My Trane unit is nearing its end, and I’m gonna have to replace it. Been in almost 20 years, but was installed prior to 2 additions, and it tries, but struggles with the increased sq. footage. My local service tech says HD sells only bottom grade stuff, but he wants to sell me one too!
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Replies
I would rather buy from the HVAC guy for a variety of reasons. I doubt there is a serious price difference between him and HD. But I'm shooting from the hip here.
Are you sure it's HD selling the unit? All of our HD's have a little kiosk up front with someone selling central A/C units but they lease the space to local A/C companies.
so is the answer yes? I was thinking of using my 12 months same as cash option, while my local guy wants $$ now.
My HVAC vendor takes plastic, so I get the mileage, I never pay cash for flying and never go coach. Everything I buy is on plastic. Paid the first of the month.
HD does not sell Trane HVAC equipment "over the counter".
If you want to buy the Trane equipment from HD and install it yourself, you will have to try somewhere else.
If you want to buy the Trane equipment + installation at HD, you can do that, and purchase any level of Trane equipment from entry level to top of the line. Just schedule an appointment at the in store kiosk.
HD has some HVAC equipment available through special order at the Pro Desk... don't know how they handle the EPA licensing issues.
Thats not entirely correct. You can get Trane units through HD Supply which the
stores can order for you or yourself direct. Even though they are no longer part of
Home Depot they still accept Home Depot credit card as payment. As far ar the
kiosok or buying from Home Depot it is basically the normal price from local contractor
plus10%. For some people that extra 10 is a good trade for 12 months no payments
or intrest.
I have not attempted to buy a Trane unit through the pro catalog. If they will sell to anyone, then HD is violating EPA rules.
The Hamilton units sold used a precharged lineset, so no EPA license was needed for refrigerants... and the pricing was pretty high for a base unit available to the DIY.
Yup, pricing is pretty high for the service through HD.
Regular contractors can offer no payments or interest through some of the finance companies like American General... but smart people will realize that nothing is ever truly free.
MGMAN
Let me give you another option!
Room air conditioners!
Whoe! I know what you are thinking, please hear me out..
As wacko as it seems Room A/C units have very high numbers right now for extremely modest prices..
And you don't have to lose window space!
Instead of sticking them thru the window put them up high in unused space on a wall near the ceiling.. Much more efficent that way.. cold air settles!
Here are the advantages (aside from those I've mentioned) each room can be set to a temp most comfortable for those occupants. Your investment is likely to be less than for a central air unit.. plus each unit can be replaced should more efficent designs come along.. You have to admit that your 20 year old design isn't as efficent as a new one but the reason you didn't replace it was the $3000 price tag. $300 is much more affordable!
In the winter you can either cover the unit up or remove it entirely and place a insulated plug in it's place..
Here's a suggestion for you.. why not try it on the two additons you put in? Put two room A/C units in the wall up high, shut off the duct work and see if your old unit can still keep the rest of the house comfortable.. $600 dollars instead of whatever they want for a new unit!
Have you considered adding a ductless mini split unit to take on the additional load?
They've been getting high ratings for efficiency and they're DIY installation friendly.
Use the Advanced Search feature on this board, above the topics column, to find discussions of these systems.
Here's a page full of them on Ebay:
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=mini+split+air+conditioner&_sacat=See-All-Categories
For a size unit like that (at least for me, as I was going to do the same thing) it was almost $4,000 for the Mitsubishi unit (installed, of course) to cool about 550 sq. feet (plus the further you get out, the warmer the other room gets).For the same price, he should be able to get his old AC unit replaced and with the newer unit being more energey efficient, probably a better deal.But maybe prices have come down a lot since I was quoted (about 6 years ago).
You might benefit from reading some of the past BT threads on ductless mini split systems. I believe you'll find that their engineering is more efficient.
Try ebay or Grainger (York) closeouts if you have an EPA license.
Have bought 2 units off ebay and 2 from Grainger (scratch and dents or Grainger closeouts) with no problems. One ebay unit did have additional damage in shipping (cosmetic, but got $400 back from shipper, split the difference with HO). Grainger closeouts can be 70% discount!
PS. If you cant DIY, ask your hvac guy about cosmetic damage units.
Thamks everyone, I'll check with my guy at the HD pro desk, I'm sure with the way things are there will be some wiggle room as well.