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The Top 7 Things AC Companies Don't Want You To Know How To Do!

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In this video, I expose SEVEN common scams used by many AC companies. I break down each one, explaining how they work, how you can spot them, and how it is possible to test and oftentimes be able to DIY if you are capable.
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Supco M500 Megohmmeter Compressor Tester: amzn.to/4cG9IAq
Supco Capacitor MFD Tester: amzn.to/3W9E8Wm
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Klein 5/16, 1/4 Nut Driver Combo: amzn.to/4eSXxCg
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🎥 Related Videos 🎥
How To Easily Test and Replace An AC Capacitor!: youtu.be/JGO93...
How To Clean Your AC and Coils Like the Pros Do | WILL Make Air Blow Colder: • How To Clean Your AC a...
Why You Need To Stop Using Air Filters To Purify Your Air: • Why You Need To Stop U...
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How To Home assumes no liability for damage or injury. How To Home highly recommends using proper safety procedures and professionals when needed. Our content is for entertainment purposes only. No information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not How To Home. How To Home will not be held liable for any negligent or accidental damage or injury resulting from equipment, tools, electrical, fire, electronics or any items contained in this video. Attempt projects and repairs at your own risk.

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26 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 456

@HowToHomeDIY Месяц назад

I am curious, how many of these have you been presented with? And what were the specifics? Also, links for everything are down in the description of the video!

@kazallendesign Месяц назад

Hmmm, the coil cleaner on Amazon is $10 more than anywhere else, I searched because it seemed expensive and it was.

@wholeNwon Месяц назад

@@kazallendesign Or you could just do what I have done for almost 50 yrs. and use a spray bottle with some dish soap (NOT automatic DW detergent) and warm water followed by a thorough rinse with the garden hose. If the coils are clean meaning that you can easily see light through the fins, they are clean enough. I would certainly avoid harsh chemical cleaners.

@SBinVancouver Месяц назад

One of our largest area-HVAC companies (installs and maintenance) charged me a market labor rate, but tried to get about $300 for the compressor and hot-start kit caps (in total). I disputed the parts charge, allowing them 2 x retail for the parts, and they backed down. No guarantee the hot start cap was bad, either - the compressor one was obvious.

@TheCC89 Месяц назад

Only thing I will say can vary greatly is Condenser cleaning... 1st always Rinse from the inside out. Everything that gets sucked in to the condenser coils get pulled in from the outside in. So when you clean it, you want to push it back out the way it came or it might get stuck in there forever. A fairly new or clean unit can be cleaned with ease, but a old, neglected and nasty unit can take hours to clean thoroughly and well. I just cleaned a unit that hadn't been cleaned in 30 years and had maybe 10% air flow. It took me 6 to 7 straight hrs... Condenser fins were caked with rain splashed sediment and had 5"s of debris piled up inside, clogged to the point it was extremely hot to the touch. When I was done, I had improved the air flow by 80% and the unit was cool to the touch again!! If I had charged them a full contractors rate, service call, parts and labor would have easily been $800 to $1,000. Their AC is colder, electric bill lower and I definitely extended the life of their condenser.

@TheKingOfInappropriateComments Месяц назад

I'd say most of them. But between you and that DIY HVAC guy, I've learned a lot. I no longer hate these machines. They are less intimidating to me. So thanks for these videos, they do help big time.

@gregnoname3707 Месяц назад

My AC wasn’t blowing out cold air so I contacted a well known company in my area named Lees. There was a melted wire between the capacitor and compressor. He said it melted because the compressor was fried. He also said several other parts need to be replaced and gave me an estimate of over 15k to refurb and over 30k to replace the whole unit. Btw my house is only 7 years old. He specifically said the capacitor was good. Well I got a 2nd opinion and the new guy replaced the wire and capacitor and it worked instantly.

@redbaron6805 Месяц назад

The big Red flag flashing should be the fact that the compressors usually always have a 10 year parts warranty. So, even if the compressor was fried, they should ONLY be charging you labor + refrigerant, as the old one has to be vacuumed out and replaced. $15k to refurb a unit and $30k to replace it is absurd. You can get an entire new top of the line variable speed unit installed for less than $15k.

@Kevin-mm6xm 29 дней назад

Yes and go online and buy your brand new Goodman condenser, depending on model and tonnage, for as little as $1600.00. 4 years ago I replaced my entire furnace, coil, and condenser, 14 seer 3 ton for $2500.00. Of course I know what I'm doing but you can find a contractor to do it for you for $1000.00. easy and maybe less if just the condenser.

@redbaron6805 29 дней назад

@@Kevin-mm6xm Finding a contractor can be easier said than done. You usually have to find a very small mom and pop operation or a handyman to do this, as any A/C company with any reputation and business will probably not be interested. The best time to find one would be in the slow season, around DEC or JAN when things tend to be very slow, and as a bonus, your house or attic won't be boiling hot during the installation process.

@Kevin-mm6xm 29 дней назад

@@redbaron6805 I agree with you regarding established AC companies not wanting to install. Recently one of the major online sellers has connections to installers who will do the work so that's a possibility for a good installer. Running an ad in Craigslist as an "assistant" to a homeowner install would probably attract a lot of attention from licensed technicians with a weekend off!

