Both are 15 years-old...need to be replaced in the spring. Anybody have ANY positive thoughts on anyone out there?

I've already dealt with the Irish dude in the past and won't be using him. Anybody else?

Anyone?

Visser in Elmhurst has been reliable with both product and service.

Consider Shamrock Heating and Air in Carol Stream. Very reliable. As is Old Oak in Aurora.

Avoid Amazing Air in North Aurora at all costs.

Do any of these places deal with through-the-wall units? I have one in my condo that I'm sure is original (25+ years old) and it has started leaking water into my condo (so obviously, it's unusable). I suspect that my sleeve is going to need replacement too, so I guess I need a place that can do that kind of install... would I still be looking at a HVAC dealer, or is it more like purchase the stuff myself and have a contractor do it? If it wasn't for the sleeve replacement, I'd just do it all myself...

Your best bet with something like that may be to try an appliance contractor. I would start with Young's or something similar. An HVAC contractor may be able to help you tho as the packaged AC units with the commercial sleeves can be had locally from Grainger, Munch's and other equipment supply houses.

So that's it? One place in Elmhurst and the place I said I wouldn't use in Carol Stream.

Now I know you people have had HVAC work done....give it up!!

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
So that's it? One place in Elmhurst and the place I said I wouldn't use in Carol Stream.

Now I know you people have had HVAC work done....give it up!!

I hope you're not confusing "The Irish Plumber" with "Shamrock".

I am not. There is a reason for my not wanting to use them. One that I will not share...but involves my aged mother and an air-conditioner.

Nor do I want to use The Irish Plumber. No Irish. Period.

My wife is Irish, but I cut her some slack.

I would also prefer not to use Italians, Jews or African-Americans...or Mexicans. Or Polish. And no Russians.*

So, if you know of any French or Scandinavian HVAC guys...I need the name now.

*the preceeding was meant strictly as satire and in no way indicates the author's feelings on the listed ethnic groups. Except the part about the Irish. I want nothing to do with them.

I've had good results with Elm Heating and Cooling. Their main office is in River Grove. One of their technicians is local, lives on Park Blvd. Although I haven't purchased anything from them (just used them for general maintenance) they have been honest, upfront, and reasonably priced.

Number is: 708-453-0794

Complete Heating and Cooling. Phone 858-1973. Ask for Dave. Glen Ellyn based - support the locals!

quote:

Originally posted by jdeare:
Do any of these places deal with through-the-wall units? I have one in my condo that I'm sure is original (25+ years old) and it has started leaking water into my condo (so obviously, it's unusable). I suspect that my sleeve is going to need replacement too, so I guess I need a place that can do that kind of install... would I still be looking at a HVAC dealer, or is it more like purchase the stuff myself and have a contractor do it? If it wasn't for the sleeve replacement, I'd just do it all myself...

JDeare,

First, so long as your unit is cooling air, just drips water in the house, you may not need to replace the unit. All window units drip water, they're just designed to drip it outside. For some reason, the device used to route the water outside has gone kaput on yours. I'd open her up and try to find out what the deal is. Could be a bird's nest or something simple. Could be rusted sheet metal which still might be a simple fix with a trip to ACE hardware. Water diversion is a simple science - water goes downhill. So Jerry-rigging works in this instance. Just keep any new pieces clear of the moving parts.

Second, my sister in law had to replace a similar sleeve unit in her condo recently. We were able to keep the current sleeve and just put a smaller unit in side it. That's not against "the rules" if you will. You just need to be sure to get a unit that doesn't have vent holes on the side, only the back. It can be a non-sleeve unit (standard window unit), that's OK. So long as it has rear venting - not side. This can help you save money, since sleeve units rarely, if ever, go on sale.

Now, since the existing unit is 25 years old, chances are good that a modern unit of the same cooling capcity is going to be a fair bit smaller than the old types. What that means is that you'll have to pick up some wood to fill the gaps between the sleeve and the new unit on the interior AND the exterior faces of the unit. If you just fill in the interior gap but not the exterior, you'll have some pigeon or robins nesting next to your AC unit within a week. Stuffing some fiberglass insulation in the gaps between the wood is a good idea too. You'll want to secure the new unit to the old sleeve. That's why God invented sheet-metal screws. You only need a few (3 or 4) to hold the sucker still.

JDeare -

You might want to check with your condo association too. I have a friend that has condo and replaced his wall/sleeve unit with a cheap unit from Best Buy. Didn't work well, so he went and asked the association. They told him the normal window units are not designed to be wall units. They had an A/C company that had given the association a reduced rate for units bought for their building (volume helps) and he is very happy now with the results. Just an idea.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

As far as I can tell, the condensation drainage system is working fine... water comes out of the hose, into a little tray. The problem is that the water causing the problems is dripping from a couple of places: 1. What I assume is the compressor. 2. A variety of aluminum hoses running from the compressor. 3. A few of the screws on the front (inside) of the unit, underneath where the filter is. That said, it may still be a matter of something being clogged, but the only way to get at the inside of there is to remove the whole unit... the grate on the outside is not removable, and I'd rather not cut a hole in it or something. To me, because the thing also has trouble getting below 75 degrees and is so loud, it's at the point of diminishing returns.

FWIW, I am the condo association president. We only have 10 units, and I'm 99% sure that no one else has had theirs replaced. I'm not aware of a place that we have a deal with, but I'll ask one of the residents that has lived there longer than me.

Again, thanks!

energy services in naperville...just replaced my ac (installed 18 years ago, by them. i'll take 18 years of any appliance!) they do good work, fair prices. can't say fair price about shamrock...

We had good service from The Air Conditioning Company. Our 15 year old AC died during the heat wave in August. We called for service at 7:00 PM and the guy rang the doorbell within 30 minutes. They were able to replace the unit the following morning! It wasn't cheap but the service was great.

quote:

Originally posted by mom:
Complete Heating and Cooling. Phone 858-1973. Ask for Dave. Glen Ellyn based - support the locals!

mom, just wanted you to know that I tried to call Dave today and the number was disconnected. My water heater and furnace are both on the fritz so I called Energy Services in Naperville...I will let you all know how it goes.

One call does it all with Armburst Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in Wheaton. 668-6273. They will do a good job for you. We have been pleased over the years.

The number for Complete Heating has changed to 953-1973.

Energy Services did a good job. Professional, thorough and didn't try to repair anything when my water heater decided to work today! Of course, it WILL break down when I really need a shower and am short on time but they couldn't find anything wrong and didn't want to try to guess at it. The furnace should be in good working order. It was filthy! I will have a word with the hubby since that is man's work! (Besides I do enough around here!)

Anyway, just thought I would concur with the previous recommendation.

Uh-Oh Amy...I smell a can of worms...that's a whole 'nother thread...