$5,800 for a new AC unit installed, $3,700 for a new compressor?

[Scarpozzi]

Scarpozzi, I checked twice - although my 1st floor AC is set to on, the fan outside is not moving! Does that mean it is the capacitor?

Thanks!!!

It could be the capacitor. You can look at the capacitor to see if there are signs of bulging or electrical damage or just replace it.
EDIT: When mine failed, you could hear the motor surging when it was trying to spin up, but the capacitor wasn't supplying the surge of voltage it needed to give the motor the push it needed.

If you disconnect the power from the outdoor breaker (should be mounted on the wall), you can take the panel off the side of the unit and inspect the capacitors. If you want to try to try to replace them yourself, you can read the side of the cap to see exactly what you would need. Their useful life is only typically 10,000 cycles I think. Mine lasted less than 10 years, but it's the most common issue for a system to just all of the sudden stop cooling. Any HVAC guy could tell you that. You can get a better picture idea by searching "HVAC capacitor replacement" on youtube.

Ordering a new one and replacing it yourself would take less than 30 minutes and be like $20....or you can pay someone. I'm not sure what they charge, but it shouldn't be that expensive if they're not ripoff artists. Half of the battle is convincing them that you know what's wrong and they can't make you pay more than what the job is worth. ($standard fee + part + install.....maybe $300 or less? All depends on where you live.)

 

[Scarpozzi]

Wow I can't believe these prices that you guys are being quoted. I've got an older 2 stage Bryant heat pump(2005)that supplies the main floor and a Rheem unit that is just as old that keeps the second floor cool.
If my units go bad it just seems crazy to me that it would cost around 5 to 10 grand EACH to replace them....wow

The prices are only set that high because the cost of the units and the base cost of labor have both risen. 2 years ago my HVAC guy was putting in a mini-split for me. He was telling me how hard it was to find guys that would work for what he was paying. He'd have jobs scheduled and guys stopped showing up. The other HVAC companies were having the same problem and didn't want to train as much, so they were paying more and picking up the lower paid, trained guys.

The work can be dirty and tough because you're trying to hide duct work in the floor/ceiling...fix drywall....run electrical lines, etc... All that can be very time consuming so they got in the habit of charging more up front because the labor can be slow. MY unit install years ago wasn't bad at all because they didn't have to mess with the duct work except to loop in the furnace they were putting in my crawlspace....but they still took 2 guys a full day and a half to get the job done.

 

[SaltyNuts]

OK, here is the deal, HELP!

The unit that went out was an American Standard. It was actually put in in 2016, but he said the guy that put it in had never registered it, if he did I would be under a 10 year warranty, but because he did not the warranty recently expired. Fuk that guy.

He went through his whole spiel. I can get a whole new outside unit and evaporator coils, everything but the furnace (which he said is in very good shape), for $5,605. That is an Amana, 16 SEER, and a lifetime warranty.

Or I can get a Goodman unit, 14 Seer, 10 year warranty, for $5,035.

I asked if maybe it might just be the capacitor, he said no way, let's go listen to your unit, so we went out side, he pressed some button that got the fan turning, and there were horrible screeching sounds from what he said was the pistons rubbing.

Thoughts? I need to get something quick too hot haha.

Thanks!!!

 

[RPD]

OK, here is the deal, HELP!

The unit that went out was an American Standard. It was actually put in in 2016, but he said the guy that put it in had never registered it, if he did I would be under a 10 year warranty, but because he did not the warranty recently expired. Fuk that guy.

He went through his whole spiel. I can get a whole new outside unit and evaporator coils, everything but the furnace (which he said is in very good shape), for $5,605. That is an Amana, 16 SEER, and a lifetime warranty.

Or I can get a Goodman unit, 14 Seer, 10 year warranty, for $5,035.

I asked if maybe it might just be the capacitor, he said no way, let's go listen to your unit, so we went out side, he pressed some button that got the fan turning, and there were horrible screeching sounds from what he said was the pistons rubbing.

Thoughts? I need to get something quick too hot haha.

Thanks!!!

Pistons, wtf? If that tech is saying pistons, instead of the compressor, I'd be pretty leery of that guy. Since they are already going to be in your attic replacing the coils, might just want to check on the efficency difference/upgrade on the furnace and cost, just for consideration.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Pistons, wtf? If that tech is saying pistons, instead of the compressor, I'd be pretty leery of that guy. Since they are already going to be in your attic replacing the coils, might just want to check on the efficency difference/upgrade on the furnace and cost, just for consideration.