@redbaron6805 28 дней назад

@@Kevin-mm6xm I think trolling Nextdoor or asking some A/C guys if they wanted a little side job would likely work. Especially in my area where it will be pretty dead in November to around February, especially December and January. The problem you could run into would be warranty support, which would probably be out the window, and registering the unit for warranty purposes to cover parts, which could also become a problem. It is definitely an option looking into. But even finding someone to install a mini split, let alone support and service one in my area is a huge headache, and I live in a huge metro area.

@jbranche8024 Месяц назад

Legend, this is why RU-vid is so Valuable. Guy giving you the knowledge and skills to possibly save hundreds or thousands from dishonest AC Techs.

@aprilrain2011 Месяц назад

I have 2 units. Was told both had to be replaced. Because they couldnt even get them to cut on. Called another guy and low and behold within 10 mints both units were up and running.. 75 to make a call and travel and 130 buck later and both ac units were fine. Might I also add I just brought my husband home from a 2 half week hospital stay and we were told he would be going on the heart transplant list..who needs enemies right? also my husband got better. Prayers are truly answered.

@Rsomero Месяц назад

Thank you for informing consumers so they can make better decisions about what they are getting into when repairing these items. My capacitor went out last week in 90F temps, unfortunately I didn't have one handy but was able to order and get one in 2 days. Bought 2 for $26, now I have a spare and NO service call needed!

@dannydaw59 28 дней назад

Where did you buy the caps from?

@Rsomero 26 дней назад

@@dannydaw59 Amazon, just got the info off the old one and found the exact replacement.

@pd8559 Месяц назад

HVAC companies all came out and replaced bad capacitors with Chinese capacitors. They last 1 maybe 2 years then go bad again. I went out and bought my own MADE IN USA capacitor for $20 and replaced it myself. It has lasted 6 years so far and keeps on running without failing.

@wholeNwon Месяц назад

The Chinese manufacture to the standards and prices (esp. the prices) demanded by the purchasing retailers.

@TriggB44 Месяц назад

Thanks for the info, as a single chic, I get creeps trying to take advantage of me all the time, mechanics too!😂🤘🥳

@-What-are-your-thoughts Месяц назад

Where did you purchase USA product?

@TriggB44 Месяц назад

@@-What-are-your-thoughts good question as I was wondering the same thing!👌💫

@troy3456789 Месяц назад

@@-What-are-your-thoughtsMars, Capdog, and Titan HD capacitors are USA made. Titan Pro is Chinese made, stay away from it. I had one that lasted 1 year.

@int4d Месяц назад

Great info. Thanks. A few years ago I had a contract with the company that installed my AC. They cane out twice a year and it was such a rip off. Always needed more freon than was coverd under the contract. Then my unit went out one day. They came out fast and said a capacitor was bad. You could see it was swollen and bad. He didnt have one on his truck so said wouid take 2 days. And capacitors weren't covered in the contract. Woukd cost me $240.00. I went to Grangers and bought one and replaced it myself and it cost me $14.00. I'll never trust an AC tech again.

@PinnacleSoluti0ns Месяц назад

Just like any profession, there are bad apples in every business. I wouldn't take a bad job and write off the whole trade. They have a purpose, otherwise it wouldn't be an industry. Food for thought.

@int4d Месяц назад

@@PinnacleSoluti0nsUnderstood and I would agree normally but this was not some fly by night place. They are huge in my area. Been around for years. They advertise on radio and TV. And of course their website has nothing but praise reviews. This happened a long time ago and they are bigger than ever. I've talked with others that have been burned by them since so its their norm. I'll never use a place that advertises now. I'll only use referrals from people i know that have a history with companies that have treated them well and stood behind their work and honored what they said they would do. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

@TrueDuckFan 29 дней назад

240 might be a little steep to replace a capacitor, but I always stuck just about every size on my truck and try to have them on hand when doing maintenance and service calls so I can replace on site and I charge a reasonable fee and what comes with that is the homeowner not having to mess with 240 V Components

@lorettauppercue6400 15 дней назад

These folks who can do the job themselves are wonderful, but what about those of us who don't have that kind of knowhow?

@user-nc9fc3ru5t 9 дней назад

@@lorettauppercue6400this guy is doing a lot of fear mongering! Do your research and find a company that you can trust, not everyone is trying to scam you. Also showing how cheap it is when you do it yourself is great, and no big surprise, I can order a pizza for $15 bucks or I can make my own for 1/4 that price. When you pay someone else to do it they take on some responsibility, if they make a mistake or your unit gets damaged in the process, they will be paying to make it right, if you do it yourself and damage your equipment then you are sh1t out of luck.

@rumrunner23 Месяц назад

Thanks. Very good tips. Another possible tip: Keep copper lines away from AC metal frame. I had a loud squealing noise coming from the outdoor AC compressor. The AC tech said it was from a bad compressor and needed to be replaced. I wanted to first get another repair quote and while waiting for the second tech, I opened the side cover to see where the noise was coming from. It was because one of the compressor copper lines was touching against the AC metal frame and the line vibration was amplified against the metal frame causing the loud squealing noise. I carefully moved/bent the line away from the metal frame using a screw driver and noise stopped.

