What's a reasonable charge for a new rooftop AC unit? (how much, home) - Phoenix area - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

blisterpeanuts · 01-10-2009, 01:43 PM

Our 26-year-old Carrier rooftop AC/heat pump finally died the other week and refused to turn on, so our home warranty company got a repair service to check it out.

They're saying it's not repairable, so they will replace the entire unit, which is fine with us except that they want $1225 on top of the $55 co-pay for non-warranty work--bracket installation and disposal of the old unit.

I just wanted to get an idea from folks who have been through this--is this a reasonable installation charge for a standard rooftop unit? We are in a single story 1300 sq ft house, by the way.

I have some reservations about this contractor because he could not tell me anything about the new unit except that it would be a Carrier.

Also, his guy he initially sent out here opened the thermostat and demonstrated a loose wire on the connection plate which he blamed for the failure, and recommended replacing the entire thermostat to fix the loose wire. For some reason he did not reconnect this wire to verify his claim.

When I got home I swapped the stripped screw for an unused one on the same plate and the system still won't turn on. I don't think this is a very competent repair company and we're suspicious about their quote.

Does this seem like a normal thing, this $1225, or does it sound like we're being ripped off? Thanks for any advice!

RCR · 01-10-2009, 02:17 PM

Actually off the top of my head the quote sounded a little low. I was thinking more like 2k. Regardless, I would check out the contractor through the registrar of contractors and also through the Better Business Bureau. You can also call around to other contractors and ask for an estimate just to get a comparison.

Ponderosa · 01-10-2009, 03:29 PM

That sounds pretty reasonable actually. Repair guy may have blamed the wire, but it sound like 26 years is the main thing. You should be getting a minimum 13 seer replacement unit and that is going to have big impact on your electric bills this summer (reducing them). It's pretty hard to screw up a package unit replacement, so I would not sweat the installer too much. About all they have to do is put it on the roof, attach the power and themostat leads and see if it works.

Bummer · 01-10-2009, 03:43 PM

I'm with Ponderosa on this one . . .

I believe I paid about $7k for a 5 Ton Heat Pump a few years ago.

Considering the age of your current Heat Pump, I am surprised your Home Warranty doesn't "pro-rate" the charge. After all, 26 years is a damn long time in Heat Pump Years here in the desert.

abmiku · 01-10-2009, 03:50 PM

You would need a 4 to 4.5 ton unit. Typically would run between $3000-$5000 installed depending on how much retrofit work you would need. You could probably get it done cheaper but that would be with a piece of junk unit. Carrier in my opinion is on the lower quality end of units...The old ones (20 years or older) were great but their quality and design is sub par. I would recommend trying to get them to install an American Standard or Trane....American Standard and Trane are the same thing...Trane makes American Standard but have less advertising into Am. Standard so they're cheaper. Get the lowest SEER unit they have which is probably a 12 SEER...High SEER units don't work well in AZ and parts for them are expensive.

Ponderosa · 01-10-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abmiku

You would need a 4 to 4.5 ton unit. Typically would run between $3000-$5000 installed depending on how much retrofit work you would need. You could probably get it done cheaper but that would be with a piece of junk unit. Carrier in my opinion is on the lower quality end of units...The old ones (20 years or older) were great but their quality and design is sub par. I would recommend trying to get them to install an American Standard or Trane....American Standard and Trane are the same thing...Trane makes American Standard but have less advertising into Am. Standard so they're cheaper. Get the lowest SEER unit they have which is probably a 12 SEER...High SEER units don't work well in AZ and parts for them are expensive.

There have been no new units with less than 13 SEER produced in the last 3 years. It is against the law.

Bummer · 01-10-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

There have been no new units with less than 13 SEER produced in the last 3 years. It is against the law.

Good point, Ponderosa.

Also, depending on the construction and exposure, a 1300 sq ft home should be fine with a new 3 Ton unit. A 26 year old unit probably has a rating of 2 or 3 SEER today so a new unit would reduce electric consumption considerably.

wit-nit · 01-10-2009, 05:37 PM

blisterpeanuts...you got a bargain at that price in today's economy. A new 13 seer 3 1/2 ton unit, that you'd pay for total, on your roof by Goettel would be in the $3500.00+ range.
We put in a Trane 18 seer complete system last year that runs about $10,000.00

TransporterG · 01-10-2009, 11:53 PM

Does it make sense to have a few people who are licensed to check it out? everyone in the Valley needs work now, so perhaps getting some free estimates will help you understand what needs to be done and the most competitive price.

Hope it works out!

crystalys · 01-11-2009, 12:15 AM

You can ask your warranty company for a second opinion. Although I agree that the age of your unit pretty much tells the story. They will send out another company but you will have to pay another service charge. As to getting a different brand installed, the warranty company will only do that if the brand you have is no longer available. I also agree that for your square footage I think a 4 ton or larger might be too big and a waste of energy.