asbestos tape/duct problems require us to split system?

18 years ago

Getting quotes on replacing 20 year old Goodman AC and 7 year old 90% Heil furnace with hybrid heat system. Contractor #1 says we need to split system in our two-story home because uninsulated, corroded ducts need to be replaced. He would replace ducts in crawl space and then add new ducts & unit to attic for second floor. Cannot run new ducts from crawlspace to second floor -- old house with real plaster so would be very expensive to deal with existing in-wall ducts. No estimate yet, but expecting it to be very high.

Contractor #2 doesn't think this is necessary, would replace ducts in crawlspace and tie in to the existing ducts that run through the walls up to the second floor. He says that the in-wall ducts are probably in better shape than those in crawl space because they run through conditioned space. He says $13,600 for 5-ton Trane heat pump (XL19i), 95% furnace, $4,800 of new ducting. Plan to ask about Honeywell stat after educating myself here, these forums are great.

Two complications:

- asbestos tape likely on ducts in crawlspace. Not tested yet but looks like pics on net. Contractor #1 won't remove himself, would require abatement. Contractor #2 didn't mention.

- no return upstairs. System performs relatively well without, perhaps because open staircase connecting floors can move a lot of air & large return on 1st floor at base of stairs.

So, what do the experts think? Do we need to split the system? Seems like it would be a lot more money. Thank you so much for your help.

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Comments (4)

plan_r
Original Author
18 years ago
After thinking it over, I plan to have an asbestos contractor tear out the ducts and then put in a split system with all new ducts. There's not that much tape--would have thought about doing myself--but the boots around the register are completely wrapped with asbestos as well & I don't want to mess with it.

Very surprised that only 1 of 4 HVAC contractors giving estimates even mentioned this issue -- I know it's not that big a deal if you cover with tape and cut the duct apart away from the taped joints, but just and pulling apart at seams without wetting or taping would release a fair amount of fiber into the air.

Just putting this here so there's a followup, will post final cost if I remember after so that its here when others have this problem.
plan_r
Original Author
18 years ago
Just following up -- quotes to remove absestos have ranged from $1500 to over $3k, all including air monitoring during and after the operation to confirm that it was done safely. This is for maybe 75-100 linear feet of ductwork--in NC, if you go over a certain number of feet you have to get a state permit & it becomes a lot more expensive.
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nashkat
18 years ago
Do you consider failing to mention asbestos, a bad sign in a contractor?
I have 2 companies giving quotes. One didn't mention the asbestos, though I know he knows it's there (he's done service work for us in the past, and we discussed asbestos at that time). The other flat out refused to touch it. He said, if he wins the bid I'll have to get the asbestos removed before he will do any work (or his company will fire him)
plan_r
Original Author
18 years ago
I did consider failing to mention asbestos a bad sign. I thought that they would either rip it out without any precautions or else the crew would show up to do the install & see the asbestos that the estimator didn't.

Your situation may be different since the contractor previously acknowledged. I do think that the contractors who notify homeowners of problem and refuse to expose their workers (unless they are trained/licensed to handle asbestos, of course) are the responsible ones.

I think we'll probably end up spending about $2200 to have it removed with full report & documentation of remediation. The state and county offices charged with regulation were very helpful to me on the issue, giving me the regs, names of testing labs, and saying which remediation companies had good track records.