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Message
Best brand central AC
Posted on 7/1/23 at 4:22 pm
Posted on 7/1/23 at 4:22 pm
Mine is on its last leg and has cost us $700 over the past week with two different repairs and now it’s out again. Other than getting a different AC man, I’m pretty sure the answer is to just replace it. It’s already 10 years old. What’s a good reliable brand to look into? I’m new to this.
TIA
TIA
18
Posted on 7/1/23 at 4:29 pm to TDsngumbo
At one time American Standard was the best deal for the money. You will get a number of different answers.
Posted on 7/1/23 at 4:30 pm to TDsngumbo
My AC guy says they aren't made as well anymore like most appliances, and you'll get 10-15 yrs out of them now vs 20-30.
That being said our American Standard is the best AC I've ever owned. It's the same thing as a Trane now, just different branding.
That being said our American Standard is the best AC I've ever owned. It's the same thing as a Trane now, just different branding.
This post was edited on 7/1/23 at 4:32 pm
Posted on 7/1/23 at 4:37 pm to fallguy_1978
Thank you. I’ve always heard good things about American Standard and Trane. Not ready to drop $10k on this. Worst possible timing for me.
Posted on 7/1/23 at 5:16 pm to TDsngumbo
I hear you man. Everything always breaks in 3's for me. It seems like I'm always dropping thousands at the drop of a hat for something vehicle or house related.
Posted on 7/1/23 at 6:13 pm to TDsngumbo
quote:
Not ready to drop $10k on this.
Good luck with getting away only dropping 10K
Posted on 7/1/23 at 8:14 pm to TDsngumbo
Curious what repairs were made? Same issue this time?
Posted on 7/1/23 at 8:59 pm to TDsngumbo
While I’m not in HVAC, I used to represent one of the largest distributors in the country. While the equipment is important, the installation is paramount. You could have the absolute best equipment but a piss-poor install negates any value top of the line equipment brings.
Posted on 7/1/23 at 10:04 pm to go_tigres
American Standard or Trane.
Posted on 7/1/23 at 10:45 pm to TDsngumbo
"Other than getting a different AC man, I’m pretty sure the answer is to just replace it."
--
What kind of repairs were made? I wouldn't rush to replace.
--
What kind of repairs were made? I wouldn't rush to replace.
Posted on 7/1/23 at 11:39 pm to fallguy_1978
quote:
I hear you man. Everything always breaks in 3's for me. It seems like I'm always dropping thousands at the drop of a hat for something vehicle or house related.
After having owned a few homes over my life and dealing with maintenance/repairs - I have greater insight to the Dad's character in, "A Christmas Story." The old man at war with the furnace. I have become him.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 12:23 am to TDsngumbo
Location?
Posted on 7/2/23 at 8:11 am to ItzMe1972
quote:
What kind of repairs were made?
First the capacitor was replaced. It worked again for 24 hours and stopped again. Then they replaced the motor outside and again, it worked for 24 hours and is now working when it feels like it. Sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesn’t.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 8:23 am to TDsngumbo
Wonder if they replaced with the wrong size capacitor?
Posted on 7/2/23 at 8:54 am to bbvdd
I have had multiple Trane units at my house and rental properties. Few if any problems and last about 15 years.
I'm dealing with a problem with a carrier unit right now. It's a 3 year old variable speed 20 seer unit at house in Gulf Shores. I'm on day 13 of no air conditioning on that unit. It's been a good unit and is very efficient. The problem is the installer has no idea how diagnosis the problem on a complicated variable speed unit. It's under warranty so I kinda stuck with the installer. They have to order every part they think may be the problem so that adds down time. They have replaced two thermistors. Didn't fix it. A variable speed fan motor has been ordered and should be in this week. If that doesn't fix it. They will need to order the main board (a $5,000 part) and try that. It will probably take 3-4 weeks to fix an AC due to installer/dealer incompetence.
