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Message
The Number of A/C recent replacements continue to grow
Posted on 7/21/26 at 10:59 am
Posted on 7/21/26 at 10:59 am
I work with a person who recently had to replace their A/C. Now, another person I work with is in the same boat. A third person I work with has three married children and all three have had to replace their A/C units in the last month.
Thankfully, my is still cooling quite nicely, even considering the extreme heat. How is everyone doing on their A/C units?
Thankfully, my is still cooling quite nicely, even considering the extreme heat. How is everyone doing on their A/C units?
12
Posted on 7/21/26 at 11:02 am to HeartAttackTiger
3 family members just had replacements in Lafayette. I called LUS to check on spikes and they said no but something is going on.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 11:34 am to HeartAttackTiger
Just had a condenser replaced. Thankfully, it was under warranty, but still cost me $1,800.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 11:58 am to HeartAttackTiger
I had been wanting a window unit that I could run with my generator in case I lose elec. My HVAC went out 2 weekends ago so I pulled the trigger on a window unit for the bedroom and have been more than comfortable with it. I am going to see what happens with the electric bill, but I am thinking about getting another window unit for kitchen. I have not called a tech out, but I think this fall I am going to get quotes to replace the HVAC with something that is more energy efficient. It isn't bad in the summer, but I have had some crazy elec use in the winter.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 12:07 pm to HeartAttackTiger
I believe getting it serviced twice a year really slows down the issues. Keeping the coolant in check and the coil clean helps. Not that expensive to have that done or do it yourself
Posted on 7/21/26 at 1:12 pm to LanierSpots
quote:
I believe getting it serviced twice a year really slows down the issues. Keeping the coolant in check and the coil clean helps. Not that expensive to have that done or do it yourself
That's what I've done for years. My house is now 12 years old so I am preparing myself for a replacement soon
Posted on 7/21/26 at 1:39 pm to RadRob
quote:
3 family members just had replacements in Lafayette. I called LUS to check on spikes and they said no but something is going on.
Average life of a properly installed, sized and maintained HVAC in the Deep South is generally considered to be 13-15 years. How old were their units? Anyone who still has an operating R-22 refrigerant residential unit has gotten their $ out of that unit, and more.
A surge protector placed on the HVAC condensor unit electrical disconnect (not that expensive) can offer some level of protection from voltage spikes. Ditto for the air handler/furnace.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 2:40 pm to LanierSpots
quote:
I believe getting it serviced twice a year really slows down the issues. Keeping the coolant in check and the coil clean helps. Not that expensive to have that done or do it yourself
I pay a service $25 a month for twice a year servicing of all HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. The latter are really just checking everything, but gives me peace of mind. They've found some leaky toilets and a hose bib before and the electrical guy has found a couple GFCIs that needed replacement, which I did myself.
But the HVAC piece is great. Units under warranty too. Do what I can to make them last.
ETA:
Also provides me priority scheduling and weekend appointments for any of my needs.
This post was edited on 7/21/26 at 2:41 pm
Posted on 7/21/26 at 2:50 pm to CrawDude
quote:
Average life of a properly installed, sized and maintained HVAC in the Deep South is generally considered to be 13-15 years
I’m going on 18 years with my two Rheem units, a 4-ton and a 2.5-ton. They’ve had annual maintenance since day one, and they’re still working great. No noticeable drop in performance — they just keep going.
Correct installation, I believe, is number 1, followed by routine maintenance.
This post was edited on 7/21/26 at 2:50 pm
Posted on 7/21/26 at 3:30 pm to TimeOutdoors
Get a soft start on your main unit. I installed one on my 5 ton and it now peaks at 28 amps. I also install these in the Baton Rouge area.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 3:35 pm to HeartAttackTiger
quote:
How is everyone doing on their A/C units?
The capacitor on my main unit went out in the pre-dawn hours of July 4. Fortunately there was a local hardware store open on the fourth of July for a sale. They had my capacitor size and the unit was up and running before 10:00 a.m.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 3:39 pm to Will Cover
quote:
a 4-ton and a 2.5-ton. They’ve had annual maintenance since day one, and they’re still working great. No noticeable drop in performance — they just keep going.
