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Message
Central AC replacement
Posted on 10/3/25 at 9:49 am
Posted on 10/3/25 at 9:49 am
Thinking it is time to pull the trigger on replacing the AC. I have a Carrier 3 ton unit R-22 that is probably close to 20 years old. Just guessing as I moved into the house 5 years ago. I've had a slow leak pretty much the entire time that I've had to charge at the start of each summer and it typically maintains cooling though until the next hot season. I purchased a 30lb R-22 tank a couple years ago to minimize my costs on the recharge when my AC guy comes out because obviously R-22 has become rather pricey.
The secondary drip pan is constantly filling (and draining as intended) due to leaks from the primary drip pan. I sealed a crack in the primary pan with some JB WaterWeld but it seems to still have a crack that is in the corner that I can't see. The secondary pan also looks pretty dang rusty, so don't feel very comfortable with it being constantly full of water. I've been trying to patch all the issues to keep it going until it breaks but I'm thinking it might not make sense at this point to keep prolonging the inevitable.
So far I've had one AC guy quote me on a Goodman 3.5 ton unit to replace the 3 ton ($8,500). The house is 1879 sq ft in south LA, so it does appear that a 3.5 ton is the recommended size. He seems to think the same duct work can be used (it's all in good shape), but I've read that the ductwork for 3 ton and 3.5 ton is not interchangeable and can put a strain on the system and be less efficient.
Thoughts on Goodman brand (single stage unit, 14SEER) at that price? And thoughts on using existing ductwork while increasing to 3.5 ton unit?
The secondary drip pan is constantly filling (and draining as intended) due to leaks from the primary drip pan. I sealed a crack in the primary pan with some JB WaterWeld but it seems to still have a crack that is in the corner that I can't see. The secondary pan also looks pretty dang rusty, so don't feel very comfortable with it being constantly full of water. I've been trying to patch all the issues to keep it going until it breaks but I'm thinking it might not make sense at this point to keep prolonging the inevitable.
So far I've had one AC guy quote me on a Goodman 3.5 ton unit to replace the 3 ton ($8,500). The house is 1879 sq ft in south LA, so it does appear that a 3.5 ton is the recommended size. He seems to think the same duct work can be used (it's all in good shape), but I've read that the ductwork for 3 ton and 3.5 ton is not interchangeable and can put a strain on the system and be less efficient.
Thoughts on Goodman brand (single stage unit, 14SEER) at that price? And thoughts on using existing ductwork while increasing to 3.5 ton unit?
12
Posted on 10/3/25 at 9:52 am to ChewyDante
Another question to ask is if you can get by into the fall when their is less demand for new ACs. I think you can save a few bucks but others here know better
Posted on 10/3/25 at 10:11 am to jmarto1
quote:
Another question to ask is if you can get by into the fall when their is less demand for new ACs. I think you can save a few bucks but others here know better
That's actually been my plan this season. It's still working fine and we are out of the worst of the summer heat, so I can wait to do the change any time prior to the next summer season. I know the cooler weather will also help the working conditions up in the attic, because the space in my attic where they would be working is tight. I figured install quality as well would probably be helped by not having to work in the horrid summer conditions up there.
That quote I was given was also provided over the summer. I've heard mixed thoughts on whether you will actually see any meaningful savings on quotes in fall/winter vs summer but certainly seems like you'd be more likely to see better quotes in non-peak season and in better working conditions.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 10:17 am to ChewyDante
quote:
but I've read that the ductwork for 3 ton and 3.5 ton is not interchangeable and can put a strain on the system and be less efficient.
I don't know about all that. One of my jobs earlier in life was installing A/C duct work in residences and commercial buildings.
The standard size pipe for a normal size room was to use 8 in Joval steel pipe with 1 inch insulation wrapped around it and all joints screwed and taped together.
Bathrooms and small utility rooms generally got 6-7 inch round pipe.
The outlet boxes in the ceilings the grills attached to were almost always 12 x 12 and depending on where they fell out in the room, either 3 way or 4 way grills attached to them. If near a wall, it was a 3 way with the air being directed left, right and away from the wall.