I think he was saying pistons in the compressor. Do compressors not have pistons? K I'll ask about the furnace. I forgot to ask about the "heat pump" option someone mentioned as well.

 

[RPD]

I think he was saying pistons in the compressor. Do compressors not have pistons? K I'll ask about the furnace. I forgot to ask about the "heat pump" option someone mentioned as well.

Recip compressors have been aged out for a LONG time. Almost every compressor these days is either a scroll, screw or centrifugal type. Recip compressors are almost (there are some NG type chillers that use them) completely gone.

 

[Scarpozzi]

OK, here is the deal, HELP!

The unit that went out was an American Standard. It was actually put in in 2016, but he said the guy that put it in had never registered it, if he did I would be under a 10 year warranty, but because he did not the warranty recently expired. Fuk that guy.

He went through his whole spiel. I can get a whole new outside unit and evaporator coils, everything but the furnace (which he said is in very good shape), for $5,605. That is an Amana, 16 SEER, and a lifetime warranty.

Or I can get a Goodman unit, 14 Seer, 10 year warranty, for $5,035.

I asked if maybe it might just be the capacitor, he said no way, let's go listen to your unit, so we went out side, he pressed some button that got the fan turning, and there were horrible screeching sounds from what he said was the pistons rubbing.

Thoughts? I need to get something quick too hot haha.

Thanks!!!

Start here:

Contact Us | How Can We Help You?: American Standard®

Reach out to our customer support team, who will help solve any issues or answer any questions you may have.

www.americanstandardair.com

Send them a message and let them know your model number/serial number and that an authorized tech didn't do what they were supposed to. Ask if they can provide you with warranty service.

A 5 year old unit shouldn't fail that quickly.....humbly ask them what your options are and who you should contact locally to resolve the issue since you can't trust your HVAC guy.

Adulting is fun ain't it? Good luck.

 

[Hans Gruber]

OK, here is the deal, HELP!

The unit that went out was an American Standard. It was actually put in in 2016, but he said the guy that put it in had never registered it, if he did I would be under a 10 year warranty, but because he did not the warranty recently expired. Fuk that guy.

He went through his whole spiel. I can get a whole new outside unit and evaporator coils, everything but the furnace (which he said is in very good shape), for $5,605. That is an Amana, 16 SEER, and a lifetime warranty.

Or I can get a Goodman unit, 14 Seer, 10 year warranty, for $5,035.

I asked if maybe it might just be the capacitor, he said no way, let's go listen to your unit, so we went out side, he pressed some button that got the fan turning, and there were horrible screeching sounds from what he said was the pistons rubbing.

Thoughts? I need to get something quick too hot haha.

Thanks!!!

This guy may have sabotaged your AC to prove a point. A shady character. I assume your American Standard AC was installed by a certified American Standard installer. Who is telling you that your AC was not registered therefore the warranty is no good? That is not right and is total BS. That is essentially a new unit. 5 years old is not something that needs replacing and if there is something wrong with it. That is why they provide a factory warranty. I assume you have your original receipt. Even if you didn't the serial number on the unit would prove the age of the unit.

 

[Scarpozzi]

This guy may have sabotaged your AC to prove a point. A shady character. I assume your American Standard AC was installed by a certified American Standard installer. Who is telling you that your AC was not registered therefore the warranty is no good? That is not right and is total BS. That is essentially a new unit. 5 years old is not something that needs replacing and if there is something wrong with it. That is why they provide a factory warranty. I assume you have your original receipt. Even if you didn't the serial number on the unit would prove the age of the unit.

I thought I covered this in my post.

 

[SaltyNuts]

This guy may have sabotaged your AC to prove a point. A shady character. I assume your American Standard AC was installed by a certified American Standard installer. Who is telling you that your AC was not registered therefore the warranty is no good? That is not right and is total BS. That is essentially a new unit. 5 years old is not something that needs replacing and if there is something wrong with it. That is why they provide a factory warranty. I assume you have your original receipt. Even if you didn't the serial number on the unit would prove the age of the unit.

It was installed by some guy, I had assumed he was a certified installation guy, but I don't know. But I called American Standard and gave the serial number, they confirmed the warranty did expire this May because the unit was not registered within 60 days after installation, if it had been it would have been a 10 year warranty. Fuk that guy who put it in, not using him ever again. I'm just getting the Amana Seer 16 one, lifetime warranty, but this time I will register it lol....

FUK.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Shit now I'm wondering if I registered my water heater that went in a few months ago. I do remember that guy giving me some registration information. Crap I hope I did not blow it off...

 

[paperfist]

Shit now I'm wondering if I registered my water heater that went in a few months ago. I do remember that guy giving me some registration information. Crap I hope I did not blow it off...

