HVAC repair

[TheGrey]

I can't recall who the HVAC repair folks are on this forum. We've got some problems, and I was hoping to get more information before we decide to go with Sears or someone for installation.

Anyone know of the HVAC people here? I can then contact them via PM. Thanks.

[Mazin]

Hghclsswhitetrsh is a good dude that should be able to get you going.


Sent from my Otterbox Defended Tactical iPhone using High Capacity "Clips".

[TheGrey]

Thanks, Mazin!

[SideShow Bob]

Also give bryjcom a shout.

[Mazin]

Thanks, Mazin!


NP!
[Beer]

[theGinsue]

This may or may not help in ypur decision:

Not knowing any better, I went with Sears 8 years ago to get my A/C installed (they sub-contract so you don't know who is really installing your A/C until they show up). Seemed okay at the time & even passed inspection. One or two years later I was called by a company I'd never done business with and told Sears hired them to evaluate all of the A/C systems the other company installed. They were now out of business & had several lawsuits pending. After checking this out with the Sears folks I allowed this other (known & reputable) company to come do their thing, assured there would be no additonal cost to me - and there wasn't. Turns out the original company took lots of shortcuts that didn't meet code (so, how'd it pass inspection?) and could have been hazardous to my family. Everythig was fixed & passed re-inspection.

While I appreciate that Sears was pro-active in getting the problems fixed (to avoid becoming a co-defendant to keep me & others like me from suing them), it should have been done correctly the first time. I was not impressed. If they're going to use a sub they had better know that sub does top of the line work and not take shortcuts.

Now, as to the 2 recommended here: I've heard good things about their work & they'll make sure it's done right.

[TheGrey]

SideShow Bob- Thank you! I certainly will.

Ginsue- Crap on a crap cracker. That worries me. I've been reading many, many reviews that say much the same thing, but it's different when it happens to someone you know. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I'll have to reconsider our 'original' plan anyhow; we have now had a plumbing problem that has elbowed its way even above the HVAC situation. What's that saying, "It never rains but it pours"? ARGH.

[OtterbatHellcat]

I'm sorry to hear that Grey.

Plumbing problems seem to be the biggest pain in the ass to any homeowner for sure. I hope that turns out alright, AND you can get your A/C up and running again as well.

[theGinsue]

Sounds like you're having what my friends call "Ginsue Luck". I hope you get it all worked out in short order & can still swing the A/C... It's going to get HOT this summer.

On an aside, regarding "Ginsue Luck": Last Saturday I finally got the passenger window of my car replaced (U-Pull-N-Pay for the glass, I did the work...about $185 cheaper than the cheapest install place). It pissed me off that someone did that to my car & I had to pay to fix it. Then, this last Wednesday, I got called to the front desk of an alternate work location to find that someone backing their truck out of the spot next to me put a huge dent in my rear quarter panel. At least he stopped & reported it. While his insurance company will pay to fix it, they may end up totaling my car since the damage may exceed the legal percentage of my cars value (It's a big dent & the car's market value is low, even though it's high to me). Just more proof that I'm a shit magnet.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Damn....can any of us catch a freaking break living in this hell of a life?

[Mazin]

Sounds like you're having what my friends call "Ginsue Luck". I hope you get it all worked out in short order & can still swing the A/C... It's going to get HOT this summer.

On an aside, regarding "Ginsue Luck": Last Saturday I finally got the passenger window of my car replaced (U-Pull-N-Pay for the glass, I did the work...about $185 cheaper than the cheapest install place). It pissed me off that someone did that to my car & I had to pay to fix it. Then, this last Wednesday, I got called to the front desk of an alternate work location to find that someone backing their truck out of the spot next to me put a huge dent in my rear quarter panel. At least he stopped & reported it. While his insurance company will pay to fix it, they may end up totaling my car since the damage may exceed the legal percentage of my cars value (It's a big dent & the car's market value is low, even though it's high to me). Just more proof that I'm a shit magnet.

Might work out to your advantage, you can always buy it back as a salvage and hopefully have some coin left in your pocket.


