Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house was
built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs and
basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the obviously wrong
sized outside units. I asked them if anything inside had to be switched out
and they swore everything was ok inside.

Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much until now.

So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I just
called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was wondering if
the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the problem.

Thanks in advance for assistance.

Not sure what market you're in, but in the Rochester NY area, that sounds a
bit high. Some of the coils I've installed had two orifice, provided. So
I've got a couple spares in my tool box. As to the install, an hour or two
at the most, unless it's a dificult job to get to the indoor coil.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Art" wrote in message
m...
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house was
built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs and
basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the obviously wrong
sized outside units. I asked them if anything inside had to be switched out
and they swore everything was ok inside.

Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much until now.

So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I just
called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was wondering if
the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the problem.

Thanks in advance for assistance.

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
Not sure what market you're in, but in the Rochester NY area, that sounds
a
bit high. Some of the coils I've installed had two orifice, provided. So
I've got a couple spares in my tool box. As to the install, an hour or two
at the most, unless it's a dificult job to get to the indoor coil.


I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes. I was
beginning to think it was indicative of the profession.

My sense is that real techs don't post to alternating havoc. Me, well, I've
done some AC but I'm still very much the beginner. I'm drawn to alt havoc
like gawkers to a car wreck. I know full well it isn't doing me any good.
But, I'm drawn like a moth to a candle.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"ythread" wrote in message
...

I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes. I was
beginning to think it was indicative of the profession.

Using TWC/Earthlink in Cary, NC.... alt.hvac isn't even listed as a
newsgroup any more.


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
Not sure what market you're in, but in the Rochester NY area, that sounds
a
bit high. Some of the coils I've installed had two orifice, provided. So
I've got a couple spares in my tool box. As to the install, an hour or
two
at the most, unless it's a dificult job to get to the indoor coil.


I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes. I was
beginning to think it was indicative of the profession.

The part is about 1/2 an inch long. I think it's made of brass. If you can
get some information on the unit, you can probably get a sense of how much
the part actually is. $193 for that part is outrageous. Wait until you see
what it looks like.
..
Get a second opinion. $750.00 for a piston replacement is nuts.
..
By the way, stay away from alt.hvac. They are the biggest bunch of assholes
known to usenet.



"Art" wrote in message
m...
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house was
built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs and
basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the obviously
wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything inside had to be
switched out and they swore everything was ok inside.

Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much until now.

So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I just
called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was wondering if
the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the problem.

Thanks in advance for assistance.

Art wrote:
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house
was built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs
and basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the
obviously wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything inside
had to be switched out and they swore everything was ok inside.

Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much until
now.
So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I
just called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was
wondering if the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the
problem.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

I have a few questions:
1. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement condensing units?
2. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement evaporator
coils?
3. Was the bid to replace the piston only or to replace the total metering
device?

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info

Pardon me, alt.hvac is back on TWC/Earthlink. Must have been a glitch


"Art" wrote in message
m...
Using TWC/Earthlink in Cary, NC.... alt.hvac isn't even listed as a
newsgroup any more.


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
Not sure what market you're in, but in the Rochester NY area, that
sounds a
bit high. Some of the coils I've installed had two orifice, provided. So
I've got a couple spares in my tool box. As to the install, an hour or
two
at the most, unless it's a dificult job to get to the indoor coil.


I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes. I was
beginning to think it was indicative of the profession.

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
My sense is that real techs don't post to alternating havoc. Me, well,
I've
done some AC but I'm still very much the beginner. I'm drawn to alt havoc
like gawkers to a car wreck. I know full well it isn't doing me any good.
But, I'm drawn like a moth to a candle.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

They were particularly harsh on you. I never could understand why they felt
the need to be so abusive. Childhood trauma? A need to get even? The amount
of virulence and testosterone in that group was too much for.

I admire you for hanging in there and trying to be helpful.

"Moe Jones" wrote in message
...
Art wrote:
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house
was built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs
and basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the
obviously wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything inside
had to be switched out and they swore everything was ok inside.

Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much until
now.
So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I
just called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was
wondering if the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the
problem.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

I have a few questions:
1. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement condensing
units?
2. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement evaporator
coils?
3. Was the bid to replace the piston only or to replace the total metering
device?

