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Message
New A/C System - Pay in Full or Finance?
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:28 pm
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:28 pm
So yes it's that time of year. My A/C unit is leaking while running. This happened about 1 1/2 years ago, but luckily it was just the drain line at the time. The leak started again on July 2nd and has gotten worse. I attempted to use white vinegar as well as an A/C drain line cleaner, with no resolution to the issue.
Had my A/C guy who I have used for years come out. He cleaned out the drain line but advised it was already clean due to the maintenance I perform. He advised it's the evaporator coils that are causing the leak.
It's a 24 year old unit (great Carrier unit) so I know it's past time to go ahead and just get a new system installed.
He advised that Carrier is running some specials right now. I live in a 1,375 square foot townhome. The current Carrier unit is 3.5 tons which my A/C guy said is oversized for the unit. He advised I could cool my townhome comfortably on a 2.5 ton unit, however he would install a 3 ton unit to play it safe.
Quoted $9,500 for the new system, including installation, outside unit, inside heat pump and duct work. He is also including a UV light in the installation. My current unit is starting to have mold on the bottom part of the inside heat pump. He advises the UV light will help prevent any mold from developing on the new unit.
Is $9,500 for a Carrier 3 ton unit a good deal? More importantly, I have the money to pay for the new A/C system outright. Would it be better to pay off in full at installation or finance?
Had my A/C guy who I have used for years come out. He cleaned out the drain line but advised it was already clean due to the maintenance I perform. He advised it's the evaporator coils that are causing the leak.
It's a 24 year old unit (great Carrier unit) so I know it's past time to go ahead and just get a new system installed.
He advised that Carrier is running some specials right now. I live in a 1,375 square foot townhome. The current Carrier unit is 3.5 tons which my A/C guy said is oversized for the unit. He advised I could cool my townhome comfortably on a 2.5 ton unit, however he would install a 3 ton unit to play it safe.
Quoted $9,500 for the new system, including installation, outside unit, inside heat pump and duct work. He is also including a UV light in the installation. My current unit is starting to have mold on the bottom part of the inside heat pump. He advises the UV light will help prevent any mold from developing on the new unit.
Is $9,500 for a Carrier 3 ton unit a good deal? More importantly, I have the money to pay for the new A/C system outright. Would it be better to pay off in full at installation or finance?
45
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:30 pm to TheMagicMan
The main reason I'm asking is because my A/C guy is only a two man show. He owns his A/C company, it's not one of the big boys in the area who plaster their advertisements everywhere.
With that said, I'm shopping around. If I use my A/C guy, I have to pay in full, he doesn't offer any finance options. If I use one of the bigger companies, it's a higher cost but they offer financing.
I know some say to always pay in full/cash. Others say to keep that money invested as you will make more in investments that what you will pay in finance charges. Thoughts on an A/C system and whether to pay in full/cash or finance?
With that said, I'm shopping around. If I use my A/C guy, I have to pay in full, he doesn't offer any finance options. If I use one of the bigger companies, it's a higher cost but they offer financing.
I know some say to always pay in full/cash. Others say to keep that money invested as you will make more in investments that what you will pay in finance charges. Thoughts on an A/C system and whether to pay in full/cash or finance?
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:31 pm to TheMagicMan
Just paid 11.5 for a 4 ton American Standard unit for the west wing of my estate, was quoted 13K by my now former guy. Thats not a bad deal.
This post was edited on 7/8/26 at 4:37 am
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:34 pm to TheMagicMan
Home improvement financing has some of the most asinine mark ups I’ve ever seen in my life. I had the same system quoted by 3 different shops and got prices ranging from 20k cash to over 50 financed.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:35 pm to TheMagicMan
Pay in full and ask if he offers a discount for paying in cash.
What are the terms of the financing? My guess is you're paying over 10% if so, see option A above.
quote:
I know some say to always pay in full/cash. Others say to keep that money invested as you will make more in investments that what you will pay in finance charges. Thoughts on an A/C system and whether to pay in full/cash or finance?
What are the terms of the financing? My guess is you're paying over 10% if so, see option A above.
This post was edited on 7/7/26 at 10:39 pm
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:37 pm to TheMagicMan
No idea why you'd finance and presumably pay interest when you could pay in full and be done with it.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:39 pm to TheMagicMan
What you are saying is kind of confusing….is it leaking water or is it leaking refrigerant?
