[eds1300]

The contractor/owner has text me and will be replacing TEM3 air handler with a TAM4A0A36. However, out of three (AHRI# 7419657, 7482692, 7553520) AHRI matches for Trane XR14, 3 ton, 14 SEER, HP model 4TWR4036, no mention of TAM4. I'm assuming it is a Hyperion XR 4 (17.5in width) model?

The width of our air handler closet space is around 24.24in, so probably eliminates the other two AHRI air handlers (TEM4A0C36 and TM4A0C42) which have 23.5in width. I didn't see the TAM4 as a AHRI match, but the width of of 17.5in will fit in the existing closet space well. He also agreed to exchange the pad with a larger one. He also stated that he can adjust the blower speed with the TAM4 so that the air isn't coming out as powerful (the TEM3 now is 50% more power/noise than our old unit) and a lot louder and powerful then my aunts 4 ton American Standard (not sure if it's a variable speed). Contractor did state that he can adjust the fan blower speed on the TAM4 to our liking.

Although I am glad that the contractor whom I trust is working with us, I'm not sure the TAM4 is a AHRI match?

And, if it's ok to use TAM4, I hope it is a better model than in regards to efficiency.

Any suggestions...

Thank you.

 

[BaldLoonie]

The TAM4 042 is a match. He can drop the air down to more what appropriate to a 3 ton. The rating for this match says 1200 CFM.

 

[eds1300]

The TAM4 042 is a match. He can drop the air down to more what appropriate to a 3 ton. The rating for this match says 1200 CFM.

Contractor/owner is saying TAM4 A0A36 (3 ton) is a match, but did not mention the TAM4 042. I see a match for (GAF2A 36, GAM2A 42 and GAM5B 36) also. I text him about the TEM6 match ( AHRI number 7553520, TEM6 A0B30) but he isn't responding. Current air handler TEM3 is way too loud and a lot more powerful then 4 houses that I compared it to. If the contractor can lower the fan blower speed then I'm good with that. Also the outside unit isn't leveled. The front part of the HP needs to rise 5/8. Probably something I can do after they replace the small concrete pad (36x36) with a larger one (38x42). And, finally after checking out other units from the neighborhood (outdoor and indoor), it seems a lot of cold air is coming out from the air handler area. Something I may need to address or caulk myself.

 

[BaldLoonie]

Demand an AHRI number for anything he is claiming. I saw no match for the TAM4 036

 

[Bazooka Joe]

The Contractor probably didn't make much money on this job, even possible losing money they probably didn't expect you to come to this site for added help. Hopefully you get everything taken care of correctly and to your satisfaction.

 

[eds1300]

Demand an AHRI number for anything he is claiming. I saw no match for the TAM4 036

I trusted the contractor/owner but he's not texting me back. Not a matching system might cause an issue when selling our home, and any warranty work might not be honored. I am not going to allow any system to be installed without a valid AHRI Certification. I believe I have been fair and understanding of the situation to the contractor/owner.

 

[eds1300]

The Contractor probably didn't make much money on this job, even possible losing money they probably didn't expect you to come to this site for added help. Hopefully you get everything taken care of correctly and to your satisfaction.

He's a co-owner. I originally agreed on a 3 ton XR14 heat strip, but the possible winter electric savings convinced me to change to HP. I called a day before the installation to see what the model of the air handler was and he said Trane was out of everything except the TEM3. I asked if that model will have any issues or problems and he said no. I called Trane and they told me to call a Trane Comfort Specialist, who stated that they never installed an XR14 with TEM3. The contracted installers came by 9am and installed the units and were gone by 11:20am (new HP, air handler, new wood board for the air handler to stand on, and a new 7/8 and 3/8 line set). Hopefully he will honor his agreement and resolve this issue in a positive way. His estimate wasn't the lowest, but I felt like he was most trustworthy with reliable installation history.

 

[catmanacman]

I would like to see a pic of that 2 hr job

 

[eds1300]

I would like to see a pic of that 2 hr job

Ok. Please give me 30-min to get to the house and post.

