The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

trbo20 wrote:
The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

Sounds like you haven't priced things in a long time.


I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

On Nov 20, 9:57 am, George wrote:
trbo20 wrote:
The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

Sounds like you haven't priced things in a long time.

How so? I purchased a riding lawn mower this spring for $1700, and
replaced my Honda Civic engine with a rebuilt one for $1600.

trbo20 wrote:
On Nov 20, 9:57 am, George wrote:
trbo20 wrote:
The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.
While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.
Sounds like you haven't priced things in a long time.

How so? I purchased a riding lawn mower this spring for $1700, and
replaced my Honda Civic engine with a rebuilt one for $1600.

At age 13, unless the replacement is higher efficiency, you're probably
better off replacing the whole unit.

I would guess the cost is at least partially owing to the age and the
changes in that time. I presume the new will also include switchover to
new refrigerant and if so, the sizing difference is part of the equation
as well. 4T is a good-sized unit as well...

--

I would think you could buy a whole new outdoor unit for that amount.


s


"trbo20" wrote in message
...
The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

"trbo20" wrote in message
...
The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

Wow. $1800? I paid $2400

trbo20 wrote:

The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.


Installed, or is that just the parts?

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.



--
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minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

On Nov 20, 9:03 pm, CJT wrote:
trbo20 wrote:
The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

Installed, or is that just the parts?





While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Installed

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 06:48:54 -0800, trbo20 wrote:

The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday through
an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect to pay
from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know that
there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous about
compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should cost more
than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his troubleshooting
steps were. He helped me explore possible alternatives to save a buck,
but he could not tell me why a new compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why they're
so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a 4-tonner.
I don't really know what that means, but I assume it indicates the
general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

Consider a better furnace.

I can't get my head around why this part should cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

A Jasper rebuilt engine for my car cost about $4000 installed, and
that was about 6 years ago.

trbo20 wrote:
On Nov 20, 9:03 pm, CJT wrote:

trbo20 wrote:

The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

Installed, or is that just the parts?






While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

--
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minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Installed

Doesn't seem out of line to me.

--
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minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 06:48:54 -0800 (PST), trbo20 wrote:

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

equivelent in tons of ice.
I've only seen it previously used as a rating for AC, not heating.

government doesnt regulate who puts a car engine in, they do
regulate who installs ac units .. gov has turned the hvac industry into
pompus overpaid industry.

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

And now the new one is chugging away and you're not standing there shivering
in the cold. What can this mean?

Steve

wrote in message
...
government doesnt regulate who puts a car engine in, they do
regulate who installs ac units .. gov has turned the hvac industry into
pompus overpaid industry.

And the biggest user AND dumper of HFCs is .......................

you guessed it. The Gov't.

Steve

On Nov 21, 3:37 pm, CJT wrote:
trbo20 wrote:
On Nov 20, 9:03 pm, CJT wrote:

trbo20 wrote:

The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

Installed, or is that just the parts?

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Installed

Doesn't seem out of line to me.

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minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I've gotten that feedback from a lot of people now. Seems like
my expectations were pretty off.

trbo20 wrote:

On Nov 21, 3:37 pm, CJT wrote:

trbo20 wrote:

On Nov 20, 9:03 pm, CJT wrote:

trbo20 wrote:

The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

Installed, or is that just the parts?

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

--
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minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Installed

Doesn't seem out of line to me.

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- Show quoted text -


Yeah, I've gotten that feedback from a lot of people now. Seems like
my expectations were pretty off.

Alas ... and such prices make updates difficult to justify based on
energy savings.

--
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minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

trbo20 wrote:
Yeah, I've gotten that feedback from a lot of people now. Seems like
my expectations were pretty off.

I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone
has so far, I missed it.

--
Angry American flags attack Hillary Clinton!

no, cold air falls, so you need the 4 ton block of ice in the attic.

s


"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
So, a four ton unit is equivilant to four tons of ice? Would I put that
ice
in the cellar, and melt it slowly over the summer?

