HVAC Installation, any horror stories?

thebix · 07-17-2009, 11:50 AM

I am replacing the 23 yr old forced hot air oil burner and A/C with a super efficient all new hybrid dual fuel heat pump / LP gas furnace.

I have bids for Carrier, Lennox, York, and American Standard systems, from four dealers.
I understand that all these systems have comparable technical specs, and will do the job for us.
I see Internet reviews with raves and horror stories about all of them.

Generally, it seems that the installer is the key to a good system.
So, does any one have any horror stories about any of these around the Laconia corner of the lake:

Air Design Services, from Merrimack

American Air Systems from Conway and Center harbor

Lakes Region Heating and A/C from Northfield

Dutile Refrigeration from Laconia

camp guy · 07-17-2009, 04:05 PM

I used American Air to put in a retrofit whole-house A/C only system (the original baseboard circulating hot water system stayed in serrvice) and they did a fine job. I must say, though, that I was able to be home while the work was being done, and I insisted on having the same installer/technicians on the job from start to finish. I did have a slight problem with condensation during the winter, but, to their credit, and some persistence on my part, the problem was cured and the system worked fine.

ishoot308 · 07-17-2009, 04:32 PM

You may want to look at the Maytag line and see if there is something there you like. I recently installed a brand new Maytag AC system (2 condensers / 2 air handlers) in my house and they were the only company to offer a 10 year material and labor, yes labor warranty! Leblanc Brothers out of Bedford, NH did the job and can't say enough good about them.

Dan

BroadHopper · 07-17-2009, 05:13 PM

Wow! That is as good as it gets.

Remember. Those geothermal claims are for those states in moderate climates. The mfg. will push those claims up here. To get the true story call or browse the UNH website. They have valuable information of 'green' HVAC. What will work in NH and what will not.

thebix · 07-18-2009, 09:38 PM

When I say we're installing a heat pump, I mean an air-to-air H/P, not geothermal. It will provide heat efficiently down to about 30 degrees when the gas furnace will kick in. So the gas is used only for the coldest few months of the year, and then only in the coldest weather. The air-to-air H/P is almost as economical as the geothermal until the coldest temperatures. Often, electric heat coils provides the cold weather supplement, but gas is also used, particularly where electric is expensive (like in NH). See the hybrid dual-fuel systems at all the major H/P manufacturer's web sites.

SAMIAM · 07-19-2009, 09:12 AM

American Air does a great job on new installations but lousy on service.We had to drop them because their mechanics misdiagnosed serveral jobs for us.In one instance they replaced a commercial compressor for a lot of money......I found out later that it was only a pinhole leak which is cheap and easy fix.
I've never used Dutile,but heard they are good.

Rattlesnake Guy · 07-19-2009, 04:01 PM

We did a self install of a Mitsubishi Ductless AC and Heat unit in the island camp 4 years ago. With the limited temperature range of the island season it has really worked perfectly at heating and cooling the camp. I was always afraid of what would happen on the island if I ever needed service.

I got my answer after two years when a nut on the refrigerant line cracked.

We called Home Energy Products in Belmont. They sent out a couple of young men who seemed delighted to take the boat ride out to the island and fix our problem. They figured it out and explained that Mitsubishi had been having trouble with these nuts cracking and they had been redesigned on the newer units. After the fix and recharging, they informed me of the bill, I was quite surprised at how reasonable it was. Then we packed up the boat with all their gear and headed back to the mainland.

The heat pump sure beats dealing with propane out on the island. The over sized unit really heats the cold camp in April and October as well as doing a quick cool off in July. The heat pump is cheaper than propane during the island season temperature range.

We ended up installing one back home last year. 15 seer I think.

I would recommend this company.

www.homeenergyproducts.biz

Blue Thunder · 07-19-2009, 08:03 PM

I installed a Sanyo Ductless Mini-split system in my island home as well. The heat pump/cooling system is tremendous. It heats the cottage much better than I ever expected all the way down to 20 degrees F and cools the place like a refrigerator.