I have same set up on my home. We replaced them after Hurricane Laura and they were approx 15 years old at that time. Our 4 ton doesn't keep up when its 100 degrees outside. Runs all day. The current problem we have is everyone who has come asks why they didn't install a 5 ton as our main unit (approx 3,000 sq ft). Shame on me I guess for not being more knowledgeable on the subject at the time.
Anyway, our current AC guy says he can't keep up w demand right now. Last time he was out, he said he had over 10 customers who's unit crapped out on them over that said weekend.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 4:55 pm to dillpickleLSU
quote:
Get a soft start on your main unit.
Maybe. But if you're getting a new one you might not be able to. Mine doesn't have a capacitor. Maybe it doesn't take as much power to start.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 5:45 pm to TopWaterTiger
quote:
Our 4 ton doesn't keep up when its 100 degrees outside. Runs all day. The current problem we have is everyone who has come asks why they didn't install a 5 ton as our main unit (approx 3,000 sq ft). Shame on me I guess for not being more knowledgeable on the subject at the time.
HVACs are sized to maintain a typical house at a temperature of 75 F during the cooling season at design temperature, which for Lake Charles is about 94 F. In other words a properly sized unit would not be able to hold a a temperature of 75 F at 100 F outside temperature and would run most of the day - and it is designed and built to do that.
Those that vastly over size their HVAC to maintain cold inside temperatures for the most extreme outside temperatures that occur 1 week a year are those that have change out their HVAC at twice the frequency, say 8 year intervals (just an example), because the the frequent starting-stopping (short-cycling) for most of the year which shortens the life of the unit.
You have nothing to be shamed about, and if you were knowledgeable on the subject you’d realize that. Honestly, if you having problems cooling a 3000 sq ft house to reasonable temperature with 6.5 tons of properly operating cooling capacity (a 4 and 2.5 ton units) you probably need to be looking elsewhere for the solution - outside air infiltration, more attic insulation, etc. Not having installed a 5 ton unit vs a 4 ton unit is not likely your problem. FWIW, for future reference a manual J and manual S and manual D calculation is used to determine heat/cooling load, HVAC tonnage or BTUs for cooling & heating, and duct sizing for a house. No guessing required.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 6:22 pm to HeartAttackTiger
In the last month I have lost both my house AC and car AC. Combined fix about $2500.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 7:21 pm to CatfishJohn
quote:
I pay a service $25 a month for twice a year servicing of all HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. The latter are really just checking everything, but gives me peace of mind.
Exactly same as I have with Strada. They do once a year plumbing and electrical and twice a year AC service. They do a good job on the AC service. They clean the inside and outside coil, they fish and clean the drip line fro the unit to outside. They check all the switches on the pan, do a thermostat calibration and check my ductwork for mold and moisture as well as a coolant check All for about $225 a year
Posted on 7/21/26 at 8:25 pm to CrawDude
quote:
HVACs are sized to maintain a typical house at a temperature of 75 F during the cooling season at design temperature, which for Lake Charles is about 94 F. In other words a properly sized unit would not be able to hold a a temperature of 75 F at 100 F outside temperature
With no attic insulation during construction, my carrier unit would keep the house at 74 all that August.
With the attic insulation, 10-14 inches of blown fiberglass, I'm not sure how cool I can keep it, but at 1pm today I forgot to switch the thermostat from the master bedroom sensor at 70 to the hallway at 74. It was 67.
2000sf, 9-10ft ceilings, vaulted living room to 16ft.
Posted on 7/21/26 at 9:32 pm to X123F45
quote:
With the attic insulation, 10-14 inches of blown fiberglass, I'm not sure how cool I can keep it, but at 1pm today I forgot to switch the thermostat from the master bedroom sensor at 70 to the hallway at 74. It was 67.
Year house was built? Size of unit - tonnage?
Posted on 7/22/26 at 7:55 am to HeartAttackTiger
My neighbor, McMansion, has gone through 3 units in the past 5 years.
My unit is older than a dinosaur and still cranks like nobody's business thankfully.
My unit is older than a dinosaur and still cranks like nobody's business thankfully.
Posted on 7/22/26 at 9:17 am to CrawDude
quote:
Year house was built? Size of unit - tonnage
2021 4 ton carrier. Twin stage. Only running single. I didn't pay for the twin stage. A Mexican put forks through the side of mine, they dropped the second unit unloading it and there was an ac shortage.
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