HVAC repair estimate on evaporator coil - reasonable pricing or not? (Houston: home, neighborhoods)

[prim8]

I thought they had a 10 year warranty? I could be wrong, but you might have someone check that for you. If it is under warranty, you might only have to pay labor to replace it.

[daluu]

I did contact Carrier and got a response today: 5 year parts warranty and 10 years on the compressor for the outdoor unit, 5 year parts warranty on the indoor unit. Seems my warranty expired then, except for the compressor. Don't know if they have an extended warranty with registration or not but I wasn't aware of that stuff then, so didn't register when I first got the house. wish that kind of stuff was well publicized.

[TrapperL]

Carrier units have a 10 year parts warranty to the original owner provided the unit is registered with Carrier within 90 of installation. Otherwise it falls to a 5 year warranty. To a secondary owner, the warranty is 5 years. If you are the original owner and registered the unit, I'd suggest filing a claim with Carrier. What needs to be replaced is more commonly called the air handler. It has the evaporator coil inside. Most often the Carrier units use an A Frame coil. Yours could be different but it's a lot of labor to replace the coil. I'd replace the entire unit as normally the air handler is the cheaper side of replacing an A/C unit. The condensing coil outside with the compressor is the expensive part. I would expect that the air handler being replaced would be cheaper than the estimate you received. If not, I'd shop for pricing. Kindly understand, when companies work with property management entities, they do the work requested and give estimates on that work. They do not get outside of the box and make suggestions. It doesn't make sense but that's the way the industry works. Most likely you had a person at the management company think that replacing the coils would be the cheaper fix than replacement and that's what they asked for. Replacement should be the cheaper fix in your case. If you have any confidence in the current A/C company, I'd call them direct and get a price on replacing the entire air handler. It's a lot less labor and you end up with a new, warrantable unit.
I would also suggest since replacement is probably the best course of action for you, I'd get a different brand. Carrier units are known for leaks, especially at the evap coil. A Google search will give you more results than you want. Trane is the best but it's not a cheap date. I primarily use Ruud mostly because of the scroll pumps they use are near bulletproof and I just don't ever have any issues with them. But there are other brands out there you might want to research before making a decision.

[daluu]

TrapperL, so the air handler IS the entire (indoor) unit or just a part that contains the evap coil? I'm not familiar with HVAC systems. Also, you mention replacement, I'm assuming indoor unit, so that would then be a mix of brands if I got another brand? Unless you mean to replace the outdoor unit as well, which I would think in total costs additional money.

[TrapperL]

so the air handler IS the entire (indoor) unit

Yes, the air handler is the entire part of the A/C system that is inside. It's a simple exchange and it only takes a couple of hours to change it and inspect all of the ductwork for leaks. You can mix brands of air handler and condensing unit (outside) as long as they pretty much are the same SEER rating. Since this is a heat pump, you don't have gas hookups/vent stack either.
You might also check with CPS. They have credits available on some of the units depending on the situation.

[Thetowguy]

I agree with Trapper change the the inside. You will get a new fan, coil etc . for less and a warranty.

Also the freon in your system goes for about $105 for 25lbs so when they charge you for freon take that into account.
Best of luck I know this sucks, but thats how hvac is. Just be knowledgeable know your prices. Call around and ask for a quote. If they wont quote you over the phone run fast.

[Pancho-Villa]

Goodman sucks...I can tell you that. Know so many people that have had problems with them. Run fast from Goodman.

[mojosalsa]

Just lurking but lots of good info in this thread. Thanks guys for being so helpful. It's appreciated by many more than the OP I'm sure.

[Thetowguy]

Originally Posted by Pancho-Villa

Goodman sucks...I can tell you that. Know so many people that have had problems with them. Run fast from Goodman.

Entire neighborhoods are goodman without issues. for 1/5 of the cost you would be an idiot not to go with them. Plus they are texas made


There is only a 5% difference in repairs, not worth the extra 700% in cost
2014 Consumer Reports rates Trane among the best

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by Thetowguy

Entire neighborhoods are goodman without issues. for 1/5 of the cost you would be an idiot not to go with them. Plus they are texas made


There is only a 5% difference in repairs, not worth the extra 700% in cost
2014 Consumer Reports rates Trane among the best

They are Texas assembled with mostly Chinese sub-parts. Heck, all HVAC equipment is now assembled with Chinese parts to some degree.

When I replaced my inside unit, I went with Carrier and couldn't be more happier with it. When I got it, I had to replace a General Electric unit that was over 40 years old! It probably would have kept going had I been able to find a motor for it.