goemaw.com
General Discussion => Essentially Flyertalk => Topic started by: steve dave on May 24, 2012, 02:47:48 PM
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My AC was put in when the house was built in 2005. Currently it quits blowing sometimes. Like, the blower in the basement is still raising hell like it's blowing but the air isn't coming out anymore. If you shut it off for a long time and turn it back on it blows fine and cold and works for a couple days before doing it again. All I've ever done to it is replace the filter every 3 months. From utilizing the google I've discovered it could be freezing up the core in the inside of my house. I don't know where this is or care to find out. My question to those more handy than myself is...how much will this cost me to have fixed? Guy is scheduled to come friday afternoon.
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My AC was put in when the house was built in 2005. Currently it quits blowing sometimes. Like, the blower in the basement is still raising hell like it's blowing but the air isn't coming out anymore. If you shut it off for a long time and turn it back on it blows fine and cold and works for a couple days before doing it again. All I've ever done to it is replace the filter every 3 months. From utilizing the google I've discovered it could be freezing up the core in the inside of my house. I don't know where this is or care to find out. My question to those more handy than myself is...how much will this cost me to have fixed? Guy is scheduled to come friday afternoon.
This happened to me a few years ago, so I am going off memory. If the coil needs to be replaced, it could be over $500 for parts and labor. It may just need to be cleaned out, which you will probably get charged about $150 for that.
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It will cost the labor to track down the leak. They will also charge for the refrigerant that is put into the system. Biggest cost will be labor unless they have to replace a major component.
Edit: Your evaporator is freezing up because it low on refrigerant. You are low on refrigerant because there is a leak. Hopefully it is just a faulty connection.
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I would guess about $800.
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bonus question: called a guy who owns his own HVAC company and happens to live about 5 houses down from me. have talked to him roughly 5 times. chances he gives me the neighborly freebie other than parts? I'm going to turn the charm up to 11 and ask about the family (has at least one son and a wife that I know of for sure).
:pray:
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My neighbor recommended his "good guy from church." Wasn't even insured/bonded and he cost more than the local legit business. So basically if your wife is hot I'd march her out there instead of trying your 11.
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My neighbor recommended his "good guy from church." Wasn't even insured/bonded and he cost more than the local legit business. So basically if your wife is hot I'd march her out there instead of trying your 11.
My wife won't be home from work yet. I'm pretty charming. I'll report back.
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bonus question: called a guy who owns his own HVAC company and happens to live about 5 houses down from me. have talked to him roughly 5 times. chances he gives me the neighborly freebie other than parts? I'm going to turn the charm up to 11 and ask about the family (has at least one son and a wife that I know of for sure).
:pray:
Offer him a free premium membership to this place.
Also, be careful not to talk about his wife too much. It is possible he hates her and he is only staying with her for the sake of the kid (s?).
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SD, no matter what he quotes you, tell him the guy who came out earlier was 30% less.
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move
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move
have considered. we'll see what the quote is from neighbor.
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My neighbor recommended his "good guy from church." Wasn't even insured/bonded and he cost more than the local legit business. So basically if your wife is hot I'd march her out there instead of trying your 11.
My wife won't be home from work yet. I'm pretty charming. I'll report back.
'grats on the hot wife.
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you know michigancat is reading this thread and lulzing his golden gate bridge off
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Keep mentioning how you really appreciate it so he begins to expect that you think its a favor
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Keep mentioning how you really appreciate it so he begins to expect that you think its a favor
This is great. Say something like, "I know you have a lot of paying customers, so I really appreciate you being able to come and help me on such short notice."
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ok, this is some good stuff. if he tells me a figure I owe him do I start laughing and slap him on the back and ask if he wants to go have a beer on the patio?
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I would offer a beer earlier to make this as unprofessional as possible. If he says an amount, say "seriously though, if you ever need help with [insert whatever the eff you do here], you know who to call"
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I would offer a beer earlier to make this as unprofessional as possible. If he says an amount, say "seriously though, if you ever need help with [insert whatever the eff you do here], you know who to call"
Yeah, this is the way to go. Keeping him around afterward just gives him more oppy to find a way to actually charge you something.
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I have no helpful advice whatsoever but I can't wait for an update.
:popcorn:
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offer him a sixer in payment. I got my jeep fixed in high school using this system.
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Wife has directs at a commercial Trane office up there, if your house was a high school or something they would prob want in on your RFP.
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I happen to know a fantastic hvac guy in Omaha, weird.
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You'll most likely get mumped over. Probably just the capacitor needs replaced which they'll charge $200+ for when you could do it for $15-30.
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guy should be here soon. I'm getting my smooth face on (lol, it's always on #soswag)
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I would offer a beer earlier to make this as unprofessional as possible. If he says an amount, say "seriously though, if you ever need help with [insert whatever the eff you do here], you know who to call"
This could get you a discount now, but could cost you down the road in terms of having to do something for this guy. If he's annoying, just pay the full bill. Basically, you're paying him to go away. Also, if he's bad at his job, you could be facing awkwardness down the road. I never do business with neighbors. I like maintaining that wall.
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I would offer a beer earlier to make this as unprofessional as possible. If he says an amount, say "seriously though, if you ever need help with [insert whatever the eff you do here], you know who to call"
This could get you a discount now, but could cost you down the road in terms of having to do something for this guy. If he's annoying, just pay the full bill. Basically, you're paying him to go away. Also, if he's bad at his job, you could be facing awkwardness down the road. I never do business with neighbors. I like maintaining that wall.
IIRC what SD does, this guy will have no use for him
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Mods please change title to "anyone know a good AC guy in Nebraska" then move topic to GPC.
