What Should a New A/C Cost (Sarasota, Bradenton: house, heat pump)

[sugarat]

I have a 1432 sq/ ft house in Sarasota and will be in need to replace a 17 year old central a/c unit. I was ball parked around $4000 which seemed good but I was curious if anyone had any input on their experience. Thanks for any info.

[d4g4m]

I'm thinking for $1400, the air handler is not included. Heat pump and air handler should be matched. Also it is probably a SEER 13 unit. And make sure a heat pump thermostat is installed, not an A/C. Spend the extra money for a programable.

[coastal chic]

We replaced ours last year, our house is roughly the same size. We did a 3 ton 17 SEER system and it was $4600 (the 13 SEER option was around $4000- we decided to spend more for better efficiency). Our electric bills are HALF of what they were before replacing!!! Our highest bill last summer, running the ac 24/7 was $140.

[motordavid]

A post of mine from a few months ago on new A/C compressor & air handler:

Just had a 16 SEER 3 1/2 ton installed to replace a failed unit...I paid a tad under $4Gs for new compressor, air handler, etc.

And, it was the new American Standard brand model that has: condensation proof condenser coil box, electronics 'downstream' of the cooled air flow, stainless steel condenser vs typical soldered copper, and poz air pressure vs typical neg press.

Other than the basics of how A/C worked before, I spent a few weeks really studying up on the FABs of different designs and brands. Not trying to sell you any brand or service, but that quote is high imo...

Get 3+ quotes and check testimonials and refs, and find an installer that does it for a living and has access to a few brands, not just A or B; it's a very competitive biz here in SW FL, and there are a few very top notch A/C companies, but few are the big advertisers, imo.

Our SFH is ~2,000 sq ft under air; the OP's smaller situ should require maybe 3 ton. Top brand(s) and install on both compressor and handler should be well below $4G, imo.

GL, mD

[sara in ct]

Wonder what it costs to add a second zone to an existing system?

[sugarat]

Good advice motordavid, thanks for the quotes everyone. That helps.

[ArmyChief]

I got a quote for 1700 sq ft...3 ton Lennox/Trane Seer 21 (misleading...since SEERs vary based on airflow and temp/humidity)....$6600

[Puckman1035]

Just got a quote for a 4 ton, 16 SEER Rheem unit with programmable thermostat, UV light thrown in, $5,100 -- 1/2 down, other 1/2 financed at 0% for 6 months.... 2065 sq. ft. House. Bradenton, FL. Thoughts? Comments? Current unit is 12 years old, pulling on a page and small freon leak... I keep thermostat at 83

[Zach Ashton]

4k is a rip...keep shopping

[Shabotnik]

Originally Posted by Zach Ashton

4k is a rip...keep shopping

You drop much under 4K and you're going to get ripped alright...