what type of system? Furnace or air handler? AC condenser or HP condenser? age of system? what exactly is your question? Repair or replace? Almost impossible does not mean impossible. You need another opinion.

TD

its an ac condenser with air handler. The system is probably ten years old or so. I guess the question is to repair or replace, the New company wants to ditch the whole system and switch to individual units with their own air handlers and make them ac and heating. is That the way to go, or just replace the old busted coil ( which was apperantly built in while the place was being built, which makes it hard to remove do to size if the access area) big problem is, it’s oppressively humid and i Lost my job. So I need the most effective and least expensive repair.

If this is the evap coil in the air handler that needs to be replaced, then you are probably looking at $1500+ in cost for replacement of evap coil even if available. Not worth it. I would think if the outside condenser is OK and functional, then you could get a new matching air handler. However this raises another question-is your AC system R-22 or R-410 refrigerant? post back.

TD

It’s r-410a

And correct, it’s the evap coil on the air handler

the 410 is a good thing....a new matching sir handler would be your best bet...

So, thats What the first company said. the quote was around $3500. The last company I had here (yesterday) said that the access area to replace the coil was too small to get the coil Into it’s a 2.5x3.5 access area. He suggested I get solo units for each room with their own seperate air handles for heat and ac. I’m just not sure who to trust or what’s a better idea to go with. Unfortunately I have to take the cheapest way right now.

How do you heat your condo?...3500 seems high....

I have electric baseboard heating, individual stats in each room

800 for coil, 1500 labor, 600 for the r410 so just 3 grand. Still seems a bit hoghp

that‘s for coil only replacement?....if so run don‘t walk away...

Correct. i Had a feeling that was an inflated quote. I guess I’ll have to go with the individual units with seperate air handles. I just can’t keep paying for quotes that are all completely different ideas of what wrong and how to fix the cuTrent unit

If you decide on a complete new system, both inside air handler and outside condenser, then go with HP . I would imagine your electric baseboard heat is quite expensive to operate...

TD

What does individual units with separate air handlers mean? Are they referring to mini splits or something else?

I’m not quite sure. he said they’re wall mount units with their own air handlers for heating and cooling. I can only imagine how expensive that would be rather than replacing just the one coil. The ac was running yesterday fine for 5 hours, then the whole system shut down. breakers were fine, so I dont know what that means

Probably out of gas....

He went to charge it and said it had plenty

I'd pass on the second company's diagnosis and recommendation. Get a couple more estimates. Sounds like you might need a new coil - $500-$600, labor to install - $800, R410 - $100 (sounds like the $600 was for R22). Total cost should be half what you were quoted.

Installing mini splits is going to cost more money. This is probably proposed by someone who does not want to work in your crawl space.

If you were low on refrigerant, then you would not have cool air for 5 hours. There is an another issue. Next time you run the AC and it is providing cool air, go outside an check if the condenser fan and compressor are running. Then check again when the AC stops providing cool air. If either the fan or compressor have stopped running, then you have isolated the problem. If they are running then check on the blower in the air handler. Anything that runs for 5 hours and then suddenly stops sounds like a thermal overload problem. The fix could be as simple as a new capacitor.

Something is not right here. OP says evap coil in air handler is shot and needs replacing. But you say AC ran fine for 5 hrs yesterday and then stopped.

TD

When the air stopped blowing the whole system stopped condenser and compressor. While it was running they were both running as well. Checked the breaker, it was fine, even reset it for the hell of it. The original hvac said there was a leak in the coil, I have a water stain on my ceiling that seems to confirm the leak. But it heald 1# of charge for two years with no problem, until this year when it started to do the 5 hour on then it shut down for a few days. I think I’m getting screwed here but I have no options. We’re in the 90’s with 100% humidity for the past two weeks with no signs of letting up.

The ceiling water stain is from water condensate and not refrigerant. Your best option is to find a competent HVAC company that can troubleshoot the problem. It is going to cost you another service charge.

Anyone know any competent hvac in Connecticut? I’m having quite the hard times with that

What county are you? I have two I can recommend in new haven and one in Fairfield county.

I’m in Hartford county

Oh I will ask a friend who is a home inspector in Hartford county if he has knows a pro.

That would be amazing! Thank you so much

tigerdunes

If this is the evap coil in the air handler that needs to be replaced, then you are probably looking at $1500+ in cost for replacement of evap coil even if available.

LOL. The only way you get this done for $1500 is if you have a home warranty contract and they don't deny the claim for some silly reason.

If tiger and others think this can be done for $1500 why is it that they aren't stepping up and offering to do it where they live?

We want experts.... but no we can't be bothered with paying them. What happens when experts aren't paid? A forum board with home owners. So helpful until you see real world prices.

2020 prices: many major manufacturer's are charging upwards of $800 for the coil that doesn't include freon, tools to do the job, know how to do it so it actually works. To do this for $1500 --- you'd be lucky to get it to work and if it doesn't work you'd never get the guy back who installed it.

For $1500 you ain't going to find anyone competent. This is a skilled job. Don't kid yourself.

I service the Katy, Texas area. (Nearly 26 years actually doing this job.)

For Austin

get your specs out and put them on....I said $1500+, that‘s a plus if you didn‘t know...I wanted to give OP an idea of what to expect for a coil replacement, not a definite price...thank goodness I don‘t have to deal with persons like yourself...

TD

I think I’m just gonna move instead, it seems cheaper

Tiger - 1500 plus what? It leaves an unrealistic price whether the price you are quoting is exact or not. You think someone is going to read that and think the price should be higher than $1500? That's plain foolish. The wallet muscle doesn't work like that.

You think I would quote something at $1500+ and leave an open end quote? How many flaming reviews this would leave me? Seriously? No wonder you don't actually do any work. All too telling.

You aren't going to get a coil installed for $1500 at today's prices. That sets the record straight. Unless you have a home warranty contract that doesn't deny the claim, that is the only way you get those kinds of installation price. The installers are 9 times out of 10 beginners. If they get it to work half way right, it's considered a success.

I can't deal with Ray Austin? Ha ha ha.

But you do have to deal with me... LOL.

Recommend your Trane's and Carriers all day long. I work on all brands including the so called 'better brands' you often recommend that often times have a lot of problems and higher repair costs than other brands you would rather not endorse for some reason. Trane and or Carrier must be paying you well... if not why would you do it. Even I wouldn't do something that much for no compensation.

Ironically $$$ is apart of that equation too. As I've said before Money and Stupidity run in close circles to one another.

You can't defeat a repairman that knows how to repair, the salesmen are defeated once the economy takes a sustained dive. Once the salesman is gone, I am the provider of last resort in my area. You're not going to call an installer and get them.

The installer is not likely to trouble shoot it anyway.

How many times does this board complain of new units that don't work? You think this is any different where I live in Katy, Texas?