@HowToHomeDIY Месяц назад

Wow! Appreciate that story. Amazing. You were told you would need a new compressor over a simple fix. Thanks for sharing!

@dannydaw59 28 дней назад

So they were trying to rip you off.

@framemaker52 Месяц назад

To reiterate, if you are testing or changing out the capacitor, but SURE to cut the power to the unit first. .... 🙂

@Watchyn_Yarwood Месяц назад

True story. My neighbor called me to come to her house. An A/C tech was there charging her $326.00 to replace a 6 inch jumper wire from the capacitor to the contactor. I very calmly told him that was not going to happen. He tore up the bill and left. Now, here's the kicker. Why did the wire need to be replaced in the first place? Well two days later same problem. She called me again and I looked and sure enough the wire he installed was burned into. Again. Why? I looked at the contactor and it was absolutely burned up. I always keep a contactor and capacitor for spare for my house. My brother ran the QC lab in a scroll compressor factory and told me to always keep one of each on hand. I installed my spare contactor, capacitor and fabricated a new wire, all total my cost to replace my spares was less than $50.00, which is what I charged her.

@draperbourgeois702 20 дней назад

...u wouldn't stay in business too long .

@Watchyn_Yarwood 20 дней назад

@@draperbourgeois702 Is that what you would call good business practice? Would you want this to happen to a vulnerable family member, friend or neighbor?

@draperbourgeois702 20 дней назад

@Watchyn_Yarwood ...no,not to that extent, but in order to stay in business, your prices are geauxing to have to be higher than a neighbor,relative,or good friend, that has money already, that knows a little about a few things.

@spost8157 14 дней назад

I'd wager a bet.....this incident didn't happen in North Carolina!! Whomever she is.....she's blessed with a wonderful neighbor with great integrity.

@Watchyn_Yarwood 14 дней назад

@@spost8157 Not NC and thanks. God gets the praise. I was just the delivery agent.

@brucesamuelson7541 Месяц назад

AC Tech wanted $1200 with no guarantee so the lady had me install 3 mini splits. Had to buy a vacuum pump and guage set to evacuate the lines and they work fantastic! 😊

@agostinodibella9939 28 дней назад

The one reason I stopped having my AC system checked every year is that every time they put gauges on it a little refrigerant will escape. I just make sure to clean the coils and check the capacitor in the Spring. I also keep a spare capacitor and contactor.

@nancysanchez3722 Месяц назад

Perfect timing! Just waiting for the AC tech guy to arrive. I feel well informed now. Thank you!

@BigBlueMotors Месяц назад

I've had the same Carrier unit for 21 years. Last year, I had to replace the fan and figured I would replace the capacitor as preventive maintenance. My cost was under $300. I clean the coils every year and place a cover on the unit in the Fall to prevent leaves from getting inside the unit. I've also installed a hard start capacitor kit. Unit is a lot quieter at start up, even after installing the new fan motor. I cleaned the contacts on the contactor relay.

@HowToHomeDIY Месяц назад

And that is why your unit has lasted as long as it has. Bravo!

@robertdavis3433 10 дней назад

I'm in the trade. It's not a good idea to put anything over the top of the unit. Your going to get older and when the cooling season starts up you will go to the thermostat and turn it on. You will forget to remove the leaf cover. Then get out your check book because your now going to buy a new condensing unit. I've sold many units to folks who have done that exact thing. Move forward in life with knowledge. Be wise. see the future. Save some money .

@DJJPlus4 Месяц назад

With the help of this and other wonderful videos like it, I changed my capacitor myself. I couldn't help but wonder how much they are charging locally. Made three calls with prices ranging from $360 to $450....absolutely ridiculous. Did it myself for $15 and 15 minutes. Thank you sir!

@wholeNwon Месяц назад

All true. I replaced my last systems after they had served well for 47 yrs. I replaced one contactor (probably the last of its type in the USA) and a relay during that time. They were still functioning. I maintained them myself. The first rule I followed, and still do, is that, if the system is functioning properly, i.e. interior air supply and return temps. are correct, the refrigerant in the sight glass is liquid and the moisture sensor is negative, NO ONE touches it. This means that gauges are never connected. Filters do not exceed MERV 8. The most important thing is that the initial installation is done correctly and many aren't. There's only one way to do it right. It makes very little difference which brand of AC you choose. If you really need service, do not choose a company that has a lot of trucks running all over your town or one that advertises on TV. We have a big company in our city that actually has acting classes to teach techs. how to convince reluctant people to buy new systems! I have no service contract.

@TriggB44 Месяц назад

@@wholeNwon wow 47 years!!!!!🤯I'm screen shotting this comment! There are some very intelligent & helpful people on here!

@wholeNwon Месяц назад

@@TriggB44 I may not be among the "intelligent" but I hope to be helpful.