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info


I have another tech coming tomorrow. Unfortunately I don't have the
expertise to interpret the labels on the Carrier outdoor units. The one
thing I did notice is Piston ID 57 on the larger unit label and Piston ID 52
on the smaller unit's label. The part his receipt says I need is a #57
Piston. I asked him if the units are mismatched shouldn't we switch out
both pistons but he said an extra large one in the smaller unit wasn't a
problem.

When the next tech arrives tomorrow I will try to get the tonage of the
condensing and evaporator units in both locations.

"Art" wrote in
m:

Using TWC/Earthlink in Cary, NC.... alt.hvac isn't even listed as a
newsgroup any more.


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
message ...
Not sure what market you're in, but in the Rochester NY area, that
sounds a
bit high. Some of the coils I've installed had two orifice,
provided. So I've got a couple spares in my tool box. As to the
install, an hour or two
at the most, unless it's a dificult job to get to the indoor coil.


I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes. I
was beginning to think it was indicative of the profession.





Well hello form Fayetteville!

SAS Institute still up there? Used to go there for classes some 20+ yrs
ago.

Art wrote:
"Moe Jones" wrote in message
...
Art wrote:
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house
was built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs
and basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the
obviously wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything
inside had to be switched out and they swore everything was ok
inside. Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much
until now.
So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I
just called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was
wondering if the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the
problem.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

I have a few questions:
1. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement condensing
units?
2. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement evaporator
coils?
3. Was the bid to replace the piston only or to replace the total
metering device?

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info


I have another tech coming tomorrow. Unfortunately I don't have the
expertise to interpret the labels on the Carrier outdoor units. The
one thing I did notice is Piston ID 57 on the larger unit label and
Piston ID 52 on the smaller unit's label. The part his receipt says
I need is a #57 Piston. I asked him if the units are mismatched
shouldn't we switch out both pistons but he said an extra large one
in the smaller unit wasn't a problem.

When the next tech arrives tomorrow I will try to get the tonage of
the condensing and evaporator units in both locations.

When you get the model numbers from the condensing unit and the evaporator
coil or you have to do is contact your Carrier dealer and they should be
able to tell you what Carrier recommends what size piston you would need for
each system.
To replace a piston all you have to do is pump down the system, if you can,
then open up the connection at the inlet of the coil then drop the existing
piston out and install the new one and then close up the system them put a
small vacuum on the line set then open the line set then top off if needed.
--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Art" wrote in
m:

Using TWC/Earthlink in Cary, NC.... alt.hvac isn't even listed as a
newsgroup any more.


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
message ...
Not sure what market you're in, but in the Rochester NY area, that
sounds a
bit high. Some of the coils I've installed had two orifice,
provided. So I've got a couple spares in my tool box. As to the
install, an hour or two
at the most, unless it's a dificult job to get to the indoor coil.


I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes. I
was beginning to think it was indicative of the profession.





Well hello form Fayetteville!

SAS Institute still up there? Used to go there for classes some 20+ yrs
ago.

SAS is probably about 10 times bigger than it was 20 years ago. In fact I
worked there for a short time about 20 years ago. They just built a luxury
hotel on campus because Jim Goodnite wanted one.

"Art" wrote in
m:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Art" wrote in
m:

Using TWC/Earthlink in Cary, NC.... alt.hvac isn't even listed as a
newsgroup any more.


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
message ...
Not sure what market you're in, but in the Rochester NY area, that
sounds a
bit high. Some of the coils I've installed had two orifice,
provided. So I've got a couple spares in my tool box. As to the
install, an hour or two
at the most, unless it's a dificult job to get to the indoor coil.


I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes.
I was beginning to think it was indicative of the profession.





Well hello form Fayetteville!

SAS Institute still up there? Used to go there for classes some 20+
yrs ago.

SAS is probably about 10 times bigger than it was 20 years ago. In
fact I worked there for a short time about 20 years ago. They just
built a luxury hotel on campus because Jim Goodnite wanted one.




He's still running the show! I had totally forgotten the name until you
popped a memory bubble.

When I was there I think it was a couple of buildings and a pond covered
with yellow pollen.

