To Replace, Or Not To Replace?

[CHuDWah]

There have been some recent threads on the subject, so here’s mine.

We have a 3-ton Trane split system (i.e., heat pump and air handler, not ductless mini-split) in southeast Florida. It’s been serviced regularly and does a good job of cooling and humidity control. Nevertheless, we’re considering replacing it because it's 20+ years old. For the past few years, the service company (which has an excellent reputation and whose honesty we trust completely) has been telling us the system is showing its age.

I’d guess it was about 10 SEER when new, probably less now. It doesn't cost a fortune to run but a newer one should be more efficient. We have a quote from the company that services it for a 3-ton Trane XR15 (16 SEER) with variable speed air handler and 10-year labor warranty for $6,300. Does that sound reasonable?

An argument can be made for deferring replacement until our system needs major repair. But we'd hate for it to die in the middle of Florida summer with both temperature and humidity in the 80s – 90s. And there's another consideration - we're in our early 70s. A new system, or at least its 10-year parts and labor warranty, may outlast us but I'm not sure our current system will. An argument also can be made for deferring replacement until the off-season. But the company does both residential and commercial installation and service. I’m not sure they have a non-busy time. Also, there's a unique circumstance in Florida – fall snowbird migration. All those folks coming down to their winter residences may increase, or at least not reduce, demand. Spring probably would have been the best time but that’s come and gone.

Comments, opinions, criticisms, whatever?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Personally, I would wait for the off season.

If you replace it now and they do have an issue, it could delay the Installation. You could possibly go without AC for a day or two. Something that might be no different than if if it were to die midseason.

Doing it now, they can schedule it to be done, no different than having it replaced in the off season. I would leave well enough alone for the time being if it were my system.

 

[jjrbus]

I have been without AC in SW Florida in the summer and it is not fun. Last time I bought a large window AC. I now have 3 mini splits in the house for redundancy.

I personally would replace the system at my leisure or at least be ready to replace with new unit picked out. There is one advantage that I see to replacing a system in the winter, if the air handler is in the attic. Summer attic temps can be horribly hot and it is just human nature for even the best installer to rush to get out of there. In cooler temps they will not be in such a hurry.

Early 70's is the new 50's and you are likely to outlive a 10 year warranty!

 

[PFSard]

I had the same dilemma. 20 year old heat pump system. 10 SEER. No real issues. Was going to need replacement sooner or later. Didn't want to press my luck. I'm 66 years old.

Decided to replace it with a 16 SEER this spring. About $6,550 all totaled installed. I'm keeping the house about 3 degrees F cooler. Seems to be using less electricity. Will wait for a full season to see overall operating cost.

 

[CHuDWah]

I have been without AC in SW Florida in the summer and it is not fun. Last time I bought a large window AC. I now have 3 mini splits in the house for redundancy.

I personally would replace the system at my leisure or at least be ready to replace with new unit picked out. There is one advantage that I see to replacing a system in the winter, if the air handler is in the attic. Summer attic temps can be horribly hot and it is just human nature for even the best installer to rush to get out of there. In cooler temps they will not be in such a hurry.

Early 70's is the new 50's and you are likely to outlive a 10 year warranty!

Air handler is in the garage - warm but not unbearable, especially with the door open.

 

[99LeCouch]

Florida? 20 year old system? It's had a good run, replace it. Do it at your leisure, though.

 

[yeldogt]

Are you happy with how the current system cools and dehumidifies ? You want to make sure the new system is the correct size and not just a copy the old. If your are completely happy with the old -- great. If not -- maybe a multispeed system with VS blower would be worth looking into. The new Bosch systems are a very good value -- does the company deal with other equipment?

I'm typically not big on proactive replacement of working trouble free equipment -- but at 20 years old in an area where it's critical .. think you are correct to begin. Have you searched out all the rebates or state programs ? It's like a heater in Maine ... have to replace an aging system.

 

[ken275]

I'm in the exact same situation as you. I'm in central Florida my house was built in 98' and I have a trane xe1000 3.5 ton heat pump. The unit has been running well. No fires lately. A capacitor blew up and caught all the wires on fire. Took me a couple hours on a rainy Sunday evening to fix but its been good since. I'm not one to replace anything that's not broken but I've started researching what the replacement will be. I'm not sure if waiting until its cooler out will get me a better price. There's so much new construction around keeping all the ac companies busy year round. My wife already said if the ac goes out she going to a hotel until it's fixed. Maybe I'll wait a little longer.

Sent from my SM-G950U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[James-W]

I tend to be proactive on things so for myself I would be seriously thinking about replacing it. Since you have had it for 20 years or so I would think it is at the point where you could start to have issues with it. Let's face it, Florida gets awfully hot and humid and having an A/C system in good working order is something you really want to have. It is even more important in your case because you and your wife are getting on up there in years and for older people like us, extreme heat and humidity is not our friend.

 

[danski0224]

The AC unit will never break in December, the furnace will never break in July

 

[Notgrownup]

I am also in the same boat with a 17 year old unit...runs great, I have it serviced yearly and never has needed an ounce of Freon and the only repair it ever needed has been a capacitor.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

The XR15 is a pretty good unit. It has what Trane calls "Spine Fine" condenser coils. If you have a lot of fluffy tree or grass stuff that floats around, They can be a littled tough to clean. You might want to consider something with a standard fin & tube design.

Tommy