I know the answer, but I'm not sure you do.

--

Christopher A. Young;
.
.

"AZ Nomad" wrote in message
...
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

equivelent in tons of ice.
I've only seen it previously used as a rating for AC, not heating.

wrote:
government doesnt regulate who puts a car engine in, they do
regulate who installs ac units .. gov has turned the hvac industry into
pompus overpaid industry.

http://www.minibie.com/america/malone.htm


Nonsense, service rates for HVAC and automotive are comparable.

Steve Barker wrote:
no, cold air falls, so you need the 4 ton block of ice in the attic.

s


Thats what fans are for...

trbo20 wrote:
The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

Here's a different tactic:

Call a wholesaler or nationwide retailer. Here's one:

Partsguy.com Inc.
121 S. Spruce St., Traverse City MI 49684
Toll Free (800) 597-4575 - Voice (231) 946-7644 - Fax (231) 946-9332

Ask 'em if they have a replacement for your model.

Assume they do, and you can get it for, say, $500. ( I have no real idea
what these things cost).

You have now reduced the problem to one of swapping out the part.

On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 09:35:05 -0500, Stormin Mormon wrote:


So, a four ton unit is equivilant to four tons of ice? Would I put that ice
in the cellar, and melt it slowly over the summer?

I know the answer, but I'm not sure you do.

gotta love those weird measurements.

Allen Bradley, a maker of industrial computer control systems, was measuring
memory in 'feet' well into the 90's. The unit 'feet' was a reference to the
equivelent length of paper tape for program storage.

On Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:31:45 -0500, wrote:


government doesnt regulate who puts a car engine in, they do
regulate who installs ac units .. gov has turned the hvac industry into
pompus overpaid industry.

If you can do it for less, then do it. You're perfectly free to apprentice
for a year, spend forty thousand dollars worth of tools, and then charge
the equivelent of a salary of $10,000 a year. I'm sure you'll impress
everybody with your professional conduct riding up to a jobsite with
your tools in a shopping cart being pulled by a bicycle.

You'll be the only AC tech living with four immigrant families in a 300 square
foot apartment with roaches crawling around.

On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 09:35:05 -0500, Stormin Mormon wrote:


So, a four ton unit is equivilant to four tons of ice? Would I put that ice
in the cellar, and melt it slowly over the summer?

I know the answer, but I'm not sure you do.


It's a 24 hours period, you incredible asshole.

From wikipedia, since you seem to need it spelled out for you:
Air conditioner equipment power in the U.S. is often described in terms of "tons
of refrigeration". A "ton of refrigeration" is defined as the cooling power of
one short ton (2000 pounds or 907 kilograms) of ice melting in a 24-hour period.
This is equal to 12,000 BTU per hour, or 3517 watts
(http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/SP811/appenB9.html). Residential "central air"
systems are usually from 1 to 5 tons (3 to 20 kW) in capacity.

"clifto" wrote

I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone
has so far, I missed it.

Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve

SteveB wrote:
"clifto" wrote

I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone
has so far, I missed it.

Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve


For sure, and a lot of people may not realize why. Big box thinking
which resulted in gutting industry has enabled the next dominant world
power. China has been buying commodities (metals, oil, cement etc) like
mad and we need to compete with them.

On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:30:20 -0500, George wrote:


SteveB wrote:
"clifto" wrote

I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone
has so far, I missed it.

Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve


For sure, and a lot of people may not realize why. Big box thinking
which resulted in gutting industry has enabled the next dominant world
power. China has been buying commodities (metals, oil, cement etc) like
mad and we need to compete with them.

It won't happen as long as we have environmental laws, they don't, and
we reward american companies who operate overseas to bypass the costs
of our environmental laws.

"AZ Nomad" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:30:20 -0500, George wrote:


SteveB wrote:
"clifto" wrote

I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone
has so far, I missed it.

Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve


For sure, and a lot of people may not realize why. Big box thinking
which resulted in gutting industry has enabled the next dominant world
power. China has been buying commodities (metals, oil, cement etc) like
mad and we need to compete with them.

It won't happen as long as we have environmental laws, they don't, and
we reward american companies who operate overseas to bypass the costs
of our environmental laws.


So, realistically, it won't happen. You're an adult. Cope.

This is not Utopia, and you're not Pollyanna. The real world is ugly, and
it's about to become unbearable.

We are standing on the brink of the precipice we have created.

For spiritual types, there is the comfort of the afterlife. For the deep
thinking realists, we're just a social experiment run amok.

Enjoy.

Steve

AZ Nomad wrote:
On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:30:20 -0500, George wrote:


SteveB wrote:
"clifto" wrote

I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone
has so far, I missed it.
Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve


For sure, and a lot of people may not realize why. Big box thinking
which resulted in gutting industry has enabled the next dominant world
power. China has been buying commodities (metals, oil, cement etc) like
mad and we need to compete with them.

It won't happen as long as we have environmental laws, they don't, and
we reward american companies who operate overseas to bypass the costs
of our environmental laws.


I didn't mean the overused and ridiculous "we need to compete with them
on price...". My comment regards that we need to compete with them on
the world market for commodities.

"George" wrote in message
. ..
AZ Nomad wrote:
On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:30:20 -0500, George wrote:


SteveB wrote:
"clifto" wrote

I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If
anyone
has so far, I missed it.
Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve

For sure, and a lot of people may not realize why. Big box thinking
which resulted in gutting industry has enabled the next dominant world
power. China has been buying commodities (metals, oil, cement etc) like
mad and we need to compete with them.

It won't happen as long as we have environmental laws, they don't, and
we reward american companies who operate overseas to bypass the costs
of our environmental laws.

I didn't mean the overused and ridiculous "we need to compete with them on
price...". My comment regards that we need to compete with them on the
world market for commodities.

That's good. But how do you compete with dishonest people who don't even
recognize common laws trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property or
ASCAP?

Answer: You don't.

Steve

SteveB wrote:
"clifto" wrote


I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone
has so far, I missed it.


Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve


.... as a predictable result of the Iraq war being waged in order to
eliminate WMDs from that country that were never there.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

SteveB wrote:

"George" wrote in message
. ..

AZ Nomad wrote:

On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:30:20 -0500, George wrote:



SteveB wrote:

"clifto" wrote


I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If
anyone
has so far, I missed it.

Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve


For sure, and a lot of people may not realize why. Big box thinking
which resulted in gutting industry has enabled the next dominant world
power. China has been buying commodities (metals, oil, cement etc) like
mad and we need to compete with them.

It won't happen as long as we have environmental laws, they don't, and
we reward american companies who operate overseas to bypass the costs
of our environmental laws.

I didn't mean the overused and ridiculous "we need to compete with them on
price...". My comment regards that we need to compete with them on the
world market for commodities.


That's good. But how do you compete with dishonest people who don't even
recognize common laws trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property or
ASCAP?

Those "common" laws aren't immutable, nor even common. And don't get me
started on ASCAP.


Answer: You don't.

Steve




--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

"CJT" wrote in message
...
SteveB wrote:
"clifto" wrote


I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone
has so far, I missed it.


Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve
... as a predictable result of the Iraq war being waged in order to
eliminate WMDs from that country that were never there.

And after the towers were dropped by explosives planted by the CIA, right.
Everyone knows fire cannot melt steel, as Rosie says.

And the cost of everything has nothing to do with rising oil prices, rising
minimum wage, increased benefits to illegal aliens, etc, etc, etc.

I'm so glad you explained these things so clearly.

plonk

Steve

SteveB wrote:

"CJT" wrote in message
...

SteveB wrote:

"clifto" wrote



I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone
has so far, I missed it.


