New AC bids, what do you think
#1
11-10-21, 11:19 AM
New AC bids, what do you think
So I got the following. All licensed contractors. What are your thoughts? I think Alpha Air stands out the most, but let me know if you need any further details.
Bumblebee
Goodman - Split 14.5 Seer 12.5 EER Single Stage - 5 ton; $9,500
Alpha Air
Trane 4TTR4060L1000* 14 SEER XR14 AC 5 Ton; $8,275.
DNA
Goodman 14-SEER; $7,985.00
CW Mechanical
5 Ton- American Standard Silver 14 Air Conditioner with Silver S9X1 Gas Furnace and American Standard Platinum Indoor Coil; $10,425.10
Allstar
Goodman 5 Ton Split System; $7,280.00
Thanks.
Bumblebee
Goodman - Split 14.5 Seer 12.5 EER Single Stage - 5 ton; $9,500
Alpha Air
Trane 4TTR4060L1000* 14 SEER XR14 AC 5 Ton; $8,275.
DNA
Goodman 14-SEER; $7,985.00
CW Mechanical
5 Ton- American Standard Silver 14 Air Conditioner with Silver S9X1 Gas Furnace and American Standard Platinum Indoor Coil; $10,425.10
Allstar
Goodman 5 Ton Split System; $7,280.00
Thanks.
#2
11-11-21, 06:35 AM
Member
I'm more likely to repair than to buy a whole new 10k system. What's wrong with your old one?
#3
11-11-21, 07:21 AM
I'm more likely to repair than to buy a whole new 10k system. What's wrong with your old one?
Bob14525
voted this post useful.
#4
11-11-21, 08:34 AM
kilobucks \/
7..x.......x8..x......9....x...10..x......11
Maybe there's a cluster around $8k but I'd get more bids because the range of prices is wide.
Using the quartile function on a spreadsheet says that half the prices are between $7,985 & $9,500 so I'd wonder what the people below & above these bids are actually bidding on.
BTW, our house at 40 deg. North Latitude with 2200 sf takes 2.5 ton.
7..x.......x8..x......9....x...10..x......11
Maybe there's a cluster around $8k but I'd get more bids because the range of prices is wide.
Using the quartile function on a spreadsheet says that half the prices are between $7,985 & $9,500 so I'd wonder what the people below & above these bids are actually bidding on.
BTW, our house at 40 deg. North Latitude with 2200 sf takes 2.5 ton.
#5
11-12-21, 06:03 PM
Bulova, the difference may be the quality of the parts used, or maybe they have something up their sleeve and are cutting corners. Not sure how to evaluate this as it's not my expertise. I did get another quote over the phone that came out to $8,000, so that seems about right.
#7
11-13-21, 08:46 AM
They're all working from the same labor & material pool so this spread says something each contractor.
If prices are very close, it could be price fixing.
Now half are contained within $8.3k & $9.2K, with average = $8.6k.
I'd only trust written bids, so count the $8k as a minimum.
If a bidder asks for your budget, I'd disqualify that one.
If prices are very close, it could be price fixing.
Now half are contained within $8.3k & $9.2K, with average = $8.6k.
I'd only trust written bids, so count the $8k as a minimum.
If a bidder asks for your budget, I'd disqualify that one.
#8
11-13-21, 10:49 AM
@14 SEER, @$0.15/kwh, @1000 hrs/yr cooling season, you'd spend $643/yr for elec.
@10 SEER, @$0.15/kwh, @1000 hrs/yr cooling season, you'd spend $900/yr for elec.
@16 SEER, @$0.15/kwh, @1000 hrs/yr cooling season, you'd spend $563/yr for elec.
There's a breakeven point years from now where you make back your install cost. Note that almost everyone moves out after 14 years.
You could look up Cooling Degree Days for your area & your elec. bill will tell you the $/kwh.
For this many kilobucks the effort might be worth it.
@10 SEER, @$0.15/kwh, @1000 hrs/yr cooling season, you'd spend $900/yr for elec.
@16 SEER, @$0.15/kwh, @1000 hrs/yr cooling season, you'd spend $563/yr for elec.
There's a breakeven point years from now where you make back your install cost. Note that almost everyone moves out after 14 years.
You could look up Cooling Degree Days for your area & your elec. bill will tell you the $/kwh.
For this many kilobucks the effort might be worth it.
#9
11-15-21, 07:37 AM
Member
As I was told, the existing system is the 408A standard or whatever the older standard was when the house was built in 1989. It's just not worth changing parts anymore and a newer condenser will not be compatible with the attic's older standard as well. I could just switch out to a new compressor and the system will continue working but there's no telling what will go wrong in the future with the other parts. It seems like it's more economically feasible to just switch out the whole thing.
Keep in mind with the newer systems that you're giving up reliability because of all the electronics involved, and the new condensers are thinner walled for planned obsolescence..
#10
11-16-21, 10:13 AM
I don't know about that. You can find a new condenser (assuming that's what's wrong/leaking) for most systems for around $300 then have someone braze it in for about $150-200. That's what I've done in the past and I'm going on four years with no problems.
Keep in mind with the newer systems that you're giving up reliability because of all the electronics involved, and the new condensers are thinner walled for planned obsolescence..
Keep in mind with the newer systems that you're giving up reliability because of all the electronics involved, and the new condensers are thinner walled for planned obsolescence..
I spoke with a lot people regarding this and it seems like the right thing to do is bite the bullet and upgrade the whole system. I can always sell my home and try to recuperate a portion of the money I put into it. Then again, a realty home inspection will only check if the AC is working or not working.
#11
11-22-21, 06:50 AM
Member
Condenser. A compressor will be more since that's a piece with moving parts. You said, "A new condenser will not be compatible with the old system", so I priced a condenser. If your compressor's bad, that's always more money. Which part is bad, exactly?
#12
11-22-21, 10:01 AM
Which part is bad, exactly?
I can either change the compressor and keep paying for fixes as the unit dies or just pay a larger amount and never have to worry again. I'm leaning towards the latter.
#13
11-23-21, 07:27 AM
Member
The compressor is one of only a few moving parts. If it were me, I'd replace the compressor and keep my old, better built condenser. Much cheaper and you'll have very few maintenance problems from that point forward. In fact, if you have them replace the capacitor ($30-60) at the same time, you're probably good to go for years.
CircuitBreaker
voted this post useful.
