A 3 ton Heat Pump Retrofit Thread

beenthere said:

You mismatch like that, and you'll be ripping that coil back out.

There is no 3636 coil match for that outdoor unit.
That coil is too small.

Click to expand...

Listen to Beenthere. I just went to Goodman Partner Link and downloaded all the possible matches for the SSZ140361A and at best, you can probably get away with a CAPF4860. You might have to do some transition to your furnace. The actual only match is a CAPF4961 + a TXV. Good luck finding that coil.

Unless Goodman has made match changes, you would be wise to really look at the sizing before you order.

I am not speaking from the position of a pro who is seeing you buy your own equipment, but from the standpoint of another HVAC Online Retailer who can tell you that for both parties involved, this stuff does not return well. Make sure before your pull your trigger. ACWholesalers have that information and should be able to provide you with it.

I didn't look at your status, but if you are able send me a private message (I think it after 10 posts) or email me from this thread, i would be happy to send you the pdf file on it so you can check it out yourself. I am not comfortable giving you the backdoor to the Goodman site.

Good Luck to you.

zootjeff said:

Regarding the warranty, a pro is going to be involved. He is going to do brazing, charging, and setup. I'm just doing all the tear down, furnace vent fittings, gas pipe fittings, duct work, heavy moving, Electrical, and line un-wrapping and routing. I also plan to pull the proper permits. Now obviously I want to choose a coil pair that's designed to work with the condenser.

Click to expand...

That does not constitute a pro installation and the dealer number to register warranty isn't just given out to random techs. They have to be Goodman dealers. Not just any Goodman dealer but the higher tier of the the most skilled are the only ones who receive the certification that qualifies to offer the lifetime warranty.

Makes sense too. If Goodman is the one backing up the warranty they of course will allow only the most qualified hvac contractors to do so to ensure the unit is installed in a manner that will grantee longevity of compressor life.

The sizing of the unit,(which is best done by a room by room heat load calc based on manual J) the correct match of evaporator, line set with in allowable limits, an inert gas flowed while brazing too eliminate any soot build up in copper lines, a properly sized filer drier (Goodman has one built in but I always add a additional drier to cover any internal system problems that factory quality control might miss) evacuating the system to five hundred microns, releasing the charge and and taking superheat and sub-cooling reading, adjusting the charge if you have more or less than fifteen feet of lineset.

I don't know any contractor who is a Goodman dealer who will just charge your system and include all the above and then hand over his dealer number to you. He would not make enough on the job.

Also you have the problem of Goodman's "over the inter net warranty policy" to deal with.

Good luck and i hope things work out for you.


PS

As you are buying the equipment I wish to pose the important consideration: If you have a break down in middle of a heat wave you have to return the part the to seller for exchange. Even if there is a Goodman dealer in your area they will not exchange it for you since you did not buy it from them.

You in effect are your own warranty provider. The turn around on shipping is not something I believe you would wish to wait on in 95*f weather.

I am listed in the phone book as a Goodman dealer. I was called out on a DIY Goodman ac recently.
The gent had health problems and was a retired EE. I found the faulty part but my local Goodman distributor would not exchange the part even though it was still under warranty because it was not purchased from them and secondly they said inter net sales voided the factory warranty. Was not a cheap part either. The gent had heart problems and the heat was killing him. I was willing to install
the OEM replacement and then let him take the issue up with the inter net seller. He was not happy about that but I could not give up a part for nothing.

I don't know what the out come of the gent's warranty part finally was.

hvaclover said:

As I understand from my rep it is a a national Goodman policy and that dealer number is for the installing dealer.

I spoke to my rep just to clarify this mater and was informed that if a dealer supplies his own number with out actually doing the install himself
is liable for fraud. Not my words, but my rep' quoting Goodman policy.

If you are selling units successfully with out following SOP that is your own concern.

I am not here to condemn or cajole anyone. But I think if a DIY job is in the offing the OP should know the company warranty terms fully.
Jjust curious but answer me this: Does your site have a disclaimer that suggests a pro should be involved in the installation process when they buy from you? If am mistaken then accept my sincere apology.

Click to expand...

Hvaclover, As far as the Goodman issue, I know all about the recent changes and policing of their policy regarding internet sales, and on paper, it is a very hard line, but I am not seeing the results. I was told by a very high up in Goodman back in Feb. that I would see all Internet sales of Goodman product evaporate. Just the opposite has happened, there is more. Some have changed the graphic and part number to satisfy mother Goodman, and others have enacted a phone order only policy (not internet, so a loophole). The reason Goodman can't completely control this, is GREED. Not necessarily on the part of Goodman, but more on the part of their independent distribution arm.

