mygarageone
Well-known member
Now we are jerks because we are in business and want to make living and a profit ?
a rant for the HVAC guys
- Thread starter volaredon
- Start date
RustFarmer
Well-known member
My jerk comment was directed at supply houses that won't sell to the public. You as a contractor are fine, unless you are colluding with the supply houses, causing them to not sell to the public. Or, colluding with the AHJs to give DIYers a hard time. Why do you think Chicago building codes require copper pipe and conduit?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collusion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collusion
hurstscrambler
Member
Most will sell to the public, but it's not home depot. They wont sell you things that you need to have an EPA certification for. There not gonna tell you how to fix your furnace, and there not gonna let you return installed electrical parts that have been jammed back in the box because it wasn't the issue. IM still not sure how a supplier that caters to there target customers first and foremost are the bad guys.... Puzzling....
comedyman809
Well-known member
supply houses are for the trades, bottom line. it eliminates, death, burnt down houses, lawsuits, dumb questions, major returns, minor returns, injuries, unlicensed work, and the need for silly holiday sales.
they make plenty of profit, the contractors rely on them because they get serious discounts when they are large purchasers, keeps the local guys able to work. im for a good economy, and the local tradesman is who i would hire first when im unsure how to do a job, if i want to take my chances, im lucky enough to be able to purchase at any supply house since im a tradesman.
manufacturers of all this equipment have contracts with these suppliers and do not want joe homeowner attempting to install their product, then returning it when its toast.
listen homeowner, they dont need your business, nor do they want it, so stay out. its safer for them that way. you want to be a DIY'er than go to the Lowes or HD and shop like a DIY'er.
they make plenty of profit, the contractors rely on them because they get serious discounts when they are large purchasers, keeps the local guys able to work. im for a good economy, and the local tradesman is who i would hire first when im unsure how to do a job, if i want to take my chances, im lucky enough to be able to purchase at any supply house since im a tradesman.
manufacturers of all this equipment have contracts with these suppliers and do not want joe homeowner attempting to install their product, then returning it when its toast.
listen homeowner, they dont need your business, nor do they want it, so stay out. its safer for them that way. you want to be a DIY'er than go to the Lowes or HD and shop like a DIY'er.
mygarageone
Well-known member
Some day Joe home owner will buy some part from some supply house or Lowes or whom ever and he will either blow up his house burn it down Then guess what , there will be a law suit against the seller because they should not have sold the part to a novice.
Mark it down it is going to happen some day.
Mark it down it is going to happen some day.
comedyman809
Well-known member
im sure it has already happened
neel2008
Well-known member
Also being in the auto repair industry, I can understand where many of you are coming from. If someone told me I can't buy something for some bla bla ******** reason, I would be insulted as well. Especially when being used to working in the auto industry both behind the counter and in the shop. I really have to watch what I charge a customer for a part because anyone can jump on Autozone on their phone and get a price that is usually not much more than my cost really.....and I am on the "highest tier" (best pricing) autozone offers....and I price out most items from 4 companies and have them price match each other all the time. Just so I can make $20 on a $80 item or so (normally no more than say 10% over retail to avoid the customer whining) and try and try to turn a profit overall at the end of the month....Hard to rely on labor alone. You HVAC might as well enjoy your special club as long as you can I guess......It won't be that way forever.....
And guess what, people kill themselves working on anything......not just HVAC stuff. It's just kind of how things work, someone chooses to do it, so be it.... The ridiculous law suits could be protected against with some sort of signed agreement that would be done before parts are sold.
And guess what, people kill themselves working on anything......not just HVAC stuff. It's just kind of how things work, someone chooses to do it, so be it.... The ridiculous law suits could be protected against with some sort of signed agreement that would be done before parts are sold.
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comedyman809
Well-known member
its not that people hurt themselves, its that they like to sue everyone that was involved in the sale. a supply house cant really survive with lawsuits that involve stupid people.
kendogg
Well-known member
hurstscrambler
Member
But, it apparently IS different, because some HVAC suppliers choose not to sell to non professional installers, but AutoZone will sell to anyone that fogs a mirror.
kendogg
Well-known member
I know right? I can burn up an ECU, a solid-state fan blower relay, light a car on fire, or any number of other things. And Autozone is still going to tell me to **** in my hat, just like the HVAC vendors, when I try to return the electrical parts. So, the difference is what again??