@Kevin93m3 Месяц назад

They don’t build a/c systems that robust anymore. Cheaper parts and metals are used and ALL major system brands build obsolescence into HVAC systems. 15 yrs is what you’re looking at on average. And that’s not just HVAC home systems, home appliances are the same if not worse in service life expectancy.

@eugenehernandez2297 Месяц назад

@@Kevin93m3it's true about the home appliances. I've worked on residential home appliances for 11 years. That's how manufacturers keep making money.

@hoppas77 25 дней назад

why do you not exceed MERV 8?

@Kevin-mm6xm 29 дней назад

Cancel that $150 a year service contract! There is nothing to check on your AC. It's a sealed system and unless you have a leak, the refrigerant stays in the system. The refrigerant being checked 2x a year is WORSE for your system as it releases refrigerant each time it's checked and could introduce contaminates into the system. There are no "health systems and components" to check. They either work or fail completely. Whether it's a capacitor, compressor, contactor or fan motor, when they fail, you will pay for the repair and service call at that time. BUT they will tell you it's failing and should be replaced, and this will happen every couple of years on your service contract. My last system lasted 18 years no maintenance or issues ($150.00 x 18 = $2700.00) and only failed while pressure washing my house. I stupidly decided to hit the AC condenser and caused a leak that wasn't repairable. Bottom line is, you're throwing away $150.00 a year for nothing.

@Gio-X-Man 23 дня назад

Gr8888 Info. TKS

@Gio-X-Man 23 дня назад

Gr8888 Info. TKS 👍👍👍👍👍👍

@davesauerzopf6980 Месяц назад

You are spot on with everything you covered in this video. I clean my coils every year. Super easy. I also wash and wax the outside of my AC units just to help reduce the chance of rust. Filters are replaced every month no matter how they look. I buy them in bulk. Having a good reputable HVAC is very important as well. Do your homework and ask around.

@GlenCannon239 Месяц назад

Great video for people that have no clue about A/C units. It goes into to a lot of detail that might go over their heads but it's still good information. When it's hot outside and your A/C isn't working, you will pay just about any amount to get it repaired quickly. I subbed up to the DIY HVAC Guy's channel, thank you for that since I like to make my own repairs when I can.

@SurvivingAz 6 дней назад

Thank you so much! I’m 37 and just bought my first home, built in 2019. Everything is newer from the initial build, but as my luck goes, the AC went out yesterday in the middle of an AZ summer! Last night the house was 91 degrees inside. 🥵 But, thanks to your video, I was able to check the compressor and verify it was fine, as well as the capacitor which was showing 71.8, and 1.03. I am the hero of the house tonight as after a quick few hours, the house is now down to 75 degrees again, and the girlfriend is happy again! I would have paid $300+ and had no choice. Instead for $20 I had everything up and running without having to call anyone! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Money is tight, and I was not looking forward to using a credit card to get the air back on! You are amazing!

@MrRwinsett Месяц назад

I live in Texas and one of the biggest things we have is ants getting in the contactor. Easy fix for a homeowner, but unfortunately many do not know anything about it. Might be another video. Thanks and I loved the video on the capacitor.

@redbaron6805 Месяц назад

We get lizards into contactors and capacitors around here. Always find a couple of fried lizards in my A/C...

@TomNimitz Месяц назад

8:42 - I think it is important to stress to the DIYer, that the rinse should be a gentle spray, not a hard stream - and absolutely never a power washer.

@SandyLove1 8 дней назад

Now you tell me..😢

@onlineconsumer4796 22 дня назад

I was always taught to add clean water back into condensate line after vacuuming so the AC unit it does not suck air from the outside through the condensate line back into the air handler. Also without water in the line, bugs can enter through the line. Another area of failure is the relay switch.

@robinmelanie2529 13 часов назад

I appreciate your videos so much and I’ve watched enough of them that I trust you to give me good information. You’re the first place I go to for info. I’m going to start with cleaning my coils.

@paulpatel9657 13 дней назад

I have been a victim to dishonest AC tech and replaced my havoc. Thank you for making this video.

@wholeNwon Месяц назад

After 10 yrs. or so, depending on several variables, the contactor can go bad. These are easily replaced by virtually any homeowner.

@mikeharrell287 Месяц назад

this has become my FAVORITE you-tube channel - thank you !!

@HowToHomeDIY Месяц назад

You are very welcome! I am extremely happy to hear you are liking and finding so much value in the channel. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know as it really does mean a lot to me! Thanks a lot Mike!

@Wags44 Месяц назад

A note to add about the topping off of refrigerant. Absolutely correct on being a closed system, and you shouldn't require topping off. However In my experience, if it's not them lying, or there isn't anything wrong with your lines leaking, your coil could be slowly leaking, thus the topping off. If your home has a bad sulfur issue in your water, this can lead to coil issues, along with ruining appliances, televisions etc. Even if you don't have sulfur, testing the coil for a leak can help troubleshoot the need for refrigerant periodically. Also, thank you very much for your videos! Very informative and helpful!! And I'm not an HVAC tech, or plumber. I've just unfortunately been through these issues over the years.

