Average cost of a new HVAC system in South NJ

8 years ago

Being quoted $17,000 for a complete new HVAC system (furnace, A/C, water heater, etc...) using existing duct work, for a Carrier Infinity system and 50 gallon water tank.
The price seems pretty high.
Looking to find out what others have paid and what the average cost should be.

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mike_home

8 years ago

I also live in NJ and I am familiar how the Clean Energy program works. I have to be honest I don't care for it. The contractors quote a high price and then the state comes in with a rebate to bring it back down. The result is you are usually paying an inflated price. The hook is you have to replace your water heater and add insulation at some very high price.

So the quote is $17,662 minus the $4000 rebate for a net of $13,662. For this you are getting a 2-stage Infinity furnace and a single stage AC, with a water heater and blown in insulation. If $2000 goes towards the insulation leaving $11,662 for the equipment and installation.

If it were a 2-stage AC I would say you are at the high end of the price range, for a single stage it is over priced in my opinion. You can try what Tigerdunes has suggested, but I am confident the dealer will not go along with it.

Do you need a new hot water heater? Paying $2800 for a hot water heater is absurd. Realize that this will be a vented model which will not operate during a power outage. With the low price of gas even they are estimating a 40 year pay back. You will be lucky if the hot water heater lasts 20 years.

I think you can do much better with pricing. Get a quote from a Carrier dealer who doesn't participate in the program. If you need a hot water heater you can buy a basic tank in Home Depot for less than $500 plus installation.

If you have R30 insulation in the attic, then adding more is probably not going to have a big impact (look at the payback years). Attic sealing is good DIY project. Put the money toward an attic hatch or make one yourself.

Finally not sure about the $4000 in labor. Installers will rarely quote labor charges, or even breakdown the price by item.

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Comments (9)

mike_home
8 years ago
Where are you located in NJ? Is this quote under the NJ Clean Energy Program?

Provide the list of model numbers in the quote. This will help in determine if the price is fair. Some information about your house would be useful. The size, age, how many floors, basement, etc.
angelicag6
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes, this is before the $4,000 Clean Energy Program credit, so about $13k out of pocket.

Located in Camden County. House is 28 years old, 2 story with a basement, 2400sf.

Carrier Infinity 24anb636 air conditioner (1 stage)

Coil cnpvp3717

Furnace 2 stage 59tn6080v17

Thermostat Infinity touch wifi

water heater brg2pv50t6n

Includes $2,000 to have Insulation blown into attic and some sealing of air gaps.

I appreciate your help.. I have tried looking on the Carrier website and Gov Eneregy website and it is all pretty confusing. Received a second quote around the same price, but when I research online I see average prices that are about $5,000 lower for same type climate area. I think they are both very overprices. Going to get 2 more quotes and try to get from out of the local area.
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tigerdunes
8 years ago
Pricing not too bad....what about a pleated filter media cabinet?...what size AC are you replacing?...I would ask dealer to upgrade you to the 2 stage 24ANB7 AC condenser-on his dime...

IMO
angelicag6
Original Author
8 years ago
Question. On my energy report it has a total cost of $13,809..yet on the proposal the cost is $17,662?

Is $4000 in labor normal?
tigerdunes
8 years ago
?

"Realize that this will be a vented model which will not operate during a power outage."

My nat gas HWH which is vented works just fine in a power outage. I suppose a standing pilot. Sits in an aqua hut enclosure outside.

IMO
angelicag6
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you all. I think this is overpriced also. I appreciate your help. I will keep looking as I don't need a new system yet, but it is 28 years old and thought if I was proactive I could save money as opposed to an emergency repair/system. Apparently not.
mike_home
8 years ago
High efficiency hot water heaters have a power vent. It is a damper on the exhaust flue that closes so cold air does not enter the when the hot water heater is not operating. It needs an electrical connection to operate. That is the type that is typically quoted in order to meed the requirement of the NJ program.

The standard hot water heater is also vented, but requires no electricity to operate. It has a standing gas pilot.

In the past few years I experienced multiple day power outages for the first time ever. Having running hot water was one of the few comforts while waiting for the power to come back on.
sktn77a
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
A millivolt Direct Vent water heater may be a better solution as this can be vented through a sidewall (like a power vented unit) but works in a power outage.

Prices are high, but that's Jersey for you. As someone pointed out already, contractors frequently jack up their prices by the rebate amount so you end up paying the same.

Average cost of a new HVAC system in South NJ

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Average cost of a new HVAC system in South NJ

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