Any HVAC guys here?

***SMWS6TA*** · 02-26-2015, 01:00 PM

Any HVAC guys on here? Need to go over some things...

I'm being told my home AC Compressor is shorting out. Quoted 2 prices and not sure to believe.

Compressor only $1500 with labor included, 1 yr warranty
New system $3500 with labor included, 10 yr warranty.

I'm also being told this isn't hard to swap out. Only need the freon captured and refilled.

**0rion** · 02-26-2015, 01:43 PM

this is one of the things I miss my dad over......he knew hvac inside and out. I miss having him to bounce these types questions off of.

ps
it pisses me off that an air conditioning question is even being posted right now......it's like 15 degrees out here right now.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 02-26-2015, 02:06 PM

Wish you lived closer. I got a buddy of mine to install a brand new, high-efficiency AC unit complete (outside unit, A-coil inside, hooking it all up, etc) for $1,100 and a case of Miller Lite.

***SMWS6TA*** · 02-26-2015, 02:06 PM

.....Sorry but it starts to get real warm here in the next 4 weeks, 6 tops...

***SMWS6TA*** · 02-26-2015, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Wish you lived closer. I got a buddy of mine to install a brand new, high-efficiency AC unit complete (outside unit, A-coil inside, hooking it all up, etc) for $1,100 and a case of Miller Lite.

Hell for that much I'd pay gas....

**RONS98TA** · 02-27-2015, 03:19 AM

$3500 is a good price for a whole new system. Here in MD, a whole new system will range from $6<000-$15,000. It depends on the efficiency and tonnage of the system.

**Zboner** · 02-27-2015, 03:25 AM

I think your paying $1,000 to much unless your calling a large company. The compressor may be going out? Is it a heat pump? How and when did they check the system? If the compressor did go out they need to replace the lineset(2 copper lines) of flush it. Are going with a r410 system or back with a r22?

**0rion** · 02-27-2015, 04:29 AM

zboner.....haven't see you post in a long time. You still come around and I just haven't noticed or has it been a while?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 02-27-2015, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by RONS98TA

$3500 is a good price for a whole new system. Here in MD, a whole new system will range from $6<000-$15,000. It depends on the efficiency and tonnage of the system.

That price you show would be for all new duct work and a furnace too here. That's insane and highway robbery.

As info, I got (from a different friend) a new high-efficiency furnace, installed, for $1,800.

My total cost for a brand new AC unit and furnace = $2,900.

***SMWS6TA*** · 02-27-2015, 05:46 AM

I had the guys I normally use check it out yesterday thinking it was a bad fan motor, they got back to me telling me it was the compressor that is popping the circuit. I'm having some other places give me some quotes as well. It's not yet an emergency but come April and on it will become one.

**0rion** · 02-27-2015, 05:50 AM

I would imagine when you're trying to build your car motor the best thing you could hope to have happen is a $1000 repair bill for your a/c. I'm starting to think we share the same last name because you have the same luck I have.......tons of it......all bad.

***SMWS6TA*** · 02-27-2015, 05:52 AM

I am of Irish decent....

Oh Tim if I saw this flyer sooner I would have sent it to you. A Indian casino is holding a BBQ cook off, top prize is $12,000.

**0rion** · 02-27-2015, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

I am of Irish decent....

Oh Tim if I saw this flyer sooner I would have sent it to you. A Indian casino is holding a BBQ cook off, top prize is $12,000.

It would be fun and more importantly a reason to drink beer and cook. One of our cook guys went MIA on us and it's tough to do all that with 2 guys. We talked about it over superbowl weekend though and we're going to look at getting back into a couple contests here soon. We have to get a smoke trailer bought and set up because the MIA member is the one that had the trailer. I would like to do it again at some point though. Maybe not this spring but next. My experience has been you can't do it for the money. BBQ comp's are pretty evenly matched so it's not like you're going to reinvent the wheel and win everything plus you have a ton of expense in meats. Right now, here at least, briskets are going for $50-$75 each. That means $150 in just briskets. Another $100+ in ribs, butts, and chicken. Now factor in fuel costs and beer. Gets expensive in a hurry for a contest that's going to be decided on people's opinion. We did well enough when we did it but there's some pretty good comp Q'ers out there that have those things figured out. Tuffy Stone was one of the guys we were competing against. He was the "cool smoke" team from bbq pitmasters.

**Blakbird24** · 02-27-2015, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Any HVAC guys on here? Need to go over some things...

I'm being told my home AC Compressor is shorting out. Quoted 2 prices and not sure to believe.

Compressor only $1500 with labor included, 1 yr warranty
New system $3500 with labor included, 10 yr warranty.

I'm also being told this isn't hard to swap out. Only need the freon captured and refilled.

Yeah that's a solid price for a new system assuming you are in the 2-3 ton range and they are using r410 and the appropriate lineset. I sourced my own 3-ton/80k BTU 13 SEER system at cost and had a contractor that I know personally install the system and paid $2800 total, so $3500 is pretty decent. If you go to the likes of home depot and just let them handle it you will be looking at $5-6k.

The compressor replacement cost seems high (i'd expect $800-$1200 and even the $1200 is on the high side from my experience), however I don't know the specifics in your case and maybe theres more to your application than what's commonplace.

**wileyCoyote** · 02-27-2015, 02:39 PM

...I had to get the compressor in my heat pump unit replaced last year, a similar failure (electrical short in the motor)... didn't have to pay for the parts (as it was still under warranty!), ...the labor cost me around $700-$800... also, the tech said they replace the filter dryer whenever they change-out refrigerant....

**Zapper2003** · 02-27-2015, 05:19 PM

It's seriously no wonder out of towners say we do shit too cheap. These prices I see thrown around are all over the board and at the opposite end of what I'd call the normal range.

**RONS98TA** · 02-28-2015, 04:56 AM

Here in MD, if you call BGE home, it will cost at least $3000 just for a simple compressor change!! If you want new high efficiency equipment, (not ductwork) you are def talking about $8,000-$10,000. It's def highway robbery. I work for an HVAC wholesaler, so I know what the equipment cost. I understand it's a business, but gouging peeps doesn't make any sense.
A compressor could cost only $200. Add in labor and freon and it should be $1000. Again this depends on the seer rating and what brand of equipment.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 02-28-2015, 04:58 AM

I need to look into an HVAC business there lol.

**RONS98TA** · 02-28-2015, 05:01 AM

I watch HGTV all the time, and I see houses in Texas go for $150,000. The exact same house here in MD would cost $500,000. So I guess its kinda just the way it is. I have also seen apartments, 800 square feet, go for 1 million in New York!! My point is, in 1 state a compressor and labor will cost xxx amount, the same compressor and labor in another state could be double the $$.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 02-28-2015, 06:59 AM

I understand and I know that I recieved a hookup on both of my units. It pays to know people.

It's the same difference between here and Chicago. My house was $109,000 back in 2001 when I bought it. Nothing special - 1300sqft with a full basement. 2.5 car garage with 1.5 baths and 3 bedrooms. Sits on a 1/4 acre lot. Built in 1969 and needed major updating. Move my house to Chicago or within the neighboring suburbs and it would be 350,000+ probably. Location is everything.