If enough of the commercial accounts for an autoparts store simply refused to buy anything if they sold to anybody off the street then it might change. At least a significant price difference would be a start. We have an account at one of the local parts stores and the difference between the off the street pricing and our account pricing is so little that it's almost not worth it to put stuff on the account.
Some manufacturers will only sell to their authorized dealers, this insures at least some reasonable expectation of quality will be used during install.
As a pro if I walk into a supply house on a regular basis and have to wait while harry homeowner tries to get the counter guy(who may sell furnaces but has never fixed one in his life) to diagnose a problem and then argue over the cost of a part that he may or may not need then I try to do as little business with that supplier as I can. We had a supplier that started doing that a few years ago and we simply moved our business to other suppliers, about 10-12k a month in parts and supplies, they were later bought out and after returning to wholesale only got a good bit of that business back.
HoosierBuddy
Well-known member
I'm coming to this thread late, but thought I might add my thoughts.
I've worked with many HVAC guys "in the real world" and they've all been extremely helpful to me in allowing me to do any work that I felt I could handle myself, from putting in a new t-stat, to installing a boiler, a furnace, whatever. I remember the first furnace I installed, my HVAC guy got me the furnace wholesale then came out and inspected it for me for free. Liked what he saw, BTW.
The internet is a different beast. If you want to be crucified, go over to the HVAC forum and ask for DIY advice. I get that. That forum is really for HVAC professionals not the general public.
The Garage Journal isn't really for just professionals so asking for DIY advice in a subforum called Heating and Air should be expected. HVAC pros may find it is not worth their time and effort to respond, or they may find that some of the misinformation being bantered around is too much to take and decide to throw their 2 cents in...but it would be best to make any critique useful to the OP not just "gut reaction" that DIY and HVAC don't mix.
Now to the other side of this debate...the HVAC guys I know all work really hard, long hours, especially during extreme weather and (at least to my knowledge) none of them are getting rich even with substantial markups. In fact, in the rural area around me the number of guys that even do heating and air conditioning has been dropping steadily for the last 20 years. So, it doesn't appear to be a goldmine to me!
Back to the OP's original question...the best way to get HVAC parts is cultivate a relationship with a professional that will help you out in a pinch or go online to buy. Personally, I do both and keep spares of common parts (like igniters or zone pumps) on hand for immediate use.
Phil
I've worked with many HVAC guys "in the real world" and they've all been extremely helpful to me in allowing me to do any work that I felt I could handle myself, from putting in a new t-stat, to installing a boiler, a furnace, whatever. I remember the first furnace I installed, my HVAC guy got me the furnace wholesale then came out and inspected it for me for free. Liked what he saw, BTW.
The internet is a different beast. If you want to be crucified, go over to the HVAC forum and ask for DIY advice. I get that. That forum is really for HVAC professionals not the general public.
The Garage Journal isn't really for just professionals so asking for DIY advice in a subforum called Heating and Air should be expected. HVAC pros may find it is not worth their time and effort to respond, or they may find that some of the misinformation being bantered around is too much to take and decide to throw their 2 cents in...but it would be best to make any critique useful to the OP not just "gut reaction" that DIY and HVAC don't mix.
Now to the other side of this debate...the HVAC guys I know all work really hard, long hours, especially during extreme weather and (at least to my knowledge) none of them are getting rich even with substantial markups. In fact, in the rural area around me the number of guys that even do heating and air conditioning has been dropping steadily for the last 20 years. So, it doesn't appear to be a goldmine to me!
Back to the OP's original question...the best way to get HVAC parts is cultivate a relationship with a professional that will help you out in a pinch or go online to buy. Personally, I do both and keep spares of common parts (like igniters or zone pumps) on hand for immediate use.
Phil
I've ran into the same thing and it drives me crazy. I discovered I can use my company name when buying from these "wholesale only" guys, even though I'm in IT. Works like a charm and I never get questioned.
My advice would be to pick a large local company name and run with it.
My advice would be to pick a large local company name and run with it.
Trey T
Well-known member
Welcome to America, guys! It's capitalism and they can do whatever want to compete or not compete in the industry.
As much as I agreed with the OP, that's just how it is. You're fighting a losing battle. If I want to buy refrigerants, I have to take the EPA test. NO PROBLEM!
Ever wonder why America has the highest labor cost? It's capitalism, and you can protect the industry with BS. That's why you always hear the saying "business is business." You're allow to conduct businesses within confined laws, and it's all a big game!
As much as I agreed with the OP, that's just how it is. You're fighting a losing battle. If I want to buy refrigerants, I have to take the EPA test. NO PROBLEM!
