Air Conditioner

[ChiComCat]

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

[HeinBallz]

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.

[steve dave]

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. 

[steve dave]

also neighbor delivering smoked pork butt to house tomorrow afternoon

[wetwillie]

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

[ChiComCat]

I feel like ChiCat is entitled to some pork butt in exchange for his ace guidance

[steve dave]

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. 

[jmlynch1]

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.

[felix rex]

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?")

[Rams]

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.

[michigancat]

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.

[ChiComCat]

Gonna have to move

[p1k3]

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.

[Dr Rick Daris]

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?

[KSUBrian]

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.

[ChiComCat]

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.

[steve dave]

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.   

[Saulbadguy]

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.

[steve dave]

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

[WillieWatanabe]

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.

[Saulbadguy]

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.

[KSUBrian]

Saul,

If you need to know more about xxxx, just ask. I'm more than happy to help emawers out.

[KSUBrian]

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.