11 Yr Old HVAC, replace entire system or just the outside unit?

16 years ago

I have an 11 year old 3,000 sq. foot 2 story house with 2 split-system Carrier air conditioning units (furnace in attic). There is a 4 ton system for the downstairs and a smaller unit for the upstairs. The compressor for the downstairs unit just died.

To replace the outside unit it will cost about $4500.

Is there any justification for switching out both entire systems? The quote for 2 Lennox XC15 systems is $15K. This includes a 4 ton and a 3 ton (just a guess on the 3 ton, it is a smaller unit...Carrier 38ckb030301). Also includes two furnaces in the attic.

If the furnaces are going to go in the next year or 2 I can see replacing everything now. But looking at these forums it seems they can last 20 plus years.

A couple of other factors:

Live in desert southwest, so the furnace is only used about 4 months per year.

The upstairs AC still works just fine, and it gets much less use than the downstairs.

Thanks for your advice!

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Comments (7)

don21
16 years ago
I just bought a new 3.5 ton condenser (14 SEER) for $1150. 'Installation' (brazing the pipes and charging the system) cost $200

It would seem your $4500 estimate is waaaaay too high - I would shop around for a few other bids

Don
perryinlv
Original Author
16 years ago
I just talked to a friend from Florida who has been do HVAC work for 30+ years, and he said it is insane to replace an entire system that is 11 years new. He recommended that I only replace the compressor which should cost a little over a grand. woohoo, just saved myself $15K
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daddo
16 years ago
I would seriuosly get another bid and opinion. That price is too high in my opinion.
It all depends on the condition of the furnaces and coils on wether they should be replaced. I've seen 11 year old systems in terrible shape and others the same age that looked almost new. Why did the compressor fail? Low on freon? Perhaps you have leaks somewhere inside at the coil?
I would, however, have the indoor coil replaced with the outdoor unit if that is done.
The thing about just replacing the $1000.00 compressor is- in 366 days, it's out of warranty. A new system will give you ten years.
Get two more bids and advice and see that they really inspect the system.
Leave the other system alone for now- just have it cleaned and checked out.
remodeler08
16 years ago
If we did the job, it is a 99% chance that we would NOT replace the outdoor unit without replacing the indoor coil, the refrigerant line-set, and possibly a digital thermostat.

IF, the existing indoor coil is rated 13 SEER or higher, then we would possibly replace just the outdoor unit.

If the existing unit is 10 SEER, and the indoor coil is rated at 10 SEER, and we installed a 13 SEER or higher outdoor unit, the warranty on the outdoor unit is -0- days. If we replaced the outdoor unit and the indoor coil, and not the line-set, it is probable that the existing line-set will be to small.

If our customer's budget would allow, we would recommend installing a 13 SEER heat pump instead of an A/C unit.

Also, your smaller unit is a 2.5 ton unit. The "030" means 30,000 BTU. The "3" afterwards means 208/230 volts. The "0" is the series. And, the "1" is the packaging. The "38CKB" means that it is an electic air conditioning unit.

Finally, our price to replace the system, not including the furnace, would be around $5,000.00.

Hope this helps....

Phillip
daddo
16 years ago
Frankly I wouldn't go thru the extra expense of a heat pump if he already has a gas furnace that runs only 4 months a year.
mike13
16 years ago
Re: "If the existing unit is 10 SEER, and the indoor coil is rated at 10 SEER, and we installed a 13 SEER or higher outdoor unit, the warranty on the outdoor unit is -0- days. If we replaced the outdoor unit and the indoor coil, and not the line-set, it is probable that the existing line-set will be to small. "

Are you suggesting there are not replacement compressors that are compatible with older systems that did not meet 13 SEER? If so, that is wrong.

The $4,500 cost to replace just the outside unit is way overpriced. Get other bids if you elect to go that way.

If the rest of the 11 year-old equipment is fine, then just get the compressor replaced. You should be able to get another 4 to 6 years out of it.
perryinlv
Original Author
16 years ago
We went ahead and replaced the compressor with a different company. Total cost was $1300. Also had the other system inspected and it was fine. They did some work in the attic, but did not replace the coils.

The owner of the other company came by and said he would have done a new system for $3500 (our quote from them was $4500). If they had said that up front we would have went with them. So sad...too bad. Thanks for all the input.

11 Yr Old HVAC, replace entire system or just the outside unit?

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don21

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11 Yr Old HVAC, replace entire system or just the outside unit?

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