Sure seems to be a question that gets asked a lot, but am hoping the Aggie Network can help me out!

I have a 2,600 two story house with AC units upstairs and downstairs.

The downstairs unit is 13 years old and finally went out. Time to replace the unit and at least I can move on from the refrigerant used in that system!

I had an AC company that just came out and gave me a price quote that I wanted to bounce of you Ags.

• Trane System
• 3 Ton unit
• Seer 16
• Single Speed
• Total replacement (Outdoor condensor, indoor coil, gas powered furnace, drain pan, float switch, uv light, whole house filter, etc.)
• Starting/List price with install: $16,304
• Trane buy down for replacing current Trane: 1,800
• Final price: $14,504
• 60 month zero percent financing. Or take another $500 off for cash up front.
Is this reasonable? I know Trane's are pricier than others, but it has been over a decade since I last replaced an AC unit. Company has a good reputation among the neighbors and I don't mind spending a bit more for quality install and brand. But I also don't want to later find out that I paid a price that was way overinflated! Are these guys in the ballpark of reasonable pricing?Thanks Ags.

If the company was ARS....run.

I don't know much about Trane, but for comparison this is what we got just under 2 years ago for our 2 story 2400 sq ft house:

- Carrier Infinity variable speed
- 5 ton
- 19 seer
- Zoned
- media air filter
- new furnace
- Smart thermostat + second remote thermostat
- 60% new ductwork
- $25k

Media air filter is a waste of the extra cost. Not sure about the UV light, but we passed on it.

If you go with a nice fancy system, always remember that the install is more important than the unit itself. Bad install on a Cadillac unit is a NIGHTMARE to fix.

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The downstairs unit is 13 years old and finally went out. Time to replace the unit and at least I can move on from the refrigerant used in that system!

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Did your A/C company give you a specific diagnosis on what exactly failed?

Now, if you just want a new A/C then by all means get one. But, I would think you could repair a system of that age for a lot less money.

Sure, a fancier system will save some on electricity costs, but the time to pay back the initial cost may exceed the time before the newer system needs a major repair itself.

FWIW, I've read that some HVAC contractors won't replace just an evaporator coil anymore. Man, times have changed. Good luck.

I just had a Lennox SL22 with a CBK45, both variants speed, 20 SEER, 4 ton. $12,100. I did get a slightly better deal due to the wait and not being able to get the 410a system that I originally wanted.

I'm in the Waco area.

For comparison, another company quoted the exact same equipment for $28,500.

I do know that the company I picked does quality installs. I was in the industry years ago, I know good from bad. They did a quality job.

Whatever you end up doing, see if there are any rebates available for newer systems. At least here in GA, our new heat pump a few years ago qualified and got a few thousand back. Worth looking into.

Ill get you a price run down from a company I am an affiliate for, I have a 5% promo I can apply to the price.

The lowest/cheapest I am willing to go on anything intended to last more than 15years and take care of home:

• 5-star installer as per Goole & BBB, never Yelp (else the whole deal can be a money pit)
• Trane/Am.Std as per Consumer Reports but all things a changing fast in this industry
• No ducts replaced once checked/repaired
• Electronic RA filter
• Variable speed and damn the repair worries, this extra has paid for itself pronto via low energy bills
• Cash (rebate?) vs interest is a tax/investment guy's ballpark
• The retail & buydown reeks like a new car salesman, so shop around
• History: 2021 Trane XV-18 heat pump located in TIGHT attic after $400 rebate = $4016/ton in Aggieland
($4,720/ton in 2025 as per inflation calc https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/)

Hope that helps, let us know decision best for you & current pricing/ton with your general location

As far as learning from our past repairs, once the system reached 2/3 life (10-15years for us) then the temptation to "save it" for $1-200 was "rewarded" with another "save it", then another ... like a frog in a pot of ever increasingly hot water. One 20yr old system "saved" many times totaled 80% in repairs compared to its original total price new.

What's a good email for you?

I have a $9,536.00 price with Trane 15.2 SEER2 3 Ton Single Stage Gas System with 80% Furnace, along with Full System Install kit and 5 Year Labor Warranty. HVAC Home Supply.

This is a starting point, and without the 5% promo and tax added. Also doesn't include other possible needs like thermostats, and plenums but we can get to that number after that info is finalized

Happy to help!

Check with TruService before doing anything. Caleb is the best I've found.

Where are you located??

Seems high for single speed unit that size. But it has been a few years since I purchased one.

I would get at least three of four quotes. Personally I think the quality of the company and warranties they give are more important than the brand. And there are some advantages to the variable speed units.

Ribeye-Rare said:

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The downstairs unit is 13 years old and finally went out. Time to replace the unit and at least I can move on from the refrigerant used in that system!

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Did your A/C company give you a specific diagnosis on what exactly failed?

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I was told that the compressor had "open windings", was failing and would need to be replaced. Which turns out NOT to be the case.

I called out a second AC company to get a second opinion. Turns out the first guy wasn't even professional enough to hook the capacitor back up or two reattach the plug in to the compressor. But once that was done, the second technician took all of 10 minutes to test the compressor, determine it was good, and then figure out that the low voltage cable had a bad spot in it. Replaced the bad wire and the unit fired up without issue.

First AC company wanted $14,000 for a new unit. Second AC company fixed my problem for a $94 service call!

Shoutout to Doctor Cool/Professor Heat for the professionalism. They earned my trust and my business going forward!

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First AC company wanted $14,000 for a new unit. Second AC company fixed my problem for a $94 service call!

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Thanks for getting back with that update, and congrats on getting a second opinion. Take your 'savings' and buy yourself and your family a nice dinner.

Frankly, BS like you experienced with the first guy is getting more common. I feel for guys who run HVAC companies because they're having to use guys who are either inexperienced, careless, devoid of troubleshooting skills or just flat out interested in condemning a fixable system to make a nice commission.

I used a local company here in central Texas for many, many years, with good results. After my last two experiences with them involving mistakes they made, I finally gave up on them.

As a result, I schooled myself (lots of stuff on the internet), spent a grand or two on equipment, picked up an EPA certification on a Saturday, and now do my own A/C repairs. In fact, I replaced an evaporator coil just last month.

Give Noah Benavides a call. Thorough Air, 979-218-6816, I got a 5 ton. 2 stage 18 seer system and saved me close to $5000 over all the big companies in town. Excellent work and communication