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

[SaltyNuts]

AC is apparently out. Those prices sound crazy high to me. Should I get a second (and third and fourth) opinion?

 

[Hans Gruber]

I would wait until Feb/March/April and get a bunch of bids. Those are the best time to replace your AC.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Whoa, that is waaaay too long to go without AC in Houston, Hans!!!!

 

[Hans Gruber]

If you would have told me you were in Texas. I would have said, it looks like you have to pay those extortion prices. What brand of unit and what is the SEER rating of the quote?

 

[SaltyNuts]

No clue Hans, I'll ask that question. I just called some other company and they are going to come give an estimate but they said like compressor costs $3,00 and new unit $5,000, but didn't say whether that was installed or not.

Is that the only questions I should ask Hans - what is the SEER ratings and brand of new unit? Anything else?

Thanks!

 

[Scarpozzi]

AC is out....what are the symptoms?

You might be able to fix it?

 

[Hans Gruber]

No clue Hans, I'll ask that question. I just called some other company and they are going to come give an estimate but they said like compressor costs $3,00 and new unit $5,000, but didn't say whether that was installed or not.

Is that the only questions I should ask Hans - what is the SEER ratings and brand of new unit? Anything else?

Thanks!

The minimum SEER rating in 2021 is 14. You do not really need more than that because the cost of 16 SEER and higher are not really worth the additional cost. I have a 13 SEER heat pump from 2014. I would say go the heat pump route vs. an AC because it doesn't get cold down there. Heat Pumps are the same as AC but they heat as well. Everybody says go with a Trane but all of the major brands use the same compressors and similar components.

How old is your AC unit?

 

[RPD]

For a new AC unit, there are a lot of factors. Is it a split system or rooftop?
That much for a compressor replacement however is way too high.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Scarpozzi: symptoms are that it blows air, but air is not cold at all.

Hans - I'll check on the SEER rating. I'll ask about a heat pump. AC unit, not sure how old, I think I got it replaced a few years back, but guy that came first that quoted me the $5,800 I think is the guy that replaced him so I will ask about that and whether it is under warranty.

RPD - this is an AC unit for the first story of a 2 story house, there is a smaller AC for the upstairs (still working).

Thanks!!!!

 

[RPD]

Scarpozzi: symptoms are that it blows air, but air is not cold at all.

Hans - I'll check on the SEER rating. I'll ask about a heat pump. AC unit, not sure how old, I think I got it replaced a few years back, but guy that came first that quoted me the $5,800 I think is the guy that replaced him so I will ask about that and whether it is under warranty.

RPD - this is an AC unit for the first story of a 2 story house, there is a smaller AC for the upstairs (still working).

Thanks!!!!

That really didn't answer my question, it's important if it's a rooftop unit as those require cranes; if the pick is far or difficult it requires a bigger (see more expensive) crane.

 

[UsandThem]

Scarpozzi: symptoms are that it blows air, but air is not cold at all.

I had the same issues a few years back with my AC, and it turned out the cause was a dead capacitor.

With the trip charge, part, and labor it was like $400 total.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Scarpozzi: symptoms are that it blows air, but air is not cold at all.

Hans - I'll check on the SEER rating. I'll ask about a heat pump. AC unit, not sure how old, I think I got it replaced a few years back, but guy that came first that quoted me the $5,800 I think is the guy that replaced him so I will ask about that and whether it is under warranty.

RPD - this is an AC unit for the first story of a 2 story house, there is a smaller AC for the upstairs (still working).

Thanks!!!!

Check the outside unit....is the fan running? The most common issue on those units is a simple capacitor failing. They have a capacitor that has enough charge to start the fan spinning. If it doesn't get that surge, it will never go fast enough to cool. They run like $20 to replace.

 

[Hans Gruber]

I have 3 backup capacitors in the garage and a multimeter with capacitance testing capability. Once you have been rolled enough by HVAC companies. You realize it's time to fix the easy stuff on your own. Mine blew 3 months ago during a heatwave and I have stocked up since.

If the OP's unit is only a few years old. The compressor is still under warranty. You don't need to replace a unit unless it's 10 years or older in my opinion.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have 3 backup capacitors in the garage and a multimeter with capacitance testing capability. Once you have been rolled enough by HVAC companies. You realize it's time to fix the easy stuff on your own. Mine blew 3 months ago during a heatwave and I have stocked up since.

If the OP's unit is only a few years old. The compressor is still under warranty. You don't need to replace a unit unless it's 10 years or older in my opinion.

