HVAC - It Blows

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
08/24/2015 at 12:25 • Filed to: None

I hate that its almost always an expensive problem for me. Probably looking at between $300-1500 for repair or replacement of a coil on a stupid HVAC system that can’t be more than 10 years old in a house. Hooray! Just in time for me to also need a new spindle for my front axle!

DISCUSSION (25)

nerd_racing > HammerheadFistpunch
08/24/2015 at 12:35

I’m trying to decide if I should replace the furnace in the house I just bought before winter.

1. It’s an 86 model with updated electronics, but no guts updated

2. It’s supposed to be another ridiculously cold winter here, the efficiency savings might be worth it...

Steve in Manhattan > nerd_racing
08/24/2015 at 12:37

Gas furnace?

HammerheadFistpunch > nerd_racing
08/24/2015 at 12:37

I just spend an ungodly amount completely replacing the system in my home 2 years ago. Not interested in doing that again for another place.

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch
08/24/2015 at 12:40

Put money in the car; it has working A/C

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden
08/24/2015 at 12:42

it wont make my renters happy though.

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch
08/24/2015 at 12:42

They’re filthy proletarians put them in their place

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden
08/24/2015 at 12:45

I did put them in their place, and they pay me nicely for it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > HammerheadFistpunch
08/24/2015 at 12:46

You should get a service plan from your electric company.

In Metro Detroit we have DTE (Detroit Edison) and I have a service plan on all major appliances. I call, they come fix, no co-pay, no service fee. I have the upgraded plan so if one is unfixable, they give me cash towards a new one. Examples:

Fridge broke: got $500 check towards new fridge

Washer/Dryer Combo unit broke: $1000 towards new washer and dryer.

Furnace broke down: Tech came out and fixed it no cost

Furnace broke down: Tech not available due to too many broken down furnaces in a cold night, I paid someone else $320. DTE gave me back my $320 (grumpily and after quite some arguing on this one, sorry guys at the time my son was 5 months old and we had not heat, tough shit I called someone who could show up).

The list goes on...

HammerheadFistpunch > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/24/2015 at 12:50

My electric company offers so such service, but I could get a home warranty, If I don’t need to replace it I will get one for a year when I sell the place (probably next year).

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > HammerheadFistpunch
08/24/2015 at 12:53

damn.

Gas companies offer it too sometimes!

nerd_racing > HammerheadFistpunch
08/24/2015 at 14:11

I mean I’m trying to decide if I want to wait or not. The ducting was redone in 2006. Just the furnace itself is old and is a known model for developing heat exchanger cracks and such.

nerd_racing > Steve in Manhattan
08/24/2015 at 14:12

yep.

HammerheadFistpunch > nerd_racing
08/24/2015 at 14:15

Yeah, I think that “model know for heat exchanger cracks” is the HVAC man equiv of “oh, yeah these tires are looking pretty old, you can replace them but this car goes through tires really quickly, let me sell you a new car instead”. I get the same story ANYTIME I talk to an HVAC guy.

nerd_racing > HammerheadFistpunch
08/24/2015 at 14:33

hmm, well it has a new squirrel cage and electronic switches. Maybe I should get a guy in for a tuneup. The one recommending replacing it was the home inspector. He is a fellow jalop so I trusted his input, especially since he didn’t offer to do the work or tell me anyone who could.

HammerheadFistpunch > nerd_racing
08/24/2015 at 14:37

Im not saying its not the case (cause our exchange WAS cracked) but i will say that I’ve never NOT heard an HVAC expert say “this unit is known for cracked heat exchangers”

Steve in Manhattan > nerd_racing
08/24/2015 at 14:59

Those things can soldier on forever - the one in my mom’s house went for nearly 30 years before it failed. On the other hand, the one she replaced it with wasn’t significantly more efficient. And I am all for replacing appliances before they fail - asked landlord to replace the refrigerator a couple years back, the answer was no, so when it died 2 weeks back I spent 3 days without a fridge, and it had to live in the living room until today, when landlord’s husband put in a smaller cabinet so the new fridge would fit. The new one is again a reduced-size small apartment refrigerator. And we’re looking to buy something, so next time it’ll be my problem!

Kinja'd!!!

nerd_racing > Steve in Manhattan
08/24/2015 at 15:04

wow, I would not be happy with that kind of replacement. I don’t even stock a lot of food in my current fridge, but cutting back capacity like that is kind of a dick move.

nerd_racing > Steve in Manhattan
08/24/2015 at 15:06

Also, next year is 30 years for that furnace if it is an 86 model. I tend to think worst case scenario, being a design engineer.

nerd_racing > HammerheadFistpunch
08/24/2015 at 15:07

Good to know. The house may also be a flipper in the next 5 or so years so I’m hoping the investment will yield good returns too.

Steve in Manhattan > nerd_racing
08/24/2015 at 17:38

No, it’s a great replacement fridge - recall that this is a Manhattan kitchen. They put in the biggest fridge they could with the least loss of cabinet space. This is the best use of the space - we’re in slightly more than 500 SF. This is actually a decent kitchen for what we’re paying. Side note - earlier today looked at one to buy - it has it’s own washer and dryer. IN THE APARTMENT. Here that usually costs $1.5 and up.

Kinja'd!!!

Steve in Manhattan > nerd_racing
08/24/2015 at 17:42

And I’m a lawyer - any liability of the company that built the furnace died long ago. And the risk-averse part of me says “replace it.”

nerd_racing > Steve in Manhattan
08/25/2015 at 06:57

That is pretty decent for a Manhattan apartment. I’d like to think I could live in that small of space, but I’m in western NY over by buffalo and we have space to spare. Man you even have a dishwasher! I’ve been wanting one of those my entire adult life. Hoping to put one in at the new house.

nerd_racing > nerd_racing
08/25/2015 at 06:58

Sounds like good logic. Plus you get tax credits for energy star I think. I’ll have to look into a new one. Ahh the spending begins. and I thought cars were pricey!

Steve in Manhattan > nerd_racing
08/25/2015 at 14:43

You can buy a portable one that hooks to the sink now, then install it permanently in a new kitchen.

nerd_racing > Steve in Manhattan
08/25/2015 at 14:47

Hmm... I’m planning on doing a built in with Concrete counter tops in the new place. I will look into portable ones, I should be in the house within a month though.