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Started By
Message
HVAC replacement advice
Posted on 6/15/21 at 2:43 pm
Posted on 6/15/21 at 2:43 pm
I have a pair of ancient 2.5 ton units in the home, one broken, that both need replacing
plan on keeping old duct work.
quoted by local guy, using Trane:
17 SEER Two Stage Gas & Electric Heat System
3-Ton Gas System: $17,000
3-Ton ElectricSystem: 14,750
TOTAL: $31,750
14 SEER Single Stage Systems
2.5-TonGasSystem: $10,550
2.5-TonElectricSystem: $8,850
TOTAL: $19,350
any comments on the two stage? old leaky house.
This seems a bit steep to me. Especially considering economy of scale, doing 2 units at once. Been working to get other folks out to give us estimates, but it is getting hot and the remaining working HVAC systems are having a hard time keeping up…
thanks
plan on keeping old duct work.
quoted by local guy, using Trane:
17 SEER Two Stage Gas & Electric Heat System
3-Ton Gas System: $17,000
3-Ton ElectricSystem: 14,750
TOTAL: $31,750
14 SEER Single Stage Systems
2.5-TonGasSystem: $10,550
2.5-TonElectricSystem: $8,850
TOTAL: $19,350
any comments on the two stage? old leaky house.
This seems a bit steep to me. Especially considering economy of scale, doing 2 units at once. Been working to get other folks out to give us estimates, but it is getting hot and the remaining working HVAC systems are having a hard time keeping up…
thanks
7
Posted on 6/15/21 at 2:45 pm to luvdoc
also, any recs for installers in the greater BR area?
Posted on 6/15/21 at 2:50 pm to luvdoc
Better get more quotes because those prices are the "I really don't want this job" price, but will do it if he's willing to pay that much.
I got a 14 Seer 4 ton Trane unit installed 2 years ago with all metal plenum and associated duct work to connect to my existing metal duct work. That included the A/C and heating unit inside and condensing unit outside. Final price was $6,800.
They were in and out in one long day and I had it done in the spring, long before it got stupid hot like it is now.
ETA: That has a gas furnace for heat.
I got a 14 Seer 4 ton Trane unit installed 2 years ago with all metal plenum and associated duct work to connect to my existing metal duct work. That included the A/C and heating unit inside and condensing unit outside. Final price was $6,800.
They were in and out in one long day and I had it done in the spring, long before it got stupid hot like it is now.
ETA: That has a gas furnace for heat.
This post was edited on 6/15/21 at 2:53 pm
Posted on 6/15/21 at 3:37 pm to gumbo2176
Agree on getting more than 1 quote.
Posted on 6/15/21 at 3:39 pm to gumbo2176
quote:
I got a 14 Seer 4 ton Trane unit installed 2 years ago with all metal plenum and associated duct work to connect to my existing metal duct work. That included the A/C and heating unit inside and condensing unit outside. Final price was $6,800.
Similar here. $7,100 final price for a 4 ton Rheem 14 Seer with a gas furnace and Honeywell WiFi thermostat. Last October.
Posted on 6/15/21 at 4:05 pm to luvdoc
That looks high
Posted on 6/15/21 at 5:40 pm to luvdoc
Just for comparison, I received quotes for comparable Trane units in BR 3 years ago (Aug 18). For a single 4 ton unit, natural gas heating, using existing ductwork
Two-Stage, XR17 - $13,300
Single Stage, XR14 - $ 8,900
Single Stage, XR16 - $10,200
I have no doubt prices have gone up in the past 3 years, but ….
I haven’t replaced my unit yet but plan to do so this fall, unless circumstances like yours force me into sooner.
I do suggest getting multiple quotes, and I know this has been stated numerous times in similar type threads, but I’ll repeat it, the experience and expertise of the installer is more important than the manufacturer of the equipment. In the HVAC world they like to say pay more attention to the name on the truck than the name/badge on the equipment. Trane/American Standard, Carrier/Bryant, Rheem/Rudd, Daikan/Amana, etc all provide good performance when installed properly according to the manufacturers’ specifications.
I would suggest that you ask all potential HVAC companies if they provide you with a written commissioning report after installation which will show that the system has been installed and is operating according to the equipment manufacturers specifications. That means they would come back in the winter and perform all the appropriate tests on the heating system/furnace and include that in the commissioning report. This might be one way to help you decide on a company.
There is a lot of merit to two stage systems in the hot/humid south, but as you see by the quotes they are considerably more expensive than single stage systems, at least for Trane. I’m not sure that’s the case with other manufacturers. If this is a home you’ll likely live in for the next 10+ years, you’ll likely recover the added cost you pay up front in energy savings, plus added comfort. For most of the year, except for the hottest days, the unit will operate in the lower stage at reduced cost. It’s worth considering.
On the other hand, if you would likely move in the next 5 years or so then go with a single stage system. Plus nothing wrong with keeping things simple - single stage systems are simple and usually less costly to repair. I think I read where 80% + of residential HVACs installed in the USA are single stage.
Lastly, you said you have an old leaky house - might be some merit in using the cost difference between a singe and two stage system and directing those $$ to energy improvements - insulation, sealing leaks, etc.
Two-Stage, XR17 - $13,300
Single Stage, XR14 - $ 8,900
Single Stage, XR16 - $10,200
I have no doubt prices have gone up in the past 3 years, but ….
I haven’t replaced my unit yet but plan to do so this fall, unless circumstances like yours force me into sooner.