What's more important is the size of the return air from the home back to the unit to be recirculated.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 11:30 am to ChewyDante
quote:not top of market quality to be sure. they are typically installed in builder-grade new construction and by high-volume HVAC contractors. i would suggest you get additional quotes on carrier/york/rheem/etc so you can compare
Thoughts on Goodman brand
Posted on 10/3/25 at 1:06 pm to ChewyDante
I bought my house new and it had 3 goodman units when we bought it.
In the 9 yrs we had them, there was not a single year that one of them didn't have some sort of issue whether that was a capacitor or what.
I switched to all Carrier units in '19 and '21 and have had to replace the capacitors in each unit. 2 of them had to be replaced a month or 2 ago after we had a power surge and fried them. Ran to Ace Hardware and bought 4 and replaced them myself and have a couple of spares.
I will add that I do have Aprilaire filters on them and I really like the filters. Change them once a year. The filters are a bit pricey but they do a good job.
In the 9 yrs we had them, there was not a single year that one of them didn't have some sort of issue whether that was a capacitor or what.
I switched to all Carrier units in '19 and '21 and have had to replace the capacitors in each unit. 2 of them had to be replaced a month or 2 ago after we had a power surge and fried them. Ran to Ace Hardware and bought 4 and replaced them myself and have a couple of spares.
I will add that I do have Aprilaire filters on them and I really like the filters. Change them once a year. The filters are a bit pricey but they do a good job.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 1:14 pm to ChewyDante
We had a Goodman installed by son-in-law 5 years ago at cost $2800. No issues. 5 ton installed on a 1700 sq ft house. That’s all he installs.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 2:28 pm to ChewyDante
I feel like Goodman's are a good value. It really is all about the installer.
People are proud of their Trane or Carrier or whatever. Until they experience the same issues as other brands. Circuit boards going out on their super "efficient " unit, or coils start leaking just like the cheaper units.
People are proud of their Trane or Carrier or whatever. Until they experience the same issues as other brands. Circuit boards going out on their super "efficient " unit, or coils start leaking just like the cheaper units.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 2:45 pm to ChewyDante
My AC guy said Goodman is bottom of the list. Get several quotes and you can get off brand Carrier and Trane units.
I waited till late winter and had mine replaced. The electricity saving in the summer is remarkable. Like you, went from leaky R22 to new technology.
I waited till late winter and had mine replaced. The electricity saving in the summer is remarkable. Like you, went from leaky R22 to new technology.
This post was edited on 10/3/25 at 4:52 pm
Posted on 10/3/25 at 4:18 pm to ChewyDante
FWIW, I just replaced our 3.5 ton Rheem with American Standard R410 (4YCC4042*1060) refrigerant unit with similar costs like you're quoted.
I asked my guy if he could still get the 410 units since they're phased out of production for the new refrigerant. They're still around. My old unit leaked for years. Bit the bullet after I researched. You won't make a bad decision. Good luck choosing.
I asked my guy if he could still get the 410 units since they're phased out of production for the new refrigerant. They're still around. My old unit leaked for years. Bit the bullet after I researched. You won't make a bad decision. Good luck choosing.
This post was edited on 10/3/25 at 4:24 pm
Posted on 10/3/25 at 5:57 pm to BestBanker
We had 13 years on a Goodman in Phoenix. Sold the house so wonder if it's still going. Never a problem.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 9:25 pm to Bayou
Just replaced a 17 year old Goodman with another Goodman. Great price with a solid warranty. It’s all about the install.
Posted on 10/3/25 at 10:57 pm to ChewyDante
I have 2 goodman 3 ton units that are going on 13 years old. They have been great, besides annual cleaning and maintenance, no big expenses incurred.
Posted on 10/4/25 at 6:07 am to ItzMe1972
quote:
AC guy said Goodman is bottom of the list
Mines 30 years old and still chuggin
Posted on 10/4/25 at 7:16 am to ChewyDante
I had Goodman. They lasted 9 years but I had enough. Like living with a gun to your head. I went with Trane.
