Major budget buster - air conditioner

[JaymeC]

We're in the process of buying our first house. We got a good deal on one because it was slightly messy inside, but all of it was cosmetic none of it structural. So we've been repainting and getting ready to lay new laminate flooring and the like. Yesterday I headed to work and dh headed over to the house to get to work on painting the kid's room and was wondering why the a/c wasn't working. When he went out to check on it he found out the whole unit was gone Someone had come during the night and cut all the wires and hauled the thing off. It happened to two other houses in our neighborhood as well (the only two empty ones). We filed a police report and the like, now we're just debating whether or not to claim it on our home owners (we have a 2k deductible) or eat the cost out of pocket for it. Does anyone have any advice on getting a new a/c unit?

 

[hlkeck]

In the same boat - well, no one stole my air conditioner, but my compressor went out and we found out yesterday. Here are our quotes - would love to hear thoughts as well:

$2000 to replace just the compressor - our A/C unit is 12 y/o. It has a 15-20 year shelf life. I don't know if the compressor replacement will lengthen the life of the unit or not.

$3500 (after rebates and energy cash back) to replace entire A/C unit with a new and more efficient one

$7000 (after rebates and cash back) for entirely new A/C and Heating System that's more efficient.

Thoughts on this?

 

[msmayor]

I know a couple of years ago when we needed to replace our A/C unit (14 years old) we bit the bullet and replaced the furnace as well...for a couple of reasons.

1) The system is more efficient overall for both cooling and heating

2) The system works better when the two units are 'mated' by design

3) Replacing just the A/C unit would have required some additional sheet metal work to get the coil to fit properly on the old furnace. In a couple of years when the furnace really DID need replacing, all that sheet metal work would probably need to be re-done, adding to the cost. Replacing both now meant they could use stock parts because the two units were matched as a system.

4) 18 month no-interest financing on a new system, with no money down. Easier to swallow budget-wise...we set up a plan to ensure it was paid off in 17 months.

We also rationalized that we replace the whole system now and its done for us for good. We don't plan to be in the house enough more years to require replacement a second time.

 

[marie1203]

In the same boat - well, no one stole my air conditioner, but my compressor went out and we found out yesterday. Here are our quotes - would love to hear thoughts as well:

$2000 to replace just the compressor - our A/C unit is 12 y/o. It has a 15-20 year shelf life. I don't know if the compressor replacement will lengthen the life of the unit or not.

$3500 (after rebates and energy cash back) to replace entire A/C unit with a new and more efficient one

$7000 (after rebates and cash back) for entirely new A/C and Heating System that's more efficient.

Thoughts on this?

Have you check if you still have guarantee? This happen to us a few weeks ago it turn out it was under guarantee we only end up paying the labor and the best part is the guarantee starts again on the parts.

 

[marie1203]

We're in the process of buying our first house. We got a good deal on one because it was slightly messy inside, but all of it was cosmetic none of it structural. So we've been repainting and getting ready to lay new laminate flooring and the like. Yesterday I headed to work and dh headed over to the house to get to work on painting the kid's room and was wondering why the a/c wasn't working. When he went out to check on it he found out the whole unit was gone Someone had come during the night and cut all the wires and hauled the thing off. It happened to two other houses in our neighborhood as well (the only two empty ones). We filed a police report and the like, now we're just debating whether or not to claim it on our home owners (we have a 2k deductible) or eat the cost out of pocket for it. Does anyone have any advice on getting a new a/c unit?

I think there is still a tax credit for changing your unit so it might end up working out for you. I would probably just eat the cost if you can afford it and don't installed it until you move in.

 

[seashoreCM]

We're in the process of buying our first house.

Have you closed yet?

the seller may ber responsible for missing items prior to closing.

 

[QVCshopper]

Have you closed yet?

the seller may ber responsible for missing items prior to closing.

If they are painting, the deal probably went through. I haven't heard of people stealing ACs before; such a shame! I may use my homeowners, new ACs can run into the $5-6k range. I know; ours blew up literally.

Maybe price them out and then see what you'll do. Someone stole my father-in-laws brand-new boat motor, and insurance wouldn't cover a dime because it was a new plan. Sometimes I can't believe how low people can sink.

 

[fkj2]

I'd at least claim it. What if, heaven forbid, you have some secondary--and claimable--expense but you didn't file paperwork for the first. You could end up eating twice the $2000 in losses.

 

[furb & dez]

I haven't heard of people stealing ACs before; such a shame!

I just started noticing cages around AC units the past few weeks... there's probably something the scrap metal vultures can sell that's causing this new trend of AC theft.

LOL Maybe I just started noticing it because it's in the 110° range now!

 

[n2mm]

This has been happening in our area too!! We live outside the Wash. DC area and there have been several reported thefts of AC units in our neighborhood. OP, good luck. Did you check your home owners insurance to see if there is any coverage. That's a huge expense. You may be able to check with your AC company about getting a cheaper used one.

 

[Tony P. IL.]

Before getting a new AC unit you should check into what type of refrigerant it will use. R-22 is being phased out and R-510a will repace it. The R- 22 refrigerant according to what I've read should still be around for another 20 years or so but as time goes by it will cost more should you need it. Take the time to check this out as there are + & - for both.
There is cost differences between them.

 

[mrsfascinating]

I will just toss this out there. We put an addition on our house the old ac unit is cooling as well with the increased square footage soooooo. We are getting a multi room sanyo system which will allow us to have zoned heating and cooling my husband is installing so the parts are running us $2000 wholesale (he does HVAC for living). Don't know how much retail plus installation would cost, but in because of the ability to zone area's it cuts down on electric costs.

 

[Belle5]

That's a big loss (sorry OP)! I would pay the $2000 and claim it! Your system will cost a lot more than that...

 

[JaymeC]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. Yes, we just closed a week ago. We're hoping to be moved in very soon, and it's probably scrap sellers as two other units in our neighborhood where the owners were out that night were also taken. I suppose I probably want to look into one of the cages for the a/c as well, we do need to get it installed before we move in because we need to lay the laminate flooring and we can not do that in 100+ temperatures inside the house (what it currently is). I thought about getting a window a/c to tide us over, but honestly with the cost I'm not sure it's worth it. We are now leaving one of our cars there every night though and playing the trade off game in the mornings. Hopefully that will deter someone the next time.

Our first quote for replacement was 5k and we're still waiting back to hear from the home owners insurance. From reading the policy front to back yesterday, it should be covered, but I'll feel a bit better after we talk to someone there!

 

[ccstrickler]

Hey Jayme-what part of coastal NC are you in? I just had some work done on my a/c by an awesome company. If you are near me, PM me and I will give you the info.

 

[JaymeC]

We're near Wilmington A little far I think, but thank you