Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Independent HVAC guy?

Anyone service the Shelby Co area? Seems ridiculous that it costs 11K to replace a 3 ton heat pump, and with that, I get one that just meets code for SEER.

My current one needs a TXV valve, and the company wants $1,600 to replace it. Part cost is $250 or less. I am 2 months out of a 10 year warranty with Carrier.

I need to go to HVAC school. Pay is better than counting beans I think.

Too many HVAC companies want to replace vs repair......

"oh, your system is old, you can't get parts/refrigerant for it anymore, but I can quote you for a brand new unit!"

Yes you can......you just don't want to because you know you have the homeowner by the balls and you'd rather sell them a $10-12k unit vs doing a $500-1000 repair.

greedy ass thieves

Why does a unit cost so much to begin with? In reality they should have to remove and replace the ductwork and grates for that cost.

same reason cars are expensive......because folks have to have them and will pay for them (and now financing is available for them)

I wouldnt put $1600 into a 10 yr old unit today. Once stuff starts to go, and you start having to replace major components (reversing valve, expansion valve, TXV valve, coils, condenser, compressor, etc) it's generally better to just bite the bulllet and get a new unit. Not to mention the fact that due to all the refrigerant changes over the past 15 yrs, you might not even be able to get the parts for your older unit, that you need to keep it running a year now, when something else goes bad. You're lucky to get 12 yrs out of most units now days, even if it is properly maintained. They just dont make things like they used to, and that's a fact.

Robby Sonnier with Cahaba Comfort. 205-361-6528

Tariffs

Dang! I paid $6K for a new 4-ton 14 seer Goodman w/ R32 last yr.

My guy doesn’t venture that far south though.

There are a lot of HVAC techs on the innerwebs that say the "can't get old parts/refrigerant" bit is a myth. They say you absolutely can, both remanufactured and even new. They just may be a little harder to find and may have to be ordered vs having them on-hand same day. And so a lot of techs use that as an excuse to tell a customer they "can't get parts" anymore and replacement is the only option. And since most homeowners are in a bind once it gets to that point, they just go with it.

Maybe that's not the case, but if you do some research online, there are countless HVAC techs claiming that it's a scam 9 times out of 10.....and frankly, I'm inclined to believe them. My unit is 18yrs old...I just put $800 into it a month ago and I've replaced various parts over the last 5yrs. When it gets to the point that an HVAC company tells me I "have" to replace it, I'll run fans or stay with inlaws a day or two while I at least get a 2nd (or 3rd) opinion...

If you're referring to the recent ones put in place the last year or 2, BS.......all things HVAC have been higher than giraffe balls for a LONG time

Wasn't tariffs. Started going up steadily about 10 yrs ago. It's gone up 60% since 2019. Big jump was the 30% price increase overnight, when the Biden's EPA decree said no more 410A, and all the plants had to be re-tooled in 2024 to accommodate the new refrigerants to meet the new EPA reg going into effect in 2025. General rule of thumb 10 yrs ago was $1500-$1800/ton, now it is mid to high 2000's and into the low 3s/ton on some higher seer units.

Gomer, parts really actually are becoming a major issue, especially for any units that are pre-410a, which I think would've been around 2010. Good buddy of mine that I've worked with for years handles all our installs and maintenance and he says that the old R12 and R32 parts are quickly and quietly going extinct. The techs that show up at your house dont know squat about parts availability or actual part costs so I wouldnt put much stock into what they say. The techs simply diagnose the problem, call the office to let them know the unit size, make and S/N and then install, once the parts come in. Most are just parts changers. The ordering and chasing of parts is done by others.

that may be, or it may be somewhere in between. Ultimately though, your best bet is to find an independent dude that you trust. That's often much easier said than done though. I *think* I've found a guy like that......does commercial HVAC work for a big plant that has their own in-house HVAC people, but he does solo residential work on the side. I honestly think, in most cases, he'd rather take the quick repairs that he can do in a couple of hours for a few hundred bucks, vs total replacements. A guy like that is worth his weight in gold, if you can find them.

I have been using S Tek for both home and business for a few years. They have done me a good job.

205-919-7423

I found my guy, that's exactly what I have.

I found one too. He has walked me through multiple issues with different units and I have been able to repair myself

My last Trane lasted 20+ years. When it finally kicked the bucket of course I went with another Trane. A year later my house burned to the ground and due to the close proximity of my new unit to the house, it was destroyed as well. My new home came with a brand that I don't remember and I'm not expecting more than a decade from it, but when it goes, guess which brand I'll be getting. Well, that or a Carrier since I believe they are the same company.

Bobby Price (205) 962-6793

I know a guy. Good, honest, good prices. I'll pm you his info

Johnny Rich. (205) 612-5099 Most honest guy I know. He’s the one I posted about a few weeks ago where a coworkers girlfriend had quotes up to $11k, saying she needed a new unit. He went over and went up in the attic. A duct had come off the trunk line so her cold air was blowing into the attic. $150.00 service call. She hasn’t had anymore trouble.

I'd replace the TXV at $1600 (or less if you find someone else to get the part and do the install). Half that cost is refrigerant. Cut out and solder in new TXV, pull vacuum then charge it up. Much better than a total replacement if the rest of the system is in decent shape.