These are both heat pump units.
Two unit full replacement with Goodman was $26K.
Trane was $33K.
Included all duct work and system.
Trane had 10 yr parts labor warranty on them. Goodman had like 2 years then back living with Gun to your head.
These are both heat pump units.
Two unit full replacement with Goodman was $26K.
Trane was $33K.
Included all duct work and system.
Trane had 10 yr parts labor warranty on them. Goodman had like 2 years then back living with Gun to your head.
Posted on 10/4/25 at 8:00 am to ChewyDante
quote:
So far I've had one AC guy quote me on a Goodman 3.5 ton unit to replace the 3 ton ($8,500). The house is 1879 sq ft in south LA, so it does appear that a 3.5 ton is the recommended size. He seems to think the same duct work can be used (it's all in good shape), but I've read that the ductwork for 3 ton and 3.5 ton is not interchangeable and can put a strain on the system and be less efficient. Thoughts on Goodman brand (single stage unit, 14SEER) at that price? And thoughts on using existing ductwork while increasing to 3.5 ton unit?
What was his rationale for quoting 3.5 ton unit vs 3 ton unit? Older R-22 units did provide their rated BTU capacity, i.e., 3 ton unit produced 36,000 BTU cooling capacity, but today’s units do produce slight less cooling capacity than their stated amount - that might have been his rationale for upsizing.
Duct work size is matched to the size of the unit. Technically a 3.5 ton unit will only provide 3 tons of cooling capacity if the duct work is sized for a 3 ton unit - but a 1/2 ton difference is not dramatic and could be compensated for by adjusting the furnace-air handler speed. The major Issue on undersized duct work is that it increases the total external static pressure (TESP, resistance to airflow) which reduces airflow, increases the amount of energy the blower motor uses to move air and in time decreases the life of the motor - newer EMC blower motors are much more expensive than older PSC motors. This would be a bigger concern if you were upsizing to a 4, 4.5, or 5 ton unit on duct work sized for a 3 ton unit.
The quality of the install is more important than the brand name on the equipment. I also agree with another who states have the return air duct sizing checked by whoever gives you quotes - it’s not uncommon to be undersized and a change out is a good time to address that if it’s an issue.
I had a change out 2 1/2 years ago and my return air duct was a 1/3 undersized - I had the installers put in another return air duct on the opposite side of the house to match supply air volume and it has improved cooling on that side of the house.
$8,600 is not a bad price for a new system using existing ducts, but as other have recommended get several quotes.
This post was edited on 10/4/25 at 8:32 am
Posted on 10/4/25 at 12:57 pm to ChewyDante
8500 is a decent number. I just replaced at Trane after 20 years of maint free goodness w another Trane. My guy tells
Me all the coils I mean ALL the coils made now are shite and expect to get less than 10 yrs out of every brand going forward. We’ll see
Me all the coils I mean ALL the coils made now are shite and expect to get less than 10 yrs out of every brand going forward. We’ll see
Posted on 10/4/25 at 1:52 pm to redfish99
I think they are all using paper thin coils trying to eek every tiny little bit of efficiency out they can.
Posted on 10/4/25 at 7:40 pm to CrawDude
quote:
but today’s units do produce slight less cooling capacity than their stated amount
Huh? How so? What does “stated” amount mean?
Also, to the OP, what was the exact models of every item in the quote? Condenser, coil and furnace. You need these exact models to make an educated purchase for your home. Do not make a decision based on any contractor saying they’re putting in a 3 ton or whatever ton. Get the models and get back with me. I’ll tell you exactly what they’re quoting you.
No one on here can tell the OP if his ductwork will handle a 3.5 ton because no one on here knows the size of the supply plenum, the supply ductwork, the reducers, the wyes, and every duct connected to the plenum or wyes. Also, same goes with the return ductwork and return air grill. I can tell you this…if the 3 ton ductwork was properly sized (it probably wasn’t and it’s probably undersized), then you will never force 3.5 tons of airflow through the ductwork. It’s not possible.
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