PennSilverTaco's HVAC BS MegaThread!

I installed the downstairs window AC unit today, that's all I got for you..haha

 

The sign says the house has gas heat, but a closer inspection reveals that the unit on the right is a heat pump. The other unit just a straight-cool A/C. A common tactic around here is to put a standalone heat pump on the second floor, even if gas is available, to save money on running a gas line. This can be especially hard in older houses...

 

@Lt. Dangle

How long does it take to replace a reversing valve?

 

@Lt. Dangle

Tearing apart the 1997 Trane XB1000...

 

Aside from the rusty fan grill, this thing was in excellent condition for being 27 years old!

 

I took this as a souvenir...

 

@Lt. Dangle

Since November 2022, I have taken apart and scrapped ten central A/C units (8 straight-cool units and 2 heat pumps); two 1.5-ton units, a 2-ton unit, a 2.5-ton unit, two 3-ton units, two 3.5-ton units, and two 4-ton units. Eight of them had scroll compressors, including one of the three Tranes that I've dismembered. This 4-ton 1997 XB1000, and the 3-ton 1991 XE 800 that I picked up in Paoli last month, both had Trane's venerable Climatuff reciprocating compressor. The one in the 1991 unit had failed, but this one was apparently still running when the owner decided to replace the unit due to age and install a dual-fuel (heat pump and natural gas) system. To date, this is the biggest compressor that I have ever gotten my hands on!

 

@Lt. Dangle

Actually, I stand corrected; I believe that the 1993 York Stellar 3-to heat pump that I scrapped had a reciprocating compressor...

 

@ABA180
@ColoradoTJ
@Lt. Dangle
@shakerhood
@Speedytech7
@TnShooter

Compressors are more profitable when ripped out of the air-conditioner (or refrigerator, freezer, dehumidifier, etc) and scrapped separately. This old bastard weighed in at 93 pounds!

Yes, I was able to lift it into and out of the truck by myself!

 

Those Unions made swapping these so easy. Other than having to lift them over the top of the coil of course lol.

 

Just put one in my house last year. RunTru 2 stage Variable speed furnace and a Trane HP. It's a really good setup IMO. Nowadays the lingo has shifted towards Hybrid Heat vs. Dual Fuel, but I still call it dual Fuel as Hybrid Heat is to trendy and confusing IMO.

I hope you are using a dolly or cart to move these compressors. Protect yourself as much as possible, trust me it catches up to you at some point. Often in unexpected ways and times.

 

Interesting. Wardflex isn't anything to run lol, sounds lazy to me. I'd rather have HP's all around with the gas furnace as well though.

 

One of my all time favorites. Reliable, easy to work on. Tough to beat.

 

Depends on the unit, but 2-4 hours is about right to do everything correctly.

 

I think my Frigidaire window unit is finally dying Oh well, guess I'll buy one of the fancy looking Midea ones that lets me close the window more.

 

I've heard those are not particularly high quality, nor are they as easy to install as one might think...

 

@Lt. Dangle

Pennhurst Asylum was built from 1905 to 1908 and closed in 1987. I saw long-dormant window A/C units in some of the buildings (likely for high-ranking staff), but I don't think the building ever had any type of central air-conditioning, which made it all the more hellish to those imprisoned there; I was surprised to see this fairly new-looking mini-split unit at the main building, but then I realized that this is a year-round tourist attraction and this unit likely heats and cools a staff lounge or something...

 

It's 2024, nothing is high quality. Ever seen home inspector videos for new developments. Even multi million dollar homes are done incompetently, I don't expect an air condition to be any better anymore.

 

Ain't that the truth.
"Built better" has been replaced with "Built cheaper".

 

In the case of motor vehicles, quality is being tossed aside in favor of fuel efficiency...