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Art" wrote in
m:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Art" wrote in
m:

Using TWC/Earthlink in Cary, NC.... alt.hvac isn't even listed as a
newsgroup any more.


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
message ...
Not sure what market you're in, but in the Rochester NY area, that
sounds a
bit high. Some of the coils I've installed had two orifice,
provided. So I've got a couple spares in my tool box. As to the
install, an hour or two
at the most, unless it's a dificult job to get to the indoor coil.


I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes.
I was beginning to think it was indicative of the profession.





Well hello form Fayetteville!

SAS Institute still up there? Used to go there for classes some 20+
yrs ago.

SAS is probably about 10 times bigger than it was 20 years ago. In
fact I worked there for a short time about 20 years ago. They just
built a luxury hotel on campus because Jim Goodnite wanted one.




He's still running the show! I had totally forgotten the name until you
popped a memory bubble.

When I was there I think it was a couple of buildings and a pond covered
with yellow pollen.


He is so rich he even bought his own airline and moved it to RTP.
Unfortunately Midwest went belly up afew years ago. Even SAS software
couldn't keep it afloat.

http://www.sas.com/corporate/index.html

"Art" wrote in
m:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Art" wrote in
m:


"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Art" wrote in
m:

Using TWC/Earthlink in Cary, NC.... alt.hvac isn't even listed as
a newsgroup any more.


"ythread" wrote in message
...

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
message ...
Not sure what market you're in, but in the Rochester NY area,
that sounds a
bit high. Some of the coils I've installed had two orifice,
provided. So I've got a couple spares in my tool box. As to the
install, an hour or two
at the most, unless it's a dificult job to get to the indoor
coil.


I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable
a-holes. I was beginning to think it was indicative of the
profession.





Well hello form Fayetteville!

SAS Institute still up there? Used to go there for classes some 20+
yrs ago.

SAS is probably about 10 times bigger than it was 20 years ago. In
fact I worked there for a short time about 20 years ago. They just
built a luxury hotel on campus because Jim Goodnite wanted one.




He's still running the show! I had totally forgotten the name until
you popped a memory bubble.

When I was there I think it was a couple of buildings and a pond
covered with yellow pollen.


He is so rich he even bought his own airline and moved it to RTP.
Unfortunately Midwest went belly up afew years ago. Even SAS software
couldn't keep it afloat.

http://www.sas.com/corporate/index.html




10's of thousands of lines of SAS code I wrote long ago... Then went on
the AIX bandwagon on RS6000's.

All long ago. The only PROC I do now is PROC Tologist :-)

I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes.

Definitely ! but, shhh

We don't want them showing up here

I see alt.hvac is all but dead. What a bunch of miserable a-holes.

Not reason to be so polite about it - it's more like a bunch
of obnoxious, constipated, miserable a-holes.

Dick

"Moe Jones" wrote in message
...
Art wrote:
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house
was built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs
and basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the
obviously wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything inside
had to be switched out and they swore everything was ok inside.

Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much until
now.
So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I
just called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was
wondering if the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the
problem.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

I have a few questions:
1. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement condensing
units?
2. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement evaporator
coils?
3. Was the bid to replace the piston only or to replace the total metering
device?

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info




I got some answers. Both inside units are idenditcal 2 ton units. Basement
outside unit is 1.5 tons. Upstairs outside unit is 2 tons. According to
the tech that was here today, it was common when my house was built 10 years
ago to use an oversized inside unit to squeeze more efficiency out of the
system on the small tonage outside unit.

He washed outside coils and checked freon on all 3 systems. Basement was
slightly low. Upstairs was way low, taking about 3 pounds of freon. None
of these systems have been checked for8 years because the guy I had come in
to check them when the house was 2 years old did nothing so I pretty much
gave up on HVAC contractors. Plus we hadn't been using the upstairs much
until this summer.

The technician today's philosophy is (and I am sure many will disagree) is
the first time he adds freon to a system that hasn't been serviced for such
a long time, he will not try chasing down the leak because he probably won't
be able to find it unless it just started leaking. He says if it warms up
again upstairs, he will chase down the leak but he suspects it is the inside
coil and he says carrier charges so much for that inside coil that I might
be better off replacing the outside unit too.

