re: HVAC Quote New Unit

Got a bunch of recent quotes to replace my 16 year old 2.5 ton. Getting a 3-ton 2-stage heat pump with air handler for $12k OTD. It hurts. Going with Goodman since I trust the installer. Carrier quotes were 20-30% higher.

First say thank you Uncle Joe (Biden). The insane increase in price is caused by the overall inflation that has hit all materials and components we purchase and consume. Additionally, the Biden administration increased the efficiency demands which further increased hvac costs. So, thanks Uncle Joe!

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only the quotes were 2017 & 2023 - same company, identical unit, refrigerant, etc.

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What is everyone here doing with their HVAC units where they only live 6-7 years? Are y'all replacing the whole unit at the first sign of a run capacitor going out?

Hoping this is not the same house replacing the same unit.

I was hoping auto manufacturers would offer pre-Biden powertrains again but that hasn’t happened despite all the issues so you might be right.

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What is everyone here doing with their HVAC units where they only live 6-7 years? Are y'all replacing the whole unit at the first sign of a run capacitor going out?

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No, of course not. Let me explain.

When I first got an estimate in 2017, the outdoor unit was 15 years old (2002) and the furnace & evaporator coil 13 years (2007) - R22. It was low on refrigerant (evap coil leak), only 1 lb needed, but I had the tech provide me quote for an identical entire HVAC replacement - $8900 - expecting the worst b/c of the unit’s age. That 1 lb charge lasted 3 years before it needed another top off of 1 or 2 pounds of R-22, and thereafter 2 lbs was required annually to get me through to the winter.

By 2023 the unit was now 21 years old, R-22 cost was through the roof, and it was way past time time for replacement - HVACs have an average life of 13-15 years in the Deep South, I far exceeded that. And I wanted to install a R410A before they stopped selling them as R410A was being phased out. So when I got 4 quotes in 2023, 6 years later, price for that same unit, higher minimum SEER though as mandated by EPA, it was $13,500.

Anyway, I suspect the other guy’s situation might have been the same as mine. Getting quotes in anticipation of the worst for an existing old unit, but being able to squeeze an additional 6 years of life out of the old unit until it was time to replace before likely dying in the middle of summer (I changed out in Feb when it was cool enough for techs to work comfortably in the attic).

In hindsight, might have been better to replace the 15 year old unit in 2017 but of course I didn’t have a crystal ball on COVID happening, plus all new EPA regulations on refrigerants, SEER requirements, and all the additional costs associated with those events.

I seriously doubt anyone posting on this board is replacing 6-7 year old units, unless they bought a house with a seriously screwed HVAC from the get go - oversized tonnage, undersized ducts, hack install, etc. Really how many homeowners know the in and outs of HVAC in detail when buying a house - other than the age? They know what a HVAC tech or house inspector tells them.

Sorry - didn’t mean this post to be so long, but thought the details might be helpful.

Just had to replace mine. $12,500.

What you gonna do? You have to have it.