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Message
New AC unit - Advice/suggestions welcomed
Posted on 12/5/23 at 7:01 am
Posted on 12/5/23 at 7:01 am
Our system is on it's last leg. We've had it serviced 3 times in the last few months for various issues. Two companies have told us to go ahead and bite the bullet and get a new system, current one is probably 20+ years old.
First quote was $9500 for new 3.5 ton Ruud inside & outside units w/gas furnace. I have no idea yet if this is high or not.
I want to get 3 quotes, any other suggestions in the LP area? Please don't say Dream Team.
First quote was $9500 for new 3.5 ton Ruud inside & outside units w/gas furnace. I have no idea yet if this is high or not.
I want to get 3 quotes, any other suggestions in the LP area? Please don't say Dream Team.
Posted on 12/5/23 at 7:18 am to shutupfarva
Comfort control heating and air is who I use. I've found their prices to be fair and they do good work. They're out of I think Walker but do the entire BR area
I did a 5 ton 17 seer two stage Ruud a little over a year ago and it was 12k for everything. Your price sounds reasonable
I did a 5 ton 17 seer two stage Ruud a little over a year ago and it was 12k for everything. Your price sounds reasonable
This post was edited on 12/5/23 at 7:29 am
Posted on 12/5/23 at 8:54 am to shutupfarva
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.
The other 3 companies that gave me quotes all wanted to change the gas furnace too.
Posted on 12/5/23 at 9:35 am to shutupfarva
The technology in AC work has changed so dramatically that I would make sure that whoever installs is really comfortable with all the new tech. I have found the old school guys are the best because they just know more. The new guys with all the gadgets done necessarily understand what it is they are doing.
It will be worth any small amount extra to get the right guy.
It will be worth any small amount extra to get the right guy.
Posted on 12/5/23 at 9:38 am to shutupfarva
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.
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.
Posted on 12/5/23 at 9:57 am to CrawDude
"I paid $13.5 K for a 4 ton single stage HVAC change out"
--
I'm about to change mine out too. Did you consider a two stage upgrade?
--
I'm about to change mine out too. Did you consider a two stage upgrade?
Posted on 12/5/23 at 10:15 am to shutupfarva
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.
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.
Posted on 12/5/23 at 10:24 am to shutupfarva
Get a two stage whatever you decide
Posted on 12/5/23 at 10:38 am to CrawDude
quote:
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.
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.
Posted on 12/5/23 at 11:35 am to ItzMe1972
quote:
"I paid $13.5 K for a 4 ton single stage HVAC change out"
--
I'm about to change mine out too. Did you consider a two stage upgrade?
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.
This post was edited on 12/6/23 at 9:06 am
Posted on 12/5/23 at 12:14 pm to shutupfarva
Call Scott with Alex AC, I got a 5 ton American Standard (Trane) for less than that
225 210 8657
225 210 8657
Posted on 12/5/23 at 12:30 pm to baldona
quote:
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.
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.
This post was edited on 12/5/23 at 4:03 pm
Posted on 12/5/23 at 2:00 pm to CrawDude
Ok yes, that makes sense.
You are correct, going with the lowest bidder or having your uncles nephew install them is rarely a good idea as with most trades.
I also believe though many homeowners as you suggest are ignorant and people throw around "quality installer" to justify a much higher price.
But if someone calls 5-6 reputable companies over, most will likely be solid quotes. The bigger companies will often have a dedicated salesguy. He's basically a car salesman. There is a large profit margin in new HVAC systems. These sales guys can have a lot of leeway in pricing. I've had quotes for the exact same unit be $3000 different on sub $10,000 units. Its a 2-4 hour job to replace most standard units. Its not that much labor.
You are correct, going with the lowest bidder or having your uncles nephew install them is rarely a good idea as with most trades.
I also believe though many homeowners as you suggest are ignorant and people throw around "quality installer" to justify a much higher price.
But if someone calls 5-6 reputable companies over, most will likely be solid quotes. The bigger companies will often have a dedicated salesguy. He's basically a car salesman. There is a large profit margin in new HVAC systems. These sales guys can have a lot of leeway in pricing. I've had quotes for the exact same unit be $3000 different on sub $10,000 units. Its a 2-4 hour job to replace most standard units. Its not that much labor.
Posted on 12/5/23 at 2:23 pm to Tigerpaw123
quote:
Call Scott with Alex AC, I got a 5 ton American Standard (Trane) for less than that
225 210 8657
This.. if you are in the BR area - He would be my number 1 option.
Posted on 12/5/23 at 3:45 pm to Taffeta
Thanks for the info!! I'll give all the companies listed a call and let them quote.
As far as brand names, are there any to avoid?
As far as brand names, are there any to avoid?
Posted on 12/5/23 at 4:23 pm to CrawDude
"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."
--
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.
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."
--
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.
Posted on 12/5/23 at 4:59 pm to ItzMe1972
quote:
ItzMe1972
American Standard is a Trane, and ICP is a Carrier product, at a cheaper price point. During 80% of the cooling season it will be running in first stage, at 2.8 tons equivalent so you’ll have cheaper utility bills.
Two stage units are pretty much like single stage units in that they use most of the same common parts and most techs can work on them. Not the case with inverter variable capacity units, b/c some parts are so expensive they aren’t carried on the trucks nor the supply houses and have to be special ordered from the manufacturer. Doesn’t matter if the part is covered by warranty, you still won’t have AC until the part arrives.
Another suggestion - when you change have them put a surge protector for the outdoor condensing unit to help protect the electronics - not expensive.
Posted on 1/8/24 at 2:52 pm to shutupfarva
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
504-913-3688
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