OT: AC Compressor Replacement

[HPNJRUfan]

Have a 24 year old Rudd unit (came with the house when we bought it 3 years ago) hooked up to my central air that finally crapped out while I was away for the weekend. Had a tech come out this morning, and it looks like its lost all of its R22 coolant (no longer available or prohibitively expensive) - so its basically time for a replacement. 1 zone, so nothing too crazy.

Have the same company coming out this afternoon to do a quote on a new system (compressor outside, coolant lines, coil in the basement) and also have a few calls in for other quotes. This board has historically been a good source of information on these types of things, so looking to see if anyone has any recent experience? Price range? In East Brunswick.

 

[dfr1966]

We have always found Alpine to be reasonable. Another option if you're a Costco member is to go through them and you get a Costco cash card for some percent of what you spend.

 

[fg7321]

We used

Alpine Refrigeration​

we are very happy system in 13 years

 

[Tango Two]

New Jersey HVAC, Plumbing & Electric | Guaranteed Service

Guaranteed Service offers plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical services across New Jersey. Call today for an estimate!

www.guaranteedservice.com

 

[RUHills]

Highly recommend Cleworth. Owner is an RU Basketball Season Ticket Holder.

Great work, great price.

 

[RU-Kidding]

When you get quotes be sure to compare apples with apples. You want to compare quotes on the same size systems they are proposing. For example on the condenser (outside unit) you'll need to know the size condenser and SEER rating. For example 3.5 ton and 16 SEER etc.. The new air handler should, of course, be accordingly compatible with your new condenser.

 

[HPNJRUfan]

When you get quotes be sure to compare apples with apples. You want to compare quotes on the same size systems they are proposing. For example on the condenser (outside unit) you'll need to know the size condenser and SEER rating. For example 3.5 ton and 16 SEER etc.. The new air handler should, of course, be accordingly compatible with your new condenser.

First guy is here doing a quote right now. Like I said, current unit is 2 ton (I think) and 24 years old and only has a 10 SEER. Furnace and air handler are on the newer side. So I should see improvement no matter what (cooling and energy usage). Main concerns are price (not exorbitant) and time (asap)

 

[Knight Shift]

When you get quotes be sure to compare apples with apples. You want to compare quotes on the same size systems they are proposing. For example on the condenser (outside unit) you'll need to know the size condenser and SEER rating. For example 3.5 ton and 16 SEER etc.. The new air handler should, of course, be accordingly compatible with your new condenser.

This X1000. Also, consider brands too. Was never a fan of Goodman, but perhaps their quality has improved. The reality is that the parts in all HVAC equipment mostly are sourced from the same suppliers--but it is how the parts are assembled, where they are assembled, the warranty and the customer service that matters the most.

Also, a rule of thumb that holds true: the best quality equipment installed by a hack is a worse choice than lower quality equipment installed by an excellent mechanic. I would not be swayed by the ratings on the equipment manufacturer websites as "Gold Star" or Diamond Service companies. One of the worst jobs we had done was one of the top level Ruud/Rheem installers in our area on their website.

 

[iReC89]

Yeah I'm shopping too. I bought a toy and now I have to fix old stuff around the house at a 5:1 cost to toy ratio. I bought a Lenox dual speed for the attic a couple years ago and its been great. I'll probably do that again for the basement. There was a retrofit option to use another coolant at a higher pressure, but if you have a leak you probably shouldn't waste time with that.

 

[HPNJRUfan]

Thoughts on AJ Perri?

Quoted for a 3-ton Rudd Achiever 16. Numbers seem fair, with a thorough scope of work, as well as the usual warranties and discounts.

 

[Knight Shift]

Thoughts on AJ Perri?

Quoted for a 3-ton Rudd Achiever 16. Numbers seem fair, with a thorough scope of work, as well as the usual warranties and discounts.

