Well, you like your General. I'm assuming that he likes you. He may like you somewhat less after this, but I would suggest that you have a sit down with your GC and just lay it out. We do not like the work, the equipment is incorrect, there are deficiencies in the installation, etc. Get a bid from the guy you like the best and you then have to negotiate the deal with him and the General. I suspect that this will put the GC upside down on this, but it has been his responsibility. No one will win here except perhaps the new HVAC guy. A bit of compromise on both parties will keep the project moving forward. Good luck!

It doesn't surprise me the installation of the air handlers and duct work has problems. In my opinion the GC knew exactly what he was paid for. Low end equipment and poor installation.

You can try to negotiate with the GC, but I feel your best option is to get advice from a lawyer. Hopefully your contract has a material breech clause and you can settle this without a big fight.

I've had 5 HVAC contractors look at the system - 2 Carrier, 2 Trane and 1 who does both. I gave them the same (brief) specs. All have pointed out various flaws in the sizing and location of registers, returns and ducts, let alone the fact that the mechanical equipment isn't what was in the contract. It's interesting that they don't always find fault in the same things. One said the ducts to the main living area are too small and should be enlarged, another said they're fine but the supplies to the bedroom should be moved from the interior wall to the exterior wall. The return for that room is below (and one bay over from) one of the supplies and he said it will suck out the cool air that's just blown in above it (another reason to relocate at least that supply.) Several commented on the installation of the attic air handler - that it's resting on Styrofoam blocks in a tin pan which will rust and resting on the attic floor will cause noise and vibration in the living room below. They would suspend it from the rafters and use a fiberglass pan. They all noticed no overflow sensor and no zone dampers in the 2-zone system. Is it possible that these are supposed to be installed when the final hook-ups are made (I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt)? But what's most disconcerting to me is that one would not install a variable speed Trane AH because of something to do with the configuration of the ductwork. I asked if it would be single speed and he said it would be something in between variable and single - but did not say we'd have to change the speeds manually. He also said Trane's variable speed AH is not so good since a recent redesign. None have said the ducts couldn't be resized or moved if necessary but prices are what I would consider high after reading through posts on this forum. By the way, of the 5 dealers, 3 said they'd have to do Manual J calculations and 2 said it wasn't necessary. I don't know anyone who could give me a personal recommendation - I got these names either from the manufacturer's websites or their retail sales reps. How do I evaluate? Thanks

Hire an independent consulting engineer. Let the GC pay for it. It is about the only way you are going to have someone totally on your side with the credentials to back it up.

5 companies are going to give you 5 different answers.
all will either accept ductwork as is, or find problems
with it. each company will feel as if their solution is
the most valid one. same with equipment.

you have to sift thru...and make a choice.
and stick to the choice instead of switching
main stream to another scenerio.

"I asked if it would be single speed and he said it would be something in between variable and single - but "
it would be educational to know exactly what is between single speed & variable speed?? two speed? wth?

in your posts, you've been given good information.
I understand it is difficult to impliment this information
into your build thru the gc & hvac contractor.
but you pay for it...and then you live with it.

you lack of knowledge of hvac is what is hanging you up.

each company can tell you pretty much whatever they feel
like..and you don't really know better. unless its been
discussed here. and itrw...online advice isn't really powerful
with the mindset of trades people. and if you don't
apply the information...what is the use of asking for it?

what you could do....if you chose to make a stand...
is to hire an indpendent..load calc, duct sizing & layout.
inspection of what you have...what can be kept...what
needs to be changed..and what it needs to be changed
to.
then get bids for specifically what has been inspected, designed & sized.
and to have this indenpendent third party to verify as
install is ongoing & once completed.

its a commitment...that truly... I don't think you'll invest in.
but it is the right thing to do if you want to get the system
right.

you pay someone for thier expertiese...then you pay
for whatever has been done..whatever modifications
are done.
and tradespeople talk..every company in your area
knows what is going on. so you'll pay well for re-do.

