Price to replace 3 & 4 ton central air

[minytrker]

Both my central ac units are starting to have problems 18-20 years old. I have central heat and air with heat pump and heat strips. I got one quote to replace everything except the ducting for $16k, 10 yr warranty parts, everything done in one day. Does that seem about right?

 

[Lelandwelds]

$12 - 15k here. Huge difference in install quality. All prices similiar.

 

[mike93lx]

Get 3 quotes and you'll know the price for your market.

16k doesn't hit me as excessive, but that's based on new england pricing

 

[minytrker]

$12 - 15k here. Huge difference in install quality. All prices similiar.

Thats a big problem here also. Most of the places are small one or two man operations out in the country. Everything gets done how's its always been done and not necessarily the right way. Friend just had his ac done (single 3 ton) few months ago cost him $6k and took the guy 4 days. The quote I posted was from a big company coming from out of town to do it and for a 16 seer trane.

 

[Jackfre]

...Except the ducting! I would suggest that your first step in this process is to get a leakage test done on the ductwork. Most residential systems leak like a sieve. No sense spending 16 large on equipment if it cannot deliver air where you want it. Current codes call for a max leakage of 6%.

 

[AFSOC]

Just had a 4 ton Heat Pump (air handler and outside unit) replaced with a Bosch inverter unit at my house. The system has a 16.5 SEER, 15K watt heat strips and all of the legacy ducting, condensation drain and wiring was reused. The company who did the system swap charged me $7K.

 

[Trey T]

That's a lot of money for only 10yrs warranty on parts. Most, if not all, brands offer that level of warranty. If 10yrs parts and labor all inclusive, that would make sense.

Keep in mind, if you have Trane brand, it can be difficult for 3rd party company to service if they have to get parts for them. Trane (and American Standard) is an exclusive brand, they don't sell it to everybody.

 

[Jazzman442]

Just had this done. 1 4 ton straight ac, 1 3.4 Ton Straight ac and 2 gas furnaces.
$12.000. Lifetime on compressors and Furnaces 10 year on everything.

Had to re do all the lines and ducting in and out of the ceiling.

 

[Trey T]

Wholesale prices fluctuate thru the season, $low winter and $high summer. the system gets more expensive during summer around here (~500$).

$4K (wholesale) can get you a Rheem heat pump 16SEER system right now. $4K can get you a better 18SEER Bosch system w/ inverter technology.

 

[6768rogues]

We got a new one in FL this winter. 3.5 ton Trane heat pump with backup resistance heat, including air handler and line set, installed for $6200. It would be a couple thousand more in the summer, hence, we did it in January.

 

[minytrker]

been quoted $14k-$19 the $14k being a discounted price for knowing the owner. thats for 2-3.5 ton 16 seer trane central heat and air with heat strips

 

[kneeman]

Re: Price to replace 3 & 4 ton central air

Wow high prices.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

That seems high, get other quotes. I would say the $12k range for two units that size is around what we pay in my area, but that's for basic equipment. If it's for "bleeding" edge it might be reasonable.

Always good to get several quotes even if you like the first price.

 

[minytrker]

They said they could put in cheaper 14 seer off brand units and it be alot cheaper but if I planned on staying in the house they didnt recommend it. Im a 100 miles from any large city so most of these AC places are small one or two man operations and were telling me 3-4 days per unit. My AC went out completely Friday so I dont have time to just shop around with 2 small kids and wife at home all day. The place I have coming is actually driving a 100 miles and it bringing 2 crews and doing both units in 1 day.They will be here Wednesday and have done 5 rental houses plus my friends personal house.

 

[justinjoyal]

You must have a huge house.

7 tons of A/C ! [emoji50]

Who sized it ?

 

[usa#1]

Check out split system heat pump pricing on eBay and some of the other online sellers. If you can't install it yourself, find an AC tech and pay them to install it for you. I would guess you could save yourself at least 6 to 7 thousand from what you say you're being quoted.

 

[minytrker]

You must have a huge house.

7 tons of A/C ! [emoji50]

Who sized it ?

The 17,900 sqft house down the road is huge I only have a 4,000 sqft house lol. I plan on finishing a 500sqft room upstairs so then Im cooling 4500sqft. With it being so hot in Texas they said it wouldnt hurt to upgrade from 3 ton to 3.5 ton units since I was adding some sq ft.

Check out split system heat pump pricing on eBay and some of the other online sellers. If you can't install it yourself, find an AC tech and pay them to install it for you. I would guess you could save yourself at least 6 to 7 thousand from what you say you're being quoted.

Not comparing apples to apples on units. They will put in a cheaper unit for a cheaper price or ever a lower seer, Im not trying to get the cheapest possible bill, I plan on staying in the house for many years.
Just had my sons birthday party today and talked to several people who all know someone who has had AC replaced in the last few months here and they all paid $6-$10k for 1 system. Obviously everyone didnt know every little detail about the break down of the bills but the totals were inline with the quotes I was getting.
I cant install it myself, have 2 small kids at home and my wife stays at home and the AC is out. I dont have time shop around online and wait for a AC to ship, then wait days for someone to install it. I would love to save money but I dont have time to wait.

