HVAC comparison, cost effectiveness, is used ok, novice needs help
user-389891
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I am putting in central air/heat in a mountain house of about 700 sq. ft. You only need air about twice a year but it will be a selling point down the road. I’m a non trade guy.
I can’t find a thing online about which brands are better, which are lemons. Is it ok to buy used or scratch and dent. Where to shop? I’m between LA and San Bernardino in Cal. How would I evaluate a used unit? Any help or advice or points to articles appreciated.
Replies
With HVAC you pretty much get what you pay for.
Used units are a crapshoot, since you don't know how hard they were worked or whether they were properly sealed as they were taken out of service. And you'll likely be charged more for installation vs new. Scratch/dent is probably OK so long as the unit wasn't dropped or some such.
You might want to consider "split" units -- has a small outside unit like whole house and an inside unit that sort of hangs on the wall.
You kind of hint that you're considering this DIY. Note that many/most mfgrs will not (for good reason) sell to anyone outside the trade. This will limit your selection significantly. And DIY AC is strongly discouraged unless you really know what you're doing (and if you did you'd be asking different questions).
PTAC.
Consider a package unit or a PTAC, like you see in a motel. Any of the major brands are fine. I would stay away from used unless you know how to work on AC units. Got a freon license?
Here is a link to PTAC but I would buy locaql.
http://www.ptacunits.com/products.aspx?cat=Amana+PTAC+Units&subcat=15000+BTU
KK
Down the oily bayou.
have bought 4T and 3T units off ebay with no problems, scratch and dent. Used is OK to try only if you get it FREE locally.
minimum list of specialized equipment list for diy, in addition to all common hand tools:
a. vacuum pump
b. brazing outfit and N2 or CO2 bottle
c. gauges and hoses
d. ari air conditioning manual if you dont already have the knowledge (likely no or you wouldnt ask)
Good food for thought from the others. DIY ... precludes you doing a split system as that would require refrigerant charging ... which is not a DIY kind of thing.
If used is free, I agree, can be doable. Question is why is it used and still working? You need to find out why someone has available a 'perfectly good' used piece of equipment. If the reason floats, then take it.
If you don't need it now ... you might wait until later ... w/ refrigeration equipment, the technology is migrating to different refrigerants, etc. that may make things awkward down the road (e.g. banning a refrigerant that you are using).