Who's Had An A/C System Replaced??? $$$

[billt]

Mine is going on 14 years old. That's a long time here in Phoenix as far as actual run time goes. The furnace, (gas....attic mounted), started giving us trouble this year, and the whole thing is on borrowed time. I've got a guy coming out today or tomorrow to give me a quote. The system that I have is builder grade and came with the home when we bought it new back in 1997, so I'm sure it's not the greatest, but it has been a good system. I have no idea what the SEER rating is. Probably not very high.

I've heard if you buy a high efficiency unit you can get a tax break on them. I would like to go with a high SEER rating to get my monthly electric bill down as low as possible when I retire in 4 years, so I would rather put out the money now when I can afford it, instead of eating high energy bills on a fixed income later.

I'm also going to look into a power attic fan, and perhaps adding some extra insulation in the attic after the installation is complete. I would rather do this now than wait until the dead of Summer when it's 115 degrees here, then have it fail. I also think I'll get a better job now because these guys aren't as busy here this time of year. No one wants to work in a 130 degree attic installing a new system. I can't say I blame them one bit. My house is just under 1,600 sq. ft., and is one story with the unit on a slab next to the house, not on the roof. So I'm thinking that will cut some of the labor expense not having to crane the new unit up there. Anyone here invested in a new system? I'm wondering what the price will be? It's very hard to price this stuff on the Internet.  Bill T.

[Hazcat]

GF had hers replaced 2-3 years ago.  Just the A/C (not air handler or ducts).  Ran about 2500.00 (same size house as yours,  I think it was about a 1.5 ton unit).  Definitely have the insulation looked at.  Here our electric company will come out and survey then give you discounts on it.  GF had hers done.  Cost about 350 for the insulation upgrade and saves 20-30 a month!

[Pathfinder]

I had central air added to the house shortly after I moved in 3 years ago. The house already had central heat, so hookup was a no brainer, as I used the same company the builder does. It cost me a couple hundred for the electric hookup, and $1500 for the a/c installation. My house is very well insulated to handle the ND winters, so it's R-30 in the walls, and R-50 in the attic space. I have no idea how big the unit is, but it works well when we get into the nineties with humidity.

YMMV   

[billt]

Ran about 2500.00 (same size house as yours,  I think it was about a 1.5 ton unit).  Cost about 350 for the insulation upgrade and saves 20-30 a month!

That's good news! I'm surprised the savings is that much.  Bill T.

[crusader rabbit]

We had the whole thing replaced last mid-year--air handler and compressor.  The ducts were looked at and deemed okay.  My guy recommended a 3-ton unit with a high seer rating--enough to get me a $1500 tax credit--to replace the 1.5 ton I had.  My electric bills during last summer's heat were at least 1/3 lower than the previous summer, and my winter bills have been about 1/2 of what the were.  Total cost for everything was around $5 grand, but then I got that credit so out of pocket was around $3,500.  Definitely money well spent.  I'm saving better than a grand a year in electric.  The newer systems are certainly an improvement over earlier systems.

Check with your AC guy about the tax credit as I think it may have expired. 

[Sponsor]

[kmitch200]

The system that I have is builder grade and came with the home when we bought it new back in 1997, so I'm sure it's not the greatest, but it has been a good system. I have no idea what the SEER rating is. Probably not very high.
I've heard if you buy a high efficiency unit you can get a tax break on them. I would like to go with a high SEER rating to get my monthly electric bill down as low as possible when I retire in 4 years, so I would rather put out the money now when I can afford it, instead of eating high energy bills on a fixed income later.

I was told by a friend of mine that you can up the SEER of the outside a/c unit but actual SEER rating will be limited by the attic blower efficiency. It will give you much better electtrical bills, but you won't see as big a drop as if both units were replaced with new.
Of course you won't be out the amount of $$$$ that tearing into the attic entails either, which is huge.

I'm also going to look into a power attic fan, and perhaps adding some extra insulation in the attic after the installation is complete. I would rather do this now than wait until the dead of Summer when it's 115 degrees here, then have it fail. I also think I'll get a better job now because these guys aren't as busy here this time of year. No one wants to work in a 130 degree attic installing a new system. I can't say I blame them one bit. My house is just under 1,600 sq. ft., and is one story with the unit on a slab next to the house, not on the roof. So I'm thinking that will cut some of the labor expense not having to crane the new unit up there. Anyone here invested in a new system? I'm wondering what the price will be? It's very hard to price this stuff on the Internet.  Bill T.

Smart to do it now.
I have to look into the powered fan for my attic. I'm in the same boat with about the same size house and built around the same year in Peoria. I know I need more insulation and nobody wants to get in an attic in summer here.

A quick search found:
2011 Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency
NOTE: Tax credits that were 30% up to $1,500 EXPIRED on December 31, 2010. New tax credits were passed, but at lower levels.
Don't know what they are now exactly but look into the APS credit too.

[billt]

I was told by a friend of mine that you can up the SEER of the outside a/c unit but actual SEER rating will be limited by the attic blower efficiency. It will give you much better electrical bills, but you won't see as big a drop as if both units were replaced with new. Of course you won't be out the amount of $$$$ that tearing into the attic entails either, which is huge.

I'm leaning toward a whole new system. My blower unit has been making noise for a couple of seasons now. Most likely the bearings are going in the squirrel cage assembly. As much as hate to spend money on this kind of stuff, I just can't see replacing some of it, only to have them back replacing the rest of it later. I'm wondering if they'll be able to get the old stuff out of the attic without having to cut anything? If it requires that maybe they could just leave it up there?  Bill T.

[TAB]

Trust me the tax rebate stuff is BS.( I'm in the energy auditing biz now, but I knew it as a GC)  it almost never applys AMT almost always applys and they are never refundable.  your local utility might have something.



PS I know a bunch of A/C guys in AZ, want me to get you some numbers?  it does not cost anything to get a bid.

[twyacht]

Get several quotes, plenty of "flyers" come in my mailbox offering discounts, or packages. But won't this cut into your "Barrett" fund?
 

The tax breaks, like TAB posted, have already spent the money, but if you itemize deductions, you can deduct some or not all as a home improvement.

If your house has a 1.5 or 2 ton unit, consider a 1 size larger, (if your going with new air handler), the unit won't work as hard to cool your house. Also, have the ducts inspected, cleaned if necessary, and make sure the drip pan, and all related drainage is blown out and/or at least inspected.

Be sure they put an "earth ground" on the outside unit. Safety issue....Plus, they have "zone control" if you have a larger house, and can regulate temps in parts of the house you don't use often.

Involves some ducting mods, but is cost effective.

Get multiple bids, and shop around. The difference can be surprising. (So you can still get 2 more Barrett's)

[Swamp Yankee]

Twyacht
 In response to your request  the lowest SEER rating allowable by law is 13 the variable speed systems currently out in the market are getting ratings around 20 to 23 depending on what brand you choose. When replacing a system  it is strongly recommended that you change out the Air Handler/Furnace, line sets  and the heat pump. Seeing you have gas already go with a 90% plus condensing furnace. The air flow of the system should be checked and balanced once the installation is completed. As far as cost  I have been out of the industry for a few years. But given the current cost of copper I would say expect quotes between $3200 and $4500 depending on Manufacture and SEER rating and what Tonnage the unit is rated for.

Mike MC