Info on replacing A/C & reputable HVAC contractors (job, house)

[AZParents]

Can anyone share what their costs were for having their Air Conditioning system replaced for an approximately 2000 sq ft house (ours is 1940 sq ft)? Our house & A/C is 12 yrs old and it's getting ready to go - I'm getting tired of putting band-aids on it and might go for the full replacement.

How much did it cost for the air handler, compressor/condenser, etc. I've heard it could be anywhere from $4000 on up, with maybe 1400 being for the air handler and 2600 for the outside unit. Is this even close?

Also, what size did you need? Is it 3 ton or something like that? Our house has one unit.

Finally, does anyone have experience with any good contractors who won't rip us off in the middle of summer?

[nitram]

We just put in the top of the line 4 ton R-19 Trane system with airhandler for our 2000 sq ft home, and depending on your current set up plan to spend $10,000 - $12,000. Already in 2 months our utility bill has declined about 20%. Trane gives you a 10 year warranty and there is a substantial rebate deal right now.
Granted there are cheaper systems out there, but generally you get what you pay for.

[CheyDee]

Originally Posted by AZParents

Can anyone share what their costs were for having their Air Conditioning system replaced for an approximately 2000 sq ft house (ours is 1940 sq ft)? Our house & A/C is 12 yrs old and it's getting ready to go - I'm getting tired of putting band-aids on it and might go for the full replacement.

How much did it cost for the air handler, compressor/condenser, etc. I've heard it could be anywhere from $4000 on up, with maybe 1400 being for the air handler and 2600 for the outside unit. Is this even close?

Also, what size did you need? Is it 3 ton or something like that? Our house has one unit.

Finally, does anyone have experience with any good contractors who won't rip us off in the middle of summer?

Sorry, I can't answer your questions, but I can tell you that I have a little over 2000 sf on one story with also one unit. Mine is a 5 ton and seems appropriately sized.

[w1ngzer0]

Originally Posted by nitram

We just put in the top of the line 4 ton R-19 Trane system with airhandler for our 2000 sq ft home, and depending on your current set up plan to spend $10,000 - $12,000. Already in 2 months our utility bill has declined about 20%. Trane gives you a 10 year warranty and there is a substantial rebate deal right now.
Granted there are cheaper systems out there, but generally you get what you pay for.

The beauty of modern technology.

[Sparky13]

Figure 450 Sq. ft. per ton, 3.5 to 4 tons of A/C, don't oversize the unit.
I personally don't like Tranes because it's so hard to clean the condensers without taking them apart. I would go with a Carrier, but the key is to buy a unit that has a good local parts supply company. (Carrier, Lennox, York,) That way, if something needs repair, you can quickly get the part, and not have much down time. If you were here in Kansas City, I would do the job for 6K to 8K max.
Good luck with it.
Sparky