The HVAC Replacement – Part 2 (Installation, Day 1)

Yesterday was installation day.  As promised, the crew of 2 showed up around 8 a.m. ready to go.

The installers arrived at the appointed time with everything they needed for the project.

Before starting, I gave them a tour of the current system, showed them the electrical panel, and the current equipment.  Then they prepared to start work by making sure that they didn’t do any type of damage to the house.  They even covered the steps down into the basement:

Preparing for the installation included covering flooring and stairs

Here is what they had to deal with removing:

This rusty old unit has had a good life of 23 years. It has performed good service, but is terminally ill.

Here’s the old air handler, which hasn’t missed a beat, except for some heat strip replacements.

They brought the new equipment in their trailer and started right in to the removal process, having the old system completely removed within a couple of hours.

Here is the old system, inlcuding the lineset, removed and ready for transport.

They worked hard, without breaks (even for lunch):

Setting the pad for the XL20i condensor unit

By about 3 p.m. they were ready to clean up and quit for the day, having put in a grueling 7 hour day, not counting their loading and driving time (probably 3 hours total).  Here is how things ended at the end of day 1:

The outside unit (condensor), Trane XL20i, ready for charging

Trane TAM8 Hyperion air handler case and coil installed. Note that the water heater also had to be moved.

In all, the day went well.  The installers were very hard workers, seemed to know their stuff, and answered all of my questions.  Next, day 2 will finish up the installation and we’ll hope that everything works without a hitch.