John Goodin
09-01-2020, 8:50 PM
It would take a long time to explain so I will skip the background story. Basically, HVAC repair company recommends replacing two capacitors, one inside, one outside, and the plenum. They did not say anything about the 1980s gray ductwork in the attic. The Ingersoll Rand unit -- condenser/compressor, evaporator and furnace -- were manufactured in 2013. It is housed in a closet with the plenum mainly in the attic.
The questions…
I was always under the impression that capacitors either work or don’t work, like an incandescent light bulb. The AC cools although the temperature differential is a little low. Can capacitors need replacement if the AC works? Is there a reason to replace a working capacitor?
There were air leaks at the joint between the evaporator and plenum but the duct board plenum appeared to be satisfactory. Is there a reason to replace a plenum that was structurally sound and square? It may not have been an exact fit to the replacement HVAC unit but not off by much.
Finally, the duct system is the old early 1980s gray flex duct. Should/Must this be removed and replaced or is it probably to still be fairly leak free? A limited inspection did not reveal obvious issues. I know the only way to tell is by testing it but was surprised the HVAC company didn’t say anything about it.
This is not my house and know nothing about the HVAC company and do not access to the house anymore. Any advice would be appreciated.
The questions…
I was always under the impression that capacitors either work or don’t work, like an incandescent light bulb. The AC cools although the temperature differential is a little low. Can capacitors need replacement if the AC works? Is there a reason to replace a working capacitor?
There were air leaks at the joint between the evaporator and plenum but the duct board plenum appeared to be satisfactory. Is there a reason to replace a plenum that was structurally sound and square? It may not have been an exact fit to the replacement HVAC unit but not off by much.
Finally, the duct system is the old early 1980s gray flex duct. Should/Must this be removed and replaced or is it probably to still be fairly leak free? A limited inspection did not reveal obvious issues. I know the only way to tell is by testing it but was surprised the HVAC company didn’t say anything about it.
This is not my house and know nothing about the HVAC company and do not access to the house anymore. Any advice would be appreciated.