@Toolman62-cg7vw Месяц назад

I am a DIYer and am working overseas and do have a company that handles my A/C and plumbing since I am not home a lot, good service but they try and tell my wife this and that is bad not knowing I am on FaceTime the they are talking to her. Last year they said I had 2 bad capacitors and quoted over 200.00 for the capacitors + labor would be over 300.00 so before I went home I ordered 2 capacitors for about 20.00 each but when Ii went home I tested them and they were both good.. Eveytime they come out they allays find something different and what gets me they are always trying to charge outrages prices for the parts, I'm talking 300-500 percent

@robertgreen8046 Месяц назад

Sounds like you should start with getting rid of this company.

@elifarsakh9420 15 дней назад

As a Florida home owner with 2 ac units this video is essential.

@TriggB44 Месяц назад

Im going to watch this at least a couple x & refer back when needed! Thank u so much for posting!!!🤘🥳

@hvacguy3512 28 дней назад

As an HVAC tech, and an honest one, the information you give is great for people with some mechanical knowledge. I don’t like that you think everything is a scam when someone is trying to make a living. 😂. $150 or $200 for a cap isn’t a scam when you have overhead and pay a good wage for a tech. You are paying for the tech to diagnose and fix your ac just like a mechanic to fix your car. The cost to do business is high and overhead prices can vary that’s why prices vary. There are definitely shady techs and unfortunately our industry more and more pay service techs commission which can breed dishonesty, but just because you can do something cheaper than a licensed and insured contractor, doesn’t mean a business with overhead is scamming.

@HowToHomeDIY 28 дней назад

I didn't say everything was a scam and said numerous times it isn't all HVAC techs. I never mentioned $150 or $200 as scam prices. I talk about what things can go wrong, how they can be used as scams, what to look out for, prices to look out for, and sometimes how they can be taken care of ourselves. I think you may have misinterpreted what I said to an extent. Good on you for being an honest one. You all seem to be few and far between.

@vickilund7206 25 дней назад

Most techs are hard working people..don't bash them until you have done our job!

@HowToHomeDIY 25 дней назад

@vickilund7206 when did I bash you all collectively? In fact numerous times I said not all.

@richardso1479 Месяц назад

After watching this very helpful video, Just bought 3 cans of Frost King AC coil foaming cleaners and a Compressor testing Supco M500 the same time. Thank you!!!

@Bassmaster1256 Месяц назад

Don't forget to set your shop vac up for water suction.

@markkempton4579 Месяц назад

Looking for the Space Balls vacuum gif now. . .

@landahoy5217 29 дней назад

No way 😮

@mvnga3362 Месяц назад

Right after I’m finished watching your video my pointer finger hit subscribe button thanks for sharing your knowledge

@Net446 Месяц назад

I had approx 6 companies come out, telling each that i was doing rate comparison. They each said compressor without me telling them. This was the only way i was convinced maybe my compressor was actually out. Its still hard to trust. I went ahead and got a brand new system $4000 lennox. 2 months later with a short circuit board now i am back without ac. To have them come out to trouble shoot the installation they charged me 89$.

@andreeriner811 29 дней назад

I used to change a lot of Compressors out. Here’s the problem, if you can afford a new unit people for goodness sake do it. A compressor has a 1 year warranty. A new unit should have a 10 year if your installer registers it like they are supposed to. Compressor are so expensive now not like they were a few years back. Not to mention the refrigerant and all the other parts if it’s done properly. If you spend a fortune on a compressor and something else goes, you’ll wish you would have just bit the bullet and replaced it. There are exceptions if you have a unit not very old then yeah maybe take a chance. But I’ve been in situations where I change a compressor only to discover the reversing valve is bad. So, there you go.

@Fore-Four-Dee-Too Месяц назад

You forgot to add "Earwig in the contactor" I have had it happen twice. An earwig gets smashed between the contacts and the compressor won't start. Most contactors can be taken apart and cleaned rather than replaced.

@WisconsinWanderer Месяц назад

Truly appreciate your channel you have helped this old guy tremendously thank you 😊

@HowToHomeDIY Месяц назад

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you have found so much value in the channel! Really means a lot to me. Thanks a lot for taking the time to let me know!

@adrianchum2573 День назад

Thank you for the information, when i bought my house i had a ac problem, the tech fixed in 5 minutes and charge me $1500

@generyan2332 10 дней назад

I had an hvac repair man tell me that my Goodman unit was using and was only good for an older type re-frigerant that isn't being used any more. He said it was very difficult to get and that not many servicers have it.

@knh82 27 дней назад

Thank you for the tip. My mom called AC tech because we had overflow on drain tub. He charged $200 to take out water with snake. After watching this vid, I changed bad capacitor myself for $55. Saved a bunch of money.

@chrisbellomo2763 8 дней назад

Great information packed video. I learned a ton. Thank you!

@ermaineanderson264 Месяц назад

Thank you for a good understanding of the AC.

