To recap our prior post on the same topic: AC = broken. Myrna lied about getting it checked out, and its functionality. The condenser unit is too large for the coils, and there is no way it can work in its current state.
We called an HVAC pro out and figured we would have to get the coils replaced to accommodate the larger condenser. He said that was doable, but he also took a look at our upstairs unit, condenser and coils. He noted that the upstairs coil is large enough to accommodate the 3-ton condenser. He also noted that the smaller, upstairs condenser and the downstairs coil are sometimes sold together as a set.
Then, he busted out the tape measure. I never would have guessed this, but the square footage of our upstairs is larger than the square footage of our downstairs. And, the small condenser unit associated with the upstairs was not large enough to cool the square footage up there. He said that the builders must have accidentally mixed up the condensers when they hooked them up.
This is when it dawned on me: the cement patio in the backyard was not original to the house, Myrna installed it herself! That means she had to move the condenser units from where they were originally placed, pour the patio, and replace and reconnect the condensers. Since she only hires unskilled laborers that work for $3/hr or less (i.e., not HVAC professionals) they must have mixed them up when they were put back. Yet another example of Myrna’s cheapness ultimately costing more in the end.
Based on the pro’s recommendation, we decided to switch the condensers, rather than replace the downstairs coils. Not only did he get things working right, but he placed them more appropriately outside the house. I’m happy we figured out what the problem was, and that everything is in tip-top shape now.
At the same time I’m pretty angry at Myrna for breaching our contract. What she did amounts to fraud because she must have known that thing was not working, and she lied about it to induce us to close on the sale. Plus, our dual agent either knew or should have known that the AC had not been checked out by a pro, so I’m angry with her too. And, I’m angry with us because we should have known better than to take Myrna’s word for it that the AC was working; we should have asked for receipts or something from when she had it checked out at the very minimum to ensure that it was actually done.
Next stop, small claims court!
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