New AC unit - Advice/suggestions welcomed

I used Climate Control (aka Licensed to Chill) a couple years ago to replace my system. The owner came out and told me what he would do if it was his house. Told me my gas furnace was fine, no need to change that out since even though it was close to 20 years old, we don't use them enough in our climate for them to need to be changed at that interval.

The other 3 companies that gave me quotes all wanted to change the gas furnace too.

That’s not bad price at all for complete system change out with gas furnace, but certainly get additional quotes. Average life of a HVAC in the Deep South is considered to be 13-15 years.

I paid $13.5 K for a 4 ton single stage HVAC change out with gas furnace (Trane) in Feb of this year. I got 4 quotes, 3 different HVAC brands/manufacturers, 3 companies were recommended by members on this board, the 4 quotes were within $1K of each other. I believe Rheem/Rudd, which are good units, typically come in at somewhat lower price point than some of the other name brands like Trane, Carrier.

Just remember the quality and attention to detail by the installers is more important than the manufacturer/brand name on the equipment, and consider that in your selection process.

Quotes are free, don't get 3 quotes get 6 quotes. Now is a slower time of year for AC companies, you will find someone that wants to work.

Take 2-3 hours off one morning and call 4-5 or more companies and have them all come over at that time to quote.

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Just remember the quality and attention to detail by the installers is more important than the manufacturer/brand name on the equipment, and consider that in your selection process.

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I think you are in the industry so I'm not going to have a pissing contest with you here, but this is always said and I have yet to see it actually be true. On a new home build install, certainly I can see it. On a basic replacement with little to no other work? I have yet to see anyone do anything different.

Just because you call a reputable company, doesn't mean the install tech that day was reputable. If you call a small company, sure you may know who you get.

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"I paid $13.5 K for a 4 ton single stage HVAC change out"
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I'm about to change mine out too. Did you consider a two stage upgrade?

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Yes I did and wanted to do but a couple things came into play for me. Most important, I'm not sure how much longer I plan to remain in my home, maybe only several more years, so in my mind I couldn't quite justify the additional cost if I was going to move in several years - now if I knew I'd be here another 8-10 years, I definitely would have gone with two-stage. I decided against a multistage variable capacity system as a replacement unit, but multistage variable capacity HVAC is what I would install if I was building new - duct work and duct sizing has to be nearly perfect to take full advantage of variable capacity systems. But two stage would be fine for replacement/change out with little to no modification in ductwork.

Second thing was partially cost - I was surprised that a two stage system was nearly the same cost as a multistage variable capacity system - several thousand more than the single stage system. After doing a great deal homework, conducting an energy audit/blower door test on my house, I thought it would be better investment for me, to use the several thousand in savings by going single stage, and use those savings to upgrade attic insultation and attic sealing, to improve home comfort - which reminds me I need to move on this as I had planned to do it this winter when it was comfortable to work in the attic.

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I think you are in the industry so I'm not going to have a pissing contest with you here, but this is always said and I have yet to see it actually be true. On a new home build install, certainly I can see it. On a basic replacement with little to no other work? I have yet to see anyone do anything different.

Just because you call a reputable company, doesn't mean the install tech that day was reputable. If you call a small company, sure you may know who you get.

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No - I'm not in the industry, just topic of interest and I've educated myself pretty thoroughly on the topic in the past several years.

I understand what you're saying - as I recall you have rental properties, you deal with this from time to time, and you've also educated yourself on the topic. The vast majority of homeowners have minimal knowledge on the subject - I had minimal knowledge until went down a HVAC rabbit-hole

I've followed professional HVAC message boards for several years, and I'm not exaggerating when I say I've watch 500 hundred + YT videos and training programs by HVAC techs. It’s a common theme that those that have home comfort issues, or premature equipment failures, is invariability related HVAC installation issues, not equipment or specific equipment manufacturers. Little details make big differences in HVAC performance and longevity issues. I've watch dozens of y/t videos where HVAC techs had to come in a 'fix' majors issues caused by the original installers failure to do a proper job - but typically those are hack jobs by an "extremely" low bidder.

I agree any reputable HVAC firm with good techs should do a good job, and the homeowner should not have any issues related to an improper installation. Not everyone realizes that HVACs are not plugin and play - systems have to be assembled on site and there are numerous small details that can't be or should not be overlooked. In my case I did not go with the lowest bidder b/c I had a greater comfort level with a higher bidder (admittedly there was only a $1K difference in the quote).

Consider yourself fortunate its never been an issue for you, nor has it been for me, and probably most on this board.

I think the main point I wanted to get across to the OP is that there fewer differences in the quality of the equipment being installed, than there is in the quality and knowledge of the techs installing the equipment. In larger firms the young guys, often with the least amount of experience, install the new equipment, and the older techs deal with repair and troubleshooting of older systems. Small HVAC companies, not necessarily so, owner with years of experience/knowledge may be up in the attic with the younger guys installing.

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Call Scott with Alex AC, I got a 5 ton American Standard (Trane) for less than that

225 210 8657

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This.. if you are in the BR area - He would be my number 1 option.

"But two stage would be fine for replacement/change out with little to no modification in ductwork.

Second thing was partially cost - I was surprised that a two stage system was nearly the same cost as a multistage variable system - several thousand more than the single stage system."
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Thanks for your reply. I am considering an ICP or American Standard. Was told the Am Std would be a couple of grand higher and l am leaning that way.

I will get quotes for both single and double stage units. I am not having a perceived comfort problem, but will be staying in the home for the long run and was considering going double.

But I hear that parts are not as available on the variables, not sure about double stage. And that their lifespan is shorter.

Not sure if you have replaced your system yet or not. If you haven't give Matty Ott a call, former LSU baseball player that has been in the trade since he stepped away from ball. Very trustworthy and will shoot you straight.

504-913-3688