DIY home improvements ITT

[Hayes21890]

Just found out the compressor on my AC unit is seized up and will be getting replaced. Can't wait to spend this money! not srs. Any recommendations on brands to stay away from or to go after? Like I said, I am brand new to all this. We have a gas furnace so that will be needing replacing years down the road.
The AC unit is a 3.5 ton for what it's worth. Also, I have absolutely zero idea as to how much I am going to be looking at. Is it $2,000 or $8,000 for this?

[JoshSP1985]

Just found out the compressor on my AC unit is seized up and will be getting replaced. Can't wait to spend this money! not srs. Any recommendations on brands to stay away from or to go after? Like I said, I am brand new to all this. We have a gas furnace so that will be needing replacing years down the road.
The AC unit is a 3.5 ton for what it's worth. Also, I have absolutely zero idea as to how much I am going to be looking at. Is it $2,000 or $8,000 for this?

Are they replacing the unit (if it's old) or just replacing the compressor?

If you're replacing the whole unit then you need to consider high efficiency (expensive) vs low efficiency (cheaper) if you're going to be in the house for a while and have the money put in a good high seer unit you'll make up the difference in electricity bills.

[chino3]

Just found out the compressor on my AC unit is seized up and will be getting replaced. Can't wait to spend this money! not srs. Any recommendations on brands to stay away from or to go after? Like I said, I am brand new to all this. We have a gas furnace so that will be needing replacing years down the road.
The AC unit is a 3.5 ton for what it's worth. Also, I have absolutely zero idea as to how much I am going to be looking at. Is it $2,000 or $8,000 for this?

replaced my 3 ton (entire HVAC unit) last year for $2k (I have a hook up, but still would have been around 2.5-3k).

[Hayes21890]

Are they replacing the unit (if it's old) or just replacing the compressor?

If you're replacing the whole unit then you need to consider high efficiency (expensive) vs low efficiency (cheaper) if you're going to be in the house for a while and have the money put in a good high seer unit you'll make up the difference in electricity bills.

I should have been more specific. Our AC unit has a seized compressor so they are replacing everything, coil, unit, etc..I had one guy come out this morning to give a quote, another at 3 today and one more on Monday to give estimates and I will then make my decision

replaced my 3 ton (entire HVAC unit) last year for $2k (I have a hook up, but still would have been around 2.5-3k).

I am hoping it is around $3,000. They guy this morning said with a 15 SEER unit, we would probably be looking around $4k-$5k. He will email me the proposals later today.

[JoshSP1985]

If the only issues is the compressor they should be able to replace just the compressor. If the system is old though then I would consider just going ahead and replacing everything.

[Hayes21890]

If the only issues is the compressor they should be able to replace just the compressor. If the system is old though then I would consider just going ahead and replacing everything.

Yeah, the whole unit is 12 years old, and the unit only is 10 SEER.

[lost1700]

12 years isn't THAT old for an A/C. Mine is 15 years old and just had it serviced. Running like a champ and I am in Florida. If everything other then the compressor is in good shape, you could definitely get at least a few more years out of it. Save you a bunch of money right now and just start saving for a new A/C.

[JoshSP1985]

Yeah, the whole unit is 12 years old, and the unit only is 10 SEER.

Oh yea may be forced into a new unit due to regulation. okaythen.jpg


Waiting for mine to go it's a trooper, installed new with the home in 1987 lawd

I work for a HVAC wholesaler though so I can get units at like half wholesale COST (not price) due to employee discount.

[Hayes21890]

No project updates for you guys from this past weekend. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, my AC unit bit the dust. I had to go ahead and bite the bullet and will be having a Trane 3.5 ton, 13 SEER unit installed Monday morning. Thank God. It was 79 degrees in my house the other night when I was trying to sleep.
On top of spending that money, I also had to pay first quarter, estimated taxes. ****. Good thing I have paid my mortgage up until June!

[Hayes21890]

New Trane AC unit has been installed at the house. Now that this is paid off, time to get back to doing little DIY's. Really wanting to start on the "Man-Cave"/office. Have a couch and sofa, speakers/sub and receiver, dart board, couple prints and posters just need a TV and an office desk and I will be set! Really looking for a L-Shape desk, with one drawer that can hold files. TV will probably be a 36"-42" since from the couch to the TV, is only about 8 feet.

[JoshSP1985]

New Trane AC unit has been installed at the house. Now that this is paid off, time to get back to doing little DIY's. Really wanting to start on the "Man-Cave"/office. Have a couch and sofa, speakers/sub and receiver, dart board, couple prints and posters just need a TV and an office desk and I will be set! Really looking for a L-Shape desk, with one drawer that can hold files. TV will probably be a 36"-42" since from the couch to the TV, is only about 8 feet.

8 Feet you could rock larger. Bunch of Manufacturer recommended viewing distances related to TV size in the link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimum...ewing_distance

Seems like at 8 feet the sky is the limit just about.

[Hayes21890]

8 Feet you could rock larger. Bunch of Manufacturer recommended viewing distances related to TV size in the link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimum...ewing_distance

Seems like at 8 feet the sky is the limit just about.

I have always heard for optimal viewing, you should be 3 feet away, for every 10" of screen size. But I could be wrong! I have a 60" in the living room and I love it. The wall is also short in the man-cave. The wall comes up about 5 feet, then it is angled to the peak of the ceiling. I will just have to wait and see what is on the market when I am ready to buy I guess!

