Time for a new AC system...What;s it run these days?

[dcs13]

15 years old, blew the capacitor last night. Think it's time. 2200 sq ft. Needs a/c and propane furnace. What am I looking at ? 10k ?

[8mpg]

I paid $7k for a 3 ton heat pump with all new ducting on 2100sq ft. Its a Rheem 3ton 15 seer. Definitely shop around and compare apples to apples

[kingjason]

15 years old, blew the capacitor last night. Think it's time. 2200 sq ft. Needs a/c and propane furnace. What am I looking at ? 10k ?

Capacitor 40 bucks vs 7k, I think the capacitor wins out. I keep a spare now because mine likes to shit the bed every year on a three day holiday. 15 minutes I am back up and running again. I have seen those special people charge 1k, to fix a capacitor on a weekend, in the middle of summer.

[zachary]

I was about to make an AC post also..will just barge in here!

We run two large units for our home. Well first time to turn them on last week and neither worked properly. Capacitor was bad on one, that one also had a bad fan motor. The compressor went out of the other one. Was able to swap the fan from bad one to good one and replaced capacitor. Also added a single pound of r22 to it. 300$

Guy said need to replace both units because the r22 was getting so high not worth fixing....well after some research I believe they are scammers!! I was charged 86$ for a pound of r22, and 120$ for capacitor install. On ebay you can get a 30 pound bottle for 300$. FOR SHAME on AC unit repair guys!

so trying to talk me into spending 12-15k for two entire new units.

versus

Capacitor $30
one fan $200
one 30pound r22(will last a looong time at one pound a year maintenance) $300(you do need a connection guy here to have it shipped to you though)
one compressor 350$


I do understand the phase out of r22 has begun and my systems are beyond their years, but if i can get my hands on r22 for 1/11th the price that they charge for it, that changes the economics significantly and i think it is well worth limping these along for a few more years.

[BP]

You should figure out what it may save you in utility bills over the years to upgrade vs replacing the entire system. My bill in the hot months went down $100+ but that's only $500 a year, figure that over 15 years and it more than pays for itself. That's assuming the system stays at the same efficiency level it's entire lifespan.

Feldman's dad has an a/c company, you might check with him. You know Jewbacca.

[GrayStangGT]

Installed a 5 ton 2 years ago replacing everything including some ducts and it was right at 10k. Going from a 20yr old 3 1/2 ton to this new was is worth every penny on a 100deg day.

[kingjason]

You should figure out what it may save you in utility bills over the years to upgrade vs replacing the entire system. My bill in the hot months went down $100+ but that's only $500 a year, figure that over 15 years and it more than pays for itself. That's assuming the system stays at the same efficiency level it's entire lifespan.

Feldman's dad has an a/c company, you might check with him. You know Jewbacca.

My windows made a huge improvement in mine. Also in sound levels in the house. My unit is 10 years old and I will nurse it along until the next big thing. I haven't had a bill over 80.00 for six months but I do have gas also. I can do small repairs to it for now if need be. You tube has some great videos.

[dcs13]

$75, new capacitor..Running smooth as glass. He said he wouldn't replace right now. It's running fine. He gave me a really great brother in law deal quote on a whole system $6500

[dblack1]

You don't need a connection guy, just buy the R22 off of craigslist.

[IHaveAMustang]

Capacitor 40 bucks vs 7k, I think the capacitor wins out. I keep a spare now because mine likes to shit the bed every year on a three day holiday. 15 minutes I am back up and running again. I have seen those special people charge 1k, to fix a capacitor on a weekend, in the middle of summer.

I am glad I'm not the only one this happens to.

Leave Labor Day Weekend with a house full of people to go out.

Come back home and its 90* in the house. Luckily there was a place in Duncanville that sold my capacitor.

Replace the capacitor and ride that AC system till it croaks. Mine is still going strong after the capacitor replacement.

AC guy said it wouldn't last a year...3 years ago.

The biggest improvement in my efficiency was having that company come out and caulk and seal doors and windows. It cut my bills in half and the house holds air much much better.

[AdRock]

I just decided to do some of the work on my A/C myself. It's not that hard depending on what needs to be done. I've got a 3 ton Ruud unit that was installed in 1991. Back in 2010 I replaced the outside fan motor and the start capacitor myself, got them for $110 from Grainger. Last summer I replaced the controller inside, $50 for the board and just followed the wiring diagram. Had to replace the inside blower motor 2 weeks ago, it was $400 but easy to do.

I still call my A/C guy once a year to check things out and top it off. It does have a small leak but a quick top off around april of each year and it's still running great. Even when it's 100F most of the month during the summer my electric bill is rarely ever more than $200 a month. I got lucky and found a good guy here in SA that's all about keeping an older system running (until it's cost prohibitive) rather than just trying to sell me a new unit.

[War Machine]

Rheem makes the ladies cream!!!

[Tyrone Biggums]

Rheem makes the ladies cream!!!

Apparently Rheem makes quite the quality product. Now that I think about it, the furnace in my grandmothers house is a Rheem and it's got to be at least 30 years old.

[KBScobravert]

$75, new capacitor..Running smooth as glass. He said he wouldn't replace right now. It's running fine. He gave me a really great brother in law deal quote on a whole system $6500

That is not far from a brother in law deal. I paid $5500 installed for a 5ton 18seer, all new copper lines, new air handler. They even moved the compressor from the west side of my house to the north where it is in the shade more. I bought the compressor from my stepfather and the airhandler and install was done by a husband of my wife's friend.

[FATHERFORD]

Next time I do an a/c setup, I am going to seriously consider a split ac unit for every room.