As far as my company selling, I don't sell Goodman online, so not a problem.

Disclaimer...ABSOLUTELY. Since you asked about our policy or disclaimer, here it is. http://www.homeairdirect.com/store/...itions&zenid=61a045e6762eba15a857ef20c8a33597

I too am not here to argue, just to educate and enlighten if possible.

Well the following is what I read and what I take away from it as an hvac professional that "Yeah, you need a pro but we'll still sell to you if you get a contractor to do it'. Again not arguing just trying to highlite light some important facts so a customer knows if DIY is right for them

The contractor buys and installs the unit :Full factory warranty.

The DIY buys the equipment and has a contractor install it. The warranty does not extend to the contractor, but the contractor is the one who is installing it.

Part goes bad at start up, DIY sends part back to internet seller, and if the seller provides a new part (if he has it. Some inter net sellers do not stock parts or may just tell the DIY to contact Goodman) who pays the contractor to put the part in?

I am not arguing with you but am touchng the important pitfalls that can befall a DIY.

I won't do a customer purchased system. In variably the systems are over sized and mistmatched like the OPs situation. And the warranty of parts has been an issue. DIY expect in some instances that the much smaller profit a contractor makes on a DIY system includes a llabor warranty.
It does not. If I install equipment I provide:full warranty. DIY provided equipment : No warranty on the parts or labor with the exception of brazed connection.




Home Air Direct is not a do-it-yourself supplier. Home Air Direct does not condone Internet sellers who promote do-it-yourself HVAC installs. Though some of the pre-work may be done by you the purchaser, Home Air Direct recommends that all final connections, adjustments and start-up processes be completed by a licensed local contractor. All warranties will be voided unless your new equipment is installed by your contractor. We highly guard our relationship with you the consumer and the manufacturers. You are making a large investment and cutting corners will not save you money in the long run. A quality installation will provide many years of uninterrupted operation of your new equipment. As the buyer you agree to follow all local, state and federal laws are it related to the installation and operation of any and all equipment and or parts from Home Air Direct. An HVAC contractor must have a state license and must be fully insured before they, or their employees, can charge you for work on your cooling or heating system. Laws concerning licensing and insurance were created to protect you, the consumer. Contractors carrying licenses must follow (and are responsible to see that their employees follow) the mechanical codes which have been written to protect the consumer's equipment and home. Furthermore, a person who is not a licensed contractor cannot purchase liability insurance. Liability insurance covers the cost of damage to a home or building caused by errors in the work performed on the building's cooling or heating system by contractors and by their employees. Any systems purchased through Home Air Direct must be installed by a licensed contractor. Purchaser (buyer) releases Home Air Direct from any liability or circumstance related to the installation and operation of purchased equipment.

hvaclover said:

Well the following is what I read and what I take away from it as an hvac professional that "Yeah, you need a pro but we'll still sell to you if you get a contractor to do it'. Again not aruging just trying high

Click to expand...

No argument here. You are mostly correct. Whether the online contractor has the parts or not is unimportant. Their distributors do and that is the same as having the parts, given the geography.

I consider the DIY population as the 3%. They are the 3% who by hell or high water will always try to do something a different way. Usually to save money, but sometimes just because that is the way they are wired. This is why I always marvel at the resistance to DIY. It is such a minuscule population as compared the average HO that it does not effect the mass number much.

Also, there are good DIY consumers and bad ones too. There are some really smart DIY people. And, the fact is, there is a certain amount of responsibility that goes along with the money that they sometimes save, and that is to be inconvenienced by the warranty issues and other glitches in the system. Are there DIY folks who expect to receive the same level of support and service as an all inclusive local contrator? You bet, but they are not realistic and are usually not very happy. We have a vetting process to try and discover these early on and send them on their way, either to another online source, but we ususally suggest that they would be better served locally.

Hvaclover, your stance on HO purchased equipment is fine and normal and at the end of the day, you should do what fits your business plan the best. I respect your thoughts and will always try to see your side as well.

Thank you and I respect yours.

I have one bad experience with the unhappy ones but that is not my main concern in DIY.

Me and you both know that you don't become a competent installer over night.
And among those who get the experience have a very strong sense of doing it right. By the time an installer reaches his peak in skill it is no longer just a pay check it's almost a calling. He get's to know all the nuances of the duct system when paired up with specific equipment..

I can't say the same for a DIY job no matter how outwardly intelligent.

I am afraid a DIY , no matter who, will only get a job that is "Just good enough" because there is no substitute for experience and love of the hvac business, hence my cornball screen name Hvaclover.



I wish anybody who goes DIY all the best.