My AC went out in the house, price for new one

Matt · 08-03-2010, 07:12 PM

I came back from a vacation the other day and my AC lines had frozen due to a pretty substantial coolant leak (about 4 lbs of R-22 in the last 3-4 months). I've filled it once or twice a year since I've moved in, but never more than a lb or 2. My utility bills are pretty crazy lately as well.

Anyways, since it's going on 15 years old, I figured I'd look into replacing it. WOW, these things are expensive.

I was quoted about $9,000 for a Trane 3 ton XR15 HP and TEE Air Handler. They'd replace the entire system, dispose of the old one, etc. After a couple discounts and rebates, it would come down to $7700 (which is what I'd pay), then with GA rebate and Federal tax credit thrown in, I'd end up paying 6k total.

After doing a bunch of research, it seems like the HVAC installer community upped their prices along with that 1500 tax credit! People last year were paying about 4-5k for the same equipment I've been quoted...

Does that seem reasonable? I'll be in the house another 5-10 years hopefully, so I'd rather replace it then keep repairing it every year.

NewlyIMPORTed · 08-03-2010, 07:17 PM

yeah that sounds like a good deal we just spent i think 20k at my parents house for all new AC units i mean its def worth it to have an efficient system

TreeSemdyZee · 08-03-2010, 09:22 PM

I paid around 5.5k three years ago for a Trane XR13 3 ton, so that's probably in line.

Lug · 08-04-2010, 12:29 PM

I bought two Goodman SEER 16 systems (upgraded from older SEER 10 systems) and couldn't be more happy. They are cheap but the don't scrimp on the important parts like the scroll compressor, kinda "the best of the rest" type of company. I saw my highest summer electric bills drop by over $300 a month.

PapoZalsa · 08-09-2010, 09:48 PM

Yeap, my unit went out in the middle of the Winter. I was paying $300+ a month. LUckly a have a hosue insurance for items lile the Fridge, AC, Heater, etc. Even having thet insurance I paid out of my pocket $700.

They repalce the heat pump and Furnace. The company claimed to had paid the contractor $5K and is not one of the top of the line.

However my electric bill has come down since it was replaced.

bucketman · 08-09-2010, 10:55 PM

Okay, my experience. I bought a Trane XL19i (5 ton)about six years ago. Paid 10,000 for it, but also got the new unit upstairs and new freon lines. Expensive, but worth every penny. It saved me, no lie, 300$ a month on power bill. Because I bought the inside and outside unit with new freon lines, I got a 10 year parts and labor warranty from Trane and their dealer. Trane has what is called comfort specialist dealers who get special pricing and deliver great service. Trane themselves contacts me every year to check on my system and the service I recieve from their dealer. I know it's a goober thing to say, but it's hard to stop a Trane!!

08-03-2010, 07:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Matt A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Augusta, GA Age: 41 Posts: 1,680 Drives: 2010 Avalanche LT Rep Power: 19	My AC went out in the house, price for new one I came back from a vacation the other day and my AC lines had frozen due to a pretty substantial coolant leak (about 4 lbs of R-22 in the last 3-4 months). I've filled it once or twice a year since I've moved in, but never more than a lb or 2. My utility bills are pretty crazy lately as well. Anyways, since it's going on 15 years old, I figured I'd look into replacing it. WOW, these things are expensive. I was quoted about $9,000 for a Trane 3 ton XR15 HP and TEE Air Handler. They'd replace the entire system, dispose of the old one, etc. After a couple discounts and rebates, it would come down to $7700 (which is what I'd pay), then with GA rebate and Federal tax credit thrown in, I'd end up paying 6k total. After doing a bunch of research, it seems like the HVAC installer community upped their prices along with that 1500 tax credit! People last year were paying about 4-5k for the same equipment I've been quoted... Does that seem reasonable? I'll be in the house another 5-10 years hopefully, so I'd rather replace it then keep repairing it every year. __________________ "Any man who can drive a 370z while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the Z the attention it deserves." Albert Einstein....modified.

08-03-2010, 07:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
NewlyIMPORTed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 1,109 Drives: 11 STI Sedan Rep Power: 18	yeah that sounds like a good deal we just spent i think 20k at my parents house for all new AC units i mean its def worth it to have an efficient system __________________ 2011 WRX STICobb Accessport, Nameless Performance exhaust, COBB SF Intake, COBB downpipe, 20% tint, Work Emotion XD9's

08-04-2010, 12:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 20	I bought two Goodman SEER 16 systems (upgraded from older SEER 10 systems) and couldn't be more happy. They are cheap but the don't scrimp on the important parts like the scroll compressor, kinda "the best of the rest" type of company. I saw my highest summer electric bills drop by over $300 a month. __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

08-09-2010, 09:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4500	Yeap, my unit went out in the middle of the Winter. I was paying $300+ a month. LUckly a have a hosue insurance for items lile the Fridge, AC, Heater, etc. Even having thet insurance I paid out of my pocket $700. They repalce the heat pump and Furnace. The company claimed to had paid the contractor $5K and is not one of the top of the line. However my electric bill has come down since it was replaced. __________________ 2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

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08-03-2010, 09:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27409	I paid around 5.5k three years ago for a Trane XR13 3 ton, so that's probably in line.

08-09-2010, 10:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
bucketman Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Prairieville,LA Posts: 306 Drives: 09 Nismo 370Z MB Rep Power: 16	Okay, my experience. I bought a Trane XL19i (5 ton)about six years ago. Paid 10,000 for it, but also got the new unit upstairs and new freon lines. Expensive, but worth every penny. It saved me, no lie, 300$ a month on power bill. Because I bought the inside and outside unit with new freon lines, I got a 10 year parts and labor warranty from Trane and their dealer. Trane has what is called comfort specialist dealers who get special pricing and deliver great service. Trane themselves contacts me every year to check on my system and the service I recieve from their dealer. I know it's a goober thing to say, but it's hard to stop a Trane!!