it will still be an r22 unit.

I could buy a new unit online for roughly $1900.00 + installation for a 2 stage 18 SEER.

Inside air handler is maybe 5 years old, so not an issue.

Here's my question's to you people who know a 1000 times more than me about HVAC.

What do you think is the best option?

What new unit would you recommend if you would replace it.

 

[bonneyman]

Check the nameplate. The start-up amps will be listed as LRA. if the rating is around 70 then the compressor isn't pulling more than it should.

A start-assist kit wouldn't be a bad idea anyway. They make 2-wire styles than even the DIY can install.

If you go for a new condensing unit, it will be 410a. The indoor air handler will be R22. So, even though it's only 5 years old, you'll have to replace it. Or change-out the evap coil to a 410A compatible one.

About buying AC units on-line: Don't. Unless you're refrigerant-certified, the instant you hook it up the warranty is voided. A certified person must do the installation and start-up. Most DIYer's aren't certified, therefore you have no warranty later if something goes wrong. And most contractors won't install customer-bought parts because they have to warranty them as if we bought them ourselves.

On-line sellers know this. They get to undercut the contractors price (with their included mark-up) - and 99% of the time are off the hook concerning the warranty. The DIYer installs it and has no certification? Warranty is voided. Certified contractor did the install? Then call him. It's not that contractors are jerks who just want to gouge more money out of you. We're just trying to get compensation for our training, experience, licensing, insurance, inventory, and warranty requirements.
Alot of people just think that their contractor is taking them for a ride charging so much. In that case I'd recommend you get another contractor who you can trust.

Hope I haven't been too long-winded.

 

[dodgejunkie]

Check the nameplate. The start-up amps will be listed as LRA. if the rating is around 70 then the compressor isn't pulling more than it should.

A start-assist kit wouldn't be a bad idea anyway. They make 2-wire styles than even the DIY can install.

If you go for a new condensing unit, it will be 410a. The indoor air handler will be R22. So, even though it's only 5 years old, you'll have to replace it. Or change-out the evap coil to a 410A compatible one.

About buying AC units on-line: Don't. Unless you're refrigerant-certified, the instant you hook it up the warranty is voided. A certified person must do the installation and start-up. Most DIYer's aren't certified, therefore you have no warranty later if something goes wrong. And most contractors won't install customer-bought parts because they have to warranty them as if we bought them ourselves.

On-line sellers know this. They get to undercut the contractors price (with their included mark-up) - and 99% of the time are off the hook concerning the warranty. The DIYer installs it and has no certification? Warranty is voided. Certified contractor did the install? Then call him. It's not that contractors are jerks who just want to gouge more money out of you. We're just trying to get compensation for our training, experience, licensing, insurance, inventory, and warranty requirements.
Alot of people just think that their contractor is taking them for a ride charging so much. In that case I'd recommend you get another contractor who you can trust.

Hope I haven't been too long-winded.

Thanks for the input, great info too.

Ok then, Here's where I'm at. The tag numbers RLA 28.2 LRA 170

Last year it would darn near pull 200 amps at start up then shut itself down. Put a new CAP on it and it came down to 70 amps at start up.

The HVAC guy said it was too high for this unit.

I have been in the trades also (not H&C though), and I would let them purchase the items discussed, and obviously have them do the install. I just pulled a number off the internet for baseline cost. I do not however want to be gouged, and would get more than a few bids.

We have only lived in this state a few years and haven't developed trust with any service companies yet.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

I agree with B-man... We just moved to another city from our home 30 miles away and I feel your pain. I am having incredibly hard times finding competent HVAC companies. I had bids done on some HVAC work at our house that were not even in the stratosphere. I don't know whether the HVAC companies knew I was just new in town or just certified goofy...There are good contractors out here but the average of getting a bad one is creeping higher. I have never had a issue with paying a contractor his asking, but when they are trying to make over a thousand dollars an hour from me... I decline the bid...

That being said, I think one has to find people that have had HVAC work done and see whether they would recommend using their service people...

I think you are a lot better off just replacing the unit but, let a service company do it. It sounds like the internet purchase could really get complicated. In my town one cannot even buy refrigeration PARTS without a EPE certification . And my experience with contractors is, they really do not care for the customer furnishing parts. It makes the warranties complicated and it takes from them a part of their livelihood of making some money on the equipment sale. JMO and Good luck on your project !

 

[bonneyman]

Thanks for the input, great info too.

Ok then, Here's where I'm at. The tag numbers RLA 28.2 LRA 170

Last year it would darn near pull 200 amps at start up then shut itself down. Put a new CAP on it and it came down to 70 amps at start up.

The HVAC guy said it was too high for this unit.

I have been in the trades also (not H&C though), and I would let them purchase the items discussed, and obviously have them do the install. I just pulled a number off the internet for baseline cost. I do not however want to be gouged, and would get more than a few bids.

We have only lived in this state a few years and haven't developed trust with any service companies yet.

If it's starting and then running at 28 amps or less then you should be OK. Really hard to play phone doctor on AC's. They tend to bite me in the ****.

Finding a reputable company ain't easy. Here's a few tips:
Call the local registrar of contractors. They can tell you if a certain company is licensed or not.
Ask any company that comes out to your place for their physical license card. I'm proud to show mine. (Cost me enough!!!)
Call the BBB. They have a list of all companies, and any complaints against them. Not that you will not hire a company who has any complaints (we all make mistakes!) but if and how were the complaints resolved.
Talk to your friends and neighbors, Who are they using? Are they happy with them? Do they come back out promptly for any problems? Word of mouth is worth it's weight in gold.
Don't be sold on ultra-high efficiency systems. The extra cost at install will takes years of energy savings to pay back.