HVAC Question

I had a compressor replaced under warranty by Carrier at the last house but I still had to pay for labor which cost me $1500-2k (can't quite remember the exact cost). This was like 15 years ago though.

I had an evaporator coil replaced for around $1500-2000 under warranty. 5-7 years ago

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I use a HVAC service that comes twice a year

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Which company? Also, a lot of factors could determine whether the charge is legitimate. Same company that did your install? What does the warranty contract specify is covered and isn’t? Often times, labor isn’t covered unless you pay for add on coverage. Also, some HVAC companies have their technicians work on commission which could factor into technicians suggesting “unnecessary” repairs or maintenance.

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Basically, what they said is that parts are cheaply made (from China of course) so they just don't last that long much like appliances these days.

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This. My water heater is a 1983 model and my furnace is 1997 I believe. Never had any issues with either. They don’t make them like they used to (which is by design BTW)

Warranty only covers the cost of the heat exchanger. Labor and fees still have to be paid.

As someone in repair industry. I'll say warranties are bullshite. You always write them up so that the customer pays and you are never truly out of pocket.
You'll pay $1700 to put in a "$2000" part that cost $450.
That's the game. The game is to be sold not to be told.




Mt recommendation is. When you get an AC guy and he says "they don't make that freon anymore you need a new system" kick him the F out of your house. If your running R22 your so far ahead.

I've been in the HVAC industry for decades and dude you are being ripped off. The part doesn't cost a dime and worst case is 2 guys 4hours of labor. The warranty process is one piece of paper or file it online plus taking the part back to Carrier. $2700 is a freaking ripoff. Run from this company asap.

Also it's very rare for a Carrier heat exchanger to fail within 6 years. There is always going to be some rust. One main reason for a heat exchanger cracking early is the unit being short on return air. If the CFM does not match what the unit needs it will put strain on the ht exchanger and the compressor. A unit requires 400 cfm per ton. Example a 2 ton unit needs 800 cfm so you would need at least one 20x20 return for proper air flow ( the duct line needs to also be properly sized). There is a reason brands put 20 year or even lifetime warranties on heat exchangers because they normally do not fail.


For $2700 you should be getting a new heat exchanger, flu box and inducer motor for that cost.

have any HVAC friends or acquaintances? recently had my neighbor fix a simple wire short in my AC unit and run a full diagnostics for nothing more than a good google review. he wouldn't take my money, but i would imagine the service work he did would have ran me a few hundred dollars.


google local hvac contractors in your area who work for themselves. that way you're not paying for the larger company's overhead.

Some additional: They are also warning about having to EVENTUALLY clean the blower itself (at $350), want to change out some drain ball-thingy on the drain pipe to make it easier to service.. (They'll throw that in for free with the valve replacement.) Then.. Want to install some type of startup booster on the furnace so that (some part) will last longer. I did replace the capacitor on the outside unit last year, as it was starting to expand. My distrust level is running strong.

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This. My water heater is a 1983 model and my furnace is 1997 I believe. Never had any issues with either. They don’t make them like they used to (which is by design BTW)

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I had an aunt who lived in what I called the "House of Vintage Appliances". Everything she had was from the 80s or 90s, from the washer/dryer, fridge, dishwasher, deep freezer, everything.

Shortly before she passed she had to break down and buy a new washer, but it could have probably been fixed. Hell, it had been fixed several times before and still worked for the most part. She just didn't want to fool with it. shite is so cheaply made now that it is damn disgusting, and the fact that we pay more for them (thanks to all the damn bells and whistles) makes it even worse.

Twice the price for half the life. Go fricking figure.