Have you bought a new AC unit lately?

[okeydokey]

We are looking at a 3.5 ton unit. I think we will do the 15 or 15.5 SEER. Quotes are around 5500 to 5800 for that level. The higher efficiency units do offer a bit more back in rebates from the electric company, and I think there is a federal tax credit as well.

 

[angwill]

First round of quotes came in: For 3.5 Ton,

4224 for 3.5 SEER
5080 for 14 SEER
5775 for 15.5 SEER

I think we will have a couple more companies come. We were thinking of having one of the big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Sears) give us a quote, but I worry that they will not do as good a job on the install as an actual local AC place.

According to friends who are a plumber and a heating A/C guy the big box stores really don't sell the same quality product. They are made so they can sell them for less and make a profit. Also the big box stores hire outside guys to do the work and don't stand by the work they do.