Ever wonder why America has the highest labor cost? It's capitalism, and you can protect the industry with BS. That's why you always hear the saying "business is business." You're allow to conduct businesses within confined laws, and it's all a big game!
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This happened today. I go to the supply house for a gas valve. They have 2 counter guys. 1 is out to lunch leaving just 1 counter guy. There were 6 tradesmen already there ahead of me waiting. So whats the counter guy doing? He's digging through a box of o-rings for a homeowner whose trying to fix his leaky faucet and by the questions he was asking, it was obvious he had no idea what he was doing.
After a few minutes, I couldn't contain myself anymore, I said "Bob, really? You probably have $1000+ in billable time here waiting, that someone is paying for and you are looking for a $0.15 o-ring for a customer who isn't even sure what he needs? Send him to the Home Depot or ask him to come back later so we can all get on with our day." I expected some backlash, but the homeowner actually agreed with me and stepped aside.
And this isn't the first time Ive run across this scenario. If someone doesn't know what they are doing, they don't need to be tying up the counter asking the counter guy to answer stupid questions, thats not their job. It's so irritating.
After a few minutes, I couldn't contain myself anymore, I said "Bob, really? You probably have $1000+ in billable time here waiting, that someone is paying for and you are looking for a $0.15 o-ring for a customer who isn't even sure what he needs? Send him to the Home Depot or ask him to come back later so we can all get on with our day." I expected some backlash, but the homeowner actually agreed with me and stepped aside.
And this isn't the first time Ive run across this scenario. If someone doesn't know what they are doing, they don't need to be tying up the counter asking the counter guy to answer stupid questions, thats not their job. It's so irritating.
SportFury59
Well-known member
Nothing to do with supply houses in general, but maybe a solution to not needing that part "right now".
Waay back in 1979 my natural gas furnace stopped working in early November. I called local gas company and they came out. Identified part that was broken. It was cold that afternoon/evening and we had little kids in house so had to have it fixed now. They didn't have part on truck, had to go into town to get it. Added to repair bill (after 5PM). I understood all this as they can't work for free. I also understood that I was very dependent on them.
So the following week I installed a wood stove. Now I had a backup.
I replaced that original 1979 stove in 1985 with a larger one. Still have it. In fact it's blowing warm air as I type. I have a few spare fan motors on shelf, just in case. One came in handy just last year.
So I guess my point is that if you have a backup system you won't have to call that service guy at 9 PM or whatever inconvenient time that furnace decides to take a dump.
Waay back in 1979 my natural gas furnace stopped working in early November. I called local gas company and they came out. Identified part that was broken. It was cold that afternoon/evening and we had little kids in house so had to have it fixed now. They didn't have part on truck, had to go into town to get it. Added to repair bill (after 5PM). I understood all this as they can't work for free. I also understood that I was very dependent on them.
So the following week I installed a wood stove. Now I had a backup.
I replaced that original 1979 stove in 1985 with a larger one. Still have it. In fact it's blowing warm air as I type. I have a few spare fan motors on shelf, just in case. One came in handy just last year.
So I guess my point is that if you have a backup system you won't have to call that service guy at 9 PM or whatever inconvenient time that furnace decides to take a dump.
time was when a dumbaxx did something dumbaxx and got killed he was taken out of the gene pool-now that dumbaxxes are protected from their dumbaxx self by recalls and regulations the dumdaxxes are passing their dumbaxx genes on to the next generation therebye making all of society more dumdaxx in the process I.M.H.O.
Falcon67
Well-known member
HVAC Talk - no DIY, period.
So start all posts with "I have a customer..." 
The car talk business has some merit. When I sold plugs/points/condenser to the guy that answered "that red truck out there" when asked about engine size, it was a little different. Now I'm pretty sure I'd have a different conversation: "I need a replacement computer for my car.""What model, etc?""That grey Honda out there. My brother-in-law says it's the computer." "Um, that part costs $$$$ and since you are not a professional shop, you can't return the part if it's bad or doesn't fix your problem. Are you sure you'd want to do that, or could I refer you to some of our commercial clients for a proper and possibly money saving diagnosis?"
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a haul from home in kankakee but not terrible from work in Joliet.... hafta remember that
I hate to keep going back there, but it has also done so in the auto repair world more than once and as of yet no restrictions on who can buy what.
It ***** that the HVAC industry seems to think that they are the only ones that can "possibly" know how to fix HVAC equipment.
