Newbie help - replace now or repair? Is 16k ridiculous?

14 years ago

Hi all! We are absolutely flabergasted b/c we got quotes for a new ac system and they have ranged from 12k to 16k - way more than we were thinking. So, I'm REALLY hoping that you guys with all your knowledge can tell us whether they are on crack or if we need to think about weekend jobs to pay for it all :)

First, about us.

1) Live in Dallas, TX area, so very hot and frequently humid, long summers

2) House built in 85, they think a/c is original to the house. The furnace (gas) was replaced in 2004 as a condition of purchasing the house, but it is a single speed vs variable.

3) We've been having issues for a couple summers (no surprise now that we know it is 25 years old). Had to replace outside motor last year, capacitor this year, and now we have a leaking coil so at a minimum we have a coil to replace and possibly a compressor (since we were told they frequently fail after the coil due to lack of refrigerant).

4) They did just put 3lbs of freon on, so at least we are cool while we get quotes and decide what to do.

5) we tend to have electric bills in the 350 - 500 range in the summer (we like it about 73-75 inside)

6) we have a sunroom that was added on, so not there when a/c was spec'd and installed, but IS ducted with returns etc

7) our house was 2000 sq ft living, but is now closer to 2300 with the sunroom

8) the sunroom and a couple of bedrooms tend to be much warmer than other areas

9) money is of course a consideration. we don't have 15k sitting around waiting to replace the a/c :)

SO, my questions are:

1) they did a heat load and we were on the edge of 4 to 5 ton, at 49,600. They said 48000btu was the top end of 4ton (which is what we currently have) They went back and forth on which we needed, based on what they thought WE would be willing to do. What is your thought - do we need a 4 ton or 5 ton?

2) doesn't seem like it is worth investing the money to replace the coil etc since the system is so old and R22 is being replaced. Were thinking of going with high efficiency, variable speed which means replacing furnace too (and more $) Do you agree that it makes sense to replace or repair - what would you do?

3) is it cheaper to install in the winter? we could limp through this summer and do it in the fall if it is significant

4) will the new models (puron) come down in price as we get closer to the 2010 deadline to stop producing R22 units? D

5) are the prices we received (details below) close to reasonable for an install right now? because they were shocking!!! lol We had two quotes, both happened to recommend the same systems and close to the same prices.

** thanks in advance!!! **

REPLACEMENT PRICING AND SPECS WE RECEIVED

OPTION 1

18 Seer System

4 Ton

1 Amana A3X 18048 Condenser

1 Amana CHPF Matching Coil

1 Amana 8090 Multi-Speed Furnance

$15,170

OPTION 2

16 Seer System

4 Ton

1 Amana A3X 16048 Condenser

1 Amana CHPF Matching Coil

1 Amana 9090 Multi-Speed Furnance

$12,840

OPTION 3

Coil Only $2230

OTHER DETAILS TO ADD TO COST

Extra Work Included in Both Quotes for 18 and 16 Seer

2 Returns

2 Vents

Reconfigure Ducting and Plenum

$1700

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Comments (8)

ryanhughes
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Your prices are ridiculous, plain and simple. That is not expensive equipment they are quoting you. Wouldn't even expect that much for Carrier's top-of-the-line system. You should get more bids, and have more than one company do a load calc, to make sure it is done correctly. It's only as accurate as the info put into it. What size is your current unit? Increasing tonnage means doing something about your current ductwork.
lmm1845
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks, that is my gut feeling. current unit is a 4 ton unit. Any idea what a realistic price is?
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lmm1845
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Anyone have any recommendations on who to call? I've received two quotes from pretty highly recommended companies (not sure if I can post their names?)....

I'm at a loss now. Any other feedback on the OP re: whether to wait, what happens to $ in the winters, etc ?
golfer1512
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi, The guys on the site are great and helped me decide what to buy. Ryan is spot on, get at least 3-4 more bids, Trane or American standard, Carrier would be my suggestion. Prices do vary but that seems very high I just had Trane 3 1/2 ton installed and love it. The quote to replace my coil was 900 but my fan was also going. I replaced a builders grade York only 8 yrs old. I did research for 2 weeks it is worth it . I had bids from $4700 to 8,4oo. You can see what I purchased it's on page 5, titled Trane xr 14 vs. Carrier 16. I asked all the sales reps. the same exact questions and compared what they said or recommended. Good luck and do your homework. I know more about Seer, Eer, hspf then I ever wanted to know. Checkout the dealers with the BBB and make sure you get the ach certicate from the dealer for the tax credit before they start the job.
ryanhughes
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
$6-10k depending on what type of equipment you're looking at, hopefully more around the $6-8k range given the rebates and incentives out there. I wouldn't even expect half the price they're quoting for the 18 SEER Amana. While it is 18 SEER, I don't consider it top-end equipment in the grand spectrum of brands (Lennox, Carrier, Trane, York, Rheem). Amana is good if installed properly but it's not equipment intended to carry such a high price tag. Keep getting estimates. Prices for your area may be substantially higher than others, but they should not be that expensive. You could almost install 2 systems for that price.
novacarrierdude
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You are being gouged. Unless they are installing completely new ductwork, the price is flat absurd. Complete system change outs run 6k-10k per unit depending on quality and brand. In some cases, you could nearly install a geothermal system for the prices you are being quoted. Did the bids perhaps include air purifiers and energy recovery ventilators or any other big-time accessories? You should be able to have a complete Carrier Infinity hybrid heat system for 9k'ish. Rebates of up to 1200 from Carrier and 1500 federal tax credit may bring that down. Get more bids!
mike_near_dallas
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi lmm,
I am checking into replacing a 3 ton system in Dallas myself. Today I called a company that advertises in the Dallas Morning News. Saw their ad on the website by clicking on the "shopping" tab, then "browse ads" then under home improvement the AC link. They are the ones advertising a 1.5 ton for $1880 (AC/furnace/13 seer). Rough quote on a Carrier Infinity 16 seer AC with a 80% efficient gas furnace (2 stage, variable speed), new Infinity thermostat, no new lines, electric, air filter, plenums, ducts or drains, but only $6800 + tax, - $1000 rebate (45 days), - $1500 tax credit(next year). May be liars. Just a phone quote.
lilbit77
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
we just had a new 5 ton central air/heat unit put in. it is a trane. bc we are planning on adding on more to our house we told them we would be up to 2500 sq. ft and they said it should cover it. we are at 2100 right now. we love it!! we are already seeing a huge difference in our elec. bill as well as cooling and heating the house!!! our old unit was 7 yrs old and not efficent as far as the elec bill or cooling. in the summer it would run and run and would not cool the house!!our new one does!!we have the newer model since freon is being phased out. we pd for everything including equipm, new vents ductwork, and labor----6800.

Newbie help - replace now or repair? Is 16k ridiculous?

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Newbie help - replace now or repair? Is 16k ridiculous?

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ryanhughes

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