Right now things are plenty cool in the house.

Art wrote:
"Moe Jones" wrote in message
...
Art wrote:
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house
was built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs
and basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the
obviously wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything
inside had to be switched out and they swore everything was ok
inside. Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much
until now.
So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I
just called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was
wondering if the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the
problem.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

I have a few questions:
1. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement condensing
units?
2. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement evaporator
coils?
3. Was the bid to replace the piston only or to replace the total
metering device?

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info




I got some answers. Both inside units are idenditcal 2 ton units.
Basement outside unit is 1.5 tons. Upstairs outside unit is 2 tons.
According to the tech that was here today, it was common when my
house was built 10 years ago to use an oversized inside unit to
squeeze more efficiency out of the system on the small tonage outside
unit.
He washed outside coils and checked freon on all 3 systems. Basement
was slightly low. Upstairs was way low, taking about 3 pounds of
freon. None of these systems have been checked for8 years because
the guy I had come in to check them when the house was 2 years old
did nothing so I pretty much gave up on HVAC contractors. Plus we
hadn't been using the upstairs much until this summer.

The technician today's philosophy is (and I am sure many will
disagree) is the first time he adds freon to a system that hasn't
been serviced for such a long time, he will not try chasing down the
leak because he probably won't be able to find it unless it just
started leaking. He says if it warms up again upstairs, he will
chase down the leak but he suspects it is the inside coil and he says
carrier charges so much for that inside coil that I might be better
off replacing the outside unit too.
Right now things are plenty cool in the house.

He's right.
--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info

"Art" wrote in
m:

"Moe Jones" wrote in message
...
Art wrote:
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house
was built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs
and basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the
obviously wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything
inside had to be switched out and they swore everything was ok
inside.

Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much
until now.
So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I
just called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was
wondering if the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the
problem.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

I have a few questions:
1. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement condensing
units?
2. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement evaporator
coils?
3. Was the bid to replace the piston only or to replace the total
metering device?

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info




I got some answers. Both inside units are idenditcal 2 ton units.
Basement outside unit is 1.5 tons. Upstairs outside unit is 2 tons.
According to the tech that was here today, it was common when my house
was built 10 years ago to use an oversized inside unit to squeeze more
efficiency out of the system on the small tonage outside unit.

He washed outside coils and checked freon on all 3 systems. Basement
was slightly low. Upstairs was way low, taking about 3 pounds of
freon. None of these systems have been checked for8 years because the
guy I had come in to check them when the house was 2 years old did
nothing so I pretty much gave up on HVAC contractors. Plus we hadn't
been using the upstairs much until this summer.

The technician today's philosophy is (and I am sure many will
disagree) is the first time he adds freon to a system that hasn't been
serviced for such a long time, he will not try chasing down the leak
because he probably won't be able to find it unless it just started
leaking. He says if it warms up again upstairs, he will chase down
the leak but he suspects it is the inside coil and he says carrier
charges so much for that inside coil that I might be better off
replacing the outside unit too.

Right now things are plenty cool in the house.




he says carrier
charges so much for that inside coil

There was an old Carrier on one house I had that had coil problems. HVAC
guy said the cost of just the coil alone was about the installed cost,
parts & labor, of another brand.

"Art" wrote in
m:

"Moe Jones" wrote in message
...
Art wrote:
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house
was built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs
and basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the
obviously wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything
inside had to be switched out and they swore everything was ok
inside.

Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much
until now.
So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I
just called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was
wondering if the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the
problem.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

I have a few questions:
1. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement condensing
units?
2. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement evaporator
coils?
3. Was the bid to replace the piston only or to replace the total
metering device?

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info




I got some answers. Both inside units are idenditcal 2 ton units.
Basement outside unit is 1.5 tons. Upstairs outside unit is 2 tons.
According to the tech that was here today, it was common when my house
was built 10 years ago to use an oversized inside unit to squeeze more
efficiency out of the system on the small tonage outside unit.

He washed outside coils and checked freon on all 3 systems. Basement
was slightly low. Upstairs was way low, taking about 3 pounds of
freon. None of these systems have been checked for8 years because the
guy I had come in to check them when the house was 2 years old did
nothing so I pretty much gave up on HVAC contractors. Plus we hadn't
been using the upstairs much until this summer.

