A/C unit are expensive to replace...

[Moliere]

...we live in a 2-story home in a very hot part of the country. For the second year in a row we've had issues with our upstairs A/C. Actually, since moving into our home we've had issues with the upstairs A/C as it never completed cooled to the temperature we wanted. Last year we had part of the unit replaced (not the coil) as it was leaking freon.

For the past 2 weeks we can't get our upstairs cooler than 86 degrees during the evenings, which hasn't been a problem since our kids don't care but I care because it sucks being up there. We finally broke down and called the A/C guys again. They came out and determined that the evaporator coil is leaking and needs replacing. They basically gave us two options:

(1) Replace the evaporator coil and continue to use the same condenser and equipment, which uses freon R-22 for the price of $2,500

(2) Replace the evap coil and condenser (basically the whole system) with a bigger system (we currently have a 2.0 ton system and they recommend a 2.5 ton system) for the price of $5,735.

I've done some poking around online and it seems the builder installed capacity of 2.0 tons is likely too small for the home (we have two 2.0 ton units in a 3,400 sq. ft. home and most recommed 1.0 ton for every 600 sq. ft.). It also seems the replacement cost by a contractor is not too outrageous. We are calling around to get other quotes, but it seems I'm going to pull the trigger on the full replacement. I would usually just do the smaller repair, but we've had 3 other ward families with the exact same home and builder installed units totally go out on them and I'm afraid of putting down $2,500 now and having to put down $6,000 next summer. I'm just hoping the downstairs unit holds on for a couple more summers.

Yes, A/C units are expensive.

[wuapinmon]

Get the new one. It'll be under warranty and where you live, you need to know that the AC will work all Summer.

Lightning struck on Saturday and fried the fan in our unit, $716.42 to replace it. I called the insurance company and my agent basically told me that since I got a new roof due to a hail storm last year, I shouldn't file a claim or Travelers will cancel our policy.

I hate insurance companies.

[Uncle Ted]

...we live in a 2-story home in a very hot part of the country. For the second year in a row we've had issues with our upstairs A/C. Actually, since moving into our home we've had issues with the upstairs A/C as it never completed cooled to the temperature we wanted. Last year we had part of the unit replaced (not the coil) as it was leaking freon.

For the past 2 weeks we can't get our upstairs cooler than 86 degrees during the evenings, which hasn't been a problem since our kids don't care but I care because it sucks being up there. We finally broke down and called the A/C guys again. They came out and determined that the evaporator coil is leaking and needs replacing. They basically gave us two options:

(1) Replace the evaporator coil and continue to use the same condenser and equipment, which uses freon R-22 for the price of $2,500

(2) Replace the evap coil and condenser (basically the whole system) with a bigger system (we currently have a 2.0 ton system and they recommend a 2.5 ton system) for the price of $5,735.

I've done some poking around online and it seems the builder installed capacity of 2.0 tons is likely too small for the home (we have two 2.0 ton units in a 3,400 sq. ft. home and most recommed 1.0 ton for every 600 sq. ft.). It also seems the replacement cost by a contractor is not too outrageous. We are calling around to get other quotes, but it seems I'm going to pull the trigger on the full replacement. I would usually just do the smaller repair, but we've had 3 other ward families with the exact same home and builder installed units totally go out on them and I'm afraid of putting down $2,500 now and having to put down $6,000 next summer. I'm just hoping the downstairs unit holds on for a couple more summers.

Yes, A/C units are expensive.

If the builder undersized your A/C then you will most likely continue to have problems given that it will be over working the compressor and it will most likely result in a compressor failure sooner rather than later. There was a tax incentive (I don't know if there still is) to go with an energy efficient upgrades to the home. You may want to look into that to see if it will help offset the costs by going with one of those dual compressors with the high seer ratings. Of course, the cost will be much higher so hopefully you are planning to live in that house for a while to recoup the cost in energy savings.

I took advantage of Obama's gift to upgrade my water heater when the old started leaking to a tankless. Of course, now my wife and kids now take much longer showers given the hot water never runs out and I didn't see a lot of savings in my energy costs. BTW, thanks Obama and my fellow tax payers for the new tankless water heater.

Edit: If the old compressor still works you can also offset some of the cost by selling it to your neighbors.

[Indy Coug]

IMO, builders always put in undersized units. You should replace it with an appropriately-sized system, even if it is expensive.

[Moliere]

If the builder undersized your A/C then you will most likely continue to have problems given that it will be over working the compressor and it will most likely result in a compressor failure sooner rather than later. There was a tax incentive (I don't know if there still is) to go with an energy efficient upgrades to the home. You may want to look into that to see if it will help offset the costs by going with one of those dual compressors with the high seer ratings. Of course, the cost will be much higher so hopefully you are planning to live in that house for a while to recoup the cost in energy savings.

Edit: If the old compressor still works you can also offset some of the cost by selling it to your neighbors.

