Absolutely not. Lets think about this for a minute. R22 was around for a long time, and back in 2008, it was decided to phase that refrigerant out. TO THIS DAY, there is r22 systems that are still running, and r22 refrigerant is still accessible. So don’t let people bully you into getting a new system because r410a is being phased out. The reality is that r410a will be around for a long time to come, and has less components, so if you had the choice between installing r410a equipment or r32, I’d go with the r410a equipment.

Absolutely. Lets do a hypothetical here. You need a new hvac system, so you get some bids from different companies and they range from $12,000 to $15,000. Now you go to alpinehomeair.com and find all the hvac equipment you need for $4,500 including shipping (they will deliver it with a liftgate and even bring it in your garage if youd like)

Now you go to our amazon store (amazon.com/shop/thediyhvacguy) and you purchase every tool needed for this installation. I have averaged this price our, including an hvac manifold gauges, vacuum pump, Schrader core removal tool, ductwork tools, soldering tools, micron gauge and other items, and it averages out to be about $1,200. So if we factor in another 500 for accessories like a disconnect, a pad, an electrical whip, we are in this project $6,200. That is a total savings of between $5,800 and $8,800!!!! So yes you will absolutely save money even though you’ll need to buy some tools.

Hint: Amazon allows people to return things ☺

This is something that most people don’t know and is still relatively new. We offer remote support for your system replacement. So if you have questions, or just want some guidance to boost your confidence, we are here for you. With that, our remote support includes equipment warranty registration! So we collect the equipment information, along with the information you’d like to be tied to the warranty, and you get the same warranty as any professional company! Our remote support can be found at Patreon.com/diyhvacguy. This remote support can be signed up and cancelled at any time, so even if you only need it for one month, we have you covered.

Not necessarily. If you watch some of our furnace replacement videos, you’ll see that it is possible and totally fine to replace just the furnace, leaving the evaporator coil in tact. However, if the whole system is very old, a lot of times it is much easier to replace everything at once. But to save funds, it is totally fine to replace the furnace at one time, and the air conditioning side of things at a later time.

Hands down, my favorite place to buy equipment and send folks is Alpinehomeair.com. Their customer support is NEXT LEVEL, and they make sure that their customers have all their questions answered before selling them something. Their Blueridge equipment is affordable and offers the same reliability and 10 year warranty as any other brand. Their equipment is ALWAYS securely packaged, and I have yet to receive anything damaged. They also offer liftgate delivery right to your doorstep, and can also deliver right into your garage if needed. You wont regret going with Alpine Home Air!

Absolutely not. This is a very common misconception. A system that is too big will cause issues like short cycling, and extreme hot and cold blasts. On the other side, a system that is too small will run for long periods, and will not get the comfort needed, and will also run up your utility bills!

So have a properly sized system is key. You want it to keep your home at your desired temperature, and you don’t want to be distracted by how many times it kicks on and off each day. We have a great sizing tool, that can help you whether you are looking to replace your system, or just determine if your system is properly sized. (A lot are not)

In my honest opinion, “service plans” are an opportunity for HVAC technicians to come and sell you something you simply don’t need. Just like when you bring your car to the dealership and they give you an exhaustive list of repairs it needs. (pun intended) I’m not saying that all hvac companies are out to get you, but unfortunately, many of them are. I’d say if you want to get an hvac service done, its not needed every year, much less twice a year. Schedule them maybe every couple to three years, and in between, simply keep your air filter replaced, and give your outside unit a good rinse from time to time.

You will hear differing opinions on this, but my advice is no. The outdoor unit is designed to be in the elements. Wil the paint fade a bit faster, sure. But at the end of the day, covering your unit will not improve the functionality of it. With that being said, you could also be providing a nice warm home for rodents, which could end up costing you more in repairs, then you are saving by covering it. I will also mention that if you have a heat pump system then absolutely do not cover it, as it will run year round, summer and winter time.

I have seen systems last between 15-30 years. Much of this is dependent on two things. How the system was originally installed, and how it has been maintained. Now when I say maintained, I don’t mean you need to have it serviced two times a year. I simply mean, keep your air filters replaced, (also make sure that you have a good seal so no air is bypassing the filter) Your money is better spent having the filter rack upgraded, then paying to have it serviced. Also, just rinse off your outside unit from time to time with a water hose. Its really that easy.

So if your system is 15 years or older, and its in your budget to replace it, this is a decision that you and you alone have to make. If its not in your budget, start setting some money aside, so that when it does kick the bucket, you can get it taken care of.

This is a good indicator of a couple possible things:

1. The batteries need to be replaced. A lot of people don’t realized that their thermostat has batteries, but if you pop the cover off, you will quickly see them if they are there. Try replacing those first and see if it comes back on. 
2. Your furnace isn’t giving power to the thermostat. This could be caused by a blown fuse in the furnace, or if the furnace has tripped the breaker it is on. To check the fuse, turn the power switch by the furnace off, then open the front covers and locate the circuit boad. It is a green board with a bunch of wires going to it. Look on the board and see if you can locate a purple fuse, (it looks like a car fuse) pull it out and see if the u shaped element inside is broken. If so, simply buy another fuse, and hopefully this will resolve your issue! If it blows as soon as you put it back in and restore power, you have a short somewhere and some further diagnosing will be required. 
3. Its always a possibility that you have a bad thermostat, although it is very uncommon. What you can do to test if the thermostat is bad, is simply disconnect the red andn white wires from the thermostat and temporarily tie them together so they are touching. If your furnace comes on, your thermostat is bad!

This is a good sign that your flame sensor needs to be cleaned. Simply turn the power switch off at the furnace, locate your flame sensor (Do not confuse it with the ignitor, they are very brittle) clean it with a dollar bill, put it back in, and you should be back in business!

This is a common symptom of a bad capacitor. I have some videos that help you replace this component while being safe when it comes to electricity! Check out our channel to find out how to do this repair.