Sent from my Otterbox Defended Tactical iPhone using High Capacity "Clips".

[jerrymrc]

Then, this last Wednesday, I got called to the front desk of an alternate work location to find that someone backing their truck out of the spot next to me put a huge dent in my rear quarter panel. At least he stopped & reported it. While his insurance company will pay to fix it, they may end up totaling my car since the damage may exceed the legal percentage of my cars value (It's a big dent & the car's market value is low, even though it's high to me). Just more proof that I'm a shit magnet.

Get three quotes from shops, tell them to write the check and keep driving. Does not matter what the market value of your car is. Only matters what limits his ins is and in your case you are fine.

My truck that is cosmetically challenged? I paid 10K for used. 6 years later when the kid hit me the repair was going to be $8k because of the gooseneck in it. They wrote the check and I bought the camper. Truck still works fine.

Your cars value does not mean squat in this case. Only thing that could affect it is a preveous claim on that part or prior damage.

P.S. They can't "total" your car in this case. If it was YOUR ins then yes but his company has to return your car to the way it was unless something has changed.

[bryjcom]

Turns out the original company took lots of shortcuts that didn't meet code (so, how'd it pass inspection?) .

It passed inspection because the inspection departments of most cities are JOKES!

The city only wants its money and nothing else. They send out an unqualified person out there that takes a peak at it real quick and then goes back into his A/C in his taxpayer funded car.

I personally know a retirement building in Fort Collins that has a 1 million BTU + boiler venting out the side wall right next to a back entrance and right below tenants bedroom windows. In other words...TOTALLY AGAINST CODE AND VERY DANGEROUS!

It passed inspection.....

If it was truly about public safety they would make the permits $15 and send quality people out to inspect them. Instead they make the permits in some cases well over $150 and so people just end up not getting them.

[bryjcom]

TheGrey,

If you have any questions send me a PM

[TheGrey]

HVAC guys,

I'll be sending PMs when I'm in a better frame of mind. I was busy typing up my situation and a list of questions and my computer suddenly decided to shut off. No reason, no warning, JUST SHUT OFF. Because it could.

I'm going to spend the rest of my night sitting in my chair, a cat in my lap, a cold beverage on the stand and I'm not going to clean up another ^%%$#^$#@^$%$##@ mess or fix another thing tonight.

Thanks for the commiseration and the good karma. Tomorrow's another day.

(Hopefully a coolish one.)

[OtterbatHellcat]

I think we could do an Airlift for Grey...

I'm in for a cold suitcase of his preferred choice of beverage.

[theGinsue]

I feel for you Tan. Please let me know if I can do anything to help. I the mean time - just ignore the world around you and get in some actual relaxation.

[TheGrey]

OKay, here's where things are at right now:

The lights in our kitchen have given up the ghost. Apparently the fire we had last fall pushed them right to brink, and now they just hum and flicker as though possessed.
We are making due with a clip desk lamp on the bottom of the cupboard by the sink, a lamp on the sideboard and the light from the microwave.

Our HVAC absolutely cannot keep up with the summertime heat.

The sink in our downstairs kitchenette has now decided that when we empty the kitchen sink upstairs, it is time to overflow. Oh, and when we use the dishwasher. Or the washing machine. Apparenty, the f*cktard that had the home before us determined that hey, I can rework the plumbing, and don't need no steeking vents. Unfortunately, we were unaware of this problem for a couple of days, and as a result, carpeting, linoleum tiles and several cardboard boxes have enjoyed a nice soak in some incredibly stinky sludgy water. I out out a call to the neighborhood handyman, who will be here on Tuesday to see what can be done before i have to sell my plasma to cover a plumber's bill.

Oh, and we have company coming from out of state, and they will be staying with us in less than two weeks.

I get to play "off grid" with two dishpans in a dark kitchen. Pioneer days, anyone? [facepalm]

I know, it could be worse. We have a roof over our heads. We have electricity. Etc.

But man, it's hard to believe how much you take your kitchen for granted! And your drains. And dishwasher. And lights.