Mine blew just before we had a party...on a weekend in July. I had to find an HVAC guy and he didn't have a dual capacitor that would work so he had to sell me two and I taped them together. That costed me a drive and an extra $30 over Amazon's price. It pays to have an extra on the shelf.

 

[Hans Gruber]

Mine blew just before we had a party...on a weekend in July. I had to find an HVAC guy and he didn't have a dual capacitor that would work so he had to sell me two and I taped them together. That costed me a drive and an extra $30 over Amazon's price. It pays to have an extra on the shelf.

My plan was to have a properly sized backup for a backup. I had one rated @ 370v and I decided that I needed a 440v rated one like the other backup. The 3rd backup will probably never see active duty. I can't understand why HVAC companies do not have storage lockers full of extra caps. I went all out on the specialized Chinese multimeter $12. Maybe I will get another when they start selling Fluke (yellow) look a like meters. I do have Milwaukee Fuel tools that that on lookers know I am a serious professional.

 

[woodman1999]

I got quoted between 10k and 13k for a 16 seer two stage ac unit in NJ. They're claiming because of the massive shortage due to covid. My units both are from 1995 so I am living on borrowed time and it's gonna be another 4 months until they can even get them in stock. Still haven't ordered them yet...

 

[Scarpozzi]

I got quoted between 10k and 13k for a 16 seer two stage ac unit in NJ. They're claiming because of the massive shortage due to covid. My units both are from 1995 so I am living on borrowed time and it's gonna be another 4 months until they can even get them in stock. Still haven't ordered them yet...

I would call around. There are quite a few competitors in this space and likely warehouses of common-sized units out there.

In 2009, I got a 15 seer American Standard Heritage heat pump with a 80k btu gas furnace. Dual fuel is the way to go if you have gas and live in areas that see sub 40 degree temps. I paid $7500 for that system.

I was quoted higher prices for Carrier and Trane (same manufacturer as AS). Do research and check competitors. My local codes prevent me from installing HVAC units myself in my main house, but I'm going to be installing a mini split and heat pump for my other houses next year....so I'm about to learn.

 

[SaltyNuts]

That really didn't answer my question, it's important if it's a rooftop unit as those require cranes; if the pick is far or difficult it requires a bigger (see more expensive) crane.

No, it is just a ground unit, sits on the ground on the side of my house. My bad.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Check the outside unit....is the fan running? The most common issue on those units is a simple capacitor failing. They have a capacitor that has enough charge to start the fan spinning. If it doesn't get that surge, it will never go fast enough to cool. They run like $20 to replace.

Crap, will do! So if I turn the A/C on, and I DO see the fan running, then it cannot be a capacitor issue, correct? Thanks!

 

[SaltyNuts]

I have 3 backup capacitors in the garage and a multimeter with capacitance testing capability. Once you have been rolled enough by HVAC companies. You realize it's time to fix the easy stuff on your own. Mine blew 3 months ago during a heatwave and I have stocked up since.

If the OP's unit is only a few years old. The compressor is still under warranty. You don't need to replace a unit unless it's 10 years or older in my opinion.

I think I was wrong, I asked my girl about the unit being replaced I thought just a few years ago, but she told me that, while I was right, it was the UPSTAIRS unit that was replaced, not the downstairs. So I suspect the downstairs might be the one that was installed when the house was built, like 1998 or something lol.

 

[SaltyNuts]

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!!!

 

[RPD]

No, it is just a ground unit, sits on the ground on the side of my house. My bad.

Split system then. Granted this was pre covid, but had two systems replaced about 4 years ago, average was $7k per system.
Due to supply chain issues some stuff has been completely sold out. Some OEM’s don’t even have furnaces to sell.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I got quoted between 10k and 13k for a 16 seer two stage ac unit in NJ. They're claiming because of the massive shortage due to covid. My units both are from 1995 so I am living on borrowed time and it's gonna be another 4 months until they can even get them in stock. Still haven't ordered them yet...

Same price here in Central Fl. I called 4 reputable companies, the kind that don't just throw and go. The lowest bid for a Trane XL18i, UV lights, Nexia, new electrical box, diverters, was 10k. Good warranty and the company I chose includes their labor costs.

 

[bbhaag]

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

 

[Hans Gruber]

Same price here in Central Fl. I called 4 reputable companies, the kind that don't just throw and go. The lowest bid for a Trane XL18i, UV lights, Nexia, new electrical box, diverters, was 10k. Good warranty and the company I chose includes their labor costs.

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.