Posted by:
Anon4This
(
)
Date: May 26, 2018 08:12PM
It’s time to replace the air conditioners… There’s so many smart folks here, that I’m sure some of you have some experience with this.
Our upstairs AC has been dying for a few years now. We've been here since 2008, and about every other year it's needed to be recharged with refrigerant, about a pound each time. In the last couple years it's needed it each year. And one year twice when I had it recharged too early in the Spring. Also, it's started vibrating a lot, which can be felt on the 2nd floor (the unit is in the attic), and sometimes vibrations and things clicking even on the first floor!
Late last summer, the downstairs unit needed to be recharged too, for the first time ever. Same symptom as upstairs, freezing up because the refrigerant was low. And it already needed more this Spring, as did the upstairs unit.
The units are original, 1999, so nearly 20 years old. I think it's time to replace them.
I got an estimate yesterday. My conscience is saying to get some more, but thought I'd ask around to see what people think because I really don’t want the hassle (see below).
The estimate is for two complete systems:
- 2.5 ton AC (Trane XR-14),
- Trane cased coil,
- Gas furnace (Trane XR-80),
- New pads and emergency drain pans
- new thermostat,
- media filter,
- installation & line flush
- 10 year warranty from Trane
- 1 year warranty on labor
$6750 per system (up and downstairs) for a total of $13500
We’re in the Washington DC suburbs, if that makes a difference re. price.
Anyway, I'm just wondering what people think of the numbers, and Trane equipment in general.
I'd appreciate any insight you guys can give me!
Re. the hassle:
I’m also having to hunt someone down to put a new roof on the house. We had some minor damage in a recent wind storm, but there’s damage on every surface of the roof (a number of gables and such). The roofers are all so busy that I can’t find anyone…
More backstory:
The first couple times we had it charged up, it was pretty expensive, and the technicians spent more time trying to sell us a new system than working on the unit. Then we were referred to a nice mom and pop HVAC company, and they’ve been very good to us. Reasonable price, and no hassle about replacement. In fact, when I mentioned it, the “mom” said “as long as it’s running ok, better $200 a year than paying for replacement.” BTW, the estimate above is from the mom and pop company.
At that point, we hadn’t planned to stay here too long, the system was running ok other than needing a recharge every 24 months or so, and we had planned not to live here too long. Well, one thing led to another and we’ve been here ten years, and likely two more. At this point, I have no choice about the roof, and little choice but to redo the ACs, but I figure that when we list the house in 18 months or so, it will be a nice selling point that the house has a new roof and HVAC.
One last thing: when it reached the point where it needed refrigerant each year, my conscience got to me and I felt bad about the refrigerant leaking, but my mom had taken ill and moved in with us. She was essentially bed-ridden for almost three years, the unit was in the attic and the access to it was through her room. TBH, I was just hoping it would outlast her, and it did (rest her soul).
Anyway, it’s beyond needing replacement, and the downstairs unit has started the same death cycle, so it’s time to replace them.
Sorry this got so long. :)