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I recently purchased a townhome in central NJ. The townhouse was built in 1991, and both its AC and furnace are original. My home inspector told me that the normal life span for AC/furnace are around 15-20 years. I guess that means I will need to start shopping for HVAC system very soon.. What is a reasonable price to replace the HVAC system (including installation) for a 1600 sq townhouse? What will be the best time during the year to do the replacement?
We replaced the HVAC on a townhouse 4 years ago, it was about the same age and sf as yours, with single zone heating and A/C. We got several estimates, and they ranged from a bit under $4,000 to over $8,000, depending on the brand of the units we purchased and their efficiency. "Big name" brands like Carrier and Lenox tended to be priced higher, but there were a couple of smaller brands that were well-rated and slightly less expensive.
We ultimately went with a smaller brand, good but not the best system for about $5K, but for us the decision was easier because we knew we'd be selling the place within a year, or two at most.
Also, if your systems are both older, and one needs to be replaced, from what we saw, it was much less expensive to do them both at the same time (heating and A/C). Our furnace was shot, and our A/C still worked but was nearly 20 years old, so we opted to do both, because it would have cost almost $2K more to do them separately.
We replaced the HVAC on a townhouse 4 years ago, it was about the same age and sf as yours, with single zone heating and A/C. We got several estimates, and they ranged from a bit under $4,000 to over $8,000, depending on the brand of the units we purchased and their efficiency. "Big name" brands like Carrier and Lenox tended to be priced higher, but there were a couple of smaller brands that were well-rated and slightly less expensive.
We ultimately went with a smaller brand, good but not the best system for about $5K, but for us the decision was easier because we knew we'd be selling the place within a year, or two at most.
Also, if your systems are both older, and one needs to be replaced, from what we saw, it was much less expensive to do them both at the same time (heating and A/C). Our furnace was shot, and our A/C still worked but was nearly 20 years old, so we opted to do both, because it would have cost almost $2K more to do them separately.
Thanks so much for the info. Another related question. would people replace HVAC before or after they break ? My colleagues told me sometimes furnace can last as long as 50 years!
What will be the best time during the year to do the replacement?
I would say any time it's warm is a good time to get a system replaced. You can always get or borrow a window unit of two to get you by for a couple weeks while you have the system replaced. The same can't be said about the winter. Even if you can just heat one or two rooms, you have to worry about pipes freezing in the rest of the house. At least in the summer you don't have to worry about the rest of the house bursting into fires cause there's no A/C.
I recently purchased a townhome in central NJ. The townhouse was built in 1991, and both its AC and furnace are original. My home inspector told me that the normal life span for AC/furnace are around 15-20 years. I guess that means I will need to start shopping for HVAC system very soon.. What is a reasonable price to replace the HVAC system (including installation) for a 1600 sq townhouse? What will be the best time during the year to do the replacement?
Any comments will be highly appreciated!
My recommendation is to get a PSEG worry-free contract for the AC and Furnace, so at least, that way, you're covered before you have to buy a new one.
Thanks so much for the info. Another related question. would people replace HVAC before or after they break ? My colleagues told me sometimes furnace can last as long as 50 years!
We had to replace our original furnace when it was 40 years old.
Thanks so much for the info. Another related question. would people replace HVAC before or after they break ? My colleagues told me sometimes furnace can last as long as 50 years!
If you can live without heat/AC for a bit, wait, if you can't, don't. A couple and their teenage kid(s) can deal. A couple with a baby or an older person with health problems might want to consider being more proactive.
Thanks so much for the info. Another related question. would people replace HVAC before or after they break ? My colleagues told me sometimes furnace can last as long as 50 years!
Just saw this, and while yes, some well-made furnaces and A/C systems can last a long time, if you live in a townhouse community built in the 1990s, it's likely that they didn't use top of the line, built to last systems. Of course, if you live in a very high-end development, it might be different. But the first home we owned was a KHov built townhome circa 1990-91, and by the time we moved out in 2010 (so, 19-20 year old systems), just about everyone in our section had replaced their HVAC. They don't build things like they used to, especially in those developments!
They don't build things like they used to, especially in those developments!
I don't believe that's true, they still build some quality products, but you have to pay more for them. Pretty much any mass build development uses builder grade (ie low quality) materials. No one looks at the high quality brand name air conditioners, furnaces, windows, etc when shopping for a house. They are looking at the nice cabinets and granite counter tops. So the builders spend the money where people want to see better quality items and skimp on the things people don't see.
I don't believe that's true, they still build some quality products, but you have to pay more for them. Pretty much any mass build development uses builder grade (ie low quality) materials. No one looks at the high quality brand name air conditioners, furnaces, windows, etc when shopping for a house. They are looking at the nice cabinets and granite counter tops. So the builders spend the money where people want to see better quality items and skimp on the things people don't see.
Hence why I said that my comments may not apply if the OP lived in a high-end development. The "average" furnace from 50 years ago is probably more likely to be working than the average KHov mass install from 25 years ago.
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