Air Conditioning Issues

Issue #1

 It’s not alive and it’s not supplying enough conditioned air to the rooms. This is a mess. The ducts are too long, twisted and kinked. It took 2 qualified HVAC technicians 2 days to get the system organized and balanced, essentially costing an additional $2,000.00 to repair a brand new system.

Issue #2

The manufacturer of the compressor (the exterior component of the air conditioning) generally requires the appliance to be installed on a firm level base. Failure to accomplish this leads to accelerated compressor failure and in some instances sudden failure.   This is a brand new installation. I can think of no excuses for this. The contractor indicated it was a picky issue. If it failed at any time within the warrantee period, you would have a fair chance of it not being covered due to an incorrect installation. This amounts to a $5,800.00 mistake

Issue #3

These compressors are located on the roof of a 14-story building. They are installed above the roof membrane so as to not rub or punch a hole in the roof. They are not fastened to the wood frame. And even if they were, the wood frame is not fastened to the roof frame.  Fourteen stories is a long way down for a 100 pound piece of equipment in a free fall mode. Properly secured to a secure wood frame it should cost around $350.00 to $400.00.

 Issue #4

These are 3 of a total of 5 compressors for this house. All are positioned under the drip or snow fall line of a large roof surface. They have no protective covers to prevent ice damage from falling roof ice. They have no provisions to protect them from piles of snow.  The Manufacturer’s covers or a clone are about $125.00 each. A Failure to protect these, figure $4500.00 to $6500.00 to replace.

 Issue #5

 This is an old style uninsulated sheet metal duct. The white material visible at the intersection of the floor frame is believed to be asbestos sheeting. It is in the air path, which was visible in the main floor duct boot and register. So, for the several years the current owner has lived in the house every time the air conditioning or heating system was operating fibers were being spread.  The clean up of the house and a removal of suspect material costs about $7,500.00. Long term health costs not included. 

Issue #6

 The grill in the picture is one of the return air grills for a air conditioning system. In this house the complaint was the air conditioning system never reached the target temperature of the thermostat. After spending some investigative time we determined that the return air grill photographed was short circuiting the return air so 80 % return air was coming from the cellar. Modification were made to the ductwork and the owners now are able to cool the home with minimal cost and effort by the system. Cost $1,100.00.

 Issue #7

 These silver insulated ducts are in the attic space of a single family home newly constructed. The red strip is wording which reads”R-4.0 with airspace R-6.0”. The contractor never left airspace between the insulation and the ductwork. So a large loss of conditioned air will be exhibited in the attic area costing as much as 40% more to cool the house. Removal and replacement of the insulation is required. The expected cost will be between $800 and $900.00. Not repairing the insulation will cost over a 5 year period in excess of $5000.00.

Issue #8

  

At a well known beachside nightclub we found this 15 year old plus rooftop air conditioning unit. The compressor is damaged; the cooling coils have started to corrode. And to top off the significance of the placement, we found it is not anchored to the roof frame by any means. This area is known for high winds and a snow load. The roof is buckled under the unit. A replacement along with frame reinforcement is around $22,000.00.