Its wrong to assume that either just because a person isn't specifically an HVAC repair person, they arent capable of doing repairs on HVAC equipment just as it is wrong to assume that just because someone IS in teh HVAC business that they CAN fix it... there are "hacks" and butchers in this trade unfortunately just like there are hack auto repair people and hack roofers and electricians.
I have been an auto technician for most of 25 years and I dont claim to be the best at it, there are those I know can do certain tasks better than me and others that I know that are in my same line of work that I wouldnt trust with a bicycle.
I do tend to lump auto techs/mechanics as "tradesmen" in the same light as HVAC, carpenters, welders, electricians, brick layers, and the like. so as a fellow "tradesman" I should be allowed the same perks as you have just like you guys expect "favors" when your van is down. (meaning you cant do service calls and are "stuck")
and along those lines I never find myself saying things like "oh that guy's a heating/AC guy.... theres no way he can do a brake job or a tuneup"
I wish the auto parts stores could give you a taste of your own medicine in your busiest season
and as for the comment about wanting to DIY go to lowes or H-D; if they had what I needed I would have. but in this case they don't.
I know my limits as to what I can/can't do, what I am willing to "try" or not and when to call in the reserves.
danski0224
Well-known member
danski0224
Well-known member
There are lots of places online that sell HVAC parts to Joe Blow.
Lots of items on eBay have wide price variations.
Supply houses open the doors after hours, but they all charge a fee for that in my area. Maybe the top 10 customers get an exception or some leniency.
I imagine, at some point in the past, supply houses got tired of dealing with homeowners in addition to HVAC people that don't know what they are doing.
I have some experience at a big box retailer, and it is amazing how many thermostats are purchased in an attempt to fix HVAC problems, then these thermostats are returned in torn up packaging that no one will buy.
Big auto parts stores and big box hardware retailers can "afford" liberal return policies in an attempt to grab sales. The damaged product cost is simply spread out in the form of higher prices elsewhere. If you sell a few billion dollars worth of stuff, you can toss a few tens of millions.
HVAC wholesalers choose not to be a "known good parts" source or a "tool rental" source. There's no money in it. What other reasons could there be for ignoring the "potentially huge" DIY sales market? Let's leave out the stuff requiring EPA certification to purchase, so they could sell parts if they wanted to. The Johnstone in my area has a big sign that reads: "No Returns on Electrical Parts", so they must have a problem with supposed HVAC contractors swapping parts and looking to return them when it doesn't fix the problem.
I have seen old equipment with problems that initially seem simple, but there are further problems that condemn the equipment.
A bad igniter on a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger comes to mind.
I just looked at a home with a rusted/cracked open section of flue pipe that the "professional" home inspector missed.
Premature failure of a condensing unit due to improper refrigerant piping. The replacement piping wasn't fixed, and a well known company sticker on the equipment.
I see lots of water heaters with evidence of improper venting and downdrafting.
I've been in a HVAC wholesaler when John Q Public calls looking for free technical advice over the phone, wasting my time for a paying job.
There are plenty of HVAC hack jobs out there, too. Some are the fault of low bid shopping and others are just performed by hacks with good advertising.
I saw one guy at a big box store looking for brass compression tubing hardware to fix his rusted brake lines. So, automotive hacks are out there too.
I'm surprised that more homes don't blow up from natural gas explosions. If only you knew what I have seen attempted with gas piping stuff because it can be purchased at the hardware store. Why doesn't this 1/2" tubing flare connection fit onto 1/2" NPT?
Your ability to troubleshoot HVAC problems from a homeowner perspective is not common. Yes, it ***** that parts availability isn't there. In the end, it is impossible to ignore the significant safety implications resulting from most DIY repair attempts.
Sometimes, stocking up on things like boards isn't great. They don't keep well over time.
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I bought a heat and A/C all in one box and set it on a concrete slab next to the house, then paid the sheet metal guys to install ducts. Hooking up the electric and natural gas was easy for me to do.
If the unit catches fire it can sit out there and burn, wont hurt my house. I've done this to the last two houses I have lived in.
Very easy way to do it at a minimal cost
Stay away from Goodman. My Carrier never needed repair in 17 years, the Goodman needed many repairs in 17 years
If the unit catches fire it can sit out there and burn, wont hurt my house. I've done this to the last two houses I have lived in.
Very easy way to do it at a minimal cost
Stay away from Goodman. My Carrier never needed repair in 17 years, the Goodman needed many repairs in 17 years
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
Ive installed many goodman furnaces and condensors in the past,many are still running 20 plus years later with nothing but normal maintenance.
