My old Air Conditioning system died. A local HVAC contractor installed a new furnace and 16 SEER 410 AC system. The fan seems to run constantly, but it seems to be cooling the house okay.

I’ve paid them only 50% so far. They’re calling me wanting payment, but I’m telling them they still need to resolve a few issues.

The old unit had a filter in the furnace. They forgot to install a filter in the new system.
- They told me that they’ll install the filter within the blower compartment of the new furnace. It doesn’t seem right that I’ll have to remove sheet metal screws and disassemble the front of the furnace cabinet to replace the filter. Should I insist on a filter rack?
- The compressor has some water accumulating on the outside. Looks like it's condensation from one of the lines.

It is much more humid in the house. My gauge says it’s about 65% now, versus 45% with the old unit.
Is there anything the contractor can do about this?

I found the manufacturer’s installation instructions on the internet. The reused the old lines – they are one size smaller than required in the installation instructions. Should I insist that they replace the old lines?

Any other advice would be appreciated…

Did you have a contract with the installer? If so it should say what he agreed to do.
About the new lines, they have to be at least type L copper because of the high head pressures that the new unit works on.

If they are type L and the suction line (the big copper pipe) is as big or bigger it should work fine.

About the moisture on the compressor, any time that the unit is working right and you have a high humidity the suction line will have moisture on it, the same is true about the compressor.

I think I would ask them to install a filter rack, but if it is not in the contract you can't demand it without paying extra for it.

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Originally Posted by MrCookieBar

My old Air Conditioning system died. A local HVAC contractor installed a new furnace and 16 SEER 410 AC system. The fan seems to run constantly, but it seems to be cooling the house okay.

I’ve paid them only 50% so far. They’re calling me wanting payment, but I’m telling them they still need to resolve a few issues.

The old unit had a filter in the furnace. They forgot to install a filter in the new system.
- They told me that they’ll install the filter within the blower compartment of the new furnace. It doesn’t seem right that I’ll have to remove sheet metal screws and disassemble the front of the furnace cabinet to replace the filter. Should I insist on a filter rack?
- The compressor has some water accumulating on the outside. Looks like it's condensation from one of the lines.

It is much more humid in the house. My gauge says it’s about 65% now, versus 45% with the old unit.
Is there anything the contractor can do about this?

I found the manufacturer’s installation instructions on the internet. The reused the old lines – they are one size smaller than required in the installation instructions. Should I insist that they replace the old lines?

Any other advice would be appreciated…

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A filter is supposed to be installed as per the manufactures install instructions.

It is difficult for a R-410 system unless perfectly charged to remove as much moisture from the system. Most people do not really understand how to charge a system properly.

The old lines should have been flushed with a special solvent to remove all the mineral oil from your old R-22 system.

The suction and discharge lines should be sized EXACTLY as stated in the manufactures install instructions. To small a suction line(the fat one) can be disastrous to your new system. That line is responsible for a few items one of them being cooling the compressor and returning the gas component of the refrigerant another is the return of oil carried to the evaporator by the liquid line.

Are building permits required in your area?
If so was a permit taken out for your job?
Did the inspector listen to your concerns about the unit not being installed to the manufactures install instructions? If he did he can force the contractor to make the necessary corrections.

NEVER pay for something you did not get. Have the job completed to YOUR satisfaction including the humidity problem before final payment.

Sometimes just the mention of a inspector is enough to get a company to comply with your issues especially if work of this type requires a permit and none was issued for the job.

Now to make something clear. If you agreed to use your old line set over and it is to small for the new unit the contractor should have notified you of that situation and allowed you to modify your contract.

Your discription of your equipment sounds like it may be Carrier and if it is and it is 16 seer then it is a two speed condensing unit (infinity) and if set up with the proper infinity thermostat it should do a better job of humidity removal then your old one.(Insist on the proper thermostat) The lines should not be undersized no matter what. The filter rack is a much better may to go but would require being installed under the furnace if it is a upflow furnace, you may be able to install a filter grill instead. Your owners manual that came with the equipment will provide complete installation instructions. Good luck, Mike