Our central air unit is shot.

[Tobin S.]

I had a guy come out to fix it and he estimated that it would cost about $1000, and no telling how long the fix might last. The unit is probably about 40 years old. He said he thought a new one would be between $3000 and $3500. I called a different place and they are going to come out and give me an estimate on Monday.

It has to be fixed before it gets hot. My wife is very sensitive to heat. She breaks a sweat if the temperature gets above 70 in the house. No joke. Maybe we'll move to northern Maine when we retire.

I'm hoping the next estimate is lower.

[rug]

1. Don't sweat it.

[Tobin S.]

2. Ba-dat-boom-pish!

[pinboy3niner]

3. At least you're better prepared to handle the expense now

So on the upside, you can count your blessings on the timing.

[Tobin S.]

4. Yeah, we just got ahead a little, though, for like the first time since we've been married.

However, my wife's sanity is on the line here so there really is no other option. It's just good this happened before it got really hot. We're going to have below average temps here for a little while longer.

[LiberalArkie]

5. Air con units only really have the compressor, the inside and outside coils, the fans

and a few other parts. The coils hardly ever go bad. The compressor and the fan are likely to fail and and of the small parts. If you hear the compressor not running that is what it could be or could be a starter capacitor on the compressor. The big expensive parts (if good quality) usually last quite a while.

Unless everything is rusted out and mechanically falling apart you probably don't need a new one.

[Tobin S.]

6. He broke it down like this.

He was just giving me a rough estimate. He said we have two blown capacitors and a bad refrigerant leak. He thought the compressor is okay, but wouldn't know for sure until he replaced the capacitors.

Capacitors: $120
Charge for chasing down the leak: $450 minimum
Refrigerant: $250 for two pounds minimum
Compressor: ?

[Major Nikon]

8. You're being overcharged

The problem is finding someone reliable that will charge you reasonable prices.

If your system is 40 years old, you are probably better off replacing it rather than paying $1000 for a repair.

When you are getting estimates for a new install, make sure they itemize exactly what they are doing so you can compare apples to apples. A completely new installation will involve new ducting, but I doubt that is included in the price you are getting. Higher SEER ratings may or may not save you money over the long term as they are more expensive to install and repair. Make sure you understand what the conditions of the warranty are. Often they will include longer terms for major parts and shorter terms for labor and more minor parts, which can still be expensive to replace.

[Tobin S.]

11. I'm getting estimates from multiple sources. n/t

[Major Nikon]

13. Look for someone who has an independent small operation

My guy works for himself with his wife answering the phone and doing the books.

Any HVAC guy that's worth his salt can make a very good living working for himself and charging reasonable prices. These types of guys rely heavily on word of mouth and repeat business rather than advertising, so they have to be good. The bigger operations tend to hire guys that can't make it on their own, and they rely on advertising to bring in new business rather than repeat customers.

Edited to add:
When the next guy comes out, don't tell them so-and-so said this is what's wrong. Let each of them tell you what's wrong. 9 times out of 10 if you tell them something is bad, they are going to quote you a price to replace it even if it isn't bad and they will be more than happy to take your money to replace a perfectly good part which they might even return for a refund.

[Ineeda]

14. Florida here...

so AC is utterly essential. I've had abysmal experiences with the HVAC industry, perhaps because I'm an older widow and with mechanical repairs -AC or otherwise - I often feel taken advantage of, even though I'm not a dumb old lady. That's one reason, when I replaced my system 6 years ago, I got a TRANE: warrantied for ten years parts and labor. What they don't tell you is that they charge a substantial "stocking fee" for replacement parts. You can't fight it either. They have the customer over a barrel.

[Major Nikon]

15. Sounds like someone may be ripping you off

Stocking fees are generally charged when a good part is returned. In other words they replaced something that wasn't broke and then returned it. It might be worth taking up with Trane customer service or the consumer fraud division of your local attorney general.

[Ineeda]

16. I never thought of questioning Trane directly.

I gave the AC guy a rash of shit because he refused to 'eat' the charge as a gesture of customer loyalty/goodwill. I've been dealing with them for years but now I'm looking for a new company. If they're willing to throw away thousands of dollars for this, then so be it. I'll give Trane a call on Monday and then go from there. Thanks.

[Major Nikon]

17. Trane used to be a good company

Then they started using substandard parts. My repair guy says he gets a lot of service calls on new systems. So for what it's worth that's his experience with them.

[csziggy]

20. Check the Trane website for recommended repair companies

I have a Trane, installed in my new house in 2007. When it needed routine maintenance, the company that installed it was interested. I looked on the Trane site and found a company that has been very reliable for me with good prices for repairs.

I like that company so much I pay them to send a guy out a couple of times a year to check the system. When it wasn't working the first hot day last summer, I called them and they had a repair guy out in a couple of hours. He got it fixed that afternoon. Since I am a regular there was no emergency fee - which would have been as much as two of the regular maintenance visits!

