My first unit was a Goodman and it lasted from when the house was built in 1998 to 2017. It ran well and was the older R22 freon. The unit I got now is a Carrier unit and it works fine but one thing I notice is this is the newer type freon and a rotory type compressor. The newer units run at a much higher pressure then the old R22 unit. I do notice more noise from the compressor and the linset tubing...Kind of like a humming sound.
Replacing the Central A/C Unit
- Thread starter ATex7239
- Start date
2 ton Carrier was replaced this spring, original install was when the house was built in 1996. Still worked, just knew it was getting there so got ahead of a failure. In my climate it's a shorter season of hot weather though.
Do you notice any humming type sound from the unit and the line set...??? If I put my hand on the cold line you can feel the slight humming sound/feel in the line... Carrier says it is normal...sounds like a new car dealership service dept....
I’m getting a full system replacement with a 5ton Amana 16 SEER 2 stage for $13k. When I priced up the full replacement a few years back, before the supply chain issues, it was closer to $10k. Kind of wish I had done it back then.
4WD
$50 site donor 2024
And wife wife wife
Yeah, supply chain sucks right now for just about everything. But the installer can get an Amana (I believe made in the US) for us pretty quick. Should have it next week. Getting a 10yrs parts and labor warranty and 0% financing for two years, which was the deal closer for us... I don’t plan on keeping the house that long, I’m tired of fixing the old unit, and I’m good with borrowing some interest free money.
Zee09
$200 Site Donor 2023
I did something I have never done before and got 6 estimates.
That is what everyone should do.
I found companies that sold the lowest rated units were as high or higher than top rated systems.
Those who sold the bottom wrung products loaded up the estimate with warranties the higher end units came with.
In the end I got a great deal on super efficient models with a great warranty and I cross shopped dealers who sold the same brand.
The price difference was huge and a one day install on four units where the higher estimate company wanted 2-3 day install time.
Beware of the dealer who says you don't need this or that.
That is what everyone should do.
I found companies that sold the lowest rated units were as high or higher than top rated systems.
Those who sold the bottom wrung products loaded up the estimate with warranties the higher end units came with.
In the end I got a great deal on super efficient models with a great warranty and I cross shopped dealers who sold the same brand.
The price difference was huge and a one day install on four units where the higher estimate company wanted 2-3 day install time.
Beware of the dealer who says you don't need this or that.
My central air was installed in 1996. It works fine. I did wear out a window unit that I ran a lot that I used to keep my upstairs cool. It was the smallest window AC that you can buy, and it lasted 7 years.
the line that comes inside from the compressor outside
I'm getting a new American Standard Gold 3.5 ton installed 12/21. Right now I have no heat, something broke...not too big a deal here. 19 years to the month I got out of the old unit which is an AS, too. The wire from the unit to thermostat is literally falling apart due to age and heat on the roof. Prices are going up 12% 1/1/22. I figured with the very high usage here in HOT AZ, get it done now while its cool, solve multiple issues, save some money with current pricing, avoid it going out mid summer and supply shortages, and have to wait a couple weeks with temps well into the 100s.
Good installers don't install junk. THAT is what usually helps them.
Around 12-14 years on compressor the coil was replaced once during that time. The biggest mistake we made was just replacing A/C rather than the entire system because it prevented us from exploring a multi-stage or heat-pump. We replaced the furnace about 2-3 yrs after the A/C.
The original system was builder-grade R-22 with the failure prone bi-metal coil and no TXV. Never mind the lowest-bidder install made a comfort almost an impossibility. In fact, I wouldn't mind if our place caught fire and burned to the ground.
The original system was builder-grade R-22 with the failure prone bi-metal coil and no TXV. Never mind the lowest-bidder install made a comfort almost an impossibility. In fact, I wouldn't mind if our place caught fire and burned to the ground.
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Update: new unit is in and running. Its much quieter. Hoping to see the electric bill go down, along with the headaches the old unit caused.
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