AC repair costs
#1
07-28-15, 07:39 AM
AC repair costs
Okay, had my first AC problem in ten years this weekend and repair is going to be done this PM. I actually had an issue with the first company I had out (turns out it would have been a misdiagnosis running several hundred dollars more 
) and a different one is doing the repair. Already know the total charges, but just curious of how the price range runs on this type of repair. It has a leak on a refrigerant line near the compressor.
Here's the deal:
10 year old Lennox Elite (I was told it is middle of the line unit), NOT a heat pump
3.5T
R-410a
~ 7# R-410a
Work will involve repairing leak (torch work), evacuation and servicing and of course the service call. Found the leak by pressurizing with N2 and finding bubbles with soap solution. Tech also said he would be installing a receiver/drier and the work has one year warranty. He estimates ~ 2 hours start to finish.
Expected price range for this? I know there are lots of variables, just wondering general costs. The $ quoted seemed reasonable to me, but having never had work like this done, who knows.
And just as a side note, the original (mis)diagnosis was leaking evap coil with replacement cost estimate $1400. The second tech seemed to think that was not out of line IF that had been the problem, so I'm guessing that would have been reasonable had it been the problem?
) and a different one is doing the repair. Already know the total charges, but just curious of how the price range runs on this type of repair. It has a leak on a refrigerant line near the compressor.Here's the deal:
10 year old Lennox Elite (I was told it is middle of the line unit), NOT a heat pump
3.5T
R-410a
~ 7# R-410a
Work will involve repairing leak (torch work), evacuation and servicing and of course the service call. Found the leak by pressurizing with N2 and finding bubbles with soap solution. Tech also said he would be installing a receiver/drier and the work has one year warranty. He estimates ~ 2 hours start to finish.
Expected price range for this? I know there are lots of variables, just wondering general costs. The $ quoted seemed reasonable to me, but having never had work like this done, who knows.
And just as a side note, the original (mis)diagnosis was leaking evap coil with replacement cost estimate $1400. The second tech seemed to think that was not out of line IF that had been the problem, so I'm guessing that would have been reasonable had it been the problem?
#2
07-28-15, 07:57 AM
Member
Well... what I do know is that for $1400 you can get a brand new 3.5 ton goodman unit (includes condenser and evap coil)... so if you're pushing anywhere near that I would simply consider replacing the whole thing and going another ten years maintenance free.
#5
07-29-15, 04:37 AM
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I just did a pretty much identical job yesterday. Eleven year old Carrier. Brazed a leaking joint, added 10 pounds of R410, installed Drier, evacuated, etc. I got $400 total. The customer has a contract with one of the big companies and they told him it wan't repairable and that he needed an a whole new system. I'm usually about half of what the big guys get around my way.
#6
07-29-15, 05:11 AM
Member
$1400 can get a condenser or an evap coil, not both .
The condenser package (Goodman GSX140421) is $1063 and the (cased) evap coil is $292. Now that's a horizontal mount that already comes in a case. If you want the free standing the price will go up another $100.
I just purchased/installed a 4ton 2 stage heat pump from there... great service, great prices. It cost me just a little over $3000 for a complete condenser package, complete air handler and 15Kw heat strip.
Last edited by the_tow_guy; 07-29-15 at 03:58 PM. Reason: Link removed
#7
07-29-15, 08:26 AM
Does your price include labor ? I charge $195 to replace a capacitor(both part and labor), $240 if also a contactor, $265 if it is on the roof. A whole system will cost at least $4000. (these prices are pretty much the going rate in my area.)
#8
07-29-15, 09:01 AM
Member
Does your price include labor ?
Labor costs are something entirely different and can range from nothing if you do it yourself right on over extremely expensive depending on install location, duct work, various upgrades... yadda yadda.
#10
07-29-15, 11:51 AM
Member
Well... In some cases labor is $0.00
I installed my own system which amounts to nothing more than the purchase price of the system. Now I did have to purchase additional R410a since the factory charge is only good for a 15 foot line set and I needed a 25, but that was only an additional $50 for a 28oz top off bottle. They also charge an additional $100 for the 25 foot line set itself. But the point is that they supply ALL of the necessary documentation (in PDF form) required to do a complete DIY install. They even have a warranty system for their equipment, but they do demand that the system be inspected, initially started and signed off by a qualified hvac tech in order to honor the warranty.
Sooo.... if you do it yourself with warranty the labor amounts to nothing more than an inspection cost. Without warranty.... labor is ZERO
I installed my own system which amounts to nothing more than the purchase price of the system. Now I did have to purchase additional R410a since the factory charge is only good for a 15 foot line set and I needed a 25, but that was only an additional $50 for a 28oz top off bottle. They also charge an additional $100 for the 25 foot line set itself. But the point is that they supply ALL of the necessary documentation (in PDF form) required to do a complete DIY install. They even have a warranty system for their equipment, but they do demand that the system be inspected, initially started and signed off by a qualified hvac tech in order to honor the warranty.
Sooo.... if you do it yourself with warranty the labor amounts to nothing more than an inspection cost. Without warranty.... labor is ZERO
#11
07-29-15, 04:01 PM
Okay, closing the thread. Except for the Apprentice's post, this went far afield of my question, so no reason to stay open. FWIW, I thought 13 SEER was bare minimum efficiency nowadays.
Thanks, Apprentice.
Thanks, Apprentice.
