Our oldest SFH (1976; 1400+ sq ft brick ranch) also has our oldest air-to-air heat pump (1996 Carrier). We know the heat pump won't last much longer. Last winter the fan wouldn't stop running so we had to replace a relay. The same thing started happening today.

So we're looking for tips on how and where to get the best deal for a new heat pump system (whether we have to do it right away, or even if we can delay it for a little while - if not now; it will definitely be soon). We're checking it out right now. Thanks.

Thanks; it's all electric (no gas in any of the rental homes).

We have an R.E. Michel account, but haven't purchased any large items there. (We also have an EPA refrigerant certification, but no HVAC certification).

I think the compressor, etc., warranty would require installation by an HVAC guy. So it sounds like you got a great deal. I hope we can do as well.

How did you get an account at RE Michael?

There are several places you can purchase heat pumps online. But you definitely need a pro with the correct tools and knowledge to install one.

Pros: if you have the right connections, you save money.

Cons: some manufacturers (Goodman) will void the warranty if purchased online.

You may not save as much as you think. Marking up the equipment cost is typically part of the installer's profit.

MMIT, we got the RE Michel account by providing the EPA refrigerant certification to them.

Gevans, thank you - we have the tools and have also done many of our own HVAC repairs. We've also installed heat pumps at rentals before and worked alongside a former tenant who owns his own HVAC company and took care of the warranty. (He is no longer available.)

We've also installed two 2-zone Bosch (FHP) geothermal heat pumps in our own home and did that again when one failed about 18 months shy of the manufacturers' warranty expiration, and the other one failed about 6 months shy of the warranty expiration. The two newer ones replaced under warranty seem better. (Our original 1-zone FHP geothermal heat pump lasted 23 years. Those first 2-zone ones did not last nearly as long.)

The geothermal manufacturers' warranties did not require that we have an HVAC certification for installation, though we did have an HVAC tech condemn them and contact Bosch as each of them failed. This was the tech we worked with most closely in recent years - he would take care of our rentals when an HVAC problem popped up when were were out of town. But he fell ill with cancer a few months ago and has terminated his business.

So it is helpful to know that Goodman will void their warranties if purchased online. It seems it might be best to just purchase at R.E. Michel. Our concern is the manufacturers' warranties. Maybe it would be prudent to just take an HVAC certification test to add to all the ASE automotive certifications. And then possibly set up a DBA business that would only be used for our own rentals.... None of that was necessary when we bought and installed the first set of 2-zone geothermals that ultimately failed - Bosch honored their warranties with no problem. But if I'm not mistaken, it seems that we need to provide certified HVAC installation for the manufacturers' warranties on the air-to-air heat pumps for our rental homes?

Thanks for your input!

I purchase my HVAC equipment from a small local dealer. I am EPA certified, but hold no local or state HVAC certification.

I've never had a warrantied claim rejected.

I do warranty work on several brands and have never been rejected.

Thanks for the Costco tip. We have a BJ's membership, so they may have similar deals that we can look into.