Some states like NY don't require warranty cards to be filled out, check your local laws.

What You Need to Know about Warranty Laws - Consumer Reports

When it comes to warranty protection, you may have more rights than you think. Find out everything you need to know about warranties, from Consumer Reports.

www.consumerreports.org

NY Daily News - We are currently unavailable in your region

www.nydailynews.com

Warranty Laws and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

This article explains what the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is and how it affects consumers.

www.findlaw.com

 

[Micrornd]

Shit now I'm wondering if I registered my water heater that went in a few months ago. I do remember that guy giving me some registration information. Crap I hope I did not blow it off...

It's normally the homeowner's responsibility to register a central AC unit, that's why all the paper work (and warranty card) comes with it.
My Bryant AC goes from a similar 5yr warranty to a 10yr warranty if registered within 90 days of install, BUT (as paperfist said) there is also a clause that states -

"To the original owner, when product is used in a residence, a 10-year parts limited warranty upon timely registration of your new equipment. Warranty period is 5 years if not registered within 90 days. Jurisdictions where warranty benefits cannot be conditioned on registration will automatically receive a 10-year parts limited warranty. See warranty certificate for complete details."

 

[Hans Gruber]

It's normally the homeowner's responsibility to register a central AC unit, that's why all the paper work (and warranty card) comes with it.
My Bryant AC goes from a similar 5yr warranty to a 10yr warranty if registered within 90 days of install, BUT (as paperfist said) there is also a clause that states -

"To the original owner, when product is used in a residence, a 10-year parts limited warranty upon timely registration of your new equipment. Warranty period is 5 years if not registered within 90 days. Jurisdictions where warranty benefits cannot be conditioned on registration will automatically receive a 10-year parts limited warranty. See warranty certificate for complete details."

That is total BS. If a Air Conditioner is installed by a certified American Standard installer. You are covered for 10 years. The AC company registers the serial number with American Standard when they install the unit. They do this because American Standard wants to track their inventory and limit gray market sales.

I would like to ask the OP. Did your AC unit make horrible screeching sounds before you called the HVAC company? I am trying to figure out if the tech sabotaged your unit. Was the HVAC company American Standard authorized. Whenever you have newer equipment, always have your unit serviced by brand specific HVAC authorized companies.

 

[NutBucket]

Those prices are in line with what we were quoted in AZ. Granted home warranty was paying. This is for a 5 ton unit. Warranty company authorized a new compressor. Unit is about 16 years old, Goodman 14 seer.

 

[bbhaag]

Wow these prices still just blow my mind. Are you guys getting these quotes for not only unit installs but all new duct work to or is it just for the unit and the accompanying electrical work required? Or is it a little bit of both?

 

[Hans Gruber]

The best time to buy AC units or Heatpumps is March/April. After the cold season and before the hot season. Buying during the hotter months is when the prices are highest. I agree though that there is been an irrational increase in the price of heating/cooling gear in the last several years.

 

[NutBucket]

Wow these prices still just blow my mind. Are you guys getting these quotes for not only unit installs but all new duct work to or is it just for the unit and the accompanying electrical work required? Or is it a little bit of both?

Just the install of said unit.

 

[paperfist]

Just the install of said unit.

Which seems really high when it’s basically a swap out job. I think the most involving part is evacuating and recharging the refrigerant.

 

[NutBucket]

Not saying you're wrong but I don't have the gear to do it. Plus our system is R22 and that stuff isn't cheap.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Which seems really high when it’s basically a swap out job. I think the most involving part is evacuating and recharging the refrigerant.

That's the easiest part of the job. Most systems need a matched air handler and that's when you get into duct work and air return sizing. All depends on the house and whether or not the old air handler was crammed in a tight closet or somewhere more spacious.

The lines/vacuum part are easy (just takes time for the pump to work) as long as you have no leaks to find.

 

[Meghan54]

But that is nice equipment (18 SEER) you listed. I had a Trane XE1000 for 16 years until an HVAC tech ruined it. No joke. Nothing can stop a trane but an incompetent HVAC tech. I still have my Trane furnace.

I know of a Trane XE1000 that’s still chugging away…was installed in 1992.

It did have the condenser fan motor replaced a couple years ago.

 

[Hans Gruber]

I know of a Trane XE1000 that’s still chugging away…was installed in 1992.

It did have the condenser fan motor replaced a couple years ago.

We have a few XE1000's in the community here as well. They were put in between 1998 and around 2000. They use R22 (freon) and are probably lightly used or broken at this point.