Quality Of Installation And Maintenance Can Undermine Trane

by Gladstone B
(Coconut Creek, FL: 33073)

In August 2008 I had a Trane central air conditioning unit installed to replace a 14 year old Ruud system that technician said needed replacing. Within a year occupants of the house complained that cooling was inadequate. They did not complain during the cooler months, but started again in early 2010.

EMC the installer was asked to check the central air conditioner. They said a part in the air handler had to be replaced, but this part was covered by the warranty. They charged $764 for labor. After this work the central ac unit still did not cool adequately, so four days later they sent another technician to diagnose the problem. He said the same part needed to be replaced. I said I was unwilling to pay for labor again since EMC had installed the defective part.

EMC recommended that I ask Florida Power and Light to do an analysis of the duct system. The analysis found no problem with the ducts. Subsequently, water from the air handler was leaking all over the base on which it stands. An independent technician found that the pipe leading to the outside was blocked and no provision had been made at the time of installation for the pipe to be flushed.

He also found that the installation of the handler had not ensured that air return was connected in such a manner that hot outside air would not be sucked into the handler. With appropriate corrections the central air unit now appears to be cooling more effectively.

I have had no such problems with another Trane unit installed by EMC in January 2009 in another house. Provision had been made to allow the pipe from the handler to be flushed, and the air return was sealed so that hot outside air is not being drawn in. Same company - different technician; possibly better supervision/inspection.