@rfc31 Месяц назад

Hey, just wanted to add some clarity to those techs that are saying your compressor is on its way out. What I have always found with compressor with a rusted top shell is this; the compressor at some point in time has either been running high discharge or high superheat. Either one will cause your compressor to run hot which will therefore chip and degrade the paint and expose the metal causing rust. High superheat could be due to numerous reasons but essentially you are not providing enough refrigerant back to your compressor which helps cool it down, this in turn will cause the overall temp of your compressor to be higher than normal operating conditions. High discharge pressure could be from a time when the condenser fan when out and the compressor short cycled on thermal overload, dirty condenser coils, a restriction, ect. Not saying any of this applies to what you are dealing with or have dealt with. But typically that is what I notice when I see a compressor in this type of condition. I believe this is what my fellow technicians are saying. Does this mean there was permanent winding damage that could be picked up from a megger? I suppose it would depend on how long that particular compressor ran under those conditions. But what it should tell good technician is not that the compressor is “on its way out” but to look more deeply into the system performance and check for some of the issues I stated above. Just my two cents.

@kmaynor16 Месяц назад

Thank you for the video! I always learn a lot watching any of your videos. Is the maintenance for a heat pump air conditioner the same as a regular air conditioner?

@tommunn5560 12 дней назад

No one will clean the coils and drain lines. Any time the drain stops up, it's an indication that the unit is dirty. Just cleaning the drain out does not really fix the main problem.

@upnorth1955 Месяц назад

Love your videos! Always informative and well done.

@patrickroche8433 Месяц назад

I understand your point and I also feel a lot of residential HVAC guys can be dishonest and companies overcharge. At the same time the prices are based off of not only labor but overhead cost (rent, vans, tools, etc)

@WayneTDowdy3 Месяц назад

Thanks! I appreciate what you do. ❤

@HowToHomeDIY Месяц назад

You are very welcome! And thank you very much for the kind words Wayne!

@cajunasian71 17 дней назад

I have a Whole House Contract through a reputable local company for my built home. Same thing. Checks twice a year. Expedited service. Discounts on repairs. Great video.

@ITSpuglord 7 дней назад

Best thing home owners can do: pan tabs, no rinse evaporator cleaner, annual condenser cleaning. $75 a year, and keeps you from overpaying unless there is a real issue. Also, no pleated filter, go cheap and change it monthly. Airflow is a huge, and often overlooked.

@tommunn5560 12 дней назад

The proper coil cleaner is liquid sodium hydroxide, and is sold in 1 gallon jugs for about $35.00. The inside coil also needs cleaning, and almost no one will do it.

@andreeriner811 29 дней назад

Ide rather use a cheap filter that’s not choking down my system. I’ve actually seen units freezing up over one of those fancy junk filters. Better to use a cheaper filter it will work.

@Kilgorebass7 7 дней назад

Change your capacitor(s) and especially the contactor every 3 years in the off-season as a preventative measure that costs less than $40. An intermittent worn contactor can damage your system due to low voltage and transients. Bad capacitors can overheat and damage wires, etc. Change these components before they fail, typically during the hottest time of the year. It is cheap insurance for an expensive system. It's also a good idea to keep a cap and contactor on hand, as Murphy would agree with!

@thewilley5150 16 дней назад

All manufacturers now state to use water only cleaning coils.

@HowToHomeDIY 16 дней назад

No they don’t.

@TheSun_89 13 дней назад

The last A/C company I called service they tried to charge me $1000 for two capacitors and cleaning…suffice to say I did it all myself for under $75.

@davidwisniewski1505 17 дней назад

This is why I learned the trade myself. I have all of the equipment which more than paid for itself after one service call. HVAC is pretty easy, but it’s a process and equipment intensive.

@Bob-cx4ze Месяц назад

I don't begrudge techs charging $150+ to do a good cleaning. I do my units myself, but it takes me at least an hour each to do a good clean. We get a lot of cottonwood, so it really tends to pack in the coils.

@HowToHomeDIY Месяц назад

Most of them don't do a good clean. Just hose it down and call it a day. Glad it sounds like you take pride in your work.

@user-tq8to6ct9j 7 дней назад

REALLY THANK YOU for your video REALLY is a great tool for A AC compressor

@leekumiega9268 25 дней назад

I don't know how common my problem is , my 22 year old Goodman heat pump was working ok but would trip the circuit breaker after the unit was running over half an hour. they said my unit was bad and sold me a whole new system which would also trip the breaker after around 45 minutes of running , the tech then said I needed a new circuit breaker which I changed myself . I'll never know if my still working old unit was drawing too much current which weakened the breaker over time or if it was just the breaker all along but I at least went from an inefficient system to a super high efficient heat pump the Carrier green-speed system that cut my heating bill in half since it can still put out heat down to a claimed -negative 15 degrees before the auxiliary heat turns on as it has a HSPF of 13 which was higher than all other makes at the time and my old unit was only a 6 .

@HazeOfWhearyWater 16 дней назад

As a part of my business I used to install and repair intercom systems in SF. Like capacitors in HVAC systems, the most common problem was usually an inexpensive front door entry speaker.

