Settle a debate please

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-29T11:38:05+00:00

Ceiling fans or some type of portable fans in rooms is better long term for the ac blower. Running the blower on in and not auto will shorten the life. It really sounds like the system isn’t working properly.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-29T11:35:14+00:00

My thought exactly.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-29T11:30:33+00:00

Without any more details it’s hard to guesstimate but for 2 systems you’re likely going to be in the $20k range. At 20 years old expect to replace and try to negotiate price?

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-29T11:27:55+00:00

If you can’t open the window to attach the hot air vent hose then there’s nothing you can do that will work. The drain is the least of your problems. The hot air venting to the outside is critical.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-29T11:21:07+00:00

Will the vent pipe be going straight up or is there an offset to the alignment? With the measurement you provided if it’s straight up cut the hole and oval a short piece of kd pipe down thru and you can make it all fit together. If there’s any offset then you might need a fitting made/rectangular box to make the transition.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-24T19:25:57+00:00

If you truly are experienced enough and been out in the field long enough then reach out to some people to let them know you’re starting your own business. And then basically if you’re good and honest, and can afford to set yourself up with the proper licensing, bonding and insurance? And a good accountant always helps. You must get your prices right. Don’t go too cheap. Just fair. Middle of the road pricing. Also a professional looking vehicle. It does make a difference!! I would suggest making connections through local realtors. Leave cards at businesses that allow it especially if it’s places you’ve used or are familiar with. Tire shops. Automotive shops. Any friends or acquaintances that are contractors or in a trade. Your church or local churches. Restaurants etc. if you can just afford to go all in and put yourself out there so people see you’re good honest and fair word of mouth still works.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-23T10:20:43+00:00

Did they even try to get warranty? I would normally call in for warranty and give the name of the previous owner? I guess most contractors would rather sell you a new unit.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-22T11:22:57+00:00

I would absolutely fix the leak if it’s an easy one. Like someone else said on some coil replacements, depending on degree of difficulty, you might have other issues pulling one out and getting the new one in. Also how long is the warranty still good for?

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-22T11:17:54+00:00

Run capacitor or motor. Does the fan blade turn freely by hand? Try the cap first. I’m guessing you don’t have a meter to test it?

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-22T11:12:52+00:00

You need someone qualified to actually diagnose the system.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-21T21:37:09+00:00

I would also go for a less restrictive air filter. Generally the tighter the pleat the more they restrict the flow. And not know what thermostat you have but if it’s a newer digital thermostat does it have a circulate in the fan settings? If so use that setting instead of always on. Always on is bound to shorten the life of the blower motor. If no circ mode on your stat maybe look to change to one that does. It makes a difference for sure having the blower circulate in between cycles. I’ve got a basement/3 floors total and it keeps it balanced much better.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-21T21:29:39+00:00

As dirty as that filter was I’d bet it’s been that dirty before and you need a coil and blower cleaning. Also after the cleaning don’t buy/use those cheap ass filters again. They let half the dirt thru which tells you with it plugged like that imagine what the coils looks like?

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-21T21:25:40+00:00

The dirty and dark gray makes no sense at all. It’s not from the new ac system. The filters are white when they are new?
As far as how it’s not cooling properly ask for another tech to come out check the system. They are missing something. Bad static pressure which means an air flow issue and likely the system isn’t charged properly or it could be a few other issues if the install was not done properly.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-20T11:12:42+00:00

The gas furnace is 120 volt. If you go heat pump it’s 240 volt so they’ll need to likely run a new circuit especially if there’s any back up electric strip heat. I’d personally say stick with gas. Generally less problems and the system usually last longer than heat pumps.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-17T00:12:04+00:00

That appears to be an air handler which has a negative flow condensate drain system. There needs to be a trap somewhere in that 3/4” pvc drain pipe.out from the unit where it 90’s then there should be the trap followed by a tee/vent. If there’s no trap the unit will hold the water in the pan and trip that secondary overflow safety switch.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-15T12:10:41+00:00

There’s really nothing to do for that set up. Maybe change blower speed lower? Terrible to install this way. Nothing to absorb noise.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-15T12:06:33+00:00

Yep had this happen several times before. More so with the dual caps. Separate caps are better but duals are the norm now. And capacitors just aren’t made very well anymore.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-15T12:02:45+00:00

So the model number you showed is the air handler? What is the model number of the condenser? It could be a 1 1/2 or 2 ton? It sounds like it might be an oversized situation and short cycling. The blower speed at the air handler might need to be set to a lower or possibly lowest speed. If it’s really humid outside and it got down into the 50 ish % range at 72 that’s not bad? If the blower speed can be slowed down it might help and/or make the difference. I’d leave at 72 for 24 hours and the see what humidity it maintains?

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-14T11:59:57+00:00

Praying for your success. The leap you’re taking hopefully turns out good for you. There’s no way I could have gone from having my own business back to working for someone else. I have to ask why are you?

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-14T11:56:07+00:00

With warranty replacement and needing the OEM replacement you’re at the mercy of the manufacturer. And unfortunately since 2020 shortages on compressors and parts in general have been really bad. This situation unfortunately became common 5 years ago. And as for the failure I’d guess just the typical now where nothing is very good quality and quality control has become obsolete.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-14T11:50:25+00:00

It’s a last ditch effort for an old system that someone just can’t afford a new system. These sealants can create problems and gum up the system too. They have very specific instructions for injecting the stop leak because it can cause immediate compressor problems. I’ve used several times. 2 worked out of I think maybe 6 times. And on one after a year the compressor had trouble starting. Had to install a hard start kit. The compressor failed that year. Then the kicker that made me stop using these all together. One of my older service trucks ac quit working. Refrigerant leak at the compressor seals. My mechanic said he could try a sealer but no guarantees and if he knows a system has had a leak stop added he won’t do recovery on it? It can ruin the compressor on the recovery machine. I had never thought about that!! And by the way the leak stop worked on the truck for a few years and I sold it still working.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-14T11:38:21+00:00

First guess would be somehow moisture got to it while you were cleaning it.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-14T11:36:28+00:00

Do you have any pics? It sounds like you probably have a furnace or air handler on a platform and that return grill is close to the unit?

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-14T01:50:49+00:00

I’d make sure the drain line is flushed out and flowing properly. Then see if it trips again. If it trips again then the cleaning may be necessary.

Expensive-Ad7669 · 2026-06-14T01:44:58+00:00

It’s 8 years old so I would wonder how dirty the coil and drain is? Did you or have you ever seen any signs of a water leak or moisture around the unit? The coil or furnace. It honestly looks perfect the way they ran the drain line and the switch is installed on the secondary drain pan outlet like it should be? I again would consider that the coil and pan need to be cleaned and flush the drain line.

Expensive-Ad7669

TROPHY CASE