Our ac unit (15 years old) is about to die and is highly inefficient. It's 5 am and still running with the temp set on 76. With it being an old system I'll have to switch to the new refrigerant which is going to be adding more costs. Besides setting up a GoFundMe account, does anyone know of federal or state (Oklahoma) rebates/tax credits/etc?
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
New air conditioner (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter rascal
- Start date
pollardsvision
Footballguy
I had an older type unit go out. Instead of redoing the the whole thing, I just replaced the compressor. They don't make them anymore, but apparently, there are warehouses still stocked with new, old stock units. Saved me $3000. Of course, the coils/blower went out 6 months later, and I ended up spending the same but it was worth shot at the time. A lot of people will tell you those older-type ones will last longer too.
Now, I only found out about this solution from a jackleg (a really, really good jackleg). Regular HVAC companies bid on it without ever mentioning that option. Might not hurt to ask though.
Now, I only found out about this solution from a jackleg (a really, really good jackleg). Regular HVAC companies bid on it without ever mentioning that option. Might not hurt to ask though.
I've got two units that are original to my 3000 sqft house. A 2 ton upstairs and a 3.5 ton downstairs. I've always felt the 3.5 ton was too small.
Any brands you would not recommend?
I've replaced the a coils on both units within the past two years. Somewhere I'm also leaking refrigerant as I had to charge both units earlier this summer. Nobody could identify where the leak was
Johnny Rock
Footballguy
Check your local utility website for rebates.
East Coast Bias
Footballguy
I have a 2400 sqft house. Two stories with a noticeable difference in temp. I've talked to a couple companies about replacing our system. They've both said to get a variable speed system. Will this get both stories to be the same temp or do I really need two systems. Quotes for the variable speed systems were $12k and $14k.
skol asylum
Footballguy
Be prepared to open up that wallet. I had to replace two systems a few years back and it hit me for 14k.
TLEF316
Footballguy
Yeah, make sure you get multiple quotes. Mine went out like 5 years ago and the first dude that came out tried to completely screw me. I've got a small 2 BR, 1 story condo and the guy wanted like $7,000 to replace both the indoor and outdoor unit. Had someone else come in 2 days later and he quoted exactly half that for a brand new Carrier system (without me telling him what the first guy asked for) The only condition was that he needed to do it 2 days later, as it was the only day he had open for like 3 weeks. He showed me the unit online so that I knew I wasn't buying a piece of garbage and we did the deal. No problems since.
Now obviously I didn't need something big and fancy, but the point still remains. So many contractors are just straight up crooks trying to screw desperate people (mine died in July) that they hope wont do their research.
Now obviously I didn't need something big and fancy, but the point still remains. So many contractors are just straight up crooks trying to screw desperate people (mine died in July) that they hope wont do their research.
Osaurus
Footballguy
Seems high IMO. Not sure variable speed will help with 2 different floors. I'll defer to the experts, but that price is high.
Chemical X
Footballguy
ChiefD
Footballguy
All of the major brands are ok - Lennox, Trane, Carrier.
I would stay away from the off brands personally - you can get them a little cheaper out of the gate but they can be harder to get parts for when something goes out. With the major brands replacement parts are almost always in stock.
ChiefD
Footballguy
Variable speed can help, but it really depends on how the house is designed. If you have one of these houses with a wide open foyer when you open the front door, all that cold air that gets distributed upstairs ends up falling right down that foyer.
You can help that by keeping the doors closed for your upstairs rooms all summer.
I'm guessing you have a 5 ton system. So to me, 12-14 k for a new system is way high. For 14k you should be able to get a variable speed system AND have them install electronic zoning. That way you have a stat on both floors that will send air where it is needed.
Last edited by a moderator:
skol asylum
Footballguy
msudaisy26
Footballguy
We almost bought a house 2 years ago that had radiant heat, so no AC and no duct work. We had 3 companies show up the day of our inspection to give us quotes on the running the duct and putting a brand new 3.5 ton and we got quotes that ranged from 9k to 14k. So 14k to replace your old system seems really high to me.
El Floppo
Footballguy
You running into any issues with the variable speed systems and integration systems like Lutron?
I'm doing a project in a new build skyscraper in NYC and apparently all the apartment owners are having issues with compatible tstats and T sensors tying into variable speeds.
Fat Nick
Footballguy
We JUST had to replace our upstairs unit, 2 years after having to replace the downstairs. If your unit is 15 years old, replace it. No point in patching it with repair after repair. On ours, the fan motor died. That was $750 to fix...and the guy basically said something else could go any day. Considering that one outlived the other one by 2 years, I believed him.
My
My
- Depending on what kind of heat you have, consider having a heat pump unit installed. We heat with oil. Adding the heat pump unit cut WAY back on our oil usage. It's been less of a cost advantage with oil low, but a few years ago when we were paying $3.50+/gal, it was a no-brainer. We basically only use oil when it's below freezing, and the cost difference in the unit is minimal. It's also nice to know I've essentially got redundant heating methods.
- As someone earlier said, get at least two quotes. The prices vary widely...also, don't be afraid to negotiate. We started at ~$8,000 for a 2.5 ton unit. After some discussion and negotiation, we got a 3.5 ton unit for $6,950. It was our upstairs unit, but it always felt like the old 2.5 ton unit was struggling, so I convinced the guy to up the size for me.
- We went with a Lennox. I think it's their Elite series. 16.5 SEER. As you get into the higher SEER ratings, (Signature series, etc) prices go up quickly. I just don't see the cost/benefit unless there are rebates in your area for certain SEER levels. I don't have any complaints with Lennox specifically, but I also don't have experience with many other brands.
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
This also really depends on the climate where you live. If you're somewhere with mild winters, a heat pump can be an option. In bitter cold areas, forget it.
Osaurus
Footballguy
ChiefD
Footballguy
Not really any issues, but then again most of our customers are single family homes. We normally use just standard programmable stats, or stats that are communicating systems that are compatible with the equipment.
We haven't gotten too much into home automation yet - most of our customer base is older and they prefer stats that are easier to use. I just came to this company in January, so my goal is to slowly move this Titanic into some newer stuff to speak toward a younger clientele.
Similar threads
