OT: A/C unit replacement...

[EnchantedPrincess]

anyone here an expert in ac unit? We built our home in 2003, and it is almost 6 years old. Today, I had someone out to service our a/c and heater. The technician says that our a/c is leaking air. He gave us 3 options as far as fixing it/repairs go...

one is to put freon to recharge the system, but that would only be a temporary fix since it will continue to leak air.

Second is to replace the coil which will cost about $2800..the coil will fix the leak but our a/c unit uses r-22 freon which will be phased out in 2010...which means, if our current 6 yo a/c unit dies and we have to replace the unit, the coil will not work with the newer system (which takes a different freon)...so we will have to shell out another $2800 to replace the coil again.

Third is to replace the coil and the compressor unit which of course cost a whole lot more..depending on the unit we choose, it will be a total of $7000-$8000.

So just wondering if there are any a/c experts here that can help me decide which the best route is.

Thanks!!!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Sharing not advising...
DH repairs A/C's on side (his dad was an electrician --but he did not want to work in attics during summer). Things he has seen--sometimes repair men will tell you this to have you make the costly repair. Friend recently had an older unit than yours told the same. DH recharged it for her while waiting for her to save enough to replace the unit. That was two years ago and she has not had a problem since.

That is not to say that your repair problem. Six years on a unit is not very old, if you change the coil you will most likely get another ten years out of it.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

[Ali]

My air conditioner is original to my 1982 built house and I want to replace it because it just can't keep us cool enough in the hot Florida summers any more. I can't imagine paying the price you are being quoted - we are under $3000 for all of our estimates for an entire system.

Or maybe they will change the price on me when we agree to do the job? Maybe I'm way off.

NO advice other than to have a second opinion if you can get one free.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

Sharing not advising...
DH repairs A/C's on side (his dad was an electrician --but he did not want to work in attics during summer). Things he has seen--sometimes repair men will tell you this to have you make the costly repair. Friend recently had an older unit than yours told the same. DH recharged it for her while waiting for her to save enough to replace the unit. That was two years ago and she has not had a problem since.

That is not to say that your repair problem. Six years on a unit is not very old, if you change the coil you will most likely get another ten years out of it.

Good Luck with your decision.

My air conditioner is original to my 1982 built house and I want to replace it because it just can't keep us cool enough in the hot Florida summers any more. I can't imagine paying the price you are being quoted - we are under $3000 for all of our estimates for an entire system.

Or maybe they will change the price on me when we agree to do the job? Maybe I'm way off.

NO advice other than to have a second opinion if you can get one free.

Thanks! We are getting a second free estimate tomorrow afternoon, and possibly another one sometime this week. Depending on the second (and third) opinions, we may just recharge the system and hopefully, that will buy us time to save up money for a new unit.

 

[missj1975]

I just had my coil replaced and it was only $800. I am not for sure how old my unit was.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

I just had my coil replaced and it was only $800. I am not for sure how old my unit was.

Wow..it's looking like the quote given to me is way way over priced! Now I am curious to see what tomorrow's estimate will be... I have also contacted the general contractor that we have been working with last year for our repair from water damage, and he is going to get me in contact with the a/c person that he uses.

 

[deva]

Ours was allegedly "leaking" at the beginning of last summer. I know there was something wrong with it because it just wasn't getting cool. We were given the same options also - recharge, replace coil only or replace unit. We recharged as a short term fix while we considered alternatives. Well, it's been cool ever since (and we saved some $$$).

I'm by no means an expert, but maybe try that first to see how much time you can buy if you are concerned about cost.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I shared your story with DH. He said that is what A/C repair are expected to say (leak & coil-- some will even shoot a small recharge to cool for a very short time to give you the impression your unit is out not just low on freon). We are in LA and he said that is a very overpriced quote for the outside only unit. BE CAREFUL find someone you know and can trust. Good Luck!!!

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

Ours was allegedly "leaking" at the beginning of last summer. I know there was something wrong with it because it just wasn't getting cool. We were given the same options also - recharge, replace coil only or replace unit. We recharged as a short term fix while we considered alternatives. Well, it's been cool ever since (and we saved some $$$).

I'm by no means an expert, but maybe try that first to see how much time you can buy if you are concerned about cost.

I shared your story with DH. He said that is what A/C repair are expected to say (leak & coil-- some will even shoot a small recharge to cool for a very short time to give you the impression your unit is out not just low on freon). We are in LA and he said that is a very overpriced quote for the outside only unit. BE CAREFUL find someone you know and can trust. Good Luck!!!

