I ruined my outside a/c unit. I knew I shouldn't have even messed with it but money was really tight and we were burning up.

Anyway, local a/c company came out and told me what I already knew, that it was ruined, rurnt for us rednecks. And said that his boss would call me with some #'s about how much it might cost to replace and install. Meanwhile, I went to looking around on the internet and found an almost brand new unit for nearly nothing, so I bought it and when the "boss" called, I told him that I found a unit, just need him to install and replace the inside thermostat. Says "he doesn't do that, he sells them and that's how he makes a living but if I need help with anything else, other than installing, to give 'em a call". I said sure and I'll be sure to tell everyone that I EVER talk to about air conditioning trouble, to be sure and NOT call him but thanks for the help never the less.

Now that I've told everyone the WHOLE story, here is my question. What does it take to install an outside a/c unit? I have an inside part too, in the closet in my bathroom. Both are electric and the new outside unit is a 5 ton Lennox, no gas.

This is the season that contractors make their money and may not like just selling labor, there are contractors that will hook it up for you if you call around. Changing out a condensing unit is best left to some one with expertise, I would bite the bullet and hire some one.

First of all it is against the (or as a redneck might say it's again the law) for anyone that is not certified to buy sell or install or dispose of freon. I warn you about this because there is a reward for anyone turning in a law breaker, I have heard as much as $25,000 and that is a big enticement to turn people in. Also the law says they don't have to prove that you did it, you have to prove that you didn't. So if you bought a condensing unit off the internet and it had a freon charge in it you and who ever sold it is breaking the law.
Now you should not have been mad with the guy that told you that he did not install A,C.s that you bought somewhere else because he was just being up front and honest with you. Some other person might have said sure I will install it for you and when he was through you might pay double what it should have cost.

Now some reasons for what both guys did or might do. Used equipment is harder to install than new equipment. There are things that you have to do with the old. First you have to check to see if it is going to hold freon, that is make sure it does not have any leaks. Then before you connect all of the lines to it you want to make sure that the compressor will run and that it will pump, also you want to know if the fan motor will run and it the bearings sound good.

That is just a few reasons that the guy said he would not install it and why another guy might charge you double to install it.

It doesn't have a freon charge. So, sorry about your hopes of making money by hurting someone else who's just trying to survive.



I was mad with the guy because he was trying to sell me one of HIS "condensing" units, charging me more than Four Thousand dollars for it, when I can get the same thing for around $300. I don't think he was trying to rip me off, just make money off me that I don't have to spend, if I put forth just a little effort. So if you're not going to do anything but threaten me, then you can just keep your "OPINIONS" to yourself. But thank you very much for your time.

acetc : Thanks for the help, I think I will leave it to a pro.

I will tell you how it is done , the refrigerant lines need to be welded to new unit, together with a drier for moisture removal, a vacuum is then pulled on the system,then the valves are opened unless there is no refrigerant in the system then you pull a vacuum on the entire system, then you charge the system. The electrical is hooked up like the old one .

Call around, someone will install it. I agree with letmetellu, it's very risky, and doing it yourself could end up costing you much more.

Thank you all so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

brock

No problem, that's why we are here.

I'm going to ring in on this topic also. First of all, you have to understand, HVAC companies have to make enough money in 5 or 6 months to keep a fleet of trucks and a crew of qualified/quality servicemen employed for the whole year. And just like you, we want a job with benefits, vacation time, a profit sharing plan and insurance, don't you? Then lets talk about taxes, state and fed. His 4000 dollar job has at least 1000 dollars in equipment, so the 3000 dollars of profit pays his overhead, but the government is going to take about 1200 of that, now his profit is 1800 dollars to pay two men the better part of a day, gas, travel time and so on. Are you starting to see we are not getting that rich off 1 sale?

I'm not cracking on you for wanting to save some money, times are tough for very many Americans. I honestly don't know how the less privelaged are going to make it at the rate costs keep going up.

As far as doing it yourself, you would need some misc. parts, a vacuum pump, refrigerant, nitrogen, silver brazing rod, an oxy/acetylene tourch, gauges and a micron gauge do do the same quality work as that contractor. All of which the contractor also had to buy to stay in business.

I'm sure there are small shops in your area who will do the work, because they are just getting started and need all the business they can get. But it is unfair to blackball a contractor who has big overhead and is looking out for the livelyhood of himself and his employee's buy turning down work that has very little profit, when those 2 empoyees could be out making better money.