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Message
Repair or replace central AC?
Posted on 2/23/14 at 6:39 pm
Posted on 2/23/14 at 6:39 pm
10 year old cheaper 4 ton outside unit.
I have a leak where the pipe comes out of the compressor. I had a leak repaired in the same spot 4 years ago. The compressor starts hard because the inside and outside system don't match and the vibration is causing the joint failure.
The inside part is about 17 years old.
The house was built with a 3.5 ton AC. Previous owner replaced just the outside unit with a 4 ton compressor in 2004.
We keep it set at 78 in the summer, so a 3.5 ton system would be enough for us.
Better to repair for around $450 and risk a major failure soon or replace?
I have a leak where the pipe comes out of the compressor. I had a leak repaired in the same spot 4 years ago. The compressor starts hard because the inside and outside system don't match and the vibration is causing the joint failure.
The inside part is about 17 years old.
The house was built with a 3.5 ton AC. Previous owner replaced just the outside unit with a 4 ton compressor in 2004.
We keep it set at 78 in the summer, so a 3.5 ton system would be enough for us.
Better to repair for around $450 and risk a major failure soon or replace?
This post was edited on 2/23/14 at 7:06 pm
3
Posted on 2/23/14 at 8:26 pm to Shaun176
A couple of questions:
How long do you plan to be in the house?
Is the unit sized right and the duct system laid out as well as possible? Having a top shelf HVAC contractor calc this pays you back year-after-year. It probably wasn't done originally, two decades ago builders and HVAC installers just did seat of their pant calcs and homeowners are still paying for their laziness.
What effective SEER is the unit? (You probably can't answer as the compressor and fan unit sound like they are not a match.)
The ultimate answer to your question is an algebra question; but if you can swing it, replace (repair of an old unit = good$ after bad) it if you are going to be there at least three more years. HVAC units go out at the worst possible times, at least with a warranty on a new one, the manufacturer will share your pain. The wrong sized one and inefficient one like you presently have costs you a considerable premium every day it operates. The payback is a variable, but certainly after five years with an upgrade to 17+ SEER you'll win AND be more confident in the unit during that time. My advice: Pass on the Goodman brand.
Get a Nest or other "smart" thermostat. I've used my Nest to save electricity from 5,000 miles away. It's pretty intuitive too.
How long do you plan to be in the house?
Is the unit sized right and the duct system laid out as well as possible? Having a top shelf HVAC contractor calc this pays you back year-after-year. It probably wasn't done originally, two decades ago builders and HVAC installers just did seat of their pant calcs and homeowners are still paying for their laziness.
What effective SEER is the unit? (You probably can't answer as the compressor and fan unit sound like they are not a match.)
The ultimate answer to your question is an algebra question; but if you can swing it, replace (repair of an old unit = good$ after bad) it if you are going to be there at least three more years. HVAC units go out at the worst possible times, at least with a warranty on a new one, the manufacturer will share your pain. The wrong sized one and inefficient one like you presently have costs you a considerable premium every day it operates. The payback is a variable, but certainly after five years with an upgrade to 17+ SEER you'll win AND be more confident in the unit during that time. My advice: Pass on the Goodman brand.
Get a Nest or other "smart" thermostat. I've used my Nest to save electricity from 5,000 miles away. It's pretty intuitive too.
This post was edited on 2/23/14 at 8:32 pm
Posted on 2/23/14 at 9:59 pm to Shaun176
Replace it. It sounds as if this is going to be an ongoing problem. Better to replace it now, rather than piling up the replacement cost in repair bills and then having to replace anyway in a year or 2.
Posted on 2/24/14 at 4:37 am to soccerfüt
quote:
The payback is a variable, but certainly after five years with an upgrade to 17+ SEER you'll win AND be more confident in the unit during that time.
This. Replace the complete unit and also get a tax break. My cost last summer was $4800 thru a friend deal. That gave me a $300 tax break. So, cost was $4500.
Posted on 2/24/14 at 5:37 am to soccerfüt
Thanks for the advice. We are planning on staying in the house for the foreseeable future.
I am going to get estimates on a new system.
Anybody have recommendations in the Baton Rouge area?
I am going to get estimates on a new system.
Anybody have recommendations in the Baton Rouge area?
Posted on 2/24/14 at 6:19 am to Shaun176
Home360
Ask for Kirk Manuel
Ask for Kirk Manuel
Posted on 2/24/14 at 8:08 am to Shaun176
The AC business is the largest racket there is. They make ambulance chasers look good.
That $450 fix is probably a $50 fix that you could do yourself but you don't have a license.
That $450 fix is probably a $50 fix that you could do yourself but you don't have a license.
Posted on 2/24/14 at 7:00 pm to I Love Bama
Possibly, but the $50 fix still doesn't make an antique kilowatt eating dinosaur an efficient reliable new machine. Any fix on a 10+ year-old HVAC unit is debatable, take it out to 17 years and it's a no-brainer if you are going to stay in the house any length of time and aren't living paycheck to paycheck.
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