 

[justinjoyal]

Price to replace 3 & 4 ton central air

The 17,900 sqft house down the road is huge I only have a 4,000 sqft house lol. I plan on finishing a 500sqft room upstairs so then Im cooling 4500sqft. With it being so hot in Texas they said it wouldnt hurt to upgrade from 3 ton to 3.5 ton units since I was adding some sq ft.

So they simply said « more sq ft, bump it up » ? Are they licensed pros or craiglist hacks?

If you want to achieve optimal comfort and efficiency, there must be a load calculation done to properly size the system(s). The ductwork needs to be assessed as well.

Otherwise, don’t bother paying a premium for 16+ SEER units and such, you’ll waste your money.

 

[Lindy911]

Both my central ac units are starting to have problems 18-20 years old. I have central heat and air with heat pump and heat strips. I got one quote to replace everything except the ducting for $16k, 10 yr warranty parts, everything done in one day. Does that seem about right?

Minytrker- I'm in Brenham and my downstairs 3 ton 19 yr old unit quit last week too. I tried calling a local place twice and never got a return call with a quote. I have used Gessner Air in Navasota before. Terrific customer service! They fixed my unit right away, but I'm going to replace anyway with a Trane. I should get a quote this week. Good luck, Hugh

 

[eddieK]

Check out split system heat pump pricing on eBay and some of the other online sellers. If you can't install it yourself, find an AC tech and pay them to install it for you. I would guess you could save yourself at least 6 to 7 thousand from what you say you're being quoted.

I suppose you don't have a retirement and health insurance plan where you work? Because the real companies that do this as a business most likely do...and providing these things that everyone expects costs REAL money.

The equipment today is much more expensive than it used to be (like cars today) ...anyway you seem to be promoting side work type installs or worse yet..home owner installs.

I've been called to service these installs. I can tell you for certain that in the long run, the homeowner lost money.

 

[minytrker]

Minytrker- I'm in Brenham and my downstairs 3 ton 19 yr old unit quit last week too. I tried calling a local place twice and never got a return call with a quote. I have used Gessner Air in Navasota before. Terrific customer service! They fixed my unit right away, but I'm going to replace anyway with a Trane. I should get a quote this week. Good luck, Hugh

Havent called anyone from Navasota, just all over Brenham, Burton, Round Top, LaGrange areas. Company is coming from Houston to replace everything Wednesday. They came highly recommended from a friend in Brenham who uses them for all his houses and business.

There were cheaper brands and lower seer units I could have gone with but buying the cheapest and least energy efficient units out there doesnt make sense to me in a house Im staying in.

 

[justinjoyal]

Just like buying an energy efficient unit doesnt make sense without a load calculation and proper ducts.

So I would start there!

 

[minytrker]

Just like buying an energy efficient unit doesnt make sense without a load calculation and proper ducts.

So I would start there!

So if my ducts are leaking it make more sense to buy a cheaper unit that uses more electricity vs a more energy efficient one? No matter what buying a less efficient unit doesn't make sense.

Im sure that it the textbook way, never heard of anyone getting a load calculation done for getting ac replaced here. Was told new ducts would around 7k, spending $14k is already bad enough. The ducts were checked about 4 years ago but another company. I have no AC, its getting replaced in 2 days by a licensed highly recommended company I cant ask for anything more. Right now alot of places are booked a week out for just service calls. I appreciate the advice but when its 96 degrees in my house and its getting fixed in 2 days.

 

[kneeman]

Re: Price to replace 3 & 4 ton central air

I suppose you don't have a retirement and health insurance plan where you work? Because the real companies that do this as a business most likely do...and providing these things that everyone expects costs REAL money.

The equipment today is much more expensive than it used to be (like cars today) ...anyway you seem to be promoting side work type installs or worse yet..home owner installs.

I've been called to service these installs. I can tell you for certain that in the long run, the homeowner lost money.

Btw, not all home installs ****. The 3 air handlers, 2 condensers, and 4 evap coils I have replaced were done 100% correct.

 

[justinjoyal]

So if my ducts are leaking it make more sense to buy a cheaper unit that uses more electricity vs a more energy efficient one? No matter what buying a less efficient unit doesn't make sense.



Im sure that it the textbook way, never heard of anyone getting a load calculation done for getting ac replaced here. Was told new ducts would around 7k, spending $14k is already bad enough. The ducts were checked about 4 years ago but another company. I have no AC, its getting replaced in 2 days by a licensed highly recommended company I cant ask for anything more. Right now alot of places are booked a week out for just service calls. I appreciate the advice but when its 96 degrees in my house and its getting fixed in 2 days.

Paying a premium for a higher SEER unit knowing you will never achieve that kinda *****. You will never see a return on your investment, so yes, buying a lower efficiency unit can, and often makes sense.

Best of luck to you.