I need any advice or opinions on a good AC repair company that does really good duct work (and AC install, copper lines etc.) Basically need to replace an entire R-22 TRANE. ............................................................................................................................................... The real issue is the condensation around the metal ductwork. the entire house is old metal duct work , which I like but age has caused all the insulation to decay and condensation is crazy (ducts openings are bubbling from moister, dripping from metal runs in the attic)..Question is is better to try to re-wrap the older metal or bite the bullet and get all new flex ducts? ..................................................................................................................................................... Quotes from 2 installers are high around $10K-$12K (3.5 ton Seer 17 Trane), so much for that Indo trip...any recommendations on great companies and the thought of switching duct style or trying to wrap the original.? If I change to more modern ductwork I'll need all new registers cut as the old ones are at the top of the walls not coming out of the ceiling..ugg, ........................................................................................................................................................... Also need to decide between straight heat or Heat Pump..may pay the extra for Heat Pump just in case (wife gets cold easy). Will need new copper lines and the original design does not push the condensation out the house , so add in another line and pump to move the water out of the interior closet through the attic and out (that is scary configuration-pumping water through the attic)...any advice or recommendations would be great

Edited: 11/20/2018 at 03:37 AM by SurferMic

I actually had a pretty good experience recently with Able Air.

I was on a budget and got a Carrier system fairly cheap, and they did 12 months zero interest on it thru Wells Fargo on top.

The install was very well done- nice and neat.

My only issue was the outside unit's compessor made some noise when it cycles off.. but they replaced the entire unit for free- unfortunately that one made same noise. Even though it was a pain, they kept helping my out and eventually we put in a seperate compressor and the noise stopped- for about 8 months, then came back, but I'm used to it now.

That was really a Carrier issue- it may even just be a general scroll compressor issue. It was probably because I chose the cheapest option and could have gone with an American Standard for more $$.

A year and a half later, my coils froze up on a holiday weekend- guy came right out late on a Saturday for only $40. Got it up and running- turns out the blower module had an issue- they replaced that the next week for FREE.

So all in all, I'd give them a shout- yeah i had some issues, but I was impressed with their service, and it got resolved. Install was nice, and the service techs Frank and Mike are both really good. You can probably request them by name.

They are also quick to come out and get things done.

Plus, you can't beat 12 months zero interest!

Edited: 11/19/2018 at 02:40 PM by paddleout

I had my a/c replaced about ten years ago. SEER 13. It was about that same price. had everything replaced. Good luck! I don't have any recommendations.

I have a friend who has been an a/c tech for the last 4 years. I think he's about 6 months shy of being able to sit for the contractors exam. He'd probably be way below those prices. I'm sure he'd be glad to have the business. I can forward you his information if you'd like to talk to him.

I appreciate all the responses, Able Air is on the short list as well as Weather Engineers. I only want to do the ducts once (in my lifetime) so a company that has been around and will still be around years from now is very important________________________ Thanks for the offer Sector9 but I am not not comfortable working with an upstart, been burned in the past by a guy who closed his door a few years after starting an AC Service; I am sure his quote would be competitive....The AC biz is very saturated, many start-ups fail against the established guys...good luck to your friend. Techs are pushing the Heat Strip but I THINK they suck a ton of energy ($$$$) as compared to a Heat Pump. A least that is what I have heard______________ Any other recommendations would be great; Made it through summer, now temps are cool enough for attic work.

Edited: 11/20/2018 at 01:26 PM by SurferMic

We use Wyse AC contractor (321)591-6377.He has done a few jobs for us with good service with competitive pricing.Since we live at the beach we normally skip the higher cost system due to them lasting shorter period of time in years with corrosion/salt element and even with continual rinse.Our outside unit on west side of home away from ocean and Ss fasteners has a shelf life.With that being said,we stick to Goodman 14seer heating element.How often do use heat in Florida? A 3 ton -3K 4 ton-4K inside/outside unit .
While duct work $1200 ~3/2home but roughly Depending on Sq of house. Sounds as if its time for you to upgrade to new ducts for efficiency.
We do our own duct work.Cut new holes for registers is not a problem granted you have the craw space and repairing drywall is not bad unless its plaster like many of '50 beach homes,then there is a lot of prep work.

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Style is what you make it!

Edited: 11/20/2018 at 08:35 PM by palerider

^Thanks, I'll give Wyse a call as well, notice minor differences between co.'s w/ design, things such as adding neutral air returns, installation pricing...it's the worse case, house built in 1959, Plaster walls, very small crawl space, 1 small access...I may have the record for oldest, still working Air Handler, it's a R-22 Trane unit from 1996 (20+ yrs old), I have rebuilt it many times and know the system well,; it should go into a museum...I am sure now they do not not built them like they used to, as this beast will not die...time to put it down and address the 1950's ductwork...Any other recommendations I'll take...going to take my time getting est. as the job is gong to be difficult

Kabran did me up. Trane system competitive price

Had everything except ductwork replaced by Extreme. Not sure if they are the cheapest but from everything I can tell they did a great job. 17 SEER 2.5 ton Trane, copper line, new power panel, and inside handler. Dropped my power bill by about 30-40% this summer. A former almost 7' tall UCF lineman did the quote. Really nice guy.

We used Extreme Air for a complete redo after Irma totaled our system. They were 2nd lowest in price, but had the best ratings, and when I compared the quotes side by side, I noticed that theirs was more complete. I also talked to a couple of contractor friends who recommended them. We were VERY happy with them. They also stood by us when our insurance company was a real pain about the damage and backed us up in writing, which was a huge help (and they did it quickly). We've had them out after for a couple of little things with our thermostat (one of those smart ones - no issues with the system, just took me a little time to learn it and I had a little issue with the air filter getting it into the handler once so a tech stopped out and adjusted the handler to make it easier for me with my arthritic hands). They really have been super.

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[Feminism is] a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians. ~Pat Robertson

Dave Mastro Air & Heat are the ones.
Have tried about all and it seems I'm not happy with the out-come each time. Dave Mastro did our IHB house ducts, A/C(inside and out)everything,. I did the Elect. and drywall, but he could do that too.
Super nice guy and will tell you up front about ducts and anything else about what you need or what. Did 3 of my houses and 2 of my boys and everytime very happy with quality and PRICE.
You are going to do what you what, but I would at lest call him out(it's free)and talk to him.
Oh, family business and have been in area since 1986.

Dave Mastro Air & Heat
1620 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, FL
(321) 777- 2664

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Well then...........DO IT!!!