Who knows anything about home HVAC?

[Dichotomy]

My HVAC system is 20 some odd years old, constantly giving me trouble, rusted out a drip pan two summers ago, damaged my kitchen ceiling, got the drip pan fixed and thought 'I need to get that unit replaced when I have the money'.  

Thursday night my wife calls me in the kitchen and there's water coming through the ceiling again.  I go up and the drip pan is full.  I run some bleach in the lines and turn the fan all the way on.  

Friday morning I go up and the drip pan is empty.  I pour more bleach down the lines but still leave the fan on through the weekend (I've been busy and haven't had time to mess with it).  Tonight I turn the fan off, wait 10 minutes watching the outflow pipe and it's barely dripping.  Climb up in the attic and the pan is full and about to overflow.  

I take a hose up with me and stick it in the outflow pipe and blow as hard as I can.  A chunk of black gooey gunk comes flying out (this is interpreted by the crud on the ground under the outflow pipe) and the pan is flowing nicely.

All of that said I think I need a new system or would changing the condenser be more economically smart?

If I go for the whole new HVAC system what can I expect to pay?  Will it save me decent money on my electricity / gas bill?

HELP!!!!

Dicho

[Cougar68]

We just replaced our 13 year old HVAC system in January.  We have a two story house so we added a zone control system to even out the upstairs/downstairs temps.  The whole thing installed was a little over $9k.  The government requires at least a 12 seer unit now so it's a bit pricey.  (we went with a 14 seer unit)  Our savings over the cold months was about 40%.  The jury is still out on how it'll do in summer, but so far it's about 30%.

[KONG1]

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/

[Dichotomy]

thanks Kong and Cougar

[FBBone]

Check your PM folder

[Dichotomy]

got it and replied.. thanks again

[FBBone]

Back at ya, check it again!

[wes34th]

Originally posted by Dichotomy
My HVAC system is 20 some odd years old, constantly giving me trouble, rusted out a drip pan two summers ago, damaged my kitchen ceiling, got the drip pan fixed and thought 'I need to get that unit replaced when I have the money'.  

Thursday night my wife calls me in the kitchen and there's water coming through the ceiling again.  I go up and the drip pan is full.  I run some bleach in the lines and turn the fan all the way on.  

Friday morning I go up and the drip pan is empty.  I pour more bleach down the lines but still leave the fan on through the weekend (I've been busy and haven't had time to mess with it).  Tonight I turn the fan off, wait 10 minutes watching the outflow pipe and it's barely dripping.  Climb up in the attic and the pan is full and about to overflow.  

I take a hose up with me and stick it in the outflow pipe and blow as hard as I can.  A chunk of black gooey gunk comes flying out (this is interpreted by the crud on the ground under the outflow pipe) and the pan is flowing nicely.

All of that said I think I need a new system or would changing the condenser be more economically smart?

If I go for the whole new HVAC system what can I expect to pay?  Will it save me decent money on my electricity / gas bill?

HELP!!!!

Dicho

Also, look into purchasing a home buyers warranty for your home.My hvac went bad one time but, I was able to get it fixed asap by paying a small deductible and also splitting the deductible payment with my wife.The peace of mind is worth every penny.Hope that helps a little...

[Halo]

Be sure you talk with several contractors and get bids for whatever you're considering.  There are some real hustlers out there, so be very careful.  

Couple years ago one of the HVAC contractors that is the most obvious advertiser in our area wanted to charge me FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS for some sort of electronic evaluation to find an alleged leak whose repairs would be totally in addition to that evaluation rape.

I immediately went into the house and scrubbed my forehead to try to get  S T U P I D  washed off.  So sad to think I must appear that gullible.

Three years later the air conditioner is still running fine without any work.  Unfortunately, so is that contractor.  Sometimes there is no justice.

Paying extra for warranties can be a real screwing too.  Be sure you read and understand all the fine print and exceptions, because there's a good change many future problems might be among the exceptions.  

Buyer beware!