[TheDude8734]

Not to hijack the thread or the topic of TV's,

Just thought I'd share some photos taken with my ancient flip phone of the final product of yesterday's wood stove installation. Between the stove itself, the hearth, chimney supplies, and installation, it came to about $5000.00 in costs for the operation. I'm hoping it will pay for itself over the next couple of years.
*I know it's technically a DIY thread, but for insurance purposes I had to hire the licensed contractors for this project.*

[Hayes21890]

Not to hijack the thread or the topic of TV's,

Just thought I'd share some photos taken with my ancient flip phone of the final product of yesterday's wood stove installation. Between the stove itself, the hearth, chimney supplies, and installation, it came to about $5000.00 in costs for the operation. I'm hoping it will pay for itself over the next couple of years.
*I know it's technically a DIY thread, but for insurance purposes I had to hire the licensed contractors for this project.*

That looks good!

[invain]

I've almost completely renovated my house since I bought it last June. Took out a couple walls. Stripped the dining room to the studs and re-drywalled. New floor in bathroom. New hardwood floor in living room. Stripped and re-finished hardwood floors in bedrooms. Painted every single ceiling and wall. Hung new doors. New trim. Light fixtures. Etc.

I've done most of the work myself besides having my dad help install the wood floor and hand drywall.

[JoshSP1985]

Stove looks good, one of these days I'll remember to add my pics, did a full bathroom remodel and just got done redoing a bedroom into a nursery for my son on the way. The only thing I didn't do in the bedroom was install the carpet.

[starseller]

Interesting thread, thank you OP for the initiative! subbed.

[Delusional]

I'd set up a bodyweight gym, pull up bars, parallels, etc

[BangBrahs]

life is too short for this bullchit, you could have spent that time traveling

[mbland02]

Can't see your pics OP.

I'll be closing on my first house this Friday. Most likely going to end up gutting 95% of it. Itz original still from 1971. I don't know how to do any of this home renovation stuff but my dads an engineer and will also be my new neighbor. Anyways, I'll prob start my own thread with pics of said renovation. House is nice though, 2500 sq fr 4/3 with 2 car garage.

For all of those who are not very handy or wanting to do something that is out of their element... youtube is a great resource with many videos of multiple topics.

[Kaikara]

In on this. Just bought a house last week. Going to be doing lots of work soon. Looking for inspiration.

[JoshSP1985]

For all of those who are not very handy or wanting to do something that is out of their element... youtube is a great resource with many videos of multiple topics.

The thing that cracks me up about YOUTUBE DIY videos is every single video has people in the comments claiming they're contractors with 20 years experience telling you the guy in the video is doing something incorrectly. With that said they are helpful just may want to watch more than one video on a subject to try to weed out the nonsense.

[Shoester]

In on this. Just bought a house last week. Going to be doing lots of work soon. Looking for inspiration.

Where at in MO brah?

[Shoester]

The thing that cracks me up about YOUTUBE DIY videos is every single video has people in the comments claiming they're contractors with 20 years experience telling you the guy in the video is doing something incorrectly. With that said they are helpful just may want to watch more than one video on a subject to try to weed out the nonsense.

This. It is also extremely helpful to review the International Residential Code. Not only will this answer some HOW TO questions, but it will make sure that everything is up to code when you decide to sell the house.

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/

[TheDude8734]

The thing that cracks me up about YOUTUBE DIY videos is every single video has people in the comments claiming they're contractors with 20 years experience telling you the guy in the video is doing something incorrectly. With that said they are helpful just may want to watch more than one video on a subject to try to weed out the nonsense.

This was exactly the case when I was building a retaining rock wall next to the driveway. I decided to read up on retaining walls and watched some videos on YT pertaining to the DO's and DONT's.
Everything was debated within the comments, basically had to take notes and factor in every possible factor in the decision making. It can drive you crazy over time if you allow it to.

[TheDude8734]

Here are some photos taken from the retaining wall project.
I set up the wall with a double stack of stone with a french tile drain to eliminate any chance of pressure behind the wall. All the transporting and lugging of the rocks was done with my Chevy Colorado WT, handled it like a champ.

My driveway buried under dirt and stone:

Dug out trench and tampered, filled with gravel for the base and tampered again:

Getting closer, French Tile Drain installed and ready to finish stacking:

Last photo I have on the phone, I'll have to take a picture of the finished result to update this post:

Since this photo above, I filled in the enbankment with stone and built up the wall a bit more.

[JoshSP1985]

Holy crap man you moved A LOT of weight.

[TheDude8734]

Holy crap man you moved A LOT of weight.

All of the stone I carried out of the woods up on a nearby mountain and drove them down truckload by truckload.
Best part was a buddy of mine tried lifting some of the rocks and couldn't get them off the ground.
Meanwhile I'm picking them up like Atlas Stones and walking around with them.
Needless to say, he skips leg day and deadlift day when he trains.

[JoshSP1985]

All of the stone I carried out of the woods up on a nearby mountain and drove them down truckload by truckload.
Best part was a buddy of mine tried lifting some of the rocks and couldn't get them off the ground.
Meanwhile I'm picking them up like Atlas Stones and walking around with them.
Needless to say, he skips leg day and deadlift day when he trains.

I'm guessing you skipped back/legs day at the gym while that project was underway.

[Kaikara]

Where at in MO brah?

Lee's Summit