HVAC cost

[Woogieman]

I had my furnace repaired this winter, and the big companies were at least twice as much as local small guys...I assume the same goes for replacement. Furnaces aren't very complex. They can definitely be poorly installed, but 9/10 companies should be able to deliver the same installation and product quality. Try the small local guys or get a local referral and pay about half the price you mentioned!

[ScareCrowe]

Originally Posted by Woogieman

I had my furnace repaired this winter, and the big companies were at least twice as much as local small guys...I assume the same goes for replacement. Furnaces aren't very complex. They can definitely be poorly installed, but 9/10 companies should be able to deliver the same installation and product quality. Try the small local guys or get a local referral and pay about half the price you mentioned!

I wanted to also address this because the bolded isn't really true. In some cases it can be, low end electric furnaces are still pretty simple. But any gas furnace is pretty complex at this point, and the high end ones can be very complex with DC driven inverters, variable speed blowers & exhaust fans & even variable capacity gas valves. Some of them even have proprietary computer style communication which can self diagnose issues.

[Woogieman]

Originally Posted by ScareCrowe

I wanted to also address this because the bolded isn't really true. In some cases it can be, low end electric furnaces are still pretty simple. But any gas furnace is pretty complex at this point, and the high end ones can be very complex with DC driven inverters, variable speed blowers & exhaust fans & even variable capacity gas valves. Some of them even have proprietary computer style communication which can self diagnose issues.

Good info, thanks!

[Mr. Plow]

God I'm going to hate when both my AC's go out. 25+ years old on both. Both have been struggling a little bit the past couple years. Hoping to hold out as long as possible.

[ScareCrowe]

It's gotten crazy & even as someone who is selling the stuff (as opposed to buying it) it sticker shocks me when a new price book comes out. I just pulled my 2020 price book. My base 3 ton gas furnace/AC was 6k, now it's 10k. It's virtually doubled in 3 years & that's basically across the board, all prices have gone up by about the same %.

[Valiant]

I got a new furnace and ac about 5 years ago from Anthony for 10k..had a 2.5 ton blower in it.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Valiant

I got a new furnace and ac about 5 years ago from Anthony for 10k..had a 2.5 ton blower in it.

[RedRaider56]

Originally Posted by jerryaldini

I know prices have shot up since covid but still I got sticker shock on a quote to swap out AC and furnace. $16,500.

Carrier 3 ton 16 SEER AC, and 96% two stage 100k furnace plus thermostat and duct cleaning. 10 year parts 1 year labor, 20 years on heat exchangers.

High cost of living city. Is this the new normal? I know I need more quotes but this outfit has the best reputation for install and service.

Both existing 17 years old. AC is fine but furnace exchangers are cracked and prices will keep rising so doing both. Really appreciate the advice!

I've had to replace two HVAC systems over the last 3 years and the cost is pretty much in line with what I had to pay. Prices on systems have gone through the roof and are going to keep going up due to new efficiency requirement standards.

[jerryaldini]

Originally Posted by RedRaider56

I've had to replace two HVAC systems over the last 3 years and the cost is pretty much in line with what I had to pay. Prices on systems have gone through the roof and are going to keep going up due to new efficiency requirement standards.

Alright all you guys are making me feel much better about this, thank you! Just got a better quote from a just as reputable company with a very straightforward salesman.

12.2k if I do the one stage furnace instead of two stage, and give up the variable speed fan motor.

14.5 with those two upgrades. Given that until 4 years ago I lived for 17 years in the mountains with wood stove heat and no AC, I'm thinking I won't miss those "luxuries", but let me know if I'm really missing out and should invest the 2,300. Thanks again!

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by jerryaldini

Alright all you guys are making me feel much better about this, thank you! Just got a better quote from a just as reputable company with a very straightforward salesman.

12.2k if I do the one stage furnace instead of two stage, and give up the variable speed fan motor.

14.5 with those two upgrades. Given that until 4 years ago I lived for 17 years in the mountains with wood stove heat and no AC, I'm thinking I won't miss those "luxuries", but let me know if I'm really missing out and should invest the 2,300. Thanks again!

For my place, the biggest advantage of the variable speed motor is that you can set it way low and just have the fan running all the time without costing a fortune (I estimate it costs me around $8/month). I've got major hot/cold spots in our master bedroom on the upper floor, and running the fan all the time helps to even things out a bit. If you've otherwise been pretty comfortable with a simple one-stage system, you can definitely live without the upgrade.

[jerryaldini]

Originally Posted by DaFace

For my place, the biggest advantage of the variable speed motor is that you can set it way low and just have the fan running all the time without costing a fortune (I estimate it costs me around $8/month). I've got major hot/cold spots in our master bedroom on the upper floor, and running the fan all the time helps to even things out a bit. If you've otherwise been pretty comfortable with a simple one-stage system, you can definitely live without the upgrade.

Ah I'm on one level, can see where that would matter more with two. Thanks!

[RedRaider56]

Originally Posted by jerryaldini

Alright all you guys are making me feel much better about this, thank you! Just got a better quote from a just as reputable company with a very straightforward salesman.

12.2k if I do the one stage furnace instead of two stage, and give up the variable speed fan motor.

14.5 with those two upgrades. Given that until 4 years ago I lived for 17 years in the mountains with wood stove heat and no AC, I'm thinking I won't miss those "luxuries", but let me know if I'm really missing out and should invest the 2,300. Thanks again!

On the biggest HVAC unit I replaced, it had the variable speed motor. One advantage to it over the old system was how much quieter it is. As another poster had said, when it is running on the lowest speed, I can't hear the thing running.

On the second system, for our upstairs, I went with the 2 speed setup. Even when the kids are home from school visiting and the AC seems to be on all the time, it stays on low speed the majority of the time.

With the combination of the efficiency of the new systems and the new fan setups, my AC bills dropped over a $100 a month at the peak summer months heat last year.

[ScareCrowe]

Originally Posted by RedRaider56

On the biggest HVAC unit I replaced, it had the variable speed motor. One advantage to it over the old system was how much quieter it is. As another poster had said, when it is running on the lowest speed, I can't hear the thing running.

On the second system, for our upstairs, I went with the 2 speed setup. Even when the kids are home from school visiting and the AC seems to be on all the time, it stays on low speed the majority of the time.

With the combination of the efficiency of the new systems and the new fan setups, my AC bills dropped over a $100 a month at the peak summer months heat last year.

My biggest selling point on the VS fans is noise reduction & humidity control. (by moving air slower across the coil it removes more humidity per pass) Energy savings are nice but they don't generally equal a lot as the blower doesn't use a ton of electricity, and you also have to consider you now have a very expensive blower motor in there & if it goes out any savings you made will go into the repair.

The noise reduction due to running in low speed is super nice, but you also have to consider that on extreme temperature days it's going to have to run at a higher speed so it will still make close to the same noise at that point.

[lewdog]

In 2021 we spent $14k on two Lennox units, a 3 ton and a 4 ton. This includes a 15 year warranty. I realize cost has gone up but your quote seems really high.