Have you been to the store in the last year? EVERYTHING is getting
expensive.

Steve

... as a predictable result of the Iraq war being waged in order to
eliminate WMDs from that country that were never there.


And after the towers were dropped by explosives planted by the CIA, right.
Everyone knows fire cannot melt steel, as Rosie says.

And the cost of everything has nothing to do with rising oil prices, rising
minimum wage, increased benefits to illegal aliens, etc, etc, etc.

I'm so glad you explained these things so clearly.

plonk

Steve


Why do you suppose the price of oil is going up?

And what are these "increased benefits to illegal aliens?"

And please remember that Saddam had nothing to do with the twin towers.
In fact, most of the perps were from Saudi, as I recall.

BTW, the minimum wage hasn't kept up with inflation.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form .

AZ Nomad writes:

gotta love those weird measurements.

Allen Bradley, a maker of industrial computer control systems, was measuring
memory in 'feet' well into the 90's. The unit 'feet' was a reference to the
equivelent length of paper tape for program storage.

The science fiction book "The Difference Engine" imagines a world where
Babbage succeeded in building his mechanical Analytical Engine, starting
the computer revolution during the age of steam. In the story, the
power of computers is measured in "gear yardage" instead of megahertz or
RPM or megabytes.

It sort of makes sense for the time.

Dave

On Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:33:13 -0500, Stormin Mormon wrote:


Didn't think you knew. Glad you can look up data.

What the **** did you think, that a measurement of power could be the mere
existance of a pile of ice? The units for power is energy over time.
The ice melting is the energy involved, changing phase from solid to liquid.

On Nov 20, 9:48 am, trbo20 wrote:
The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

This is a follow-up to my original post.

The HVAC guys are down in my basement right now pulling out my old
system and installing the new one. When they pulled the cover off
the
unit, the technician noticed right away that the previous installer
rigged the evaporator coil with a side intake.

The way he had it going, only one half of the coil ever saw any use.
This is evident by the amount of dust that collected on one side of
the coil. That means my compressor had to work twice as hard to heat
and cool my home over the last 10 years which is probably why it
failed when it did. Frankly, I'm surprised it even lasted that long.

This experience reinforces what in the alt.HAVC group said about
finding the right
guys for the job. I can only wonder how many dollars the previous
home owner wasted heating and cooling this place because the HVAC
guys
that put this system in either weren't qualified to do their jobs or
just didn't care.

Thanks everyone for all of your input.

"trbo20" wrote in message
...
On Nov 20, 9:48 am, trbo20 wrote:
The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday
through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect
to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know
that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous
about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should
cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in
our discussion and he took the time to show me what his
troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible
alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new
compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going
rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why
they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a
4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it
indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

This is a follow-up to my original post.

The HVAC guys are down in my basement right now pulling out my old
system and installing the new one. When they pulled the cover off
the
unit, the technician noticed right away that the previous installer
rigged the evaporator coil with a side intake.

The way he had it going, only one half of the coil ever saw any use.
This is evident by the amount of dust that collected on one side of
the coil. That means my compressor had to work twice as hard to heat
and cool my home over the last 10 years which is probably why it
failed when it did. Frankly, I'm surprised it even lasted that long.

This experience reinforces what in the alt.HAVC group said about
finding the right
guys for the job. I can only wonder how many dollars the previous
home owner wasted heating and cooling this place because the HVAC
guys
that put this system in either weren't qualified to do their jobs or
just didn't care.

Thanks everyone for all of your input.

Yer welcome. And now you have a story to tell when someone touts HVAC
people as being honest, hard working and never making a mistake. Most are
good Joe's, but it's like anything else. Getting references, or referrals
from someone who's happy with a contractors is the way to go. Trouble is,
with HVAC, you usually need the cool or warm air yesterday, and have to find
someone FAST. Then Ben Dover shows up.

Steve