Heat Pump

[dbailey]

Ok, I have a rental property in a not so great neighborhood. This is a small house built in 1958. One of my previous tenants worked in the HVAC field and due to an unpaid gas bill decided to tear out whatever I had there for heating/cooling and put in what I assume is a heat pump. Well my current tenants just let me know the AC is out so I called someone in to look at it. They said the compressor is shot and that whatever the previous tenant did to it was a hack job and the whole thing needs to be replaced.

So, I got a few quotes. 5800$ for a new system installed. That is for a 3 ton carrier unit. So I started looking around online and can buy another brand 3.5 ton unit for about $2000. If I order a heat pump, what is the accompanying part that goes inside the house?

If I did order the units how much should a local HVAC company charge for that? I'm just trying to save a few bucks here and not get ripped off.

Any input will be appreciated from those in the know.

 

[OCGuy]

I would just go with the old and trusty Pupmax 4000 by Everbuilt. Sucker is trusty as hell, and can output 3500 therms in sub-zero weather.

 

[highland145]

Found out the hard way with a new HP and a freon leak. Called the manufacturer (nordyne) and was told that the installer was on the hook for the 1st year for repairs. WTH, new from the factory!!! And you can't buy one, around here, without being licensed nor will dealers give you a price. That's why you get screwed.

 

[dbailey]

Thanks for the replies. Got another quote for 4400$... guess I'll have to go with that one.

 

[Vette73]

Found out the hard way with a new HP and a freon leak. Called the manufacturer (nordyne) and was told that the installer was on the hook for the 1st year for repairs. WTH, new from the factory!!! And you can't buy one, around here, without being licensed nor will dealers give you a price. That's why you get screwed.

Check eBay and other online sites. Many will sell. .
I bought some duct work for one once on the weekend with cash. Called to get more and was told no by the 2nd person. So never know.

 

[Vette73]

Oh and for install cost it varies because each job is a custom job. It’s not like a car AC system where everything has its place, all the lines bolt up, don’t need to spec anything out, etc…
With a house some install are much easier and some are a pain. My place was not too bad. My dad bought the equipment, 5ton AC unit with 125k natural gas furnace, and we installed it. Problem is move a 5 ton unit into an attic. First piece my dad said was the lighter one. Took 4 people, 2 on the ground and 2 in the attic, to get it up there. I was thinking there’s no way we can get the next piece up if this was the light one. Next one we almost threw it through the roof. Guess the supplier told him the weights wrong.

But even then we still had to hook it up, run duct, vents, lines, etc… Then it was inspected and sometimes that’s fine and sometimes they get picky.

But you can buy the equipment off of eBay now. Goodman is very liberal to where their equipment can be sold so I see them a lot now. Many will do side work and install that. You can find installers on craigslist.

 

[highland145]

Check eBay and other online sites. Many will sell. .
I bought some duct work for one once on the weekend with cash. Called to get more and was told no by the 2nd person. So never know.

My bro still has his hvac license so I could have gotten it through him but I'd still have to have it hooked up and if I ran into a problem like mine had, I'd be screwed.

Just couldn't believe the factory sends out crap and the installer, I mean, the home owner gets the pole.

 

[Vette73]

My bro still has his hvac license so I could have goten it through him but I'd still have to have it hooked up and if I ran into a problem like mine had, I'd be screwed.

Just couldn't believe the factory send out crap and the installer, I mean, the home owner gets the pole.

Yea installers will not install/buy equipment from companies that sell to anybody, so companies that sell/make the equipment will not sell to everybody. That way you are stuck calling someone from the HVAC area to come back.

Now with the internet that has changed a but but still a pain for most that are not handy or know more.