Bamboozled: Plumbing giant A.J. Perri hit with record fine for deceiving customers

Plumbing giant A.J. Perri has been hit with a $100,000 fine - the largest ever levied by New Jersey's plumbing board - and has agreed to reform its deceitful business practices.

www.nj.com

 

[phlop87]

I highly recommend Xtreme Climate Control out of Jackson. I have used them for over 20 years. The owners name is Jeff

 

[HPNJRUfan]

Bamboozled: Plumbing giant A.J. Perri hit with record fine for deceiving customers

Plumbing giant A.J. Perri has been hit with a $100,000 fine - the largest ever levied by New Jersey's plumbing board - and has agreed to reform its deceitful business practices.

www.nj.com

Just saw that - is this where @iReC89 angry react is coming from?

Certainly shitty practices a few years ago, my old boss at "Mr.Handyman" used to engage in similar shady practices... On the other hand - I didn't feel at all bamboozled (7k all in plus some add-ons) and thankfully I'm not 90 years old, or someone who thinks just because a part costs $20 that's how much it should cost to replace...

Tried calling Alpine Air as well as a few other local outfits but no dice on an estimate, or even a call back in some cases... Down to AJ Perri or Edison Heating..

 

[MADHAT1]

Don’t know if this will help but thought you might like to take a looksee and compare the units offered. In the quotes you get
Best HVAC Companies of 2022 | HVAC Companies | US News
https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/services/hvac

I've heard Daikin is a unit that's supposed to be a good one, but it's not on the list in link

 

[iReC89]

Just saw that - is this where @iReC89 angry react is coming from?

Certainly shitty practices a few years ago, my old boss at "Mr.Handyman" used to engage in similar shady practices... On the other hand - I didn't feel at all bamboozled (7k all in plus some add-ons) and thankfully I'm not 90 years old, or someone who thinks just because a part costs $20 that's how much it should cost to replace...

Tried calling Alpine Air as well as a few other local outfits but no dice on an estimate, or even a call back in some cases... Down to AJ Perri or Edison Heating..

I had a quote for $1050 for a $160 blower to be replaced. When I pointed that out the cost magically came down to 799. I ended up swapping it out myself. It was 5 screws and 20 min of work. the guy didn't even mention that I had a bigger problem with the vent not hooked up correctly. My one gripe about Lenox is I wont be able to pull that off again as the parts are harder to get.

 

[MADHAT1]

I had a quote for $1050 for a $160 blower to be replaced. When I pointed that out the cost magically came down to 799. I ended up swapping it out myself. It was 5 screws and 20 min of work. the guy didn't even mention that I had a bigger problem with the vent not hooked up correctly. My one gripe about Lenox is I wont be able to pull that off again as the parts are harder to get.

I would advise the best way to get better service if ask friends and neighbors who they use to service their unit(s) and use the companies they recommend.to get quotes from
Also have unit serviced regularly every year , maybe getting friends and neighbors to use same company for servicing units .( might even get a discount because of group servicing.)
This way company will know one dissatisfied customer will cause the rest to stop doing business with them.

 

[e5fdny]

I concur with @MADHAT1 on the service contract, with the firm that initially installed it.

Also agree with what @Knight Shift and @iReC89 said about AJ Perri with regard to pricing and the upsell thing they do.

And +1 to what @dfr1966 said about Costco. I used them and the sub they picked for my Generac. Very pleased with the install, the price and the discounts that came with it. I was with Costco (when it was still Price Club) and saw what hoops they make their contractors jump thru to get picked.

 

[RULoyal]

I had a bad experience with AJ Perri. I had them come in to do a fall furnace checkup on my 10 year old gas furnace and the guy made a laundry list of problems and said it’s on it’s last leg and I needed new. Started writing me a quote right then and there. I told him to hold off and was going to get a second opinoon. I called Cleworth and Sons and asked them to do a checkup. The guy was about 3/4 of the way finished and I showed him the list of problems from AJ Perri. He said it was 90% BS and all I needed was some little fan replaced. He said there was no reason to replace my furnace right now unless I had a need to unnecessarily spend 5 grand.

 

[tom1944]

I had a bad experience with AJ Perri. I had them come in to do a fall furnace checkup on my 10 year old gas furnace and the guy made a laundry list of problems and said it’s on it’s last leg and I needed new. Started writing me a quote right then and there. I told him to hold off and was going to get a second opinoon. I called Cleworth and Sons and asked them to do a checkup. The guy was about 3/4 of the way finished and I showed him the list of problems from AJ Perri. He said it was 90% BS and all I needed was some little fan replaced. He said there was no reason to replace my furnace right now unless I had a need to unnecessarily spend 5 grand.