in your other thread you've lowrated luxaire on & on as
cheap builder's grade equipment.
EVERY brand has builder's grade equipment.
people get too hung up on name brands.
every brand has a lesser advertised brand.
it is the combination of equipment for efficiency
and the install of the equipment & design sizing
& install of ducts that makes or breaks an install.
you can put a mismatched greenspeed or xi20
in on a crap duct distribution system..and you'll
pay top dollar for crap. poor performance, no comfort
but you'll have a pretty name tag to feel good about.

people need to plan for hvac & not let it be
an afterthought...esp in hot humid climates.

my luxaire 15 seer heat pump with variable
speed air handler keeps RH to 52-55% ALL
the time. I've used my whole house dehumidifier
very seldom...and can lower RH as low as I
want it. but because I planned on dehumidification
prior to spending a penny...I got my RH needs
addressed by the efficiency of the a/c & the vs
ahu. of course it helps that I save 25% every month
by putting my R-8 mastic seald ducts inside the
conditioned space & not in the 130 degree
vented attic.
I went into the install of my system with everything
planned & designed with the end game in mind.

understand that you can buy an a/c unit...that can
come with several different tags to be put on it.
because...guess what..most are the same componets
on the insde.
so what brand do you want to call it today?

and what if you get someone to agree to whatever it
is that you decide you need? you going to pay
for what the first contractor did? he didn't donate his
time & materials to you. how does that work out in
your mind?

re-read your threads...pay attention to what you
have been told repeatedly.

pay indpendent..get someone what actually
has a clue...or get ready to pay for what you have
for a long time.and understand that contractor number
one...the one you didn't pay attention to untill too late
that did a lot of work already...he gets paid too.

good luck...you'll need it.

and you should sign up for this low cost webinar.
excellent information for you & q&a with alison bailes.

I appreciate all of your advice and suggestions - but not particularly the scolding. I would hire an independent HVAC consultant if I could find one in my area who does small residential work. Most are commercial and would charge double the cost of ripping out what I have and replacing it. Yes, money is a big consideration given that this is brand new construction, a custom built house that was supposed to be my retirement home, into which I put my retirement fund. I just learned that my GC has a contract which his HVAC sub to do basic, builder grade equipment, not name-brand or variable speed anything, contrary to the contract I have with him. Why do I care about labels? I don't, really. I don't know anything about HVAC equipment other than what I can read in a place like Consumers Report. I cannot evaluate the quality of one brand over another so far be it for me to say Luxaire is worse than Carrier or Trane is better. But I can look up the brands on-line and in CR or other publications geared to homeowners and see what they say. I have no interest in being an expert - I just want equipment that is reliable and will handle the cooling load of my house. My architect specified Trane or Carrier under the assumption that they were solid brands and that to be an authorized dealer required some degree of training and vetting by the manufacturers. That's what every builder bid on. To have my GC change the rules in the middle of the game is not right. To demand what I was supposed to get is my right. The question is how to do it without losing my builder when the house could be finished and I could be living in it in about 2 months, given the little that remains. The purpose of having 5 HVAC subs look at the job was to try to get 3 realistic bids to compare, as I was advised by people on this forum. I assumed that 2 might not show up or submit proposals as it is busy season for them and they have plenty of business. But all 5 came and all of them seemed interested in submitting proposals, although I still only have 2 on the table. One has come back a second time to take additional measurements of existing ducts. I asked one not to go to the trouble of bidding because he said he was at least 4-6 weeks out and I didn't want to put the job off so long. There is even a 6th guy who would be happy to take a look but was very forthright in telling me he is primarily a commercial shop and while he could do a great job, would be much more expensive than a residential outfit. I am trying to do the due diligence I didn't do upfront but assumed my GC was doing on my behalf. You can scold me for that. But to have an HVAC engineer come in for complete and proper evaluation AT THIS STAGE would be nearly impossible with the walls closed up. If we open the walls to reveal the ductwork and insulation it will required a lot of re-work. I have to be pragmatic because I missed the boat on doing it right the first time. If I could afford it, i'd rip open the walls and start from scratch. But I can't. yes, I'll need luck, but I also hoped for advice on the basis of the difficult position I'm in. I'm sorry if you can't empathize with a naive and trusting homeowner who seems to have gotten ripped off and just wants to get on with her life making the best of what can be salvaged. At my age, life is too short. I can assure you that whatever happens, contractor #1 will not get paid for what he hasn't done yet and the cost of any remediation that can be done by a new (and I hope better) HVAC contractor will be deducted from any amounts I may owe him (that's per a clause in my contract with him. I learned from several of the HVAC people who came that things like zone dampers and float switches are missing - that's useful information. Also all finish work like registers and thermostats are missing and not yet paid for.) I'll still need luck, though, so thank you.

