Central A/C questions!

[GNICETRY]

OK just wanted to see if i got some good prices.
Option A= Tempstar system, R-22, 2 1/2 ton 10 SEER 1 zone, media filter 10 year/ 10 year warranty=$4500
Option B= Carrier system, Puron system, 3 1/2 ton, 13 SEER, 1 zone, electronic media filter, varaible speed air handler, 10 year compress./ 5 year parts and labor, plus installation of another duct=$5300
Option C= same as B except 14 SEER and 10 year warranty on compressor AND parts and labor=$6000

What do you guys think?????????????

 

[CHARGED]

I use to do Heating and AC for 8yrs, I put in a 2 1/2 ton system in my house 3yrs ago for $1,100.00, not a hi efficient unit but I was on a budget at the time.
Seems a little hi to me, At my old job I remember putting in 2 1/2 ton systems with full duct work for $3-3,500. but that was 5+ yrs ago.
I'd go with option A becouse of the 10yr warranty,also no need for an electronic filter IMO

 

[AsphaltAnihil8r]

I would go with option B,I have been in the business for 10 years and Puron is what you want,
Lets see what TurboSam says ..

 

[onefastjackass]

I hope you are talking about a furnace to for that price!! I paid $5200 for a carrier weathermaker infinity series 58mvp100 2 stage variable speed furnace(top of the line at the time).12seer 3 1/2 ton puron aircond,humidifyer,media filter and a pump so that the drain line didn't run acrossed the floor.They took out a 500 plus pound old furnace.redid the plenum,gas lines and had to bring in an electrician.And put the furnace,and air lines thru brick walls.Has a 10 year parts and labor warrenty and lifetime on the burner.This was all done about one year ago. So in my opinion if it's just for a air cond then it may be high.

 

[turbosam6]

Well, I'm not sure about what people charge in your area, but it sounds high. I just put in a heat pump system for my aunt, who lives in Indianapolis, and I was $2000 cheaper than the local dealer and I made *decent* money, for a family member. Heres what I would do: First off, I like Trane products, although Carrier is a good brand. Thats just a matter of personal preference. Tempstar is a "generic" brand, not too bad, but not on par with trane or carrier. It is the same as a comfortmaker, heil, arcoaire, kenmore, and maybe a couple other brands. The worst place to go for heating/ cooling is SEARS. They are 100% higher than anyone else, and I'm not kidding. I do the installations for them, I know what they charge, and they tell me to double my price to give a customer an estimate. And they get better deals than I do on stuff!

I need to know what else you're getting with this. Do you currently have a system, and are just replacing the main components, or are you adding central air from scratch?

Call a Trane COMFORT SPECIALIST DEALER. Not just a trane dealer. The comfort specialist dealers must maintain a very high customer satisfaction rating to have the title. For what you are getting, assuming you already have the ductwork and are just replacing the main components, I would get the variable speed air handler, 13 or 14 seer, and either a 5" media filter or electronic air cleaner. You need to think of what you really need. Do you have allergies? Is there a need for good air quality in your home? If no, forget the big air cleaner thing, it might not help you. A 1" filter is fine for the equipment. The big high effienciency filters are only for you, not the units. The variable speed is good for houses that have noticeable temp differences from room to room, like 2 story houses, bi levels, etc. If this is not a concern, then get a regular air handler, and save the money. I do like the 10 year parts and labor warranty, as the newer high efficiency units can be very pricey to repair. Sometimes 1 bill can cover the cost of the warranty.

It sounds like to me the prices you have now are approx. $1000 high. If you call a Trane dealer, you can tell them your friend has a dealership, so they will realize you have access to pricing, which may keep the price down. Its important to go with a reputable established company, because when that system breaks, and it will, you need to be able to get ahold of that company to fix it fast. Get lots of estimates, shop around. Let me know if you need more advice.

 

[orion681]

that was a mouthful

 

[Jerryl]

Well, I'm not sure about what people charge in your area, but it sounds high. I just put in a heat pump system for my aunt, who lives in Indianapolis, and I was $2000 cheaper than the local dealer and I made *decent* money, for a family member. Heres what I would do: First off, I like Trane products, although Carrier is a good brand. Thats just a matter of personal preference. Tempstar is a "generic" brand, not too bad, but not on par with trane or carrier. It is the same as a comfortmaker, heil, arcoaire, kenmore, and maybe a couple other brands. The worst place to go for heating/ cooling is SEARS. They are 100% higher than anyone else, and I'm not kidding. I do the installations for them, I know what they charge, and they tell me to double my price to give a customer an estimate. And they get better deals than I do on stuff!

