OT: HVAC

DoubleEgger said:

milesvdustin said:

Upgrade to an xv20

A lot of times existing ductwork can’t handle the pressure of those ultra efficient units. 

Most duct systems are undersized, just the new equipment knows it. The old PSC Motors did not care. Increased static decreased airflow and current draw. The new X13 and ECM Motors get chewed up with the undersized ducts as they will try and do exactly what they are programmed to. the X13 is a Constant Torque the ECM Variable, the X13 has the higher failure rate and if the ducting is not addressed ( which it should have been @ the time of install) it will fail again

Well got mine fixed. It was a bad Capacitor. Fixed it in 10min. Did you get yours fixed @Gulfcoastguy?

TEXASBGE2018 said:

Well got mine fixed. It was a bad Capacitor. Fixed it in 10min. Did you get yours fixed @Gulfcoastguy?

for the residential HVAC guys - what % of service calls are just a bad capacitor?  seems like that's the affliction here in Texas most of the time once it heats up.  Also seems like the cost of the replacement (not the service call) is 10x the part, at least.

Capacitors and contactors are big failure items around here. That and coils corroded beyond belief. 

nolaegghead said:

Our house came with an old HVAC system when we bought it, maybe 15 years old.  I kept it running for about 5 years, but the wires from the compressor started heating up and I knew it was a matter of time.

So I ordered, off eBay, new equipment.  5 ton split 14 seer and a 95% (don't remember the actual efficiency) gas furnace.

Old condenser was on the ground, wanted the new unit on the roof, so welded a frame for it.  Ran all new hard copper, did the nitrogen purge when braising it.  The new equipment was too wide for the attic door, so pulled that out and put a larger door in.  High efficiency filter in attic to back up the register filter.

That was maybe 12 years ago.  The only problem we've had is a bad compressor relay, which was an easy fix.  I put a "super" (huge) capacitor in to help it when it's running on the standby generator.   Maybe 5 years ago I replaced all the ducting.

Next up is my 24,000 btu shop AC.  The frame has rusted to the point where I'm surprised it holds the unit.  I think I'm going to put in a ductless split system with the inverter.

No offense to the HVAC people, but my work was superior to what I've seen them do around here (probably because they just hire unskilled guys to do most of the mechanical work), and I'm a cheap bastard.

The quality is horrid out here and is why I can name my price...i also am able to do design for people across the US without leaving my office...i " coach" their contractors , some balk some are open to it

31 Delta T is pretty strong. 

cookingdude555 said:

nolaegghead said:

Our house came with an old HVAC system when we bought it, maybe 15 years old.  I kept it running for about 5 years, but the wires from the compressor started heating up and I knew it was a matter of time.

So I ordered, off eBay, new equipment.  5 ton split 14 seer and a 95% (don't remember the actual efficiency) gas furnace.

Old condenser was on the ground, wanted the new unit on the roof, so welded a frame for it.  Ran all new hard copper, did the nitrogen purge when braising it.  The new equipment was too wide for the attic door, so pulled that out and put a larger door in.  High efficiency filter in attic to back up the register filter.

That was maybe 12 years ago.  The only problem we've had is a bad compressor relay, which was an easy fix.  I put a "super" (huge) capacitor in to help it when it's running on the standby generator.   Maybe 5 years ago I replaced all the ducting.

Next up is my 24,000 btu shop AC.  The frame has rusted to the point where I'm surprised it holds the unit.  I think I'm going to put in a ductless split system with the inverter.

No offense to the HVAC people, but my work was superior to what I've seen them do around here (probably because they just hire unskilled guys to do most of the mechanical work), and I'm a cheap bastard.

Good to hear you got yours installed yourself. My AC is at 15 years this summer, I’m getting ready. Already ordered a 1 ton mini inverter for my master. It arrives next week. Next spring I’m ordering a 4 ton mini with 5  heads for another 5 locations in the house.  I can’t wait to have each room be it’s own zone controlled by WI-FI. I respect the AC tradesmen, not trying to take from them. I’ve talked to several around here and they all push a forced air solution. 

We do both forced air and ductless...all depends on what is a good fit...There is some awesome inverted forced air AND ductless out there 

NPHuskerFL said:

@cookingdude555
Mini Splits are fine IF they are installed properly.

That is true.

Its even more true for forced air systems.  So often the load calc is skipped or guessed, duct work is not measured for static pressure, and ample return is ignored.  I believe there is less that can go wrong with a mini split system than a forced air system that requires a central distribution air handler.  I have had to become a journeyman HVAC tech to deal with my own poorly installed central air system that came when my home was built.  My sister has a few high end homes and they only have mini's in them for HVAC.  The comfort is phenomenal.  Some people prefer the blowing air throughout the house, I like the near silent aspect (condenser and compressor) of the mini's.  I'm excited to get mine here.

nolaegghead said:

Our house came with an old HVAC system when we bought it, maybe 15 years old.  I kept it running for about 5 years, but the wires from the compressor started heating up and I knew it was a matter of time.

So I ordered, off eBay, new equipment.  5 ton split 14 seer and a 95% (don't remember the actual efficiency) gas furnace.

Old condenser was on the ground, wanted the new unit on the roof, so welded a frame for it.  Ran all new hard copper, did the nitrogen purge when braising it.  The new equipment was too wide for the attic door, so pulled that out and put a larger door in.  High efficiency filter in attic to back up the register filter.

That was maybe 12 years ago.  The only problem we've had is a bad compressor relay, which was an easy fix.  I put a "super" (huge) capacitor in to help it when it's running on the standby generator.   Maybe 5 years ago I replaced all the ducting.

Next up is my 24,000 btu shop AC.  The frame has rusted to the point where I'm surprised it holds the unit.  I think I'm going to put in a ductless split system with the inverter.

No offense to the HVAC people, but my work was superior to what I've seen them do around here (probably because they just hire unskilled guys to do most of the mechanical work), and I'm a cheap bastard.