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Whether you pay for a replacement now or as part of a reduction when you sell, you're paying for it. If it's financially possible to replace the unit, do that now. It sends a message to buyers that the house was well cared for and helps move things along.
Someone close to me is selling a house with an old, fully functioning HVAC and every prospective buyer asked for a reduction because of the age of the HVAC and concerns they'd have to replace it.
I ran into a similar problem with a 14 year old heat pump system at my office. I wanted to "band aid" the problem by having the service company refilling the R22, as long as it was still available. The problem was that the cost of R22 sharply increased in price, so I was looking at $ 350.00 per filling twice per year, so it was throwing good money after bad. Bit the bullit but had little choice but to replace the system.
Regarding the OP selling his house, I would guess that any perspective buyer would at least discount the offer by the same amount as it would cost to replace the unit. It will be flagged during the Home Inspection.
I've been thinking about replacing my systems. I'd assume I would get credit for my remaining R-22. Think this would be the case?
FYI: the average lifetime for a residential split-system HVAC unit in the US is 15 years (per ASHRAE, assuming standard maintenance and usage).
Google: "average lifetime for a residential split-system HVAC unit +ASHRAE"
Someone close to me is selling a house with an old, fully functioning HVAC and every prospective buyer asked for a reduction because of the age of the HVAC and concerns they'd have to replace it.
That makes sense, I'd sure do the same (not that I DID when I bought this house, but I was clueless and know more now...).
I'm resigned to it - got a very high quote yesterday and two more people coming by today. It outlasted its life expectancy. The upside is, that heat pump is right outside my bedroom window, and I'm hoping the new one might be a bit more quiet.
We've had Matson Mechanical from Cary come out a few times in the last 9 months. We're about to replace our Trane dual fuel unit in the next few weeks before it starts getting warm again. This one is only 12 years and has a coolant leak that the previous owners had to know about. That was a crappy thing to do. At least you got 20 years out of yours, I'd say that's a good run.
We've had Matson Mechanical from Cary come out a few times in the last 9 months. We're about to replace our Trane dual fuel unit in the next few weeks before it starts getting warm again. This one is only 12 years and has a coolant leak that the previous owners had to know about. That was a crappy thing to do. At least you got 20 years out of yours, I'd say that's a good run.
We've had Matson Mechanical from Cary come out a few times in the last 9 months. We're about to replace our Trane dual fuel unit in the next few weeks before it starts getting warm again. This one is only 12 years and has a coolant leak that the previous owners had to know about. That was a crappy thing to do. At least you got 20 years out of yours, I'd say that's a good run.
True! Though I've only lived here seven years. But I did get more out of it than I thought I might. So sorry you have to replace yours.
True! Though I've only lived here seven years. But I did get more out of it than I thought I might. So sorry you have to replace yours.
I posted here about it over the summer, not realizing it was a coolant leak. So we put more in and it lasted 2 weeks. But those were the best two weeks the whole season
I'll never take HVAC for granted again! It's a lot of money but definitely worth it. I hope you get good quotes and it's as painless as possible. If you want, I'll share my experience with you once we replace ours.
Hubby kept having our HVAC guy put in Freon every summer for about 5 years. I guess the $200 per summer made sense to HIM!
And then...the hottest Friday of the summer came. As I walked upstairs, I could feel the temperature getting hotter and hotter. I don't deal well with that kind of heat so I called our HVAC guy and said...IT IS TIME!
He actually pickup up the new unit that Friday and replaced it that Saturday. Great guy! He saved Hubby's life!
Mine has been working so well, I almost feel like I'm about to get an operation on the wrong leg!
But it is time. The heat is mostly coming from the heat strips.
I got three quotes and there was a $3,000 difference between the highest and lowest, sigh. I did go with the lowest, but they came recommended by a couple of people, including one local property manager.
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