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Any HVAC people here? Curious to costs

IHateMyJob2004

IHateMyJob2004

Lifer
Well, in short, I have a ranch, so that saves alot of headaches on running ductwork through floors. I currently have water baseboard heating and I plan on keeping it as is.

I jsut want cooling to really top off this DIY fixer upper for reaale in 1-5 years. If anythign adds value, central air will 😉

Basically, I need to cool one floor (not worried about the basement which cools itself) that is about 1200 sqft. 8 foot ceilings. Older home with insulation in walls(4" framing), floor and attic. Older windows.

Anyways..... I want middle of the line stuff from a "good" manufacturer. No junk! I'd only have one zone, the whole first floor. Basically, what kind of material costs should I expect? I can do everything (electrical, plumbing, etc). I have a friend to help with experience doing this, so I'm not going into this blind. Don't worry about "issues" 😉

THANKS!
 
Get a trane or the cheaper but same basic thing "American Standard". Don't know how much it would cost. It has been 12 years since I've done any HVAC work. I don't even know if they are still labeled that way....trane vs. American standard. Many times you can find split systems in the local paper cheap.
 
If you can do all of the labor why don't you just look online to get the EXACT cost for the equipment you want? I don't understand.
 
Not sure what equipment is needed. not sure it's something I would order online also. But now that you mention it... maybe I will.

Thanks for the Trane recomendation. That actually rung a bell from starting theory discussions months ago.. I think I will go that way.
 
Originally posted by: ribbon13
I do high vacuum work (29.9mmHG) for my chemistry lab, but never anything like vapor phase cascade.
Click to expand...

Sorry for going off topic. Been here less than 90 days and have 5204 posts?
 
You *might* be able to get it cheaper than online retail by contacting an installer and having them sell you a unit. Carrier gives installers ~40-60% off in many cases.
 
I do high vacuum work (29.9mmHG) for my chemistry lab, but never anything like vapor phase cascade.
Click to expand...

That wouldn't be much of a vacuum at 29.9" let alone 29.9mm of mercury. 😛

2 1/2 tonnes, Heil, Ruud, Trane should do the trick. Look for 10+ EER as well.
 
Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
You *might* be able to get it cheaper than online retail by contacting an installer and having them sell you a unit. Carrier gives installers ~40-60% off in many cases.
Click to expand...

Good point.
I think my father in law might be able to get the discount. All you need to do is claim to be a contractor I think. They just take your word for it..... And technically, I should be a ble to make up a company name myself.
 
Just a note if it the same as it once was American Standard is a Trane without the energy efficiency.
You need:
Controls
Duct
tubing
wiring
condensing unit
air handler
disconnect
registers/ vents
a design
refrigerent

I'm assuming your friend has tool like a vac?
 
You need and air handler, evaporator coil, and condensing unit.

1200 sq ft, propably would require a 2 - 2.5 ton unit. You are looking at about $1000-1500 for parts and material.
 
Well, you're going to need all the ductwork since your house isn't set up for forced air plus compressor, blower and all the associated hardware. I'm going to estimate at least $8-9k minimum. You might as well switch to forced air heating since you will need the blower unit anyway.
 
Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
You *might* be able to get it cheaper than online retail by contacting an installer and having them sell you a unit. Carrier gives installers ~40-60% off in many cases.
Click to expand...

Actually, I just noticed Trane stuff is sold at Home Depot. if their AC prices are anything liek Widnows in bulk, they probably are the best price.

FYI: father-in-law is building a home and windows can be bought anywhere if you decided the models already. Don't ask how big the home is... He got estimates of $90K (outrageous), $40K and $20K. $20K was Home Depot. It's actually a good place to atleast look inot when getting esitmates on things liek this.
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Well, you're going to need all the ductwork since your house isn't set up for forced air plus compressor, blower and all the associated hardware. I'm going to estimate at least $8-9k minimum. You might as well switch to forced air heating since you will need the blower unit anyway.
Click to expand...

I would say less than half that especially if he picks up a used unit.
 
Originally posted by: dartworth
You need and air handler, evaporator coil, and condensing unit.

1200 sq ft, propably would require a 2 - 2.5 ton unit. You are looking at about $1000-1500 for parts and material.
Click to expand...