This was my thought. I need the right sized unit and even though I'm no expert in HVAC, everything I read online indicates the builders put in units that are too small. The upstairs unit runs more given that heat rises (even though I keep the upstairs therm 2 degree higher than the downstairs) and also due to the fact we have an attached garage and the game room is directly above the garage. I'm guessing the extra work on the A/C caused it to crap out earlier than the downstairs unit, which unit I'll keep until it craps out.

As far as the house goes, I'm constantly looking for a new home. We've begun to outgrow the current home and we want a 3-car garage and one that is detached. I'm not ready to pull the trigger yet on moving, but it'll happen within 5 years.

The most annoying thing about this is the guy who gave the quote actually put more freon into the current system without asking. He just did it and charged us (and of course MJ paid it without questioning). If the thing is leaking and you are suggesting we replace it, then don't put freaking more freon into the system and charge me. I'm going to dispute the freon charge if/when we get them to come out to do the replacement. We are currently getting other bids to see if we can get someone with a lower quote.

[wuapinmon]

I once broke a rod on my 1984 Dodge Daytona. They told me it'd be $250 to fix it. I told them to fix it and to change the oil out in the process.

They called me back and said that the engine had seized and it'd be $1200 for a new one. I decided to scrap the car, but the morons wanted $24 for the oil change they had done on a seized engine.

I did not pay.

[mtnbiker]

As far as the house goes, I'm constantly looking for a new home. We've begun to outgrow the current home and we want a 3-car garage and one that is detached. I'm not ready to pull the trigger yet on moving, but it'll happen within 5 years.

Wow, a 3400 sq ft home is too small? How many kids do you have? Or is it all one big family/commons room?

[Uncle Ted]

Wow, a 3400 sq ft home is too small? How many kids do you have? Or is it all one big family/commons room?

He meant small by Texas standards.

We're actually of downsizing now that we have two more kids going to college and moving into a place that is only about 4500 sq ft. It is going to be tight but I think we can make it work.

[Moliere]

Wow, a 3400 sq ft home is too small? How many kids do you have? Or is it all one big family/commons room?

We could live in this home, but the 2 car garage is difficult and we would love 1 more bedroom and we have other things we'd like. Keep in mind that homes in Texas have no basements and lack adequate storage. We love our home, but if one comes on the market that has exactly what we want we'd take it.

[dabrockster]

I am having this same problem in my house. My upstairs is impossible to keep cool. Sadly the home was built a long time ago and I only have on AC unit for the whole house.. I usually have to close vents on the first floor to try and push the cold air up to the 2nd floor vents.. THIS is exactly one of many reasons why I wanted a ranch home in the first place..

We are now looking at ways to get the rooms cool for us and our kids. My little girl does not like heat but likes a blanket so it causes a delima and we have to keep fans on all of us just to keep cool.. This week and next will be hard due to the high heat temps we will have...

I am seriously thinking about putting a window AC unit in our bathroom to help this. The window is on the backside of the home so it won't be that noticable but the window is not in a ideal place to push the air into our bedroom and the allow us to fan the air down the hallway to our childrens room..

[Uncle Ted]

I am having this same problem in my house. My upstairs is impossible to keep cool. Sadly the home was built a long time ago and I only have on AC unit for the whole house.. I usually have to close vents on the first floor to try and push the cold air up to the 2nd floor vents.. THIS is exactly one of many reasons why I wanted a ranch home in the first place..

We are now looking at ways to get the rooms cool for us and our kids. My little girl does not like heat but likes a blanket so it causes a delima and we have to keep fans on all of us just to keep cool.. This week and next will be hard due to the high heat temps we will have...

I am seriously thinking about putting a window AC unit in our bathroom to help this. The window is on the backside of the home so it won't be that noticable but the window is not in a ideal place to push the air into our bedroom and the allow us to fan the air down the hallway to our childrens room..

Have you considered putting in duct booster fans?

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hv...FdFsTAodxH1OuQ

http://www.rewci.com/4x12-register-b...FUpeTAodUwkHvA

If you have attic access the inline is the way to go. I believe you can get thermostats for these.

[dabrockster]

Have you considered putting in duct booster fans?

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hv...FdFsTAodxH1OuQ

http://www.rewci.com/4x12-register-b...FUpeTAodUwkHvA

If you have attic access the inline is the way to go. I believe you can get thermostats for these.

Thank you!! This may be the way to go. I like the idea of putting the fan inside the duct if I had access to the ducts. However, I am not sure if I can get access to the ducts that go to my 2nd floor. All of the vents are in the floor on the 2nd floor so the ducts are in the ceiling. I may talk to my buddy to see if he thinks he could get someof these in there in strategic place. All we need really is 3 of them.. One for each room. The 4th room is hardly used so I dont see the need to put one there but we may just do it..

I hate my vents.. They are the triangle type vents that cover part of the floor and the wall. They seem to block air as well. I hate them..

[Joe Public]

I'm in the club. We had to replace the capacitor (that's what some people call a condenser, right?) this week.

My upstairs is impossible to keep cool.

All of the vents are in the floor on the 2nd floor so the ducts are in the ceiling.

From what I understand, these two often go together.