I do suggest getting multiple quotes, and I know this has been stated numerous times in similar type threads, but I’ll repeat it, the experience and expertise of the installer is more important than the manufacturer of the equipment. In the HVAC world they like to say pay more attention to the name on the truck than the name/badge on the equipment. Trane/American Standard, Carrier/Bryant, Rheem/Rudd, Daikan/Amana, etc all provide good performance when installed properly according to the manufacturers’ specifications.
I would suggest that you ask all potential HVAC companies if they provide you with a written commissioning report after installation which will show that the system has been installed and is operating according to the equipment manufacturers specifications. That means they would come back in the winter and perform all the appropriate tests on the heating system/furnace and include that in the commissioning report. This might be one way to help you decide on a company.
There is a lot of merit to two stage systems in the hot/humid south, but as you see by the quotes they are considerably more expensive than single stage systems, at least for Trane. I’m not sure that’s the case with other manufacturers. If this is a home you’ll likely live in for the next 10+ years, you’ll likely recover the added cost you pay up front in energy savings, plus added comfort. For most of the year, except for the hottest days, the unit will operate in the lower stage at reduced cost. It’s worth considering.
On the other hand, if you would likely move in the next 5 years or so then go with a single stage system. Plus nothing wrong with keeping things simple - single stage systems are simple and usually less costly to repair. I think I read where 80% + of residential HVACs installed in the USA are single stage.
Lastly, you said you have an old leaky house - might be some merit in using the cost difference between a singe and two stage system and directing those $$ to energy improvements - insulation, sealing leaks, etc.
This post was edited on 6/16/21 at 8:55 am
Posted on 6/15/21 at 7:25 pm to CrawDude
Being in the industry, all HVAC manufacturers, have
had 12-18% price increases since the beginning of the year, and more are coming. This is the result of the ever increasing cost of materials to manufacture the equipment and freight cost. R410a jumped from around $175 a drum to $315 a drum last week alone.
had 12-18% price increases since the beginning of the year, and more are coming. This is the result of the ever increasing cost of materials to manufacture the equipment and freight cost. R410a jumped from around $175 a drum to $315 a drum last week alone.
Posted on 6/16/21 at 1:45 pm to luvdoc
Price for the 14 seer seems high, but with the massive increase in the cost of materials and labor, that may be the new going rate.
Also, they know they have you behind the 8 ball.
It's JUNE and its only going to get hotter in July and August.
You could have saved yourself several thousand dollars if you had these replaced back in Jan/Feb.
Also, ALWAYS go with gas heat never electric heat.
Also, they know they have you behind the 8 ball.
It's JUNE and its only going to get hotter in July and August.
You could have saved yourself several thousand dollars if you had these replaced back in Jan/Feb.
Also, ALWAYS go with gas heat never electric heat.
This post was edited on 6/16/21 at 1:48 pm
Posted on 6/16/21 at 4:32 pm to footballdude
thanks for the advice guys. I've had two more estimates and two more tomorrow. The one I quoted above was the highest, and the least impressive as far as demonstrated knowledge/experience during our walk through.
ETA we have only one unit not working, so the house is not intolerable. I can afford to be picky. thanks again!
ETA we have only one unit not working, so the house is not intolerable. I can afford to be picky. thanks again!
This post was edited on 6/16/21 at 4:34 pm
Posted on 6/16/21 at 7:28 pm to ktfsh71
[Delete] double post
This post was edited on 6/16/21 at 7:33 pm
Posted on 6/16/21 at 7:31 pm to ktfsh71
Would you recommend variable speed two stage or single stage
Posted on 6/16/21 at 8:10 pm to luvdoc
Go with the 14seer units but those are too high. Also, check on what kind of incentives your POW and gas utilities are offering.
Posted on 6/16/21 at 8:53 pm to Spankum
I agreed to getting a 16 seer 4 ton unit today with gas.
Installed and fixing one duct situation and adding a return.
Carrier Brand
13,500
Was 10k 3 years ago and was quoted for 9k in oct 2019
If you haven’t had a quote this year, then your comparisons are not equal.
Installed and fixing one duct situation and adding a return.
Carrier Brand
13,500
Was 10k 3 years ago and was quoted for 9k in oct 2019
If you haven’t had a quote this year, then your comparisons are not equal.
This post was edited on 6/16/21 at 9:15 pm
Posted on 6/16/21 at 9:43 pm to bbvdd
quote:
I agreed to getting a 16 seer 4 ton unit today with gas. Installed and fixing one duct situation and adding a return. Carrier Brand 13,500 Was 10k 3 years ago and was quoted for 9k in oct 2019 If you haven’t had a quote this year, then your comparisons are not equal.
Guess we both should have pulled the trigger on replacement HVACs a couple years ago.
Posted on 6/17/21 at 6:49 am to luvdoc
quote:
2.5-TonElectricSystem: $8,850
Got a similar quote from Accutemp this past week. Seemed super high.
Posted on 12/7/22 at 3:13 pm to luvdoc
D&K Refrigeration
def. give them a chance to bid it
dont use breaux's
def. give them a chance to bid it
dont use breaux's
This post was edited on 12/7/22 at 3:14 pm
Posted on 12/8/22 at 7:41 am to Arcadiryn
First post bumps a year and a half old thread 
Posted on 12/8/22 at 9:13 am to TheNolaClap
Who finds and bumps old threads like this?
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