Thank you so much for all your input...I am so glad that I asked this question here! Right now, we are leaning towards recharging the system, hopefully to buy us some time and save up for a replacement unit in the future.

 

[princessmom29]

If you truly have a leaking coil recharging wil work for a while, but it will go oit agian. we just replaced a leaking coil last week, and they tried charging the system first. I couldn't tell you how much it costs as our house is only 2 years old and came witha 10 year warranty on geating and cooling. I think you are getting priced gouged though. MY parents unit for thier 3000 square foot home only cost 3000 to replace last year. I just can;t see one unit costing anywher near 8000.

 

[deva]

Thank you so much for all your input...I am so glad that I asked this question here! Right now, we are leaning towards recharging the system, hopefully to buy us some time and save up for a replacement unit in the future.

Hope it works for you too! I know it is soooooo frustrating dealing with some A/C specialists. Replacing a coil on an aging unit seems like a waste. Our unit was 11 years old. I don't remember the exact numbers but we were quoted something like $1900 for the coil $3000 for new unit. At 11 years old, it seems almost better to go for new unit - at which point they recommend replacing the furnace also which is another $2500+.

We're hoping we can make it long enough to make it worth doing the full furnace a/c replacement several years down the road.

FWIW I forgot to mention that my neighbors next door and across the street also successfully recharged thier units. Actually it was my next door neighbor who filled me in on trying the recharge becasue it had worked for them (I was griping about shellling out $$$ for the new coil so she offered some suggestions - her BIL is an HVAC guy).

 

[kgle]

Did they not offer to do a leak search?

I wouldn't say you are being screwed necessarily- you just have to realize that every company has their own bottom line and one may charge or quote you significantly higher than the other guy. I worked in HVAC for 2 years and I cannot imagine a brand new system, JUST a/c, being $7000-8000. That should be for a whole house system.

Which coil are they talking about? I am assuming the condensor coil?

I am not sure why they are saying that you would have to replace the coil anyway if you bought a new unit...wouldn't you think that the condensor coil comes along with the unit? Unless they are talking about replacing the compressor AND evap coil at the same time. Still doesn't make sense that it would cost upwards of $7,000...

Glad to hear you are getting a second opinion. It would be funny though if this company is the same one that I worked for since the largest office is in Houston!

 

[kgle]

If you truly have a leaking coil recharging wil work for a while, but it will go oit agian. we just replaced a leaking coil last week, and they tried charging the system first. I couldn't tell you how much it costs as our house is only 2 years old and came witha 10 year warranty on geating and cooling. I think you are getting priced gouged though. MY parents unit for thier 3000 square foot home only cost 3000 to replace last year. I just can;t see one unit costing anywher near 8000.

That's true, you will probably end up paying for a recharge once a year unless you have the leak detected and fixed. A 6 year old unit is NOT that old and for us wasn't worth trying to sell a brand new system to the owners. When it gets 10+ years old, that's when you should start thinking about replacing.

 

[3boymthr]

Hi, I guess I would be an expert. 20 years heating tech. 13 as A/C tech(here in New England the two don't necessarily go hand in hand as they can in other parts of the country). I assume when you say there is an air leak you mean a freon leak. Did you have the guy out because you have a problem or was this routine maintenance? Did the tech say it was the condenser coil, which is part of the unit which is outside your house, or the evaporator coil which is part of your indoor blower unit?
If the leak is in either of these coils there is a good possibility that they are under warranty at only 6 years old. These coils are pressure tested by the factory and shipped under pressure. The installer is the only one who releases the pressure when the system is put in. The point is the coils do not fail very often. It is more likely the leak is in the lines between the inside and outside units which are soldered or brazed by the installer.
Back to your questions. $2800 sounds like too much to me. But, I don't know the labor rates in TX. If they're that high then I'm moving back(I'm originally from Lubbock). The last one I did for my company, which was this past September, we charged the customer $900. This included the part and 4 hours labor. Like I said, I can't account for any issues that may arise during the job, but a $1900 difference............
You do not need to replace your whole system! In 2010 there will be no new systems with R-22. R-22 will continue to be made until 2020. After that it will still be available until all stocks are depleted and then will be available in recycled form. Basically, R-22 will be around as long as you will need it.
If I were you, I would look at your units(both inside and outside). They have a tag or label with the manufacturers name, model number and serial number. Write these down and contact the manufacturer YOURSELF. They all have websites and phones! They should be able to tell you, based on the model and serial numbers, if they are under warranty.
If worse comes to worse, having your system recharged every six years isn't the worse thing in the world. Any honest and experienced a/c tech will tell you there are leaks that are not worth finding. It would be cheaper to have it recharged every six years then to pay me untold hours of labor chasing a microscopic leak. This would involve removing all pipe insulation to find and test joints and reinsulating after. Or worse you may have these pipes behind walls or in the ceiling. Then you have to pay for that, too. By the way, are the guys who are coming to do these estimates going to try to diagnose the problem or just shoot you a price for a replacement? You need to have a second opinion on the diagnosis not just a price to replace the coil.
P.S. For $8000 I could drive down from Massachusetts in my fully stocked service van, buy the parts I need there, put them in and still walk away with enough money to make it worth my while. That's a fact.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