@zenabhusain8548 11 дней назад

Give me list of things to check every year on my ac system pls. If I call for check up service what stuff they should be checking. Thanks

@geod3589 9 дней назад

My system simply wasn't cooling the house down, even though the air blowing from the vents was cool. They told me my system was failing due to it's age and I needed to replace it. I was given a high quote, so I decided to get a few other quotes. One guy came out and went under the house and discovered I had 2 ducts that had fallen down and just blowing cool air under the house. He took pictures of it with his cell phone. I had him repair the ducts and viola, the house was now cooling properly. The other company knew the vent was down but never mentioned it in order to sell me a new unit.

@xploit5191 Месяц назад

Hvac tech here in arizona, and I agree with everything but the ez flow filters. I don't use pleated air filters in my home because they restrict Airflow. I don't want to restrict Airflow to my Coil. Serviced a guy about a month ago. All I did was remove his filter and got my split, it made a whistling type of noise by return like it was struggling to get air. I use ez flow in my house, the more expensive ones ain't bad I just rather not use them.

@okiedean1112 Месяц назад

Depends if you have enough filter surface area and it keeps youre static pressure within range..

@lawwdogg1digr Месяц назад

Thanks! A+ on that soft start. Love mine.

@sashguitars_com День назад

Subscribed after the first visit

@dorothybrown8859 7 дней назад

I recently received an estimate of $500 to $1500 to replace a capacitor. I am 78 and poor. I researched capacitors to see what it looked like, discovered they cost anywhere from $9 to perhaps $40. I canceled the HVAC appointment. I found one place locally to get a capacitor for $38, made in China, no warranty and told it might last 6 months to a year. I was told all the capacitors are made in China. I found one online for $21 and replaced it myself last evening. It felt good to have temp lower than 85 in my house. It is sad that rip -off artists are everywhere! Why so much greed?

@ra15899550 25 дней назад

Excellent Video!

@erikgrimes3621 3 дня назад

every time I have had a a/c service company out they tell me my system is shot and needs replacing. The only thing it has needed is a capacitor or a control board so now I keep a spare of each and can swap it out myself.

@radbronson7018 День назад

I recently busted a technician from a very reputable company who went to my 85 year old mother's home for their "annual inspection". They were not aware i was there inside and as i was watching tv all of a sudden hot air was blowing from ac. I went outside and tech turned white as a ghost. He had my mom outside with him trying to show her the refrigerant was low (because he was actually releasing it!) Long story short, not to upset my mother i had to walk away before knocking this jerk out and now my mom was kinda forced into adding like 3lbs of refrigerant. Getting upset at me because these jerks have a name on there shirt saying ac tech and wanting to believe and have faith that a reputable company would never do such a thing. Before this he told her as well she needed to replace a working uv light bulb inside the handler which would of been only $375 just for a uv bulb! BS! Found the same one for $80 online and i feel having to replace that yearly (even if still works) and tried to scare my mother into bringing up covid and bacteria, ect. I must say this entire ac system was replaced 5 years ago including all the lines under the house, ect. Another BS scam on the elderly just because she may have a nice home, taken care of and may appear to have money, so she wouldn't Even tell me what they charged for that. However close to $10k that being said next time I'm setting up a hidden camera because even this reputable company didn't refund my mom for anything as she is too passive and didn't really press the issue as i would and made me promise not to say or do anything as it is her house. Her money. Which is true. However these punk technicians pray on the elderly and they know exactly who they are and all i can hope for is Karma on these crooks!! Buyer Beware and look out for the elderly!!!

@THEEXTREMETEAMFILMS 26 дней назад

How much does a service electrician charge to change a breaker or receptacle that can also be installed quick and easy that a homeowner can do. No one will come out to replace a part on ac for cheap, it is a service. For a capacitor expect to pay minimum 145 plus a service fee If you are paying over 500 on residential then that forsure is criminal

@sandyd-rniam8601 20 дней назад

Best HVAC video I've ever seen!🎉❤

@HowToHomeDIY 19 дней назад

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for taking the time to leave that feedback!

@eventurapr Месяц назад

Bro. You’re pro! Thank you!

@Nikolasz1173 Месяц назад

Technicly the windings could be fine but rotor could be locked sometimes

@philbellmore9944 Месяц назад

Wow this video is fantastic! Thanks very much!!

@user-rl4kr9et8g 22 часа назад

What those cheap filters do is save home owners money if you give them correct knowledge, all units need a certain cfm and with fancy filters it puts a strain on the blower, then the condenser fan motor and caps. If you use the cheap filters, budget 200-600 for a deep impact indoor coil clean every four or so years, you save money on filters and parts not being strained trying to suck air through a blanket or straw.

@HowToHomeDIY 20 часов назад

I talked all about that. But those rock catchers you all are installing aren’t doing much of anything. The blower and evaporator coil are doing to be super dirty in no time using those filters. I’m sure you would like that though. 🤔😂

@irpain8617 21 день назад

My dad bought (8) 30lb tanks of R22 before it was regulated. It has saved a significant cost over the years.

@retirementpirate3665 Месяц назад

11 years with no service contract. At 150 dollars a year that means I have saved $1,650 dollars. I have replace one bad capacitor, cleaned the blower motor squirrel cage once and cleaned the outside coils.