Seriously though, you may just need a refrigerant re-charge which wouldn't cost much. If you really do change your filter often, then it shouldn't be an airflow problem / causing your A-coil to be dirty - needing a cleaning. How is the air flow when it's operating normally? Good? Likely, not a dirty A-coil.
Bad? Depending on your set up - You could fix this yourself with some coil cleaner, a coil cleaning comb & a vacuum. If it's really expensive - get a second opinion because you're likely getting mumped. Like over $500 expensive.
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Results:
cleaned out outside part
filled outside part with some stuff out of a propane bottle
replaced dohicky in basement part
$120 for parts/stuff in bottle
$0 labor
I feel like it was a success. maybe dohicky and stuff in bottle is actually cheaper but at that price IDGAF. Also, may need to bump help steve dave finish his basement thread that was never acted on as neighbor is bidding it now.
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also neighbor delivering smoked pork butt to house tomorrow afternoon
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Results:
cleaned out outside part
filled outside part with some stuff out of a propane bottle
replaced dohicky in basement part
$120 for parts/stuff in bottle
$0 labor
I feel like it was a success. maybe dohicky and stuff in bottle is actually cheaper but at that price IDGAF. Also, may need to bump help steve dave finish his basement thread that was never acted on as neighbor is bidding it now.
You are so adorable
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I feel like ChiCat is entitled to some pork butt in exchange for his ace guidance
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I feel like ChiCat is entitled to some pork butt in exchange for his ace guidance
yes, come over. also mrs. dave is out of town so we can get weird.
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also neighbor delivering smoked pork butt to house tomorrow afternoon
This guy's going to be a clinger. As an extraordinarily charming person myself, I can see these things from a mile away.
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I would offer a beer earlier to make this as unprofessional as possible. If he says an amount, say "seriously though, if you ever need help with [insert whatever the eff you do here], you know who to call"
This could get you a discount now, but could cost you down the road in terms of having to do something for this guy. If he's annoying, just pay the full bill. Basically, you're paying him to go away. Also, if he's bad at his job, you could be facing awkwardness down the road. I never do business with neighbors. I like maintaining that wall.
IIRC what SD does, this guy will have no use for him
I'm guessing SD does something you'd normally guess an AC would never be around (i.e. this guy wouldn't normally be on SD's client list). All that means is that he won't understand it and will ask him for ridiculous things. Like when people ask me "what's really going on in Iran?"
Best case scenario, he asks him for travel advice before visiting New York. Worst case, he misunderstands his job and asks for something incredibly general, broad, and mundane in a way that lets you know it will be a long, remedial conversation (i.e. "oh, you work in finance? Can you do me a portfolio?")
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also neighbor delivering smoked pork butt to house tomorrow afternoon
This guy's going to be a clinger. As an extraordinarily charming person myself, I can see these things from a mile away.
Yeah you mumped this one up good sd. Might as well go ahead and call your realtor and have your attorney draft the restraining order.
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also neighbor delivering smoked pork butt to house tomorrow afternoon
This guy's going to be a clinger. As an extraordinarily charming person myself, I can see these things from a mile away.
yeah, sd and the AC repairman are going to be total BFF's.
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Gonna have to move
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also neighbor delivering smoked pork butt to house tomorrow afternoon
need to know type of smoker used, type of charcoal, cook time and temp, type of wood used, type of rub, and sauce if any. TIA.
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also neighbor delivering smoked pork butt to house tomorrow afternoon
This guy's going to be a clinger. As an extraordinarily charming person myself, I can see these things from a mile away.
yeah, sd and the AC repairman are going to be total BFF's.
why wouldn't they be you rough ridin' elitist bad person?
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Sorry to be late to the thread. Have had lots of drinking and driving to do.
If the propane bottle and dohicky don't work, make sure the condensation drain line isn't plugged. If the condensation can't drain, the evaporater coil can freeze up which doesn't allow airflow through thed coils. A few hours off, the coil unfreezes and the system works for awhile until it freezes up again.
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All I know is that my AC in Manhattan had this same issue. It would usually make it through one summer (give or take a few hot weeks) and I would constantly have to have AC people charging it. My solution was to move.
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Sorry to be late to the thread. Have had lots of drinking and driving to do.
If the propane bottle and dohicky don't work, make sure the condensation drain line isn't plugged. If the condensation can't drain, the evaporater coil can freeze up which doesn't allow airflow through thed coils. A few hours off, the coil unfreezes and the system works for awhile until it freezes up again.
man, this is good stuff. ksubrian saves the day on sprinkler system disaster 2011 and now drops mad handyman knowledge on AC disaster 2012. :thumbs:
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I like it when people say "make sure xxxxx isn't clogged" - as if I know what xxxxx is, or how to check if it's clogged.
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I like it when people say "make sure xxxxx isn't clogged" - as if I know what xxxxx is, or how to check if it's clogged.
saul makes a good point Brian
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I like it when people say "make sure xxxxx isn't clogged" - as if I know what xxxxx is, or how to check if it's clogged.
use the internets that steve dave was so vehemently talking about last night.
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I like it when people say "make sure xxxxx isn't clogged" - as if I know what xxxxx is, or how to check if it's clogged.
use the internets that steve dave was so vehemently talking about last night.
Handy people aren't good at the Internet.
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Saul,
If you need to know more about xxxx, just ask. I'm more than happy to help emawers out.
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To clarify for all reading that might have this issue in the future, the condensation line is usually a clear plastic tube about the diameter of your finger that comes out of the heater/AC unit in the house. It usually comes out about half to 2/3 up the unit just above the access panels for the fan and heater. The tube will either run down to a floor drain or into a small pump that pumps the water into a drain pipe. To tell if it is plugged, look for a small t of water drainage while the AC is running. No water could mean it is plugged. If plugged, blow into the hose. It that works, watch out a lot of nasty water may come out.