Did they not offer to do a leak search?

I wouldn't say you are being screwed necessarily- you just have to realize that every company has their own bottom line and one may charge or quote you significantly higher than the other guy. I worked in HVAC for 2 years and I cannot imagine a brand new system, JUST a/c, being $7000-8000. That should be for a whole house system.

Which coil are they talking about? I am assuming the condensor coil?

I am not sure why they are saying that you would have to replace the coil anyway if you bought a new unit...wouldn't you think that the condensor coil comes along with the unit? Unless they are talking about replacing the compressor AND evap coil at the same time. Still doesn't make sense that it would cost upwards of $7,000...

Glad to hear you are getting a second opinion. It would be funny though if this company is the same one that I worked for since the largest office is in Houston!

I just re-read my quote again...the $7,000 is for the compressor and the evap coil. Sorry, I am just not very familiar with all the a/c terms.

They went up in the attic, and did their test and said that to fix the leak, I need to get a new evaporator coil.

Hi, I guess I would be an expert. 20 years heating tech. 13 as A/C tech(here in New England the two don't necessarily go hand in hand as they can in other parts of the country). I assume when you say there is an air leak you mean a freon leak. Did you have the guy out because you have a problem or was this routine maintenance? Did the tech say it was the condenser coil, which is part of the unit which is outside your house, or the evaporator coil which is part of your indoor blower unit?
If the leak is in either of these coils there is a good possibility that they are under warranty at only 6 years old. These coils are pressure tested by the factory and shipped under pressure. The installer is the only one who releases the pressure when the system is put in. The point is the coils do not fail very often. It is more likely the leak is in the lines between the inside and outside units which are soldered or brazed by the installer.
Back to your questions. $2800 sounds like too much to me. But, I don't know the labor rates in TX. If they're that high then I'm moving back(I'm originally from Lubbock). The last one I did for my company, which was this past September, we charged the customer $900. This included the part and 4 hours labor. Like I said, I can't account for any issues that may arise during the job, but a $1900 difference............
You do not need to replace your whole system! In 2010 there will be no new systems with R-22. R-22 will continue to be made until 2020. After that it will still be available until all stocks are depleted and then will be available in recycled form. Basically, R-22 will be around as long as you will need it.
If I were you, I would look at your units(both inside and outside). They have a tag or label with the manufacturers name, model number and serial number. Write these down and contact the manufacturer YOURSELF. They all have websites and phones! They should be able to tell you, based on the model and serial numbers, if they are under warranty.
If worse comes to worse, having your system recharged every six years isn't the worse thing in the world. Any honest and experienced a/c tech will tell you there are leaks that are not worth finding. It would be cheaper to have it recharged every six years then to pay me untold hours of labor chasing a microscopic leak. This would involve removing all pipe insulation to find and test joints and reinsulating after. Or worse you may have these pipes behind walls or in the ceiling. Then you have to pay for that, too. By the way, are the guys who are coming to do these estimates going to try to diagnose the problem or just shoot you a price for a replacement? You need to have a second opinion on the diagnosis not just a price to replace the coil.
P.S. For $8000 I could drive down from Massachusetts in my fully stocked service van, buy the parts I need there, put them in and still walk away with enough money to make it worth my while. That's a fact.

We had the guy come out to do a routine maintenance/service and that's when I was told that there was a leak..it was inside, in our attic...so I guess it is the evaporator coil. I am hoping the guy who come today will do a diagnosis...and give me an estimate, or his opinion of his findings.

Edited to say: I just called the company who is coming out this afternoon and they will do a diagnosis as well...and my options to get the problem fixed, if any. The thing is we haven't felt that the air condition isn't cooling our house...it definitely works, and the house feels cool when the aircondition is on.