BT

07-17-2009, 11:50 AM	#1
thebix Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Down since 2009. Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 34 Times in 25 Posts	HVAC Installation, any horror stories? I am replacing the 23 yr old forced hot air oil burner and A/C with a super efficient all new hybrid dual fuel heat pump / LP gas furnace. I have bids for Carrier, Lennox, York, and American Standard systems, from four dealers. I understand that all these systems have comparable technical specs, and will do the job for us. I see Internet reviews with raves and horror stories about all of them. Generally, it seems that the installer is the key to a good system. So, does any one have any horror stories about any of these around the Laconia corner of the lake: Air Design Services, from Merrimack American Air Systems from Conway and Center harbor Lakes Region Heating and A/C from Northfield Dutile Refrigeration from Laconia

07-17-2009, 04:05 PM	#2
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	HVAC installers I used American Air to put in a retrofit whole-house A/C only system (the original baseboard circulating hot water system stayed in serrvice) and they did a fine job. I must say, though, that I was able to be home while the work was being done, and I insisted on having the same installer/technicians on the job from start to finish. I did have a slight problem with condensation during the winter, but, to their credit, and some persistence on my part, the problem was cured and the system worked fine.

07-17-2009, 04:32 PM	#3
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,534 Thanks: 2,455 Thanked 5,468 Times in 2,143 Posts	Maytag Option You may want to look at the Maytag line and see if there is something there you like. I recently installed a brand new Maytag AC system (2 condensers / 2 air handlers) in my house and they were the only company to offer a 10 year material and labor, yes labor warranty! Leblanc Brothers out of Bedford, NH did the job and can't say enough good about them. Dan

07-17-2009, 05:13 PM	#4
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,667 Thanks: 3,282 Thanked 1,132 Times in 814 Posts	10 year parts and labor. Wow! That is as good as it gets. Remember. Those geothermal claims are for those states in moderate climates. The mfg. will push those claims up here. To get the true story call or browse the UNH website. They have valuable information of 'green' HVAC. What will work in NH and what will not. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

07-19-2009, 04:01 PM	#7
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Our experience. We did a self install of a Mitsubishi Ductless AC and Heat unit in the island camp 4 years ago. With the limited temperature range of the island season it has really worked perfectly at heating and cooling the camp. I was always afraid of what would happen on the island if I ever needed service. I got my answer after two years when a nut on the refrigerant line cracked. We called Home Energy Products in Belmont. They sent out a couple of young men who seemed delighted to take the boat ride out to the island and fix our problem. They figured it out and explained that Mitsubishi had been having trouble with these nuts cracking and they had been redesigned on the newer units. After the fix and recharging, they informed me of the bill, I was quite surprised at how reasonable it was. Then we packed up the boat with all their gear and headed back to the mainland. The heat pump sure beats dealing with propane out on the island. The over sized unit really heats the cold camp in April and October as well as doing a quick cool off in July. The heat pump is cheaper than propane during the island season temperature range. We ended up installing one back home last year. 15 seer I think. I would recommend this company. www.homeenergyproducts.biz

07-18-2009, 09:38 PM	#5
thebix Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Down since 2009. Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 34 Times in 25 Posts	When I say we're installing a heat pump, I mean an air-to-air H/P, not geothermal. It will provide heat efficiently down to about 30 degrees when the gas furnace will kick in. So the gas is used only for the coldest few months of the year, and then only in the coldest weather. The air-to-air H/P is almost as economical as the geothermal until the coldest temperatures. Often, electric heat coils provides the cold weather supplement, but gas is also used, particularly where electric is expensive (like in NH). See the hybrid dual-fuel systems at all the major H/P manufacturer's web sites.

07-19-2009, 09:12 AM	#6
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,937 Thanks: 349 Thanked 1,708 Times in 602 Posts	American Air does a great job on new installations but lousy on service.We had to drop them because their mechanics misdiagnosed serveral jobs for us.In one instance they replaced a commercial compressor for a lot of money......I found out later that it was only a pinhole leak which is cheap and easy fix. I've never used Dutile,but heard they are good.

07-19-2009, 08:03 PM	#8
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 958 Thanks: 257 Thanked 351 Times in 158 Posts	I installed a Sanyo Ductless Mini-split system in my island home as well. The heat pump/cooling system is tremendous. It heats the cottage much better than I ever expected all the way down to 20 degrees F and cools the place like a refrigerator. BT __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"