Central air conditioning - Page 8 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Gundo · 07-24-2015, 12:56 AM

So I just had a 4 ton Goodman unit installed and have a question. The compressor was installed on brackets outside of the house and was not bolted or fastened into place. My neighbour was looking at it with me and just leaned onto it while we were talking and the entire compressor slid back about 2" and almost fell off the crossbar they put between the brackets to support the unit.

Should it not be securely fastened down?

ken0042 · 07-26-2015, 08:06 PM

I just checked mine. It's connected to the bracket with about 10 standard metal screws.

Tron_fdc · 09-28-2015, 03:14 PM

Bump for some advice...

So I pulled the trigger on some A/C units at auction the other day, and I have no clue what I just bought. They were cheap enough that if I screwed up I can sell them somewhere and recover my money (I think).

I got a 30 000 BTU 2.5 ton and a 25000BTU (2 ton?) Oasis A/C unit. I have 2 furnaces (one on the main and one on the top floor) so I figured I would run each unit into each furnace. House is around 2800sq ft, built in 2013.

So yeah, now what do I do? What does it cost to install these things, and can someone recommend somebody (in Okotoks) to do it?

REDVAN · 09-28-2015, 03:56 PM

I'm no expert, but what is your load on each furnace? Ie/ the bigger AC will pair with the bigger furnace.

Those should be fine unless your house is super old AND you have no trees/grass in your area.

ken0042 · 09-28-2015, 04:10 PM

I seem to think the 3 big costs in having A/C installed (in no particular order) are:
- Exterior A/C unit
- Condenser (which is specific to your furnace)
- Installation

Just to keep in mind that by purchasing the one, the other two might end up increasing the cost. Also a lot of trades don't like working with something they didn't supply- or do so at your risk. So if they end up having an issue and spend more time troubleshooting, that could end up costing you.

That said, this is a good time of year to look for an installer who doesn't have a huge workload.

MotoRacer · 09-28-2015, 07:11 PM

Which auction? How much?

Tron_fdc · 09-28-2015, 07:46 PM

Graham auctions. $800 for both

Ducay · 09-29-2015, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Just to keep in mind that by purchasing the one, the other two might end up increasing the cost. Also a lot of trades don't like working with something they didn't supply- or do so at your risk. So if they end up having an issue and spend more time troubleshooting, that could end up costing you.

That said, this is a good time of year to look for an installer who doesn't have a huge workload.

Ken hit the nail on the head. Less (none?) of the big shops will touch units they didn't supply, but luckily, now is the golden time to have A/C work done - all the summer AC installs are done, and furnace use hasn't kicked in yet, so that work wont start going crazy for another month.

I'd get on the phone pronto to some refrig mechanics and see how much they'll charge to do it.

Imranm · 09-29-2015, 09:45 AM

I got a quote from Advantage Air for a 5 ton unit (York YCJD 13 SEER) unit for $3250. 10 year parts, 5 year labour. I did a Google search and they have some good reviews on HomeStars.

Anyone dealt with them before or with York AC units?

Seems really cheap!

Ducay · 09-29-2015, 02:48 PM

5 tonne! Thats huge.

Sounds like a good price; York units are well respected & review. Normally I'd expect that to run ~$3,900 to $4,000.

Imranm · 09-30-2015, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

5 tonne! Thats huge.

Sounds like a good price; York units are well respected & review. Normally I'd expect that to run ~$3,900 to $4,000.

Yes, I am one of the crazy ones that "moved up" in this market to a 3000 sqft house.

Its only a 13 seer unit but from everyone i have talked to, it sounds like the consensus is to not bother moving to the 16.

Bean · 04-05-2016, 07:50 PM

For those with central air conditioning, did anybody spring for the extra sound blanket? Would like real world advice to see if it is worth the extra $100 or so.

If it matters, I am thinking of getting a 2.5 tonne Lennox XC14.

ken0042 · 04-06-2016, 07:34 AM

Where does the sound blanket go?

Fuzz · 04-06-2016, 08:04 AM

Bean · 04-06-2016, 08:57 AM

The sound blanket wraps around the A/C's compressor to help soften noise - trying to be a mindful neighbor as it won't be installed in the best spot between the houses.

To answer my own question, the XC14 comes with a blanket anyway.

If anybody is keeping track I got a price not far off from Yellefan's cost last year.

GreenLantern · 04-15-2016, 10:04 AM

So I've got a coil in the furnace, I've got wires and tubing ran outside already. Quite a bit of work is done, still need work from both techs though. Trail won't use the existing stuff will only do a full install at full price, but its a York unit and comes with 10 years warranty. Another more local (Saskatoon) place, but established in 85 so not a pop up, will use some existing materials with a Goodman, and are about $1000 less on their quote but weren't overly specific about what exactly is warrantied. I get nervous that mix and matching components might void warranty on the furnace or that the company might try to get out of it later. I've still got Costco coming with Lennox, but I imagine they will be the same as Trail.

Out of those three brands which one do you guys like the best? And how do you feel about warranty on these units?

REDVAN · 04-15-2016, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

So I've got a coil in the furnace, I've got wires and tubing ran outside already. Quite a bit of work is done, still need work from both techs though. Trail won't use the existing stuff will only do a full install at full price, but its a York unit and comes with 10 years warranty. Another more local (Saskatoon) place, but established in 85 so not a pop up, will use some existing materials with a Goodman, and are about $1000 less on their quote but weren't overly specific about what exactly is warrantied. I get nervous that mix and matching components might void warranty on the furnace or that the company might try to get out of it later. I've still got Costco coming with Lennox, but I imagine they will be the same as Trail.

Out of those three brands which one do you guys like the best? And how do you feel about warranty on these units?

I had a Trane, and we had it removed and refunded due to a bad install last year.

I then replaced it with a Goodman, which matches my furnace- I wanted a cased coil this time, less to mess up during install.

My only advice is that if you get a good install, then any unit will do the job... warranty should cover anything that was installed by a professional, regardless of mixing brands etc.

GreenLantern · 04-15-2016, 11:49 AM

Seems from googling that is a big thing coming up, most people aren't necessarily unhappy with a brand but more so the installation service or company they dealt with. So maybe that is where dealing with a bigger name like Trail or Costco has a benefit over a local small guy.. or maybe it is the other way around.

stampsx2 · 04-15-2016, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Seems from googling that is a big thing coming up, most people aren't necessarily unhappy with a brand but more so the installation service or company they dealt with. So maybe that is where dealing with a bigger name like Trail or Costco has a benefit over a local small guy.. or maybe it is the other way around.

If you go with costco it's still Arpi's or service experts that does the install. I think costco will give you a better price though.

GreenLantern · 04-18-2016, 08:03 AM

Man I am so confused now. Costco and Trail were roughly the same, Costco throws in a free blanket and comes and checks on it a year later. They both quoted me for a 2.5 ton unit, the local guys quoted me for a 2 ton and are actually $1500 cheaper. Trail installer said the existing coil is right for my furnace but wrong for their unit, so they need to install a new coil. Costco said its the wrong coil period and can't be used in my house, call your builder. Local guys didn't say anything about the coil, but maybe that is why they quoted the 2 ton unit instead of 2.5?

My understanding between the two units is that at 1575 my house is right on the cusp of being able to use either, however I would guess the 2 ton would just be working harder meaning more expensive to run and will break down faster. SO save some money today to have to spend down the road, or pay the up front and save the money long term. Never thought there would be such a different mix of opinions on the matter, figured it would be pretty straight forward. But when will I learn my lesson, nothing house related is simple lol.