I'm dealing with a problem with a carrier unit right now. It's a 3 year old variable speed 20 seer unit at house in Gulf Shores. I'm on day 13 of no air conditioning on that unit. It's been a good unit and is very efficient. The problem is the installer has no idea how diagnosis the problem on a complicated variable speed unit. It's under warranty so I kinda stuck with the installer. They have to order every part they think may be the problem so that adds down time. They have replaced two thermistors. Didn't fix it. A variable speed fan motor has been ordered and should be in this week. If that doesn't fix it. They will need to order the main board (a $5,000 part) and try that. It will probably take 3-4 weeks to fix an AC due to installer/dealer incompetence.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 9:17 am to TDsngumbo
First the capacitor was replaced. It worked again for 24 hours and stopped again. Then they replaced the motor outside and again, it worked for 24 hours and is now working when it feels like it. Sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesn’t.
--
I know that's frustrating, but nothing to consider replacing it for.
May be a bad connection or the contactor.
--
I know that's frustrating, but nothing to consider replacing it for.
May be a bad connection or the contactor.
This post was edited on 7/2/23 at 11:13 am
Posted on 7/2/23 at 9:45 am to go_tigres
quote:
You could have the absolute best equipment but a piss-poor install negates any value top of the line equipment brings.
Spot on. I would concern myself with the quality and expertise of the installer as opposed to the name on the equipment.
Most of major name brands are comparable to each other. With the exception of outdoor coil and the metal housings, many of the component parts - like compressors, evaporator coils, capacitors, motors, etc are manufactured by 3 party vendors and may be common different manufacturers.
I agree with other posters that 10 year old system should not be ready for replacement unless you installed a vastly over-sized unit to begin with thats had a life time of starting and stopping for more frequently than properly sized system.
If you are working with a larger HVAC service company with many techs, you can always request they send out one of their senior technicians that has more experience and acumen in trouble shooting issues than a younger tech. You need a diagnostician, not a parts changer.
ETA: average life of a HVAC in the Deep South is considered to be 13-15 years.
This post was edited on 7/2/23 at 10:50 am
Posted on 7/2/23 at 9:59 am to weadjust
quote:
I'm dealing with a problem with a carrier unit right now. It's a 3 year old variable speed 20 seer unit at house in Gulf Shores. I'm on day 13 of no air conditioning on that unit. It's been a good unit and is very efficient. The problem is the installer has no idea how diagnosis the problem on a complicated variable speed unit. It's under warranty so I kinda stuck with the installer. They have to order every part they think may be the problem so that adds down time. They have replaced two thermistors. Didn't fix it. A variable speed fan motor has been ordered and should be in this week. If that doesn't fix it. They will need to order the main board (a $5,000 part) and try that. It will probably take 3-4 weeks to fix an AC due to installer/dealer incompetence.
Though variable speed modulating units can provide unparalleled comfort, the complexity of the systems is a downside when problems that require repair arise .
Often many companies have very few, if any of all, highly skilled and trained and experienced techs that have great familiarity in working on those system as they comprise a small percentage of the total HVAC systems installed.
As you are finding out, b/c components parts are so expensive, even if under warranty, they are not carried on the supply trucks or even at the HVAC supply houses and have to be special ordered from the manufacturer requiring sometimes weeks to have the systems repaired.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 10:40 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
First the capacitor was replaced. It worked again for 24 hours and stopped again. Then they replaced the motor outside and again, it worked for 24 hours and is now working when it feels like it. Sometimes it comes on and sometimes it doesn’t.
What only comes on sometimes?
The condensing unit (outside) has two parts that run. Visually check if the fan is running and listen for the compressor.
It should be obvious whether or not the inside fan is running.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 10:54 am to ManK
quote:
listen for the compressor
This. Capacitor on my unit went out and I had it replaced. Next day my unit would come on but the compressor would only come on sometimes. HVAC guy came out and put a hard start kit on my compressor and it's been running fine since.
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