Where can I find the Webinar you are referring to? I did find something by Allison Bailes and it was very informative and accessible even to a real novice homeowner. Can you post a link?

http://www.energyvanguard.com/training/webinars/understanding-air-conditioners/

I appreciate all of your advice and suggestions - but not particularly the scolding. I would hire an independent HVAC consultant if I could find one in my area who does small residential work. Most are commercial and would charge double the cost of ripping out what I have and replacing it. Yes, money is a big consideration given that this is brand new construction, a custom built house that was supposed to be my retirement home, into which I put my retirement fund. I just learned that my GC has a contract which his HVAC sub to do basic, builder grade equipment, not name-brand or variable speed anything, contrary to the contract I have with him. Why do I care about labels? I don't, really. I don't know anything about HVAC equipment other than what I can read in a place like Consumers Report. I cannot evaluate the quality of one brand over another so far be it for me to say Luxaire is worse than Carrier or Trane is better. But I can look up the brands on-line and in CR or other publications geared to homeowners and see what they say. I have no interest in being an expert - I just want equipment that is reliable and will handle the cooling load of my house. My architect specified Trane or Carrier under the assumption that they were solid brands and that to be an authorized dealer required some degree of training and vetting by the manufacturers. That's what every builder bid on. To have my GC change the rules in the middle of the game is not right. To demand what I was supposed to get is my right. The question is how to do it without losing my builder when the house could be finished and I could be living in it in about 2 months, given the little that remains. The purpose of having 5 HVAC subs look at the job was to try to get 3 realistic bids to compare, as I was advised by people on this forum. I assumed that 2 might not show up or submit proposals as it is busy season for them and they have plenty of business. But all 5 came and all of them seemed interested in submitting proposals, although I still only have 2 on the table. One has come back a second time to take additional measurements of existing ducts. I asked one not to go to the trouble of bidding because he said he was at least 4-6 weeks out and I didn't want to put the job off so long. There is even a 6th guy who would be happy to take a look but was very forthright in telling me he is primarily a commercial shop and while he could do a great job, would be much more expensive than a residential outfit. I am trying to do the due diligence I didn't do upfront but assumed my GC was doing on my behalf. You can scold me for that. But to have an HVAC engineer come in for complete and proper evaluation AT THIS STAGE would be nearly impossible with the walls closed up. If we open the walls to reveal the ductwork and insulation it will required a lot of re-work. I have to be pragmatic because I missed the boat on doing it right the first time. If I could afford it, i'd rip open the walls and start from scratch. But I can't. yes, I'll need luck, but I also hoped for advice on the basis of the difficult position I'm in. I'm sorry if you can't empathize with a naive and trusting homeowner who seems to have gotten ripped off and just wants to get on with her life making the best of what can be salvaged. At my age, life is too short. I can assure you that whatever happens, contractor #1 will not get paid for what he hasn't done yet and the cost of any remediation that can be done by a new (and I hope better) HVAC contractor will be deducted from any amounts I may owe him (that's per a clause in my contract with him. I learned from several of the HVAC people who came that things like zone dampers and float switches are missing - that's useful information. Also all finish work like registers and thermostats are missing and not yet paid for.) I'll still need luck, though, so thank you.

What ever happened with this? Did you get your HVAC problems solved?

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I am no where near your service area and don't appreciate the blatant sales solicitation. That is not allowed on this ADVICE forum, although if you were in my area I might have considered calling.

ellessebee,

Well I do live within their service area... I would NEVER use them!