This repair company has NEVER charged me a "stocking fee" for replacement parts. They have been very reasonable on parts and every time the repairman has what he needs on his truck.

[LiberalArkie]

9. That is kind of high for that. Maybe the other guy will be a little cheaper.

Capacitors go bad over time, but $120 seems a tad high. But the thing is even at the $1000 price you should be good for a while. He should be able to replace the capacitors and see if the compressor will start. If it starts and runs you should be good on that.

The $450 for chasing down the leak seems a bit high unless you have a big house and the copper lines are long and hard to get to.

Best case is there is freon left in the unit and he starts it up and puts his leak detector on the first connection and sees a leak.

[Major Nikon]

10. You almost certainly don't want to pay to have the compressor alone replaced

Usually a compressor replacement involves removing the condenser, and putting humpty dumpty back together often doesn't go well.

You'd be better off replacing the entire condenser unit along with the compressor for about the same price, but as previously mentioned with a 40 year old system you are probably going to be money ahead in the long run replacing everything.

[Kaleva]

18. You can biuy capacitors on line for A/C units for about $10-$20 each.

He must have included labor in the cost. Blown capacitors are probably the most common problem with A/C but it's also about the easiest to fix. Given that your unit is over 40 years old, I'd advise that you get a new one.

[oldandhappy]

7. If you live in CA and go for a replacement unit

You can finance it thru something that allows you to pay it off on your property taxes which means you pay a hunk each year on your property taxes but if you sell to move, someone else pays that yearly payment.

[Tobin S.]

12. I live in Indiana. I'm not aware of anything lkike that here. n/t

[csziggy]

21. Indiana has some rebates, but it doesn't look as if for A/C

Here is the site with information for Indiana and links to federal programs: http://www.in.gov/oed/2379.htm

[rurallib]

19. If you buy please don't buy Carrier

if you can afford anything else
you live in Indiana so i am sure you know why.

Understand the situation. Our old neighbor was so allergic she was practically a prisoner from May to October

[csziggy]

22. One summer our A/C went out in the middle of the summer

I'd just had shoulder surgery and my arm was strapped to a cushion on my side so going without A/C in Florida summer heat and humidity was just not something I could live with. It was going to take two weeks to get a new central unit put in, between estimates, getting the money for it, ordering, installation, etc.

So my husband went down to one of the big box stores and bought a window unit. It cooled the bedroom and living room sufficiently to keep us comfortable until the new unit was in and working.

You might check into getting a small unit to tide you and your wife over until you can decide about repairing or replacing your central unit. 5000BTU units go for under $150 and can cool two small rooms.

[noamnety]

23. If this is related to your poll about credit

I would not recommend going into debt for this if you are recovering from bankruptcy. Your wife isn't going to die from sweating - she can spritz herself with water and use an electric fan after that to cool herself down, and drink ice water. A lot of what we consider "absolutely essential" is stuff that everyone - even kings and queens - survived without, back before it was invented.

I would wait til you have an emergency fund saved up that will cover you for 6 months if there is a real emergency (this is not one). And then make sure you have cash to pay for the AC repairs without dipping into the emergency fund. If you already have all that, then it's a whole different story of course.

[Tobin S.]

24. No, it is not. I have the money to pay for the a/c. n/t

[Lars39]

25. Here in TN some electric companies offers payment plans on heat&hair units.

I totally understand your wife's problem with heat. Anything over 72 and it feels like I've swallowed a blow torch. Hope you find a good deal.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

26. Consider getting window units...

...for the rooms in which you spend the most time. I put 3 window units in the first floor and saved about $50 a month on the bill.

Also look at having solar panels added to your roof. Companies like solar city will install the panels free. They retain ownership and sell you power for about 1/3 less than the average utility.

[missingthebigdog]

27. If you are going to need an entirely new system anyway,

Consider converting to ductless units in each area of your home.

These are newish here, but ubiquitous elsewhere. They are much more efficient than window units, and allow you to cool just the areas you are in instead of the entire house.

[lastever]

28. well get a new one

i mean, damn.

[shanti]

29. buyer beware!

i had a brand new unit put in (heat pump/compressor) in 2004. expected it to last for many years, but it went kaput in 2012. when i called to have it fixed, they said no, can't fix it because the (new) coolant is incompatible to the old system, have to get an entire brand new unit.

it really hit me in the gut because i think i was ripped off. it cost me 10 grand for the whole thing. i am paying for it on the installment plan - 10 years. lifetime guarantee, though...that's what sold me.

another thing that really can hurt the budget is a new roof. thought i was set when i retired in 2010, money in the bank, etc., but two years later, needed a new roof, and then the AC, it all went poof.

good luck!

[trof]

30. 40 YEARS? HOLY SHIT!

Is it a heat pump?
They're usually good for about 15-20 years here in coastal Alabama, max.
Yeah, it's time for a new one.
If it's a heat pump, check with your electric company.
Ours offers an incentive for replacement/upgrading.
$3000 would be low here.