HVAC - repair or replace?

O

opus1

Joined
Dec 13, 2004
Messages
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Location
Chicago Area
The blower motor on Mom's 17-year old TempStar system went out yesterday. The tech who came said that it was a special order part, and, of course, the supply houses were closed for the weekend so we won't get a price until sometime tomorrow. Rough guess (and it was emphasized that this was a very rough guess) was upwards of $700 to replace, and likely more. A hint was dropped that maybe it's time to replace the entire HVAC system. One of the things mentioned was that once you start replacing parts, other parts will start to fail due to changes in operations, but I have a hard time thinking a blower motor would do that. If it was something dealing with the refrigerant, I can see how replacing a part would cause problems in other parts of that system, but this is just driving a blower to move air in the ductwork and I'm not getting how that would affect anything else.

At the same time, it is a 17-year old system.

My gut says to replace just the motor and start thinking about system replacement on our own terms at a later time. I'd rather spend some money now to get a working system before it gets really hot again, and I don't know how long it will take the contractor to fit us in for an estimate and the lag time for the work after that. When I replaced my unit a couple of years ago, I think it was close to a month from the time I agreed to buy and they scheduled me for the install.

Am I missing something? I don't want to cheap out and pay more for additional fixes later. We're still dealing with the costs of a bathroom remodel to make the place as ADA-accessible as possible for a wheelchair so I'd like to keep things as reasonable as possible.

And, yes, I did search and found a discussion on a Trane system, which is also why I'm leaning towards fixing rather than replacing right now. ;)
 
opus1 said:
The blower motor on Mom's 17-year old TempStar system went out yesterday. The tech who came said that it was a special order part, and, of course, the supply houses were closed for the weekend so we won't get a price until sometime tomorrow. Rough guess (and it was emphasized that this was a very rough guess) was upwards of $700 to replace, and likely more. A hint was dropped that maybe it's time to replace the entire HVAC system. One of the things mentioned was that once you start replacing parts, other parts will start to fail due to changes in operations, but I have a hard time thinking a blower motor would do that. If it was something dealing with the refrigerant, I can see how replacing a part would cause problems in other parts of that system, but this is just driving a blower to move air in the ductwork and I'm not getting how that would affect anything else.

At the same time, it is a 17-year old system.

My gut says to replace just the motor and start thinking about system replacement on our own terms at a later time. I'd rather spend some money now to get a working system before it gets really hot again, and I don't know how long it will take the contractor to fit us in for an estimate and the lag time for the work after that. When I replaced my unit a couple of years ago, I think it was close to a month from the time I agreed to buy and they scheduled me for the install.

Am I missing something? I don't want to cheap out and pay more for additional fixes later. We're still dealing with the costs of a bathroom remodel to make the place as ADA-accessible as possible for a wheelchair so I'd like to keep things as reasonable as possible.

And, yes, I did search and found a discussion on a Trane system, which is also why I'm leaning towards fixing rather than replacing right now. ;)
Click to expand...
The biggest issue my parents found after the Lennox furnace went kaput after 21 years was that if you order A/C parts in winter they're usually half of the price in summer. If you want to save money but don't mind the hassle here's what my parents did. Purchase a Goodman furnace and A/C from a wholesaler or Amazon. Have a company come out and install it. If there's an issue the install company will likely charge to repair parts but then you'll need to get reimbursed by the manufacturer.
 
Repair until system finally develops something that forces replacement. I recently replaced a fan motor on an outside unit and sourced the OE part on Amazon. It was $225 vs. $600 to have HVAC company do it. Capacitor was another $11. Local HVAC company replacing units in my neighborhood (15-20 year old units) told me to go this route especially since standard refrigerant will change yet again next year.
 
Pull the existing motor out; the model number should be right on the label.
Source from Amazon or other. Get a capacitor at the same time.

It is very easy to replace if you are mechanically inclined; several YT videos exist for various brands and styles.

It is FAR cheaper to replace the motor than get a new unit. Don't get sucked into spending more than necessary.
 
dnewton3 said:
Pull the existing motor out; the model number should be right on the label.
Source from Amazon or other. Get a capacitor at the same time.

It is very easy to replace if you are mechanically inclined; several YT videos exist for various brands and styles.

It is FAR cheaper to replace the motor than get a new unit. Don't get sucked into spending more than necessary.
Click to expand...
^^^^ This is the correct approach if you are a DIYer. Not hard at all and they are all mostly the same process regardless of brand. You can find nearly any HVAC replacement part at SupplyHouse and they ship out quickly. I get most parts in 2 days.

SupplyHouse Blower Motors
 
Post pics of the supposed proprietary motor. Provide nameplate data. Pull it and take it to Grainger if you don't have window units that you can use temporarily.

Replacing a HVAC unit over the blower motor would be like replacing your vehicle because the tire wore out.

A hint was dropped that maybe it's time to replace the entire HVAC system.

That's HVAC technician speak for This job is too small and not profitable enough for us.

If you can check the capacitor yourself (if it even has one), do that first. It's possible that's all you really need.
 