Amazing how homeownership teaches you the true meaning of "prioritization."

Thanks for letting me vent, guys. [Beer] We'll get through this. If nothing else, we'll close off that ^%%$$# sink/drain downstairs until we can address the issues at our leisure, when we have more $ in the bank.

[SideShow Bob]

Sounds like you are having the "Trouble comes in threes" all at the same time.

From what you are saying, you have fluorescent lighting in your kitchen, for what finding and replacing the ballasts & lamps will cost you could probably get new fixtures.

For the plumbing, I got nothing other than to wish you good luck and hope it is a cheap fix.
At least you don't have to run out to the well to fetch a bucket of water to do the dishes.......

[TheGrey]

I always hated the fluorescent lighting in the kitchen.

We just had the neighborhood handyman stop by and check out the lighting situation, and suggest some inexpensive changes, beginning with getting rid of those stupid, inefficient fixtures and going with some others. Once we pick up what we need, it should be a pretty inexpensive fix. That's good news! :)

[Wulf202]

There are one way air vents you can tee into the piping with under the sink but you may get some sewer smell from it

[Wulf202]

Oh and have your ac checked before you replace it. It could be a serious lack of maintenance that's causing it to not work well

[Zombie Steve]

Need to resurrect this thread.


Any HVAC guys in Colorado Springs I should be calling? My A/C is a-broke.

[Lex_Luthor]

Again with a zombie thread resurrection. Our furnace isn't keeping temp in the house. I know our house is poorly insulated, BUT last year the furnace just ran more & we had a higher bill from xcel. I can deal with that. I can't deal with a house at 65° or less with a toddler. I will send out a couple pm's to members mentioned in this thread as well. This isn't a HUGE emergency, but it would be nice to have our furnace looked at in a day or two. Supposedly, our unit should stool be under warranty.

[bellavite1]

Furnaces are dropping like flies...[Help]

[Great-Kazoo]

Here's who we use, with confidence
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/20783-Furnace-AC-repair-and-replacement

[Lex_Luthor]

Excellent, just sent him a PM. I'm located in Westminster though... we may be too far outside his preferred working range.

[buffalobo]

our house is never that warm. I hope someone gets back to you soon though.
Same here.

[Great-Kazoo]

Same here.

He does have a toddler to think about. My spouse who thinks 85* inside doesn't call for the AC being one, is now comfortable with the house @ 64 - 65, 24/7.

One does what one must do to maintain peace of mind, for everyone involved.

[Lex_Luthor]

With poor insulation & siding falling off the house, 70-72 upstairs is more like 65 downstairs. So realistically it was about 60 or less downstairs when upstairs was 65 or less. Bryan called & walked me through some basic troubleshooting! Thanks Bryan!

[jerrymrc]

With poor insulation & siding falling off the house, 70-72 upstairs is more like 65 downstairs. So realistically it was about 60 or less downstairs when upstairs was 65 or less. Bryan called & walked me through some basic troubleshooting! Thanks Bryan!

Same way my place was. Then I put a pellet stove downstairs. 72 down 68 up. Once going it keeps the furnace from kicking on. We use it on the cold nights like today and it costs $200 per year in pellets to keep the gas bill normal. Yes it goes up some in the winter but everyone is happy.[Flower]

[bryjcom]

With poor insulation & siding falling off the house, 70-72 upstairs is more like 65 downstairs. So realistically it was about 60 or less downstairs when upstairs was 65 or less. Bryan called & walked me through some basic troubleshooting! Thanks Bryan!

Hope those few things I told you fix the problem... At least its running right now.

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

[Lex_Luthor]

Well, it ran for a bit anyway. Currently not running, but I haven't taken that piece out to clean yet. So hopefully that'll help too.

[bryjcom]

Well, it ran for a bit anyway. Currently not running, but I haven't taken that piece out to clean yet. So hopefully that'll help too.

Make sure you get the diagnostic code... If there is one.

[Lex_Luthor]

It was solid when you walked me through checking / resetting it. It's back to that same slow blink it had when we talked. One flash every second & a half or so.