Keeping Alive Old HVAC Equipment

[@08airman]

I feel your pain. I worked on the same "junk" you work on for 40+ years. Worked all over Hudson county in schools and the projects. Usually when the customer actually sees how bad the equipment is, they understand. They moan and complain, but, understand.

[@Katana_00]

If the heat exchanger ain’t cracked I’m repairing vs replacing. Cost of new unit installs is prohibitive. No problems with replacing prv, aquastats, thermocouples, circulator pumps etc. The old units were designed to be repaired unlike the new crap.

[@unmountablebootvolume]

For me, I usually try to get the nominal lifespan out of the equipment. In Europe, it's 20 years for wall boilers and air conditioners, 30 years for floor standing boilers. Before that, the only reason why I change it is horrible condition or a really major defect like a cracked heat exchanger. After it reached its nominal lifespan, it's minor repairs and "fix it until the customer is no longer broke" only, unless there is a special reason, like an installation ban for new oil boilers. I will still change a 150€ pump on a 40 year old boiler, but I won't change a 2000€ oil burner unless I'm not allowed to install a new boiler. But if that boiler is only 10 years old, as long as the heat exchanger is good, I'll definitely put that 2000€ burner on there. But if it is in exceptionally bad condition, like a 20 year old oil boiler I recently tore out that was completely rusted out, leaking and partially eaten by rats, I will change it regardless of age. The same goes in reverse, if it is old but still in like-new condition, I will put an 800€ control board in there, even though it is from 1987, as it makes no sense to change good condition equipment, especially if you test most other parts and confirm it was a one-time fault and not the beginning of a chain of failing parts.

[@DiZZiEntertainment]

The "C" is for celsius as an FYI

[@smithno41]

And one "Bar" is about 14.5 PSI

[@speedrcrjl1]

I’d say your company has a threshold where they refuse repairs ( cracked heat exchanger, rusted out past repair, parts availability, age of unit ) - then you have a guidebook you’ll get backup from your bosses if customer complains

[@sparkyrescue]

I always offer a repair option no matter what. so many people call me for a second opinion when another company wants to swap out something that works fine. I will get it up and running and say if I were you I would save up for a new unit. By offering repair options it shows you are not there for just a sale of a replacement. But after a while I have the conversation saying that this is on or has been on borrowed time and its time. But if you want to repair it again I will take your money. I say anything can be fixed with money. Its more on the condition of the equipment. I have boilers from the 50s still running in good condition and I seen boilers 20 years old begging to be replaced. Just because its old does not mean its junk. But rot and corrosion or obsolete parts will factor in. Call a different company and they were trying to convince someone to replace a cast iron boiler 10 years old in like new condition.

[@richlikeg3722]

I’d keep it running till I cannot find parts for it or the cost becomes high enough the customer starts asking for replacement😊 customer should have trust in your recommendations. Just tell them equipment life is almost over and they should consider getting a new unit. It’s up to them now but you informed them.

[@PJam2019]

It's a hard conversation to have because everyone thinks their system will last forever and they can "just get one more year out of it" until eventually you either can't or the costs of repairs just rack up immensly

[@nomatterwhatapparel]

Magician!

[@berylwhite2983]

Number one safety cost Then look around in your area beforehand and see if there's any government programs or any programs with utility companies that will help pay for a new heating unit. In my state there's multiple companies that will help pay for heating units depending on what their income is. Also use the amount of monthly cost over what the monthly cost of getting a new unit would be. Be a good salesman along with a good repairman in short be their friend

[@williamjohnson9282]

Being in residential you can build a relationship with the customer and I will tell them it's had a great run... X years that's great for this unit, it's definitely time to consider replacement, I would like it to be us, I can get you a quote and there's financing options available if you want to explore those but there will be a point soon when this is no longer safe to run. And I would hate for you to be caught off guard.

[@ignacio8597]

We have that graph you're talking about hanging in our office.

[@Growzarktrail]

When the repair costs 50 percent of a new install, is where I tell the customer you are going to be unhappy and so will I.

[@lnk4328]

Plus, the new equipment comes with a warranty.

[@mikev.1034]

👍👍

[@Daniel-vp5pe]

Why is the litter box ALWAYS in my mechanical space??? Just what I love when I'm kneeled down right next to it!

[@brothertheo2677]

When you think a unit needs replacement, explain the sitch to the customer, give them a budgetary quote for replacement, and let them work it into their budget. That way they can work out how to pay for it, and every time it needs servicing they'll be thinking about that quote.

[@microdubber]

To me, one critical thing needs to be considered if old equipment is to be returned to service - is it SAFE?

[@ninnghhizziddha]

I think customers that can't understand simple cost benefit analysis, are customers you shouldn't be upset to lose, nor are they customers you want to have.

[@BleedingEdgeHVACandTech]

How did you set up a microwave in your van? 👀

[@TheRAMBO9191]

🥃🍻💪🏻

[@TheCrazzyToobinator]

Aaah yes Celsius that Canadian measurement of temperature that is based off the freezing point of water that nobody likes but makes sense, Bar I have no idea on that one.

[@PawsumGaming]

Ah good ole Celcius... That's your C.

[@billj4859]

It's the customers decision. If they decide to do something unsafe walk away. If it's only the fact that you feel it's a waste of money, it's not your money. You can only make recommendations. If they don't follow the recommendations and it goes south, that's on them. Not you. At that point, you have the documentation to back it up.

[@chaseohara4781]

What the heck is a bar 😂

[@walnutcontractors5661]

Then you just become every other bum who just wants to markup a new boiler. Half the bums don't even do heat load calculations and just find a similar btu rated unit.

[@tizzwas]

More clichés for the next video please I’m making a list. 😅 👍🏻