Mr Cool DIY heat pump?

[CJM8515]

So a friend and i were discussing that I need to replace my a/c system, the air handler is leaking slightly, old and tired, the outside unit is old and tired as well. The hvac guys I used were telling me last year that i could limp the rest of the summer along (was late july when i had the issues) andby next year about march to give them a call to replace it with a new set up. They quoted about 5-7k to do it all depending on options and are willing to work and make fit everything with the current ducting system. its just two guys, no huge company so i know they dont really bs me and try to upsell

but friend says why do that, save about 2k and we can just do a diy mr cool w/air handler. like https://iwae.com/shop/2-ton-18-3-se...split-system-multiposition-r454b-ha26165.html i dont see wh we cant do it, other than we arent hvac techs but are very mechanically inclined. but I wonder just how much ill save by doing it and could i even hook it to a system that in reality is kinda hodge podged together. seems we would just need to run the the lines inside (worry is the precharged lines need to be longer than 50ft). Then hooking it into the current ducting, which is a trunk line of about 8ft an then goes into flexible lines that go to the rooms

anyone ever done such a thing? Maybe its better i let the pros handle it? id save maybe i think 2500 bucks probably. the house is a single family ranch approx 1500 sqft

 

[stillnostrebor]

I have. Skip Mr Cool and buy something better. They will not communicate about warranty, will stonewall, and will ultimately leave you hanging.

Buy a Senville and the tools to install it. I am much, much happier with that decision.

 

[fitter30]

Just remember there might not be any warranty and good luck trying to find someone for service.

 

[My Old Tools]

Ingram's is a MrCool dealer/distributor and has in the past handled warranty work well for others, principally providing replacement parts or systems. I don't know how they are now.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Just remember there might not be any warranty and good luck trying to find someone for service.

True ! Many major brands will not honor a warranty unless it is installed by one of their "certified" dealers.

Sometimes, you can find a certified HVAC tech who moonlights. Have him leak test the system and fill it with refrigerant. Then have him fillout the warranty paperwork.

 

[Leon bee]

Small Town here, I'd be so shy calling for pro help after something got hosed up.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

When my HVAC guy wanted $14k to supply and install a dual fuel system in my new shop, then agreed to downscale it a bit leaving it propane heat only with an air handler that could accept a coil for a later upgrade to heat pump/AC for $11k, I decided to take a chance on a do it myself Mr Cool Universal system. For less than $5K total installed system cost, I have had delightful and reliable heat and AC since spring of 2021.

There’s at least 2 other guys here on GJ who have also done MrCool Universal systems, though I don’t recall their screen names.

 

[dcg9381]

anyone ever done such a thing? Maybe its better i let the pros handle it? id save maybe i think 2500 bucks probably. the house is a single family ranch approx 1500 sqft

I've done several. 2 for myself. 3 for friends. Working on #4.

For reverence, for a 24k system, the local "turn key" installer wanted $9000.

All in, DIY, we'll do the same thing for under $1500. Mr. Cool makes it about as easy as you can get. Hardest part is honestly cutting a hole from the interior to the exterior....

I prefer Daikin over Mr. Cool, but Mr. Cool has a "consumer warranty" and their connections are easier than traditional flare fittings. No evacuation is needed.

 

[CJM8515]

my only worry is the lines are not long enough as the span they need to go is likely over 100ft to the 2nd floor and middle the attic.

 

[dcg9381]

my only worry is the lines are not long enough as the span they need to go is likely over 100ft to the 2nd floor and middle the attic.

Yea, when lines get long you have to add refrigerant. I'd see if you can find an "independent" who will do a "side job".

 

[CJM8515]

Yea, when lines get long you have to add refrigerant. I'd see if you can find an "independent" who will do a "side job".

thats what im working on right now. the guy i have quoted me 6k last year for a full system so i dont think thats really that bad when you factor in the labor and cost of the system

 

[dcg9381]

my only worry is the lines are not long enough as the span they need to go is likely over 100ft to the 2nd floor and middle the attic.

Somewhere in the manual, there is chart or indication of how much refrigerant to add based on line length. I don't have the tools for that, so I'd get it all connected, leak tested, evacuated, and then I'd call an independent to "commission" it.

 

[CJM8515]

^ good idea might look into that route

 

[CJM8515]

welp, just got the quote back from my hvac guy. 5700 all installed. thats for a heil air handler and and the condenser, exactly what i had expected really in cost. i dont plan on staying in this house for a long time, maybe another 5 years. i know heil is a more budget brand from carrier, and maybe not the best. but i dont need to be spending 10k here either. further my hvac guy has never steered me wrong either. he has went above and beyond to do a superb job and save me money time and time again.

the alternative is i can keep my current old *** unit, which we guesstimate is at least 20 years old and do the pan internal drip pan thats cracked and we fixed (it drips every so slightly now) for 400 bucks. the capacitor went 2 years ago, the pans been a nightmare this year and honestly the inside of the air handler is disgusting and god only knows wtf im breathing in by now. both inside and outside units are likely on their last leg

its approx 3500k to do the diy and likely will go up to since i need longer lines and someone to charge it. then i also need to do all the rest to.. I have the money to do the hvac guys setup.

alternatively i can spend 10k easy and just pay the local contractors the electric/gas co uses at like whatever interest or whatever in my bill till i die or its paid off too. so money up front is less vs money down the road

 

[ratflinger]

Your HVAC guy seems like the way to go. When you sell the place you can mention that the AC is only X years old.