Carrier equipment on the other hand has always sucked in my experiance anyway,junk A-coils/electronic ignitions.......
Just a generally piss poor built product in my book anyway.
Carrier equipment on the other hand has always sucked in my experiance anyway,junk A-coils/electronic ignitions.......
Just a generally piss poor built product in my book anyway.
kendogg
Well-known member
Have you ever been to an auto parts store that lets you return electrical parts? No? Me either. So, again, all that written above, says absolutely nothing. You're ignoring the similarities. Often times many parts that have been installed cannot be returned.
danski0224
Well-known member
I am almost positive that Advance and O'Reilly's allow electrical returns on installed parts.
hurstscrambler
Member
It has been acknowledged that the similarities are there, but one store is retail and the other is wholesale. Any business man with a brain is gonna serve whom ever generates more profits. The reasons have been repeated and repeated it this thread, if the reasons don't satisfy you ask an owner of an HVAC supply house. End of story.
kendogg
Well-known member
http://oreillyauto.custhelp.com/app/answers/list/c/78,15
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/content_returns___
Oreilly, no. Advance yes. Shocking, Advance is the first parts store I've EVER seen that would take back installed parts, especially electrical parts.
keithwwalker
Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2013
- Messages
- 7
I ran into an issue on my old natural gas furnace last fall.
I was able to download the manual from an internet forum, and arrive at the probable solution. I could tell the old controller (Robert Shaw) had a relay that wouldn't stay closed (it was vibrating like crazy), and that forum posts indicated that the controller was problematic and superceded by a modern Honeywell unit.
Luckily there was an online provider of parts and I was able to get superceded controller board, and a gas valve (which I didn't need or end up installing).
I consider myself proficient with electrical matters, so I was able to install the new controller and it is still working well.
I wasn't comfortable diagnosing the unit however, and if the new controller didn't work, I would of ended up calling an HVAC business for repair. The controller is one thing, but digging into the guts of the unit, to check on sensors reporting to the controller, or the gas side of the unit is beyond my capabilities or comfort level.
fwiw, lots of gas furnaces out there have electric flame detection - that is where there is a micro-amp (μamp) current that flows through the flame to inform the controller that the flame is on and continuing. This is a BIG deal, as if this part of the unit is not functioning, your house can blow up.
So anyway, if you have a natural gas furnace with this type of flame detection, an ordinary multimeter is not going to detect μamps, so you are SOL if that is the problem. A Fluke 116 unit has flame sensor detection capability, but a combo kit will set you back $300.
Also, I also have a coworker, who got his face burned up by doing his own gas pipe work - again, I draw the line there and call a pro.
On another front, plumbing, there are some national trade wholesalers, who you can purchase from; but the trick is to get an account created first. The way you can manage that is to submit your application online and only have COD (cash on delivery). That way they don't need your tax number to establish a line of credit for you. Then handle your orders from their internet based system. That does two things, first it lets you pay upfront online; and second it means that when you pick up your supplies, you are not bothering the guys at the counter and they are just giving you your stuff.
I was able to download the manual from an internet forum, and arrive at the probable solution. I could tell the old controller (Robert Shaw) had a relay that wouldn't stay closed (it was vibrating like crazy), and that forum posts indicated that the controller was problematic and superceded by a modern Honeywell unit.
Luckily there was an online provider of parts and I was able to get superceded controller board, and a gas valve (which I didn't need or end up installing).
I consider myself proficient with electrical matters, so I was able to install the new controller and it is still working well.
I wasn't comfortable diagnosing the unit however, and if the new controller didn't work, I would of ended up calling an HVAC business for repair. The controller is one thing, but digging into the guts of the unit, to check on sensors reporting to the controller, or the gas side of the unit is beyond my capabilities or comfort level.
fwiw, lots of gas furnaces out there have electric flame detection - that is where there is a micro-amp (μamp) current that flows through the flame to inform the controller that the flame is on and continuing. This is a BIG deal, as if this part of the unit is not functioning, your house can blow up.
So anyway, if you have a natural gas furnace with this type of flame detection, an ordinary multimeter is not going to detect μamps, so you are SOL if that is the problem. A Fluke 116 unit has flame sensor detection capability, but a combo kit will set you back $300.
Also, I also have a coworker, who got his face burned up by doing his own gas pipe work - again, I draw the line there and call a pro.
