All Forum Posts by: Ben Simon

@Daniel O. I don't think charging back should be a problem. Not sure if it would complicate evictions... Would think record keeping and clear communication with your tenants would be key. All of mine are separately metered to begin with so I'm not really sure. Would love to know the answer though!

To add to what @Alex Deacon said, some municipalities require some utilities stay in the landlords name. For example Avalon Borough won't allow waste management to bill outside of the property owner.

After

Installation is all finished folks, here are some pictures!

Before

@Anthony Angotti Thank you sir. I really appreciate the recommendation and price tempering! I am going to add Triangle to my contact list for future consideration :)

As an update for everyone, I have an install scheduled for the coming week. I'm going with a gentleman named Patrick at PGX Heating & Cooling, so we'll see how it all pans out. For reference they quoted me 4450. Maybe I'll post some before and after pictures here! 

@Jim K. Thanks brother. Would appreciate that.

@Kenneth Bullock Thanks for the insight! I definitely can see how clients could and would nitpick at costs. In the case of just have two line items though, one parts, one labor, it should be pretty reasonable ask? For example, wouldn't one need to know the two costs separately for accounting purposes?

I can see why transparent pricing is tough for contractors. Personally I would rather skip the rigmarole and just get a fair, transparent price, but I understand that's not very realistic. I guess I need to find one of those contractors who don't mind explaining exactly why the price is the price. Coming from an engineering background "that's just our number" doesn't sit well with me. Call me nebby I guess :-)

These are some great questions to ask, I know I've had 2-3 brands quoted already at different SEER (13 & 14) ratings.

@Mike McCarthy Yes sir, jeez, I think so too. I did have one technician come on-site for an estimate and he calculated the 1.5 ton based on a BTU requirement for my space, and the 1.5 ton apparently provides 18,000 BTU. The guy did ask for things like house age and insulation types so I presume that's in line with a "heat loss calculation"?

Thanks for the feedback, I'll definitely get a bigger contact list of HVAC folks to go through! I wonder if something like Angie's list is worthwhile?

Hello all, happy memorial day weekend~!

Am looking for insights on installing Central A/C and possible recommendations for a landlord-friendly HVAC company. I understand window a/c units are affordable and prevalent in much of our area... Call me young and idealistic, but it's 2018 folks and for my business I would like to strive for centralized A/C if I can get it done reasonably :-).

Here are the property specs! This is a purpose built up/down brick duplex from the 60's.

Currently the property has two identical goodman 95% efficiency forced air furnaces (mfg 09') - so no duct-work needs run. Each unit is 864 sq. ft. and I've been told by some HVAC companies that a 1.5 TON system would suit each unit very well. Now I'm not an expert, but the scope of work seems to be something like the following:

• A-Coil
• Condensers + concrete pads + copper lines
• 220 electrical ran to said condensers + breakers (my panel does have room in it)
• Charge system with coolant (needs to be done by licensed professional, understood)
• Run wire for thermostats (no new thermostats needed - have been upgraded and are compatible)

I'm getting quotes upwards of $6k. Is that reasonable? Sounds like a lot for this job... I would think there are some operational efficiencies installing two systems at one property that are sitting beside each other? One guy even told me he can't break down parts & labor on the quote, so I don't know how they are coming up with these numbers. Is this a normal thing? Sounds like bull to me.

From my list above I figure I could buy the components retail, not wholesale, retail for about $2500 total (two(2) systems). Appreciate the thoughts!

/r

-Ben S.