AWESOME!
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Well, you're going to need all the ductwork since your house isn't set up for forced air plus compressor, blower and all the associated hardware. I'm going to estimate at least $8-9k minimum. You might as well switch to forced air heating since you will need the blower unit anyway.
Click to expand...

Could do this, but extra costs and it's nto realyl a selling point where I live. Plus extra plumbing etc..... not to mention I have 5 heating zoems right now, so eenrgy effiiceincy is REALLY GOOD compared to the one zone I plan for the forced air system.

Somethign to ponder though, but I doubt I'll go that route. Not to mention all the wood floors that would need patching when the water baseboard is removed. The wallpapered rooms would have a messed up botttom, rooms would need more baseboard trim. It's an idea, but really more headache than it's worth. I would probably use the fan o nteh air handler once in a while in the winter jsut to move air around though.

Kar;
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: dartworth
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I'm going to estimate at least $8-9k minimum.
Click to expand...


no way...
Click to expand...

I was thinking cost for a professional install.
Click to expand...

DIYer 😉 I'll be doing the work. Where I live, I'd expect to pay about what you say from what the negihbors had done several years ago. Same house almost cost them $6K to do about 5 years ago.

If anything, I might have an electrician run some wires through the walls. For the costs/conveneince, I might spend the $100-$200 in labor that is required.
 
Originally posted by: dartworth
You need and air handler, evaporator coil, and condensing unit.

1200 sq ft, propably would require a 2 - 2.5 ton unit. You are looking at about $1000-1500 for parts and material.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the post in the HVAC thread. If I can get all the parts needed for $1500, this project is definitely a go!

Any advice if silence is hte biggest concern. Not really worried about hte compressor that is outside, but I want the fan and condensor in the attic (I hope I got that correct) to be very quiet.

Any advice on ways to minimize noise in parts that go in the attic?
 
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Originally posted by: dartworth
You need and air handler, evaporator coil, and condensing unit.

1200 sq ft, propably would require a 2 - 2.5 ton unit. You are looking at about $1000-1500 for parts and material.
Click to expand...

AWESOME!
Click to expand...



I am basing this on a recent job i just did. House was about 1150 sq ft. I put in a new furnace, condenser, and A coil. All the parts cost me around $1200. I did it in a weekend.

As far as your set goes...Hot water heat is the way to go IMO. I am thinking of switching mine over before next winter. Just need to find a good price on a small boiler.

Anyways...you would have to run two trunk lines for the duct work. One supply, and one return. You would have to cut return and supply air vents in each room. Supply air on the outside walls and returns on the inside walls. So you will have to think about that and layout your rooms for those...(read not running supply and return down the same joist space)

Also make sure you have enogh room for the air handle. You may have to run a fresh air line if ou were to enclose it in a closet or small room.
 
Originally posted by: dartworth
You need and air handler, evaporator coil, and condensing unit.

1200 sq ft, propably would require a 2 - 2.5 ton unit. You are looking at about $1000-1500 for parts and material.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression the rule of thumb was 300-400 sq. ft./ton.
 
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: dartworth
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I'm going to estimate at least $8-9k minimum.
Click to expand...


no way...
Click to expand...

I was thinking cost for a professional install.
Click to expand...

DIYer 😉 I'll be doing the work. Where I live, I'd expect to pay about what you say from what the negihbors had done several years ago. Same house almost cost them $6K to do about 5 years ago.

If anything, I might have an electrician run some wires through the walls. For the costs/conveneince, I might spend the $100-$200 in labor that is required.
Click to expand...

I had this done last summer and my house was built plumbed for central air. Cost me $2500 for a 5 ton compressor unit installed. My house is 2,200 sq ft with vaulted ceilings in many rooms and it is 2 stories. I have a friend who lives in an older home with baseboard heating and he said estimates were about $12-15k installed.
 
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
You *might* be able to get it cheaper than online retail by contacting an installer and having them sell you a unit. Carrier gives installers ~40-60% off in many cases.
Click to expand...

Good point.
I think my father in law might be able to get the discount. All you need to do is claim to be a contractor I think. They just take your word for it..... And technically, I should be a ble to make up a company name myself.
Click to expand...


My dad owns an HVAC company, the local supply houses are very discrimating and will not let just anyone walk in there and purchase stuff. They actually verify your company exists, and is HVAC targeted.
 
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