The technician today's philosophy is (and I am sure many will
disagree) is the first time he adds freon to a system that hasn't been
serviced for such a long time, he will not try chasing down the leak
because he probably won't be able to find it unless it just started
leaking. He says if it warms up again upstairs, he will chase down
the leak but he suspects it is the inside coil and he says carrier
charges so much for that inside coil that I might be better off
replacing the outside unit too.

Right now things are plenty cool in the house.




Basement was slightly low.

Not an HVAC person but when they come around I stick with em like glue
(under a house with the bugs or in the 140 degree attic) to learn what I
can. They don't mind since they realize I'm not questioning the validity
of their work.

On one the freon was slightly low as you say. Maybe a couple of lbs. He
had me hold ny hand on the pipe and told me to watch the gauge as he
pumped it in and to watch what happens as the last lb goes in. As that
last lb was going in, the pipe suddenly got really cold as it should. He
said the last lb can make all the difference in the world because that's
when the "flash point" was reached.

Just an FYI. Knowledgable HVAC folks feel free to give thumbs up/down on
this info or expand on it.

"Red Green" wrote in message
...
"Art" wrote in
m:

"Moe Jones" wrote in message
...
Art wrote:
Just had a tech check out one of my 3 HVAC systems. When the house
was built the contractor switched outside units between the upstairs
and basement so upstairs was too hot. I had them switch out the
obviously wrong sized outside units. I asked them if anything
inside had to be switched out and they swore everything was ok
inside.

Upstairs never cooled well but we were never used upstairs much
until now.
So I had someone come out today and told him the story. He says the
metering unit orifice (piston) is too small upstairs and needs to be
replaced with bigger one at a cost of $193 for the part and $533. I
just called another guy to come in for a second opinion but I was
wondering if the estimate sounds reasonable if indeed this is the
problem.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

I have a few questions:
1. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement condensing
units?
2. What is the size (Tonnage) of the upstairs and basement evaporator
coils?
3. Was the bid to replace the piston only or to replace the total
metering device?

--
Moe Jones
http://www.MoeJones.info




I got some answers. Both inside units are idenditcal 2 ton units.
Basement outside unit is 1.5 tons. Upstairs outside unit is 2 tons.
According to the tech that was here today, it was common when my house
was built 10 years ago to use an oversized inside unit to squeeze more
efficiency out of the system on the small tonage outside unit.

He washed outside coils and checked freon on all 3 systems. Basement
was slightly low. Upstairs was way low, taking about 3 pounds of
freon. None of these systems have been checked for8 years because the
guy I had come in to check them when the house was 2 years old did
nothing so I pretty much gave up on HVAC contractors. Plus we hadn't
been using the upstairs much until this summer.

The technician today's philosophy is (and I am sure many will
disagree) is the first time he adds freon to a system that hasn't been
serviced for such a long time, he will not try chasing down the leak
because he probably won't be able to find it unless it just started
leaking. He says if it warms up again upstairs, he will chase down
the leak but he suspects it is the inside coil and he says carrier
charges so much for that inside coil that I might be better off
replacing the outside unit too.

Right now things are plenty cool in the house.




Basement was slightly low.

Not an HVAC person but when they come around I stick with em like glue
(under a house with the bugs or in the 140 degree attic) to learn what I
can. They don't mind since they realize I'm not questioning the validity
of their work.

On one the freon was slightly low as you say. Maybe a couple of lbs. He
had me hold ny hand on the pipe and told me to watch the gauge as he
pumped it in and to watch what happens as the last lb goes in. As that
last lb was going in, the pipe suddenly got really cold as it should. He
said the last lb can make all the difference in the world because that's
when the "flash point" was reached.

Just an FYI. Knowledgable HVAC folks feel free to give thumbs up/down on
this info or expand on it.


The basement unit was very slightly low, I am sure less than a pound. The
upstairs unit took over 3 pounds. I think he was concerned it was just
releaking out and he wants to see what happens next after a couple of days
of use. The middle floor had perfect freon level.

For working all 3 units he just charged $187.... a bargain in my opinion on
a 92 degree day.