A Magna customer called us during a sustained heatwave (98°F days, three consecutive days predicted above 95°F) when their 17-year-old AC compressor failed completely on a Sunday morning. The home had two elderly residents and pets that needed cool indoor temperatures, the existing equipment was past typical service life, and the timing made same-week replacement essential rather than waiting for non-peak scheduling. This case study documents an expedited AC replacement project where speed mattered alongside doing the work properly.
Customer Situation
- Home: 2007-built Magna single-story, approximately 1,850 sq ft
- Existing equipment: 17-year-old Goodman R-410A AC, 3 ton; existing 96% AFUE furnace (not being replaced)
- Symptom: Compressor seized completely; AC running but no cooling; outdoor unit making grinding sound before complete shutdown
- Severity: Sustained heatwave (98°F+ predicted for 3 consecutive days); elderly residents requiring cool indoor temperatures; pets requiring controlled environment
- Timing: Sunday morning call, Monday non-emergency scheduling preferred but emergency arrangement made
- Customer priorities: Fast restoration of cooling; equipment appropriate for Magna’s lake-effect humidity conditions; reasonable cost despite expedited timing
Sunday Diagnostic Visit
We dispatched an on-call technician Sunday morning for the diagnostic:
Arrival: 11:30 AM Sunday
Findings:
- Outdoor compressor not running; manual rotation attempt revealed mechanical seizure
- Capacitor testing normal — issue is mechanical compressor failure
- Refrigerant pressures equalized (compressor stopped completely)
- Verified: compressor replacement under warranty would still cost $1,000–$1,800 labor; complete unit replacement more economical given equipment age and remaining service life expectations
Customer conversation:
Two options discussed:
- Compressor replacement only — $1,400–$1,800 labor (warranty parts), 2–3 days for parts ordering and installation; older equipment with continued failure risk
- Complete AC unit replacement — $7,500–$11,000 range depending on equipment selection; 1–2 days; new equipment with full warranty starting
Customer selected complete AC replacement given equipment age and the heatwave timing.
Interim measures during equipment ordering:
– Customer’s portable AC unit available for one bedroom
– We provided window AC unit loaner for living room (no charge, returned after installation)
– Recommended cooling-down periods during peak heat hours (outdoor stores, libraries)
Equipment Selection (Sunday Afternoon Phone Call)
We called the customer Sunday afternoon with three equipment options for Monday/Tuesday installation:
Option 1: 14.3 SEER2 single-stage (Goodman GLXS3BA3010, 3 ton) — $7,800 installed, Tuesday installation
Option 2: 16 SEER2 two-stage (Trane XR16, 3 ton) — $10,200 installed, Tuesday installation
Option 3: 18 SEER2 variable-speed (Trane XV18, 3 ton) — $14,800 installed, Wednesday installation (special order)
Customer selected Option 2 (Trane XR16 two-stage). Justified by:
– Better dehumidification for Magna’s lake-effect humidity conditions
– Two-stage operation provides quieter, more consistent cooling
– Federal 25C tax credit eligibility ($600)
– Tuesday installation (next business day) given parts availability
– Variable-speed premium (Option 3) didn’t justify additional cost and delay
Monday Preparation
Service truck loaded with:
– Trane XR16 outdoor unit
– Trane matching evaporator coil
– New copper line set sized for installation
– R-410A refrigerant
– Smart thermostat (Ecobee Smart) — customer authorized upgrade
Tuesday Installation
Crew: Travis Hollings (lead installer), Cole Bennett (assistant)
Duration: 1 day (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
Work performed:
- R-410A refrigerant recovery from existing system — 6.4 lbs recovered in DOT cylinder
- Old equipment removal — outdoor condenser, evaporator coil
- Existing copper line set evaluation — adequate condition, retained
- New evaporator coil installation in supply plenum above existing furnace
- New outdoor condenser placement on existing concrete pad (verified adequate)
- Refrigerant connections with nitrogen purge during brazing
- System evacuation to 425 microns held 30 minutes ✓
- R-410A charge by weight per manufacturer specification (8 lbs 4 oz)
- Electrical connections updated
- Condensate drainage existing system retained (gravity drain, in good condition)
- Smart thermostat installation and two-stage AC configuration
- Commissioning measurements
Commissioning Measurements
After 25 minutes of run-time stabilization (outdoor temperature 96°F):
- Indoor temperature: 76°F (setpoint 74°F, recovering from heat soak)
- Suction pressure: 145 psi ✓
- Discharge pressure: 392 psi ✓
- Subcool: 9°F ✓
- Temperature differential across coil: 18°F ✓ (modest given high outdoor temperature)
- Compressor amp draw stage 2: 12.4 amps (nameplate 13.5 amps) ✓
- Static pressure: 0.41″ wc ✓
- Indoor humidity: 56% initially, declining as cooling continued
Two-hour follow-up measurements:
– Indoor temperature: 74°F (at setpoint)
– Indoor humidity: 48% (significant improvement vs. 56%)
– Two-stage cycling operating properly — stage 1 maintaining temperature during off-peak; stage 2 engaging during recovery and peak heat
Final Cost and Rebate Filing
Customer’s project cost:
– Equipment and installation: $10,200
– No emergency pricing premium applied (work performed during regular business hours Tuesday)
– Net invoice: $10,200
Rebates filed on customer’s behalf:
– Federal 25C tax credit: $600 (customer claims on tax return)
– Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart AC rebate: $150
Total incentives: $750
Effective net cost after incentives: $9,450
Customer Outcome
End-of-heatwave assessment (Friday, 4 days after Sunday failure):
- Indoor temperature maintained 74°F throughout heatwave
- Indoor humidity averaged 48% during peak humid afternoons (vs. 65%+ with prior equipment that had been losing capacity over years)
- Elderly residents reported significantly improved comfort
- Pet stress reduced with consistent cool environment
- Window AC loaner returned
One-month follow-up:
- Equipment operating reliably
- Electric bills July (full month of new equipment) approximately 18% lower than July prior year (controlling for weather differences)
- Two-stage operation specifically appreciated for quieter running during sleep hours
- Smart thermostat learned daily patterns and reduced unnecessary cooling
Summary of expedited installation experience:
- Sunday diagnostic to Tuesday installation
- Two business days from initial call to restored cooling
- Window AC loaner provided continuity during interim
- No emergency pricing premium since installation work occurred during regular Tuesday business hours
- Two-stage equipment selection appropriate for Magna’s lake-effect humidity
What This Case Study Demonstrates
- Same-week replacement during peak demand — when timing matters, prioritized scheduling can deliver fast replacement without compromising work quality
- Sunday emergency response with weekday installation — diagnostic on Sunday allows Monday parts coordination and Tuesday installation; full-cost emergency pricing avoided
- Equipment selection for Magna conditions — two-stage equipment justified for lake-effect humidity considerations
- Loaner equipment for customer continuity — window AC unit during equipment ordering period reduced customer discomfort
- Documented commissioning despite expedited timing — fast installation doesn’t compromise commissioning measurements and quality verification
- Honest pricing despite urgent timing — no emergency pricing premium since installation work happened during regular business hours; same equipment and labor rates as planned replacement project
Need Fast AC Replacement?
If your AC has failed during summer heat in Magna or surrounding communities, contact us or call (385) 250-0687. Same-day diagnostic typical; equipment installation typically next business day when standard equipment in stock.
- Phone: (385) 250-0687
- Address: 4454 Manhattan Ct, West Valley City, UT 84120