New A/C Unit

[AJ]

Had sticker shock two weeks ago. The old A/C unit finally took a dump. Called a friend of my S-I-L, who has an airconditioning business. He came and gave us an estimate of $8K for a new one. He repaired the unit we had but after a couple of days it died again. Called him up and the next day they installed the new one. Worth every penny of the cost. Filed the paperwork for it away last night. Found the paperwork for the previous a/c unit. It was $2400 in 2001. Guess we got our monies worth out of it.

 

[dockmurgw]

I think I would die at 78...been unusually hot here, in the 90's... keep mine set at 70. But we don't need it as long as you, so I don't worry about the bill or wearing it out.

 

[AJ]

My Wife and I both grew up here without A/C. Not really hotter now than then. At 78 with a humidity of 44% in the house it feels cold to us.

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[WR Moore]

When we replaced one of our units last year, the tech told me it was a good time to do it as things were going to change big time come 2025. New-and larger-outside unit was about 4k.

 

[john17427]

That's about what I paid for one a couple of years ago so I'd say you did OK.

 

[Onomea]

Stay cool, AJ!

 

[mckenney99]

My all electric Carrier Furnace/Heat Pump/AC unit is coming up on 17 years old. Other than a circuit board on the blower control and a couple capacitors on the compressor unit it has been reliable. I have had my HVAC guy check things out several times since I moved in 12 years ago and he says everything still looks good. Still, I know the unit is coming up on the end of its expected life span. During the past couple weeks of high heat and humidity I have been on pins and needles. A new HVAC unit installation would put a real dent in my firearms budget.

 

[Greyman50]

Was 100-102 here and in Yulee this AM.

 

[Rustyt1953]

We have a seven year old Carrier. Earlier this month during a heat wave it decided to quit. We could find no reputable companies to send someone out as they were understandably swamped. After four sweltering days My oldest grandson mentioned this to one of his lawn customers. She said she had a long time friend that owned an HVAC business.

He called Logan and said that after the glowing endorsement he got he would come and have a look see.

He said the problem was unusual in that the capacitor had blown two legs leaving the middle one to operate the fan. He replaced the cap, cleaned out the compressor vanes, checked for refrigerant leaks and other wiring problems.

All this for $250.

We contracted him to do a pre summer and a pre winter maintenance check.

For people like me in a weakened condition this can be life threatening.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I hear you AJ ! When we were kids , nobody had a/c , you'd have a box fan in the window . It'd rain every afternoon around 1500-1530 , and it'd cool things down . But I guess now that we're older , we need that a/c . Glad to hear they took care of you fast . My wife went to the store this afternoon and the truck said it was 105 degrees , hope you're a little cooler there .

 

[MelvinWalker]

I set mine on 70 and put sweats and a hoodie on.

I just got a brand new Carrier.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

There's something to be said for window units. Bought our first 2 in 1972, big heavy Philco Fords, built like tanks. Paid $200 each-I think. Each gave us 20 years, run about 4 months out of the year. One thing I liked about those 2, the filter was just a piece of mesh, it got too dirty, just cut a new one. Came home one summer night 12 years ago, the PRC-made GE in my bedroom-kaput! I paid good money for it-$20 at yard sale. Got 300 days out of it. Installed my made in Thailand GE-which I had used for two summers before installing the PRC one. May, 2024, turned it on, 3 days later-OK, you don't owe me anything , paid $45 at a Goodwill. To Craigslist, found a Korean made LG, $80, the seller had it plugged in and running when I got there. We are in a hot spell here in Central NJ, abut 2 weeks in the high 80s, low 90s.

 

[AJ]

My Great-Grandparents home here in Florida was built in 1914, never got A/C until after a Great-Aunt sold it in the 1980's. Yes, box fans were a way of life when we were kids. It rained here about 1600-1630 everyday back then. Has not done that in years..........Must be all the development in the last 50 years!

 

[Greyman50]

Never had AC until I left home and got a job, lived in an apartment. 1970

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

In the Summer of 1966 my town here in Central NJ had TWO 104 degree days. There was a prolonged drought here in the Northeast 1961-1967, that took the blame.
June 28, 1778-the Battle of Monmouth was fought in 90 degree weather.

 

[45Smashemflat]

We did not have a riding mower or a remote controlled TV until I left for the Army…. AC was similar.

 

[Rustyt1953]

People have trodden this orb for centuries without AC yet mankind, like Gloria Gaynor survived.

 

[TX-Dennis]

It sounds like you got a bargain compared to what I paid. Three years ago I had to replace my 17 year old Rheem system. The new American Standard system cost me $8600 for a complete system. Then last year I replaced my MIL's system for her. Her home is smaller than mine, and her system was $10,200.

 

[jeffrefrig]

$10,000 seems to be the average around my area, and they are usually done in one day. Get the wiring checked, coils cleaned, etc. every spring. It's money well spent. I maintain my own system, but when it finally dies I'm calling a reputable company. They have changed to a new refrigerant since I retired from the newer refrigerant before I retired; I'm not even going to mess with it when it goes. I'll gladly pay someone else. Retired means retired. Give the young bucks the job. If it doesn't seem to be working up to par, don't wait until it's 90+ to call for service. Leave the T-stat at one setting and don't keep playing with it. So far I've been lucky with this old R22 system.