I need to know what else you're getting with this. Do you currently have a system, and are just replacing the main components, or are you adding central air from scratch?

Call a Trane COMFORT SPECIALIST DEALER. Not just a trane dealer. The comfort specialist dealers must maintain a very high customer satisfaction rating to have the title. For what you are getting, assuming you already have the ductwork and are just replacing the main components, I would get the variable speed air handler, 13 or 14 seer, and either a 5" media filter or electronic air cleaner. You need to think of what you really need. Do you have allergies? Is there a need for good air quality in your home? If no, forget the big air cleaner thing, it might not help you. A 1" filter is fine for the equipment. The big high effienciency filters are only for you, not the units. The variable speed is good for houses that have noticeable temp differences from room to room, like 2 story houses, bi levels, etc. If this is not a concern, then get a regular air handler, and save the money. I do like the 10 year parts and labor warranty, as the newer high efficiency units can be very pricey to repair. Sometimes 1 bill can cover the cost of the warranty.

It sounds like to me the prices you have now are approx. $1000 high. If you call a Trane dealer, you can tell them your friend has a dealership, so they will realize you have access to pricing, which may keep the price down. Its important to go with a reputable established company, because when that system breaks, and it will, you need to be able to get ahold of that company to fix it fast. Get lots of estimates, shop around. Let me know if you need more advice.

I just found out today on a regular service call that the freon in my Trane Heat Pump home unit it low. I was told the pressure is at 21 psi and should be 70-75 at the handler . Guess I need 2 more estimates.

 

[georgewe4]

What all are they doing other than just "equipment". Replacing or re-using the current refrigerant lines? Keeping the old electric disconnect box outside or replacing? any ductwork used is it ductboard or sheetmetal/ insulated/non insulated? Just a few questions.
Yes you can get people to do a cheaper job for you, but as the old saying goes...You usually get what you pay for..
People compare prices to 5 years ago even maybe 2 years ago and how cheap they did it. Well yes it was cheaper. Minimum efficiency back then was 10 seer..Now its 13 seer. You have no choice but to go with a high efficient system. The 10 seer I would personally stay away from, that system has been sitting somewhere. Copper and steel prices have went up quite a few times since "back in the day". We had 3 or 4 price increases last year from Trane. What brand has the friends and family put in for each other? Janitrol or Trane. There is a difference there. Thats one price range to another just in itself. When you put it in yourself or if you have a friend or family member put it in you can always save money and the friend or family member can afford to be thousands cheaper. A business has overhead. There is more to it than just equipment.
What is the reputation of the company you are dealing with. Do you know of anyone who has used them? Do they take care of their customers? When you call them do they respond right away or take days to respond? Do they sub contract or use their own installers? Whats their truck look like? Newer trucks,or trucks that leak oil all over the driveway? Are the trucks clean or have stuff all over the dash and a big pile when they open the door? How do the techs look? Clean cut and professional or look like someone you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley? How did the guy that gave you the estimate treat your home? Did he pull his shoes off or wear shoe covers? What certifications do they have? Are they NATE certified? Its more than just equipment, its the company behind it.
I worked on a system that was 6 years old today. The person that put it in used the old refrigerant lines. The unit calls for a 3/4 and 3/8 lines. The old lines he re-used was 5/8 and 1/8..It was an old Lennox millimeter lineset. The indoor unit was sitting on a wood box for a return. Ductboard came out of the top and was coming apart at the tape joints. The indoor and outdoor unit was soft soldered to the refrigerant lines. The system was leakin at 3 of those soft solder joints. Lost all of the charge. The system come to find out had always froze up in the summer time never cooled all that great. The compressor is dead. Wonder why? Compressor is not under warranty. They got a good deal though at the time so they thought. Now they are looking at some major repairs to make it right. Can't get a hold of the guy that put it in. Hes out of business.
I'm not saying to go out there and pay the highest price. This is a decision that you will have to live with for a long time. Its more than just equipment. Its more than a cheap price. Its impossible to pay to little and get too much.
Its the install and the service after the sale. I work for a company that is not the cheapest out there. We do things right though and take pride in our work.We have an excellent reputation though and we for darn sure better be taking care of our customers. Do your reserch on the company and ask questions about thier company. Its your money.