New AC unit

[nofishfisherman]

So my AC died 3 summers ago and I've finally had it with sweating while I sleep. Its time to get a new unit.

I'm starting to bring in people for quotes but I'm pretty uninformed in this area and could use any guidance you could offer.

Here's a little background on the house. Its a 1500 square foot 2 story that was built in 1946. The old unit was a 2.5 ton but I had a guy give a quote today and said a 2 ton unit is more than sufficient for my home. Does that sound about right?

The first quote was from Snelling Company and was for a lower end 2 ton Lennox unit. Total price was $3200 including install. Install includes replacing the refrigeration lines and haul away of the old unit. Any feeling on if that is a fair price?

I have Kath Heating and Air coming out and also Standard Heating and Air as well? Anyone have any experience with any of these guys? The guy from Snelling was old school sales, straight forward and seemed honest and was very educational on all thing utility related.

Any brands of units that you'd recommend or recommend staying away from?

I don't plan on being in this house for more than another 5 years so I don't want to break the bank on a unit but I just can't bring myself to put in garbage either. With that in mind the guy from Snelling suggested the lower end Lennox.

If you have any suggestions on brand or company I'd like to hear them. Also if anyone can offer insight into what a decent 2 ton unit could cost it would be good to have even just a rough estimate.

[nofishfisherman]

I'm a little surprised there aren't any HVAC guys around that could offer some insight.

[pikechaser]

Generally every manufacturer offers a lower end model..They will not be as quiet when running..Everything in it will be the cheapest they can find..pretty much guarnteed the fan motor wont last 5 years...when I used to do residential service the cheap lennox units we put in, probly 1/3 of them the fan motors didnt even last a year. There are usually always rebates available on some of the more expensive units. In the long run, even 5 years you might be happier with something a little better. It will run quieter, be more efficient, probly keep the house more comfortable, last longer...not saying you have to buy the absolute highest end ac..but sometimes cheap is just that..cheap.. A 2 ton is probly all you need, keep in mind a over-sized ac will cool the house down quicker, because of that it doesnt remove as much humidity from in the house. As far as price..Ive been out of the residential side for to long..that price doesnt sound to bad. Without seeing your house, its hard to say how much work the install would be, which is also a factor. The newer 410a systems run alot higher pressure, thats why they reccomend new lines. Honestly cant say anything good/bad bout any of those companies..Get a few estimates I think all of those companies have been around for quite awhile...

[nofishfisherman]

Thanks for the feedback.

We are getting 3 quotes at least so we'll see what the difference is. I was quoted a Carrier and Payne unit by the last company. The carrier seemed to be a little higher end unit than compared to the lennox and was only about $200 more after rebates. That company also offered a paid in full discount which is nice for people like me who hate taking out loans for this kind of thing.

The carrier I was quoted was a 15 seer versus the lennox which was only 13 and didn't qualify for any rebates.

We'll see what the last company can offer me but so far I'm leaning toward the Carrier unit which ran about $3400 for a 2 ton 15 seer unit.

[Smoker]

Be sure to check with your power company also. Some of them ofer rebates also. I think Lennox has rebates on higher seer units also.

[fishersofmen]

You can't go wrong with Carrier imo. I will call my bro who works for a big HVAC company and run it by him, I think they do Carrier as well. I will find out if he can get someone to do a side job as well and save you some money. I have a degree in HVAC but am not in the field yet unfortunately ohterwise I could have helped you out big time. The mark-up on this stuff is insane.

[reinhard1]

i would wait and see if someone who works for Carrier does a side job and get it done. 5 years ago i had a buddy who's uncle worked for Carrier put in a Payne furnace and a new central air for under four thousand. that's was for both. haven't had a problem yet. good luck.

[jmd1]

Living in Phoenix, i only care about the A/C. I replaced heat pump and air handler with a goodman system. The old trane unit lasted about 15 yrs which is about as long as i would expect. I have a 2000k single story home with tile floors in the whole house. we stayed with a 14 seer, but kind of wished i would have gone up to a 15 and the 410 freon. Our elect bill went down a lot, the rebates both from the power company but also the feds/state was pretty good.

overall to replace the air handler and condenser unit i spent about 5500. good luck

[nofishfisherman]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm still waiting for the 3rd quote since we had to reschedule the appointment.

Right now I'm leaning toward the Carrier unit. So far both companies have included the available rebates into the quotes. The rebates come from Xcel I believe and are only available on 15 seer units or higher.

I guess I was a little surprised by the $3000-3500 price tag for the new unit. I was hoping for a little less but I still don't want to put in a junk unit.

[Whoaru99]

I'm sorta in the same boat. Due to some other other higher priorities I haven't replaced my dead central AC system but when looking found costs similar to yours. After the first summer without I ended up putting it two medium-sized window units (12k and 10k) and have been using them for the last few years. Sure, not as nice as having central air but I sleep good at night. Just offering another consideration.

The other thing I've found looking at some brands is that with my old single speed furnace system that I'm limited to the lower SEER models like 13-14. There certainly could be other brands with higher SEER that work with single speed systems but, again, the higher ones I've looked at seem to be set up for working with variable/multi-speed blower systems.

[nofishfisherman]

We do have 1 window AC unit that we are borrowing from a friend but its a temporary solution. We are hoping to sell the house in the next couple years so we'll need a new AC unit to sell the place but we figure why put one in just for the new owners when we could be benefiting from it in the meantime.

[fishersofmen]

Talked with my brother today and he said the owner has really put a clamp down on the guys doing side jobs. Also said the quote you got on a 15 seer carrier would be about what they would charge. Too bad I can't pull permits because my bro said the unit itself is 1,000 tops. I'm surprised there aren't any licensed hvac guy's on here wanting to make some easy money and save you a buck or two.......

[nofishfisherman]

Thanks for looking into it for me. At least I've received confirmation from many of you that the prices I'm getting quoted are in line.

I don't really mind paying a good company to come out and do the job. I understand there's going to be a mark up. Without the mark up there's no company and no jobs. I'm fine with doing my part and keeping a good company in business and keeping people employed.

[hanson]

i would wait and see if someone who works for Carrier does a side job and get it done. 5 years ago i had a buddy who's uncle worked for Carrier put in a Payne furnace and a new central air for under four thousand. that's was for both. haven't had a problem yet. good luck.

Since its hotter than 'F' out today... good timing on the post. I had an HVAC subcontractor of ours put a new furnace & A/C in my house last fall as a side job and that price is pretty close parts & labor. He suggested Payne to me as well and that is what I went with. Payne is Carrier's little brother. 2 stage blower on the furnace and can't remember what the SEER rating was, but qualified for the tax credit. I've been very happy. Time will tell but I know I can trust my guy when something does happen and according to him, thats probably the important part.

If you are paying retail... Centerpoint, XCEL, and the Fed. Gov't are all (or were) offering rebates/credits. Look into these and watch the efficiency requirements because they'll probably pay off.

[nofishfisherman]

Right now I'd pay top dollar for a bucket of ice and a fan. Its 11:45 and its still 90 degrees in the house.

Need to pull the trigger on something soon.