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Message
A/c question re: 1986 trane condensing units
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:10 am
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:10 am
I am thinking of buying a house which currently has the original ac condensing units, which are from 1986. They are 5 ton units, manufactured by trane.
My question is, how long could these things possibly last? And what would the replacement costs be when they do go out?
The inside units had a date of 2004 and all ductwork looks good
My question is, how long could these things possibly last? And what would the replacement costs be when they do go out?
The inside units had a date of 2004 and all ductwork looks good
11
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:11 am to bee Rye
Is that the same as a swamp cooler?
This post was edited on 8/11/16 at 7:11 am
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:16 am to Pectus
They are living on borrowed time 
5 ton trade inside out job about 10K
5 ton trade inside out job about 10K 
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:18 am to bee Rye
Could last for a long time or they could be a money pit that you have to constantly have work done to. No way to answer your question really. Trane is a good product but 30 years on a unit is a long time. Also, they are going to be power hogs compared to the higher SEER rated units of today.
I think the AHS warranties are pretty much junk but it might be worth buying one in this case.
A lot.
I think the AHS warranties are pretty much junk but it might be worth buying one in this case.
quote:
And what would the replacement costs be when they do go out?
A lot.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:24 am to bee Rye
Go buy a Lennix baw.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:28 am to bee Rye
If you're in NOLA and those things are attempting to cool a 1986-era house, may the Lord have mercy on your soul.
Replacing them with 16 SEER units will about half your cost of electricity to especially cool the house to the same reasonable temperature and you will better control humidity which is the key to efficient cooling comfort.
I would have complete replacement of both units done before I actually moved into the place.
Replacing them with 16 SEER units will about half your cost of electricity to especially cool the house to the same reasonable temperature and you will better control humidity which is the key to efficient cooling comfort.
I would have complete replacement of both units done before I actually moved into the place.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:30 am to bee Rye
Regardless of what a inspection tells you- I would have it evaluated by a Hvac tech. They can pressure it up check for leaks Etc. Ask seller for maintenance records
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:32 am to bee Rye
you also have the issue of a unit that old having discontinued refrigerant.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:35 am to bee Rye
If your house has two 5 ton units, that's a decent sized house. Summer electric bill probably runs $450-$650.
Replacing with modern seer 16 units will probably save you +$2000 a year. So your payback will take a well over a decade if electric prices increase some. But if that money can be rolled into your loan, it will help your monthly cash flow.
Your decision.
*The likelihood they crap out in two years with R22 freon cost thru the roof is pretty good and you'll be replacing at an even a higher cost or repairing for a couple of grand if it's a freon leak or compressor failure.
Replacing with modern seer 16 units will probably save you +$2000 a year. So your payback will take a well over a decade if electric prices increase some. But if that money can be rolled into your loan, it will help your monthly cash flow.
Your decision.
*The likelihood they crap out in two years with R22 freon cost thru the roof is pretty good and you'll be replacing at an even a higher cost or repairing for a couple of grand if it's a freon leak or compressor failure.
This post was edited on 8/11/16 at 7:39 am
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:37 am to bee Rye
You'll be replacing them soon.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:38 am to iron banks
quote:
They are living on borrowed time 5 ton trade inside out job about 10K
No idea what he's talking about. I'd go 4-5k for the entire system. Also if the AHU and duct work has been changed out just get a condensing unit, but with that being said if it is R-22 I'd change the entire system out due to the fact that R-22 is the price of gold.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:44 am to RodFarva
Some techs hv told me it's about $45-$75/lb. idk. My system is a 10 seer r-22 and I'll wait till it fails then go with 410a or puron system. I had a guy try to convince my to put in a 18 seer in a 1800 sf rental property- I couldn't get off the phone fast enough
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:45 am to soccerfüt
quote:when they changed the ahu on the 3rd floor they also spray foamed, so that helps a little
If you're in NOLA and those things are attempting to cool a 1986-era house, may the Lord have mercy on your soul.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:46 am to soccerfüt
Why would you replace a unit before it fails?
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:46 am to RodFarva
quote:so if I put 10k aside for the inevitable, would you think that would be enough?
No idea what he's talking about. I'd go 4-5k for the entire system. Also if the AHU and duct work has been changed out just get a condensing unit, but with that being said if it is R-22 I'd change the entire system out due to the fact that R-22 is the price of gold.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:51 am to bee Rye
quote:
so if I put 10k aside for the inevitable, would you think that would be enough?
I paid about $8k to replace 2 units a few years ago. One of which included all new hardware on one of the inside units as well.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:52 am to bee Rye
If it's 2 5-ton systems, they probably have 20 plus pounds of freon in each. The freon cost replacement cost is significant in addition to any parts and labor.
If I was moving into this house, any repairs that would run over $500 to a unit and I'd change that whole system.
If I was moving into this house, any repairs that would run over $500 to a unit and I'd change that whole system.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:53 am to Gorilla Ball
quote:Not replacing 1986 era A/C units? That's not even a real question to me.
Why would you replace a unit before it fails?
Do you drive a car until it fails? I don't.
If the kitchen looked like it was 1986 with that era albeit working appliances in it, guess what? They're coming out too.
I don't live in fear of old things past their reasonable useful life breaking on me. Murphy's Law says they'll break when it's the least convienent.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 7:56 am to Lester Earl
quote:who did you use? Raymond?
I paid about $8k to replace 2 units a few years ago. One of which included all new hardware on one of the inside units as well.
Posted on 8/11/16 at 8:03 am to bee Rye
Surgi's
I just checked my bill, it's hand written and hard to read the details but it came out to $9,400 but got a 5% discount for mentioning Angie's list.
I bought a Trane unit to power 1800 sq ft and. Rheem unit for a 900sq ft rental property. On the 1800ft side they put all new equipment on the inside (not ducts, just the AC unit).
I just checked my bill, it's hand written and hard to read the details but it came out to $9,400 but got a 5% discount for mentioning Angie's list.
I bought a Trane unit to power 1800 sq ft and. Rheem unit for a 900sq ft rental property. On the 1800ft side they put all new equipment on the inside (not ducts, just the AC unit).
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