R22 systems? Keep them running or what?

[The motor guy]

Attic or basement what’s the difference? Go boom either place.

Basement is concrete

 

[97prizm]

Condensor fan motor went out at the rent house. They wanted $11k to put a new 3.5 ton goodman unit in. $1300 to install a new fan motor that probably cost $100 so I went the cheap route. These newer r410a units seem to be pooched after about 10 years and I've heard the r22 units lasting 20 years easy. Do you think I made the right call? If it goes another year I'll be happy. Current system is 17 years old. I have a new system in my house and they had to come back out like 4 times for various little issues that imo were poor installation issues. I also hate to put a brand new system in that the tenant probably won't bother changing the filter on. Etc
Opinions?

Look for a hvac supply place that is open to the public. My dad and I found that you have to buy in the opposite season as they mark up prices significantly for items in season (go figure).

 

[PandaBear]

At the time I didnt really think about it, but I got stiffed good on that fan motor replacement. $1300? So these companies can just charge whatever? Wonder if I can call tdlr it's not $400 it's like $75 for one of those little motors.

I have seen similar things happen. Same "motor" would be real cheap but once adding "something" to it now becomes a custom part that cost 10x. The justification is now they have to keep the inventory for longer and they have to make it back up, and people who just search by part number will not realize they can take off a key to replace a fan, or just screw a motor into a housing, etc.

Also when you are caught in a hurry and need parts now, they will cost more. Often times if you can wait you will get a good deal even on the same part.

At work we have 2 way to order a part: the rapid prototype way cost $7500, the mass produce way cost $400. We were told to order ahead of time even if you have to order 10, and we should start ordering when we only have 3 left.

 

[The motor guy]

How much do you guys think I should have paid for this fan motor replacement? I'm calling them uontomorrow to complain. $700-$800, but $1355? Grant it this was a weekend call, but still. I'm still waiting g for a receipt so I can see the price breakdown.

 

[Snagglefoot]

One of the most popular heat pumps up here is Bryant, made in China. New info on run time yet. My 410 A, 3.5 Ton American standard is 12 years old, with just a capacitor replacement I did myself.

The capacitor failed today after a few weeks of continuous use from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM with an outdoor temp of 86 F. I got two years out of a FOCSPROD 45/7.5 . Although there is not a large bulge, the bottom of the capacitor rocks a bit when sitting on a flat table. In went the same make and model. I ordered up a BOJACK 45/7.5 from Amazon for a spare.

 

[Mechanician]

The capacitor failed today after a few weeks of continuous use from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM with an outdoor temp of 86 F. I got two years out of a FOCSPROD 45/7.5 . Although there is not a large bulge, the bottom of the capacitor rocks a bit when sitting on a flat table. In went the same make and model. I ordered up a BOJACK 45/7.5 from Amazon for a spare.

I read somewhere in my travels that Amrad is supposed to be a very good brand capacitor, but pricier, made in USA.

 

[oil pan 4]

Condensor fan motor went out at the rent house. They wanted $11k to put a new 3.5 ton goodman unit in. $1300 to install a new fan motor that probably cost $100 so I went the cheap route. These newer r410a units seem to be pooched after about 10 years and I've heard the r22 units lasting 20 years easy. Do you think I made the right call? If it goes another year I'll be happy. Current system is 17 years old. I have a new system in my house and they had to come back out like 4 times for various little issues that imo were poor installation issues. I also hate to put a brand new system in that the tenant probably won't bother changing the filter on. Etc
Opinions?

My oldest r410a system is 11 years old now and seems fine.

 

[alarmguy]

How much do you guys think I should have paid for this fan motor replacement? I'm calling them uontomorrow to complain. $700-$800, but $1355? Grant it this was a weekend call, but still. I'm still waiting g for a receipt so I can see the price breakdown.

$250 for the retail cost of the fan motor
$250 to install it
$125 diagnostic fee
I would call the above exceedingly generous compensation

Some years back on our last home I bought OEM fan motor for less than $150
I actually kept it in my garage because I sensed the one on the unit was going, meaning bearing noise

About a year later, the outside one died. Put the new one in and it took me less than an hour.
My total cost was my labor plus less than $150 for the motor. Keep in mind I used OEM motor not an aftermarket Generic

 

[k1xv]

We installed Mitsubishi heat pumps 3 years ago and the old Trane/Spacepak central air system has not been turned on since. And summer electricity usage is way, way down from when re ran the old system.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I read somewhere in my travels that Amrad is supposed to be a very good brand capacitor, but pricier, made in USA.

My system is now 14 years old and works as a heat pump from Sept 1 to Dec1 and from March 1 to June 1. It then runs as an air conditioner from June 1 to Sept 1. For Dec, Jan and Feb it rests while propane heats the house.

 

[Astro_Guy]

IIRC my last R22 system was replaced in 2017 because it had a leak and it was just too expensive to recharge it.

 

[PandaBear]

My oldest r410a system is 11 years old now and seems fine.

Mine is 15 years old and still going strong.