Repair Vs. Replacing

When should I replace my system? This is a question I get alot from customers. If your system is ten years old or older I suggest replacing the system. The newer units are higher effiecency. This will save you money on your utilities and plus certain brands have 10 year warranties or compressors and 5 year warranty on parts. Some service companies offer 10 year parts and labor, but you pay a lot more.

I used to work for a company that had a deal like this and they charged anywhere from 5 and 7 thousand dollars plus you had to buy a maintenance plan for the 10 years or the warranty was invalid.

Now for systems under 10 years old, it depends on your situation and what you can afford. Generally the indoor equipment will last longer that outdoor unit. So you can keep the older indoor unit and just change the outdoor unit. This will save you money initally, but the disadvantage is you have a high effiecient outdoor unit on a older indoor unit which is not, this will keep you from lowering your utility bill more. Get 2 or 3 estimates and ask questions. Ask family and neighbors who they use and then make your choice.

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Damper System vs. Multiple Systems

Dampers systems or Multi zone systems have come a long way since they were first developed. The purpose of these systems is to use one central air system to cool or heat a house that has a small upstairs area or bonus room over the garage. I think this is a very good idea for these situations.
However, if you have a large upstairs area I believe you get better temperture control with separate central air systems. The extra cost for the equipment is worth it in the long run. One of the biggest complaints we see are customers who say this end of the house is to cool or hot. Other complaints we get are lack of air flow or upstair rooms are to hot. If you have these problems it would be a good idea to talk to a good service company and see what options they can give to help you out.

Second Opinion Revisited

I had to follow up on this subject. On Wednesday Dec. 29th 2004 I received a service call. The customer needed a second opinion on a service call. The first company condemned a part called the "expansion valve", this part is not terribly expensive,but the system is a HEAT PUMP PACKAGE unit. This means all the REFRIGERANT has to be recovered to install a valve and a new drier. Around here this could cost $400 dollars or more plus if not done properly major problems can happen.

Well I go out and check the system. I turn the system on and check it out. This valve effects how the pressures look in the heat mode, well the pressures look normal. I cycled the unit a few times and had no problems with the valve. So now I go a head and check the defrost cycle of the HEAT PUMP. I find a problem with the sensor that helps in this cycle. I then call the customer to inform him of what I found. I now will be returning to replace the sensor. All together it will cost between $176 to $200 dollars. Because he wanted a second opinion he will save over $200 dollars. Again if you are suspicious do not hesitate to get a second opinion.