On another front, plumbing, there are some national trade wholesalers, who you can purchase from; but the trick is to get an account created first. The way you can manage that is to submit your application online and only have COD (cash on delivery). That way they don't need your tax number to establish a line of credit for you. Then handle your orders from their internet based system. That does two things, first it lets you pay upfront online; and second it means that when you pick up your supplies, you are not bothering the guys at the counter and they are just giving you your stuff.
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WildwoodChuck
Well-known member
2005 I went to the electrical/electronics supply house I use for a capacitor I for my A/C unit they don’t have it so he calls the HVAC supply house, the called ended with “I’ll send him over” 5 minutes latter I was walking in the HVAC supply place the man behind the counter held up a box and said “You here for this?” $26.00 out the door. 2007 the capacitor went out again went back with the receipt and box the guy sells me a new one $14.00 says that’s wholesale since I bought from them before. 2009 on a Saturday in the fall the furnace pilot won’t stay lit so I go to Big R get the thermal couple and no change. We are chilled all weekend Monday I go see the guy on the way home I tell him it went out Saturday he says bring the gas valve in. I go home and get it he sells me a new one $120.00 wholesale. I tell him that had it been colder I would have had to do a Saturday service call like when my blower went out in January 2008 and they were closed. He takes back my receipt writes a phone number on it and says next time call me and I will come in so you can get the part. Funny thing is they have a sign that says Closed to public on the door and hanging in the office.
Bobdog
Well-known member
Because they are wholesalers and only sell to customers who have established accounts or tradesmen from out of the area who might be in town on an emergency call.
That being said, many of the smaller houses will sell to the public and there are plenty of places online that will ship parts and equipment right to your front door via UPS with overnight shipping if you need it.
That being said, many of the smaller houses will sell to the public and there are plenty of places online that will ship parts and equipment right to your front door via UPS with overnight shipping if you need it.
danski0224
Well-known member
Sell a few billion or hundred million, you can afford to toss a few tens of millions.
Prices on other items are just raised, or they find a cheap source of those parts, or make the vendor eat the returns.
DIY automotive hacks rejoice
I think one distinct difference between the HVAC supply house and auto parts store is the fact that mechanics generally don't wait in line at the auto parts store. They get deliveries and I would imagine work on other stuff while they wait for them. Me, time spent in line while the counter guy explains a repair procedure to a homeowner is lost time. And my customer pays for it.
mygarageone
Well-known member
I would never let my guys go to a supply house for the very reason you mentioned. Paying a Mechanic $25.00 or more an hour + bennies to wait in line behind some DIY really frosted me . At that time we were spending up wards of $125,000 at the supply house and finally told them we either get priority service or we go else where. They heard this from others , so they finally had a wholesale counter only and the problem went away.
They figured it out , they lose a few bucks on the DIY or $1000,s from steady contractors.
RustFarmer
Well-known member
And they sell at full retail, too.
Just purchased a Chinese made capacitor for my home AC at a local wholesale only supply house, installed it myself with my USA made tools, and am now enjoying a Union made beer in air conditioned comfort.
The supply house (not naming names) did not stock the USA version of the part (they could order it for two day delivery). It would have been $30 instead of $15. How come you HVAC guys that are so uptight about protecting your work that you don't want DIYers fixing their own equipment, don't support USA manufacturing? Clearly you don't. If you did, the supply house would have had the USA cap in stock.
Crimson558
Active member
I can honestly understand equipment or anything with refridgerant but when they won't even sell you a contactor or something non refridgerant related it's a bit absurd. I am not an HVAC tech but I have all my certs to do the work and I am halfway decent at it haha and it takes an act of god to find something as simplae as a contactor with a 24V coil at any electrical supply house where I live. I don't mind paying taxes or non wholesale prices I just want my friggin AC/Heat back on.
I think when buying a new system that as a part of the system purchase you add a replacement board. If it fails under warranty you get a new board and replace the one you had on the shelf. You push for the cheapest price. Depending upon the type of equipment, this can be worth doing
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
I'm glad that you can save yourself money & fix that stuff yourself. I'm all for it, but you have no understanding of the fact the we "uptight, protective, non-USA supporting HVAC guys" don't have a problem with DIYer's. The supply house would stock the USA made capacitor IF the cheapskate customers didn't whine about the cost difference. No business owner wants to pay taxes on shelf stock that doesn't sell. It's also not just the wholesale HVAC suppliers that won't sell to DIYer's. Try going to a commercial plumbing or electrical supplier. You'll get the same treatment...
Tommy