@spost8157 14 дней назад

This message is for the host: how to home. Can you please do a video on this exact same topic for a mini split with hoses coming out of the left or right side. Thank you

@kizhakkethankachan6843 17 дней назад

Valuable information. Appreciate your time.

@humayunrehman6071 Месяц назад

Thank you so much for the helpful advice and tips

@nineteenfortyeight6762 13 дней назад

This is why I can't stand calling anyone for repairs. Just gotta figure it out myself. Just fixed my AC by vacuuming out the condensation pipes, using my carpet shampooer because I don't have a wet vac. Worked great.

@nineteenfortyeight6762 13 дней назад

PS subscribed!

@brucewayne7561 Месяц назад

Thank you very informative

@HowToHomeDIY Месяц назад

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

@majestic1096 19 дней назад

The HVAC guys are going to come and drag you out of the house in the middle of the night and abandon you in a desert somewhere if you keep educating home owners like this... Thanks for the advice! You helped me replace my run capacitor, by the way. Parts, $37, labor, $0.

@ismaelgonzalez2432 Месяц назад

Great information. Thanks

@tommunn5560 12 дней назад

Even if one changes the filters, the unit still needs cleaning yearly.

@jamram9924 Месяц назад

I’ve had my system American Standard, checked twice a year for $300.00 (Spring and Fall) since it was installed. I’ve had this system for 15 years with only a blower motor failing under warranty. I change the filters every 3 months.

@crazydoglady5 Месяц назад

oh i got scammed. they said they replaced a part and they did not. Then proceeded to push to sell me a new unit. well i didnt get scammed money wise at the time..i had one of those home warranty things..HENCE why i got crappy AC companies. Went through 5 different companies....only one was honest.

@anthonybuonagurio-gl9bg Месяц назад

I can perform every item you went over and have saved thousands doing g my own A/C maintenance 😊

@HowToHomeDIY Месяц назад

Absolutely! It is great.

@ianswain9990 Месяц назад

Looks like you have some sweet new insulation on those AC lines!

@jrsmyth9761 Месяц назад

Yes he does and it is just for looks. It is 100% unnecessary!! Insulation is to keep the condensation from damaging any material it might drip on. Only time it MIGHT be an efficiency thing is if the lines run in a space that is extremely hot. That is a very low % loss in those situations. In those cases, both lines should be insulated.

@Leonardokite Месяц назад

Excellent info.... thanks. 👍👍👍👍👍

@MrRondonmon 8 дней назад

Those cheap filters ate the best filters, because the other filters wind up destroying you unit in the long run, they need to breath, you just have to change the filter more often, its a dollar per filter, change it weekly.

@Gary_in_NoVA Месяц назад

Great info! Nice job!

@solincillo Месяц назад

Great info. Truly appreciate your videos

@marct9360 Месяц назад

Since I live in an area that has cottonwood trees, I find that a propane torch method works a lot better than any kind of hose, water, and cleaner does. You just have to be sure that the condenser fan is running when you do it. Just play the flame back and forth across the coils and watch it incinerate all the debris that's covering it up. It only takes 5 or 10 minutes and you're done.

@henrytrujillo3858 16 дней назад

Great video thanks for all the info....!!

@gregbennett4254 Месяц назад

Every time you open the freon lines to check pressure you lose some you get air in you get moisture in

@EpyonRules Месяц назад

You shouldn't be getting air and moisture in because the pressure in the lines should be higher than atmospheric pressure. That said, you do indeed lose some refrigerant to the hoses and gauge manifold when you hook up to the unit. A good way to minimize that lost refrigerant is to use stubby gauges with no or very short hoses to check pressures, and only check pressures when something is wrong or not working the way it should.

@jagsfanrick 15 дней назад

2019 can of frost king was 5.98 now 9.37. That is some inflation.

@dkat1108 Месяц назад

I had a capacitor changed so I asked the service tech if the compressor went out how much would a compressor cost he said cant do just the compressor you would have to change the whole split / unit, inside the house and the outside unit and it would cost $8000 ya $8k for a 2.5 ton for a 1300 square ft home. I said well I guess we go to window units I ain't paying no $ 8 fricking grand when all thats wrong is the compressors out. or the motors out thats BS.

@redbaron6805 Месяц назад

Yeah, he obviously lied to you. The compressor not only can be replaced, the compressor is usually under warranty for 10 years. So, if the unit is less than 10 years old, a lot of time there is only labor and refrigerant replacement cost, the compressor is already covered under warranty.

@3beltwesty 5 дней назад

With a Bryant R22 system I replaced the condenser fan motor since rusted solid..added a repair lug kit to the burned compressor wires. I left the old capacitor on the compressor and old capacitor on the Fan too..that was a decade ago. That unit was built in 1969. Eons ago capacitors were more robust and made in the usa so you never replaced them. Ie rare. Now it seems replacing capacitors is the in thing since so much junk. With a 1985 5 ton ac the last time I replaced the condenser fan motors capacitor was before they had recovery machines and a 30Lb jug of R22 was at the NAPA store for 30 bucks and no licenses required. No epa remembering a zillion useless dates to get freon licenses