Tempstar HVACs are a sub-brand of United Technologies Corporation (UTC) which is also the parent company of Carrier, Bryant, Heil, Payne, and Day & Night HVAC systems. These units share multiple internal parts but the premium labels have upgraded features such as superior paint finishes, cutting edge electronics, variable speed output and the highest efficiency levels. For core parts like the blower motors, capacitors, and ignitors, many of the more basic units have interchangeable parts. Here is a video that shows how to change out a blower motor on a Carrier air handling unit. The procedure should be similar on a Tempstar.

 
I agree with most others. Even if you don’t want to do it yourself get some other estimates.
I would think you should be able to find somebody for 500 or less, including parts and labor.
I would not, repeat, not make a decision to replace an entire unit by the person who is repairing it.

Big money, replacing systems and little incentive for repairman to fix them. It’s always in their best interest to suggest replacing it.
Bonuses, incentives to bring in business for whole new systems with many of these companies
 
I bet some of ya have seen this...customer tries to do job themselves. They get to the point of removing motor from squirrel cage and its stuck. So they grab hammer and attempt to hammer shaft outa cage....you know the rest of the story..
 
Special order if you want to go back in with the original motor, being a 17 year old unit I'd throw in a rescue motor and call it a day, it's cheaper and customer doesn't have to go without air for the weekend.
Service technicians now days are called selling techs.
 
shortyb said:
Repair until system finally develops something that forces replacement. I recently replaced a fan motor on an outside unit and sourced the OE part on Amazon. It was $225 vs. $600 to have HVAC company do it. Capacitor was another $11. Local HVAC company replacing units in my neighborhood (15-20 year old units) told me to go this route especially since standard refrigerant will change yet again next year.
Click to expand...
Great advise.
Repair now. Hold off on replacement.
 
Just an FYI, one can purchase a modern multimeter for about $50, that tests capacitors. While it is generally a good idea to have a compressor capacitor on standby, as they are cheap, the meter can help with troubleshooting.

I suggest repairing older systems. The idea that modern ones are better or easier/cheaper to repair is largely in error. Motors on new high efficiency systems are often proprietary DC variable speed motors, and can't be found for less than $700. Changing an evaporator, blower motor, compressor or fan motor should be considered instead of complete system replacement.

It's not like the old days where a 1/4 or 1/3HP motor is a direct replacement. These modern DC/digital, permanent magnet motors are programmed by the manufacturer to change speed depending on conditions.
 
dbias said:
I’ve replaced the fan motor, blower motor, squirrel cage, many capacitors and a contactor and a roll out switch and the heat exchanger on my 30year old cheap Goodman system. It just keeps rolling. Price a new system and then go buy the motor.
Click to expand...
At it's core, hvac stuff is pretty simple & straightforward. The main problem with replacing it yourself is timing - often furnaces fail during the coldest weather and a/c on the hottest. Finding the parts and awaiting delivery is inconvenient. Also, there may be parts houses nearby but usually they won't sell to the public.

I installed a new Goodman system last year and purchased some common wear-out parts (igniter, flame sensor, pressure switch, capacitor, etc.) I was quite surprised at how inexpensive those parts were. They're packed up in a box and ready for use if/when needed. A blower (or fan) motor are two things I didn't buy proactively.

BTW. I had the exact same experience as the OP with a Trane furnace back in June of 2007. Blower motor failed, needed a proprietary motor which would be $700.They also advised there would be a service charge for the visit and for the repair BUT no charge if I just bought a new furnace ($2000). Due to extenuating circumstances (taking care of a sick parent) and the furnace being around 13 years old, they replaced it. (Ended up hating the replacement Bryant due to how loud the blower on it was - but that's a different can of worms).

I really opt for repair first, but some of the changes in HVAC requirements make the decision more murky. Mandated higher a/c efficiencies last year (Seer2) and now a whole new refrigerant required in 6 months do nothing but boost the cost to the consumer.
 
Cujet said:
Just an FYI, one can purchase a modern multimeter for about $50, that tests capacitors. While it is generally a good idea to have a compressor capacitor on standby, as they are cheap, the meter can help with troubleshooting.

I suggest repairing older systems. The idea that modern ones are better or easier/cheaper to repair is largely in error. Motors on new high efficiency systems are often proprietary DC variable speed motors, and can't be found for less than $700. Changing an evaporator, blower motor, compressor or fan motor should be considered instead of complete system replacement.

It's not like the old days where a 1/4 or 1/3HP motor is a direct replacement. These modern DC/digital, permanent magnet motors are programmed by the manufacturer to change speed depending on conditions.
Click to expand...
Yep...back in the 50's my dad sold many variable speed controls to add to ones existing furnace blower. Still sold today and can be used on an ac condenser to vary speed.

Sold and installed several over designed furnaces only to have those customers tell me they saved no coin with the new unit. I'd rather see oil cups or tubes to the direct drive motors instead of an engineer tryin to justify their job..
 
Cujet said:
....Motors on new high efficiency systems are often proprietary DC variable speed motors, and can't be found for less than $700...
Click to expand...
And I'm finally back. Appreciate all of the input and Cujet's post made me realize that I left out that this is a high-efficiency furnace with a proprietary motor. Call from the contractor on Monday morning hit us with a $1900 charge for the motor. So Mom decided to replace. You know the saying that if Mama ain't happy, no one's happy. ;)

On the bright side the emergency service call charge from Saturday's visit will be applied towards the new unit.

Appreciate all of the input.
 
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