Replacing Filter Driers on rooftop - DIY or hire professional?

3 years ago

Dear all, thanks again for reading this.

Here are two photos. Our church is located in San Francisco (close to ocean) and somehow the current filter driers of the AC systems (located on rooftop) is becoming super rusted:

I searched online, it looks like a typical one would cost less than $20 on Amazon. However, as an add-on item, our HVAC contractor quoted us $2600 to replace two of them ($1300 each). He said that it's complicated to replace them. Couple of questions:

1. Why would these two filter dryers would become so rusted? For the best practice (note the location of these two are on rooftop and our church location is very close to ocean in San Francisco), should we consider to replace both of them? What would be the consequences if we don't replace them now? If we decide to replace them, can this ben an DIY job?

2. For the best practice, if we replace them with new ones, is there any preventive measure that we can do (e.g. spray some sort of anti-corrosion coating or paint etc.) to prevent them to be rusted so fast (due to the location)?

Thanks so much for your help!!

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Comments (3)

PRO
Austin Air Companie
3 years ago
1. Why would these two filter dryers would become so rusted?

salt, sun, surf + time = too much fun for the system to contain itself / Freon leaks if you don't replace them.

2. Protective measure, yeah you can coat the ends of them with rustoleum after they have been brazed into place or better yet relocate them indoors near the indoor evaporator coil section.

Typical "part" cost is about $20 --- but like a good DIY person you've forgot to mention all the tools needed to perform this function the labor of a knowledgeable person? The term DIY means do it yourself it doesn't mean run to the internet. If you don't possess the understanding of what it takes to do this job, & do it right... the amount of damage you could do to this system -- up to an including a new AC system? All because a part cost $20?

Remember an air conditioning system requires more than just click on and turn off to work properly. What is the church paying in Utility costs? If this isn't performed right, you er I mean the church will pay for it regardless. Plenty of proverbs I could cover here in a Sunday sermon.

The quote of $1300 each sounds high to me for this kind of repair. But you live in a (HCOLA). High cost of living area, this may be the going rate for such things. I don't know for sure -- it's a guess here. You don't show what kind of equipment and as such this job may require reclaiming the refrigerant to make this repair... which costs more. You don't say if the job also includes fine tuning the refrigerant which would also cost more, requires more knowledge to do it properly so the equipment runs as efficiently as it can OR you pay higher utility bills in a location that is probably paying a pretty penny now.

I service the Katy, Texas area.
W C thanked Austin Air Companie
klem1
3 years ago
DIY replacement of the driers is an excellent opportunity to save the church money and there's no reason you shouldn't,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if know how. Which begs the question of why you need blessings from houzz?
W C thanked klem1
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3 years ago
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