 

[eds1300]

I can't tell the quality of work in regards to physical installation of the air handler where it is sitting nor the electrical or plumbing, but I can tell that the old insulation wrap around the duct board which connects to the plenum are in a mess. The contracted installers did not even put them in place. I can feel the cold air and feel of the exposed steel everywhere around the duct board which leads to the plenum. I also detected a 12-inch cut in the rubber hose which holds the 7/8in line set, exposing it to the attic heat. Besides the wrong air handler which doesn't meet the AHRI standard, too small of concrete pad, loud blower fan (probably adjustable), and now installation issues that's exposing the system like a leaky duct, I just hope all this can be resolved.

 

[eds1300]

Pics of the attic line set. The installers stated that they work for 3 or 4 HVAC companies.

 

[eds1300]

The Contractor probably didn't make much money on this job, even possible losing money they probably didn't expect you to come to this site for added help. Hopefully you get everything taken care of correctly and to your satisfaction.

The installers were contract workers who work for 3 other HVAC firms. They removed and installed the system within 2.5 hrs.

 

[Bazooka Joe]

They could have secured the liquid line to the insulated line by the fan section, they used enough wire ties in that area, they probably got to many nails to the head and back from the shingle nails in the attic to secure the liquid line to the insulated line

 

[Bazooka Joe]

The installers were contract workers who work for 3 other HVAC firms. They removed and installed the system within 2.5 hrs.

Yes you can tell it was a 2.5 hour job

 

[eds1300]

They could have secured the liquid line to the insulated line by the fan section, they used enough wire ties in that area, they probably got to many nails to the head and back from the shingle nails in the attic to secure the liquid line to the insulated line

Mid section clearance is around 4"10 and the person who was in the attic was very little. Looks like the tear with 7/8 line exposed needs a really good tape job. And, the entire duct that leads up to the plenum needs a new wrap. I guess another high Yelp review firm that hasn't worked out.

 

[jtrammel]

Doesn't look too terrible to me.

 

[eds1300]

Doesn't look too terrible to me.

Except for loss of cooling. I can feel the cold steel duct deck around the side, as the insulation wrap with tape have been torn. And, it's not just one small spot. One area it's around 18 long. I or the contractor/owner can wrap and tape those areas, but I wish the installers did them.

 

[jtrammel]

Except for loss of cooling. I can feel the cold steel duct deck around the side, as the insulation wrap with tape have been torn. And, it's not just one small spot. One area it's around 18 long. I or the contractor/owner can wrap and tape those areas, but I wish the installers did them.

I agree and it wouldn't be acceptable at my company. We don't use subs for that and many other reasons. We pay hourly employees and don't rush them to get to the next job.

But for a couple guys and a couple hours it doesn't look too bad. Sure there are a few things that could be done better but the quicker subs get done the more jobs they can do per day and the more money they make per day. I'd be more worried about the vacuum they did or did not perform and get to 500 microns holding, the nitrogen they likely didn't use, the lineset ran right in front of the unit panel and the lack of commissioning of the unit.

 

[eds1300]

I agree and it wouldn't be acceptable at my company. We don't use subs for that and many other reasons. We pay hourly employees and don't rush them to get to the next job.

But for a couple guys and a couple hours it doesn't look too bad. Sure there are a few things that could be done better but the quicker subs get done the more jobs they can do per day and the more money they make per day. I'd be more worried about the vacuum they did or did not perform and get to 500 microns holding, the nitrogen they likely didn't use, the lineset ran right in front of the unit panel and the lack of commissioning of the unit.

I'll ask, but I'm sure they will say they did that. Just like HP matching up with the TEM3 AH. I got around 10 estimates and just about everyone in North Texas uses a contractor to install. I just hope the owner will replace the AH with a AHRI match. I can level the concrete pad, wrap and secure more insulation around the duct that leads to the plenum, caulk any gaps, and secure the 7/8 line every 8feet properly.