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AR15.COM
5/30/2017 2:19:35 PM EDT
Hello all,

First, let me say I'm not specifically looking to do the work of replacing an AC unit myself.  I trust there are people here much more knowledgable than I to help me out.

I am selling my house, we've accepted an offer and had an inspection a few days ago.  Everything generally went well but out of the blue last night our AC stopped blowing cold air and the house warmed up.

I had a local HVAC company stop by and look at the unit, thinking maybe it was low on freon.  He checked it out and said in fact the motor and capacitor were burned up.

So, he presented two options - one to replace the obviously bad parts and hope it works ok after everything is fixed, or two - just replace the unit all together.

I'm of the mind that the unit is original to the house and now about 14 years old and probably just needs to be replaced.  He quoted about $4,200 for the unit with installation of a 3.5 ton unit for a 2,200 square foot home.

Does this sound like a reasonable option and/or price, given somewhat limited info?  I'm then going to have to figure out how to proceed with the buyer as they've been a little irritating and I wonder if I should just not reject their offer all together and relist, but that's a story for another day.
5/30/2017 2:28:02 PM EDT
[#1]
about 14 years old and probably just needs to be replaced.
View Quote
Probably correct.

If it has worked adequately the same capacity is probbaly a decent proposition.

Hopefully this just skims some of the profit on the place.

The new unit will probbaly have newer refrigerant and require replacement of the inside evaporator, the lines, etc.

I would not bother with a huge efficiency upgrade.
5/30/2017 2:30:24 PM EDT
[#2]
I payed $4200 to have a 1 ton and gas furnace replaced, upgrading to the highest efficient furace available, and bumping to a 1.5ton in anticipation of an addition and garage getting built.
5/30/2017 3:57:07 PM EDT
[#3]
You are selling.  Just repair the unit.
5/30/2017 5:27:36 PM EDT
[#4]
I have been getting quoted 7000-8000 for a 3 ton gas unit. (several places)

I had a similar issue last year and it ended up being a capacitor. I was sick to my stomach over what ended up being a $25 part. make sure its not something that simple with a shitty contractor trying to screw you.
5/30/2017 5:30:17 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
I have been getting quoted 7000-8000 for a 3 ton gas unit. (several places)

I had a similar issue last year and it ended up being a capacitor. I was sick to my stomach over what ended up being a $25 part. make sure its not something that simple with a shitty contractor trying to screw you.
View Quote
That $25 capacitor cost $5 at the supply house.  I bought one last year at a supply house that usually just sells to contractors.  I had bought a large 10" elbow there once so I called them up.  He quoted me $40 cash since I'm not a HVAC tech.  I called my buddy to see if he could make a call.  He said go in and tell them you are picking up something for Mike.  It was $5+change.
5/30/2017 5:36:00 PM EDT
[#6]
A capacitor is maybe $20 on Amazon, a fan motor is less than $100. I say repair it.
5/31/2017 8:02:10 AM EDT
[#7]
If your brakes are bad on your car, do you replace the car or the brakes?
5/31/2017 11:23:46 PM EDT
[#8]
If you're talking about the capacitor and the condenser fan motor I would make the repair.  It should be no more than $500 for a service company to make the repair assuming it's a normal motor and capacitor.  If you're handy you could do it yourself for less.  If the compressor has failed then I would ask they buyer how much credit they want in order for them to replace it after purchase.
6/1/2017 11:06:30 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Quoted:
If you're talking about the capacitor and the condenser fan motor I would make the repair.  It should be no more than $500 for a service company to make the repair assuming it's a normal motor and capacitor.  If you're handy you could do it yourself for less.  If the compressor has failed then I would ask they buyer how much credit they want in order for them to replace it after purchase.
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The cap fails a lot more than the motor and then the motor cannot start so try the cap first.

The fan motors are pretty much commodity items if the motor still will not start with a new cap.
6/1/2017 11:11:57 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:


The cap fails a lot more than the motor and then the motor cannot start so try the cap first.

The fan motors are pretty much commodity items if the motor still will not start with a new cap.
View Quote
This, I would replace the capacitor first and see how it does.
6/2/2017 6:25:04 PM EDT
[#11]
Been through this twice. Fan and cap are both easy to replace DIY jobs. Don't waste money on the A/C guy who will always try to sell you a new system and a 10 year payment plan with it.