If water, I would just find the leak and plug it. If it is leaking Freon, that is a different story.
If water, I would just find the leak and plug it. If it is leaking Freon, that is a different story.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:44 pm to TheMagicMan
He is fricking you that uv light won’t do shite. Also I would question why he wants to sell you a 3 ton if 2.5 is the right size.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:44 pm to TheMagicMan
That’s a pretty good deal from what I’ve seen lately
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:50 pm to Spankum
quote:
What you are saying is kind of confusing….is it leaking water or is it leaking refrigerant?
If water, I would just find the leak and plug it. If it is leaking Freon, that is a different story.
Based on what we saw, the evaporator coils are blocked/clogged. My A/C guy said it's to the point it would be very difficult to clean and get off. My A/C guy was also concerned due to the mold starting to form on the lower part of the inside unit/heat pump.
He said if the mold spreads, especially to a lot of the inside unit, I could be looking at a costlier replacement later, as more ductwork may need to be replaced, which would involve tearing away drywall. Obviously that is not something I want.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:56 pm to diat150
quote:
He is fricking you that uv light won’t do shite. Also I would question why he wants to sell you a 3 ton if 2.5 is the right size.
The current unit is 3.5 tons for comparison purposes, so it seems risky to go from 3.5 tons to 2.5 tons.
As the townhome is around 1,400 square feet, it's right in the middle. 2.5 tons are typically best for 1,100 - 1,500 square feet, while 3 tons are typically best for 1,500-2,000 square feet.
He technically offered me both a 2.5 ton or a 3 ton Carrier unit. He advised me the 2.5 ton would run far more often than what I'm used to with my current unit. Plus I'm in Florida, a very humid environment like Louisiana. So that makes me wonder if that would tip it over to favoring a 3 ton over a 2.5 ton unit even though 2.5 ton fits my square footage.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 10:59 pm to TheMagicMan
I own an hvac company.
You’re getting a solid deal, and had a good run with a 24 yr old unit.
Pull the trigger, as financing hvac systems pays a high interest.
You’re getting a solid deal, and had a good run with a 24 yr old unit.
Pull the trigger, as financing hvac systems pays a high interest.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 11:04 pm to BamaCoaster
quote:
I own an hvac company.
You’re getting a solid deal, and had a good run with a 24 yr old unit.
Pull the trigger, as financing hvac systems pays a high interest.
Thank you, I'm still getting quotes but I imagine I'm not going to get a better deal. Especially from the bigger HVAC companies with all the fancy marketing.
What do you think about 2.5 ton or 3 ton? I was offered both. I think my A/C guy would prefer the 2.5 ton unit, but the current unit is 3.5 tons so I think he's concerned I'm going to complain about it being on a lot more.
For right below 1,400 square feet, in a 2 story, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhome, what do you think you would recommend?
Posted on 7/7/26 at 11:10 pm to TheMagicMan
Such bullshite. Pull the coils, clean them, put them back in.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 11:12 pm to TheMagicMan
Sounds like a good deal. Pay cash.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 11:18 pm to TheMagicMan
Had to replace mine in April. 4 ton unit, basically a carrier. Paid $5000 cash at the supply house for the outside unit, air handler, and heat strips. Paid an a/c company $2000 for install. While I didnt want to spend the money I figure $7k wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been.
Posted on 7/7/26 at 11:25 pm to TheMagicMan
How long is your warranty on this set up?
If you have a 3.5 ton, why not get a 3.5?
If you have a 3.5 ton, why not get a 3.5?
Posted on 7/7/26 at 11:30 pm to Allister Fiend
I'm going thru this right now. The unit that needs replacing is a 2-ton package unit on the flat roof (2nd story). He offered me 0% for 5 years or a 5% discount for cash. Being on the roof on the back of the house they need a crane and the cost is 18k. FML
Posted on 7/7/26 at 11:40 pm to TheMagicMan
Hope you don’t take this the wrong way….but this sounds like he is shooting you a line of BS in hopes that he can sell you a new unit.
Posted on 7/8/26 at 1:36 am to TheMagicMan
If you can pay in full, why would anyone pay interest?
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