15 year old Generac not running...replace?

[Up_In_Smoke]

Buy once, cry once.

 

[sandyut]

Buy once, cry once.

I love that saying, said it 1000X. no regrets.

 

[JckDanls 07]

"You can pay me now... Or you can pay me later"
"Goods not cheap and cheap's not good"

Case in point.. Our home AC quit blowing cold about a month ago.... Had our family friend (owns his own AC company) come out to look at it... it was low on freon... So he recharged it and used the sniffer to look for leaks... Found it leaking in the air handler... He said he could replace the evaporator but that he couldn't warranty it since the unit is so old (15 YO)... Cost was going to be $3500... Asked him to send me a quote for a whole new system... Heat pump and all... $8500 for a 4 ton unit...

You know what... just go ahead and put the whole new unit in... Since he couldn't warranty the repair, plus the unit outside had the bottom all rusted out and the compressor was sitting on the ground (which I was sure where he would find the leak)...

So now I (the wife more so) can sleep better at night knowing the unit was not going to fail...

So yea... just bite the bullet now... Then when power goes out you will feel confident there will be no problems...

 

[sandyut]

"You can pay me now... Or you can pay me later"
"Goods not cheap and cheap's not good"

Case in point.. Our home AC quit blowing cold about a month ago.... Had our family friend (owns his own AC company) come out to look at it... it was low on freon... So he recharged it and used the sniffer to look for leaks... Found it leaking in the air handler... He said he could replace the evaporator but that he couldn't warranty it since the unit is so old (15 YO)... Cost was going to be $3500... Asked him to send me a quote for a whole new system... Heat pump and all... $8500 for a 4 ton unit...

You know what... just go ahead and put the whole new unit in... Since he couldn't warranty the repair, plus the unit outside had the bottom all rusted out and the compressor was sitting on the ground (which I was sure where he would find the leak)...

So now I (the wife more so) can sleep better at night knowing the unit was not going to fail...

So yea... just bite the bullet now... Then when power goes out you will feel confident there will be no problems...

Exactly! I was willing to give the old one the one repair attempt - roll the dice. Got lucky once with this one a while back. Now, Im 100% over it and ready for new and reliable.

 

[texomakid]

Well David this thread has peaked a lot of response and I want to thank you for posting your dilemma. It got me rolling on something I've been putting off for years. I've got quotes rolling in to install 50 amp power connections on my house and my barn.

 

[sandyut]

Somedays I just dont see how businesses stay in business. The only local people that are supposedly Generac certified repair people, cant fix it. Last call I got from the service manager was to try to turn the shut off valve down and try to start it. WTF. Luckily I already gave up on a repair.

Install guy was out Friday to get me a quote for a new one, said it would be here this morning, then texted the it would be EOD, than called saying the option we discussed was an issue and now he needs to go to the shop tomorrow to circle "the people" and see what they can do.

Laughable and real irritating. Im like you do this for a living...how?!

Oddly I got a call while I was out from a place in the city thats 35 miles away who is more than happy to come up next week and get us a quote. If its remotely close to the place that is like 30 miles closer - gonna go with them. Local place is impossible. I dont think I have unrealistic expectations here.

 

[processhead]

Somedays I just dont see how businesses stay in business. The only local people that are supposedly Generac certified repair people, cant fix it. Last call I got from the service manager was to try to turn the shut off valve down and try to start it. WTF. Luckily I already gave up on a repair.

Install guy was out Friday to get me a quote for a new one, said it would be here this morning, then texted the it would be EOD, than called saying the option we discussed was an issue and now he needs to go to the shop tomorrow to circle "the people" and see what they can do.

Laughable and real irritating. Im like you do this for a living...how?!

Oddly I got a call while I was out from a place in the city thats 35 miles away who is more than happy to come up next week and get us a quote. If its remotely close to the place that is like 30 miles closer - gonna go with them. Local place is impossible. I dont think I have unrealistic expectations here.

I think you are totally justified given their past performance.
The best way to let them know that is to go with a competitor.

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

I think you are totally justified given their past performance.
The best way to let them know that is to go with a competitor.

And make sure to let them know why you went with another company.

 

[sandyut]

I think you are totally justified given their past performance.
The best way to let them know that is to go with a competitor.

I hope the other company is more on their game so I can.

And make sure to let them know why you went with another company.

If I can use the other company, I will be sure to let them know.