Same with AJ Perry with me. Tried to upsell us

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

Thoughts on AJ Perri?

Quoted for a 3-ton Rudd Achiever 16. Numbers seem fair, with a thorough scope of work, as well as the usual warranties and discounts.

They charged a customer of mine triple what my usual guy charges me and did a crap job.
With them it depends which sub crew you get to do install. Perri is just a huge corporate marketing machine.
Hire a good local guy referred by somebody you know and trust.
Don't trust online reviews either. These guys (and all big players)pay to have bad reviews buried on page 255 of your search or removed entirely.

 

[Plum Street]

I wouldn’t use AJ perri.


Based on our donation levels , I figured all rutgers fans had window units

 

[RUevolution36]

I have a 4 year old house with Carrier units. Don't recommend. Have blown fuses multiple times.

The multiple service techs that have come out have all agreed that Carrier is not as good as they were and is getting by on reputation. All recommended Lennox and Trane as their brands of choice. In my previous house, had a friend (a pro) install a Rudd that worked well, but was loud.

 

[ScarletteK80]

As I sit here dripping sweat on the keyboard, I see this thread. My AC stopped cooling last night, but is running. When I was still in my house with 2 zone AC it lasted 20+ years. Where I am now only have 1 unit. Also was brutally ripped off by AJ Perri for a plumbing issue.
Most people where I am now use Dolan, but I don't like them either. So, I call Dan's HVAC that installed this unit, their 1st appt.(and she said she was doing me a favor by squeezing me in)this Friday. Called around and found a group in New Brunswick that will come tomorrow. I pray I don't need a new entire unit. Not to feel even more sorry for myself but I am still recovering from 4 broken ribs, and a couple cracked vertebrae. Sometimes I miss the ex-hubby.
Oh, forgot the guys coming tomorrow are called Temperature Masters

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

As I sit here dripping sweat on the keyboard, I see this thread. My AC stopped cooling last night, but is running. When I was still in my house with 2 zone AC it lasted 20+ years. Where I am now only have 1 unit. Also was brutally ripped off by AJ Perri for a plumbing issue.
Most people where I am now use Dolan, but I don't like them either. So, I call Dan's HVAC that installed this unit, their 1st appt.(and she said she was doing me a favor by squeezing me in)this Friday. Called around and found a group in New Brunswick that will come tomorrow. I pray I don't need a new entire unit. Not to feel even more sorry for myself but I am still recovering from 4 broken ribs, and a couple cracked vertebrae. Sometimes I miss the ex-hubby.
Oh, forgot the guys coming tomorrow are called Temperature Masters

Don't know any of those companies.
Good luck. Hate that there are so many assholes in the trades. If you tell folks where you are , you may get a local recommendation.

 

[RUevolution36]

As I sit here dripping sweat on the keyboard, I see this thread. My AC stopped cooling last night, but is running. When I was still in my house with 2 zone AC it lasted 20+ years. Where I am now only have 1 unit. Also was brutally ripped off by AJ Perri for a plumbing issue.
Most people where I am now use Dolan, but I don't like them either. So, I call Dan's HVAC that installed this unit, their 1st appt.(and she said she was doing me a favor by squeezing me in)this Friday. Called around and found a group in New Brunswick that will come tomorrow. I pray I don't need a new entire unit. Not to feel even more sorry for myself but I am still recovering from 4 broken ribs, and a couple cracked vertebrae. Sometimes I miss the ex-hubby.
Oh, forgot the guys coming tomorrow are called Temperature Masters

If you're in the central jersey area, Dan's out of Cranbury is not good. Cranbury is better and friendlier. Princeton Air is ubiquitous around here and I use them for annual servicing. Dan's has a contract with my builder and their techs were awful the couple of times they came out. They never charged the refrigerant before I moved in. They also didn't diagnose a refrigerant leak that was a result of their crap work.