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A/C repair recommendations?

Akira-R

Akira-R

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 4, 2002
Location
Bay Area
Moto(s)
07 rsvr, 04 nsr50
My A/C has stopped working this year. So far i've already replaced the capacitor and contactor. The wires look fine, as do the connections.

When it tries to start, i just hear a gurgling sound, but no Compressor motor attempting to start.

I'm looking for a good AC repair person who will troubleshoot and not just recommend a whole new setup/furnace etc.

I had a good one, but they no longer do HVAC. And previous ones would just look at it and say, here's a quote to replace it etc without even hooking up a reader to check the components.

I'm in the south bay near 101/blossom hill.

thanks in advance!

--reid
 
Just an update on this if anyone was interested.

I had called Service Champions out to take a look at my A/C.

They were able to come out in 1 day. The technician was knowledgeable and very service oriented/friendly.

He took all the readings on my system, found out it wasn't getting any power (only low voltage from the Thermostat).
Apparently the compressor had tripped the breaker in the main panel (i feel stupid for missing this).

The readings on the compressor once it was able to start confirmed what I kind of already knew. It was in need of replacing. The compress was near empty of refrigerant, and held very low pressure. The split between intake/exhaust on the vents in the house was like 9 degrees.

All said and done, i decided it's time to put this 40 y/o system out to pasture. He was able to schedule another person later in the day to come out and evaluate and spec out a replacement.

All said and done, I went with a special they had for Spring and am replacing my A/C and furnace (also 40 y/o). In the near future, you might not be able to even install a gas furnace in CA. And the electric ones are way more expensive and the heat is like the kind you get from a space heater.

All in all, i can recommend this company. The service has been top notch. They train all their techs in house, and they are all company employees, no sub-contractors. This was a huge plus for me. Even if it means paying a little premium. Having dealt with issues with sub contractors, it's a headache I will avoid at all costs.

They also have a distribution center in Milpitas. So they can source parts and deliver/install fast.

https://servicechampions.net
 
Thanks for the recommendation. Curious, what was the price of their special?
 
18k

3T single stage AC
dual stage Furnace
variable stage blower
all installation an parts/setup etc included.
This includes wrapping vents checking/fixing leaks etc
Lennox is the brand
 
Was this was using the existing duct work?

Did you get other quotes?
 
I'm in the same boat, with a 1988 unit with a seized compressor. I'm getting a 16 seer 3.5 unit installed with some revamping of the intake duct for 12,315. I could have had a less efficient 14 seer unit for 10,515, but I wanted the efficiency. Seer is supposed to be a measure of efficiency. I live in Merced in the valley, so I imagine that it's cheaper here. Buut, it's more necessary.
 
Grissom,

This is using existing duct work. The did replace/redo any ducting connecting the furnace/condenser in the garage. But anything inside the house is still there.

I did not get other quotes, as this was comparable to others i've seen. I guess i could find something a bit cheaper, but then you are dealing with places like Home Depot using sub contractors etc. And some companies are actually sub contractors of home depot who then subcontract the labor.

Bobl,

Is the 12,315 including a new furnace as well?
 
The unit is both heating and cooling. I had just assumed it was, but your question made me call to check. The only duct work is to make the inlet bigger, as the old one isn't deemed large enough to feed the unit. The replacement ducting will run 690 dollars, included in the overall price. After a 1300 dollar new built-in oven, a 900 dollar plumbing repair, and the new AC unit, my house is going to eat me out of house and home! lol.
 
I should make friends with those guys. Sometime I might need them
 
They, er, Alex, just was here. I trust these guys. That is a high bar.
 
Best expedite- record heat coming several days next week. 90's in some places.
 
On my list of things to do is replace my system.
As an aside, Service Champions was unable to replace my igniter and said I had to replace my furnace when that part failed. I had another guy fix it for 150 bucks. Total failure by Service Champions.
 
I don't like how the newer AC systems use refrigerant that runs at much higher PSI, I suspect that is why newer units have shittier reliability and lifespan than the older units. Also the fiasco a few years ago when refrigerant 410A became impossible to find (I think new units have since moved on to better options like R32.)
 
Butch said:
As an aside, Service Champions was unable to replace my igniter and said I had to replace my furnace when that part failed. I had another guy fix it for 150 bucks. Total failure by Service Champions.
Click to expand...

Yea for plumbing/electrical/HVAC it always is a good idea to go with a reputable "little guy", the big outfits are all about churning out new installs. You can find these little guys by dropping by a local HVAC supply company and asking one of the people at the counter, they will know someone close by.
 
Butch said:
On my list of things to do is replace my system.
As an aside, Service Champions was unable to replace my igniter and said I had to replace my furnace when that part failed. I had another guy fix it for 150 bucks. Total failure by Service Champions.
Click to expand...
Kevin Comeford is still a scumbag
 
So is buying a new gas water heater this year a better idea than waiting till the existing one dies and I have to go electric?
 
I wish i could tell you, but i have zero experience with electric water heaters. Or how much more or less it costs to heat the same amount of water.

But i'm in the same boat, need to think about changing mine soon.
 
tuxumino said:
So is buying a new gas water heater this year a better idea than waiting till the existing one dies and I have to go electric?
Click to expand...

Well, it really depends on whether you plan to blanket your roof with solar. If so, you can go electric once your gas dies. If not, you should definitely buy a gas water heater. Of course you could also go with a heatpump water, which uses far less electricity but is far more complicated and expensive.

If you are tankless, it probably doesn't really matter. Those pieces of shit have a much lower lifespan so you'll be going electric sooner or later.

There is honestly nothing better than a good quality gas-powered tank water heater. Mechanically very simple, reasonably efficient, and you have 40-50 gallons of water in an emergency. Replace the anode rod with an electric one, which will help your tank last forever, and you should be good to go.
 
the down stairs is all on a 15 amp breaker and that's where the water heater is. The whole house is on 2 prong outlets so the whole electrical system needs to be upgraded. So 2 grand for a gas water heater now or big bucks for electrical net year.
 
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