 

[Chris_in_SoCal]

"You can pay me now... Or you can pay me later"
"Goods not cheap and cheap's not good"

Case in point.. Our home AC quit blowing cold about a month ago.... Had our family friend (owns his own AC company) come out to look at it... it was low on freon... So he recharged it and used the sniffer to look for leaks... Found it leaking in the air handler... He said he could replace the evaporator but that he couldn't warranty it since the unit is so old (15 YO)... Cost was going to be $3500... Asked him to send me a quote for a whole new system... Heat pump and all... $8500 for a 4 ton unit...

You know what... just go ahead and put the whole new unit in... Since he couldn't warranty the repair, plus the unit outside had the bottom all rusted out and the compressor was sitting on the ground (which I was sure where he would find the leak)...

So now I (the wife more so) can sleep better at night knowing the unit was not going to fail...

So yea... just bite the bullet now... Then when power goes out you will feel confident there will be no problems...

We replaced our 1994 HVAC fully in 2018. We spent more money for the best 3.5 ton unit we could buy at the time knowing it would save lots of money down the road. In the hot California climate it runs 24/7 most of the year and spending more on a variable speed AC blower is worth it. Like said it runs 24 hours a day but the speed of the blowers and the AC itself adjusts and is always running. That might sound like it would use more juice but it actually saves power over time.

We keep the house at 74F which is very comfortable. It costs less per month to be more comfortable than running the old unit only when absolutely necessary.

As far as backup I bought a Cummins 20K natural gas generator because we had frequent power outages. As soon as I bought it my area switched the power grid so I have not had any more outages. I still have not had it connected but need to have it done.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

FYI and jus' Sayin':
20% off generators at Harbor freight one day only. Just got the email.

 

[sandyut]

20% off generators at Harbor freight one day only. Just got the email.

Those are not whole home Generac's on automatic switches.

 

[philpom]

Those are not whole home Generac's on automatic switches.

Amazon.com: DSE4520 AMF Control Module Automatic Transfer Switch with LCD Display, Generator Auto Start Controller Mains Failure Detection Self Starting Kit : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: DSE4520 AMF Control Module Automatic Transfer Switch with LCD Display, Generator Auto Start Controller Mains Failure Detection Self Starting Kit : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

Under $100 to convert a key start to auto start/failover.

 

[sandyut]

Amazon.com: DSE4520 AMF Control Module Automatic Transfer Switch with LCD Display, Generator Auto Start Controller Mains Failure Detection Self Starting Kit : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: DSE4520 AMF Control Module Automatic Transfer Switch with LCD Display, Generator Auto Start Controller Mains Failure Detection Self Starting Kit : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

Under $100 to convert a key start to auto start/failover.

I dont want to have a portable on an auto switch.

I signed a contract today for a replacement Generac that runs on NG. It 14kw and that will power nearly all of the house and water heater.

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

I dont want to have a portable on an auto switch.

I signed a contract today for a replacement Generac that runs on NG. It 14kw and that will power nearly all of the house and water heater.

You did the right thing.

 

[texomakid]

FYI quotes are so important! I got 2 quotes (called 7 companies and only 2 replied.) Local guy sent guys out and we did a walk around. The other larger company said they could give me a quote over the phone.


Local Company: $1475
Larger Regional Company: $3871

Identical work was requested.

My install & repairs were completed last week. I'm good for the Zombie Apocalypse now :)

5 electrical companies that did not answer my call or did not call me back. That's where we are for electrical contractors in my area.

 

[sandyut]

You did the right thing.

Thanks, feels right. I went with the shop that sells more Generac gens than anyone in the US.

FYI quotes are so important! I got 2 quotes (called 7 companies and only 2 replied.) Local guy sent guys out and we did a walk around. The other larger company said they could give me a quote over the phone.

I got 2 quote and they are very close. the local shop has been a massive PITA and I cant give them another dime. Took them 3 business days to work up a quote. gave me a verbal number that was nearly 30% low. they called 10 days later to see what I thought. What a joke. Im ghosting them.

The national shop upped the warranty to 10 years reviewed everything (warranty, maintenance plan, no interest financing etc) and gave me the quote on site. immediate response to text questions, called next day to see if I had more questions. Imagine that...they want business.

 

[JckDanls 07]

they called 10 days later to see what I thought

I would have told them exactly what I was thinking... And they wouldn't have liked it...

 

[sandyut]

I would have told them exactly what I was thinking... And they wouldn't have liked it...

Im gonna give it a few before I give them my feedback.

 

[Fueling Around]

Im gonna give it a few before I give them my feedback.

Do make sure you include Generac Corporate in your feedback of one of their "certified" dealers.