Is $14k to replace 3.5 ton furnace and AC reasonable? (furnaces, heat, installation)
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I've never had a gas furnace, so I don't know. How much is reasonable cost is based on cost of living where the property is, the brand you get, the rep of the company you use, and whether they charge 4-4.5% fee to charge the payment. The time of year also makes a difference. Replacing a/c in the middle of summer is gonna cost more. Replacing heat in the middle of winter is gonna cost more.
I got a 3.5 ton heat pump (handles heat & a/c) 3 years ago. Trane brand. No fee to charge to credit card. Included a bit of reworking of duct to one room on the other end of the house, and free filters for intake/returns that'll last for my lifetime. And a new thermostat, of course. No having to deal with gas. I paid $8,000. That was 3 yrs ago, south Louisiana, lower COL than a lot of areas in the north.
You're in CA, which has a higher COL than where I live. Depending on the specifics of what will be provided, as I state above, $14k may be a reasonable price.
I got three quotes, is how I determined a fair price. You should get three quotes, IMO. That's how you know the going rate. And get them for identical brand and equipment and method of payment.
The quote, like others have said, is garbage. No details on brand, which to me implies they will find the cheapest unit they can, then call it industry standard.
Is your outside unit on the roof, requiring a crane to get it up there? This was common in Bakersfield, but I don't know about other areas of California. If a crane is necessary, that will add to the cost.
The 2023 15 SEER requirement is a Federal change, not just California. Interestingly, any inventory of 14 SEER units cannot be sold, and has to be shipped to the Northern US or returned to the manufacturer. This will drive our local home show radio guy insane, since he's said for years that the cost difference between 14 and higher SEER isn't worth it.
Get more quotes, with details of the equipment on offer, and get back to us.
Order your own NEW system for about half, and pay an off-season hvac guy a couple grand to hook it up:
here is a brand new system and a serious upgrade from what you have, for $8k DELIVERED! - https://iwae.com/shop/4-ton-17-seer-...w-ha16424.html
17 seer, 96%eff furnace, and DUAL FUEL (heatpump)! You'll save some serious coin on operation costs!
Here in Columbia SC, I had a 10 year old York HVAC system, gas heat, replaced with a Rheem 2 ton, 14 SEER system for a total of $7,200.00 including a programable thermostat. The original quote was about $8,200.00 but I negotiated it down. No duct work.
Definitely get a 2nd and 3rd quote! I live in the same county as you and had my old furnace replaced, relocated from the garage loft to a platform in my attic in the center of the house, added a second return air with a weighted ballast louver, and all ducting replaced with smaller diameter ducting with integrated insulation. Total cost of my 4-ton Lennox furnace, coils, air handler, and ducting was $6K back in 2014 with Home Comfort USA. I left the 18 year old AC compressor since it was still working but the replacement cost was another $3K back then.
FYI, always get a couple of different quotes and enough information to price our equipment and labor costs. If you don't ask, you're opening yourself to paying a lot more than necessary. My revelation was when I was getting rooftop solar array quotes...they were all over the place and many of the big box contractors would shave off up to 33% from their initial quote because there was so much padding...it was like dealing with the proverbial used car salesman.
Another contractor came today and he recommended keeping 3-ton system so we don't have to create a new vent. He also agreed that the AC also needs replacement.
He will use a 3-ton Trane HVAC and will provide me the quote on Monday because he said he needs to check the price as the prices of HVAC system fluctuate quite a bit this year. From what he said, I can expect $9k to $10k.
The current system is in a closet in the laundry room.
Order your own NEW system for about half, and pay an off-season hvac guy a couple grand to hook it up:
here is a brand new system and a serious upgrade from what you have, for $8k DELIVERED! - https://iwae.com/shop/4-ton-17-seer-...w-ha16424.html
17 seer, 96%eff furnace, and DUAL FUEL (heatpump)! You'll save some serious coin on operation costs!
Much better. Be sure to check with your town or county to find out if they're giving rebates for new units. My town gave a $500 rebate on my unit. Works for me!
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