Am I getting a fair deal on my AC Unit?

[bwong43]

I live in Phoenix AZ and am purchasing a 5 ton Trane AC unit for my home (2500 sq ft) which I plan to live in for quite some time. I was quoted after all rebates a price of $10,933 (19i) and $7396 (13i) for full install of these split units. The fan is on the side of my home, and the unit is in an indoor closet approximately 20 ft away. They are replacing all of the lines, electric ( standard stuff). The company doing this is called American Home Maintenance based out of Tempe AZ.

This price seems awfully high, but the sales person ensured me that American Home Maintenance was the top tier in installation and I would get my moneys worth. This is Home Depot's sub contacting company in Phx AZ. Can someone please shed some light on my situation.

What should I expect to pay to get a legit install of a Trane unit? Is the 19 that much more efficient than the 13 for 2500 sq ft home? My summer electric bills are around $400 and I am keeping the house at 80.

The warranty they included:
10 year compressor / evap and cond coil
5 year "other parts"/Heating Inspections/Cooling
5 year Inspections/Coil & Drain Cleanings
20 year Heat Exchanger
1 year Repair Labor/Refrigerant Warranty.

I realize Carrier makes a great unit with the Infinity as well. However, I am trying to support an all American made product.

[airman.1994]

Seems high to me! In no way would I get any thing less than a 15 seer in your area.

[Former Member]

You can probably do much better keep researching

[jsummerlin48]

If you look up SEER rating, which is seasonal energy efficiency rating you will find that a 18 SEER is much more efficient than a 13. Now that said, the A/C will run a lot less often also which increases the life of the unit. The A/C contractor has to install all new everything to make a high end unit work to it's proper efficiency. The unit will be moving more freon, more air through the duct and costing a whole lot less to operate. All these years you have never heard one electric company say anything about SEER rating. Hmmm they really didn't want you to know. As recently as 2006 builders were still putting in 10 Seer units. I would love to have a 18 Seer at my house. What this all ends up to is now you can buy a A/C unit twice as effeceint as your old unit. This is a one time payment for this high grade unit and you can bet the electricity price will still be going up and up, so which one do you want to be paying the future bill on when the price of electricity doubles?

[Gunguy45]

Ok, this is just me...but when I need A/C work done...I don't call a "Maintenance" company. I'd call Smith (or Jones or Johnson or Kingman) HVAC Company. Same with plumbing or concrete or anything else.

And I don't think I'd have pretty much anyone that works for HD do it. I'm not knocking them for everything, but a big item like that...I'd be shopping, shopping, shopping around.

Somehow, back in the deep dark recesses of my memory, I seem to think I've heard bad things about this Maintenance company. Seems like they do a lot of home warranty policy work as well.

[airman.1994]

Originally Posted by jsummerlin48

If you look up SEER rating, which is seasonal energy efficiency rating you will find that a 18 SEER is much more efficient than a 13. Now that said, the A/C will run a lot less often also which increases the life of the unit. The A/C contractor has to install all new everything to make a high end unit work to it's proper efficiency. The unit will be moving more freon, more air through the duct and costing a whole lot less to operate. All these years you have never heard one electric company say anything about SEER rating. Hmmm they really didn't want you to know. As recently as 2006 builders were still putting in 10 Seer units. I would love to have a 18 Seer at my house. What this all ends up to is now you can buy a A/C unit twice as effeceint as your old unit. This is a one time payment for this high grade unit and you can bet the electricity price will still be going up and up, so which one do you want to be paying the future bill on when the price of electricity doubles?

Ac will run the same amount or even longer if it is a two stage equipment. There will be the same amount of air because the fan is still sized the same.

[airman.1994]

Originally Posted by Gunguy45

Ok, this is just me...but when I need A/C work done...I don't call a "Maintenance" company. I'd call Smith (or Jones or Johnson or Kingman) HVAC Company. Same with plumbing or concrete or anything else.

And I don't think I'd have pretty much anyone that works for HD do it. I'm not knocking them for everything, but a big item like that...I'd be shopping, shopping, shopping around.

Somehow, back in the deep dark recesses of my memory, I seem to think I've heard bad things about this Maintenance company. Seems like they do a lot of home warranty policy work as well.

HD can have very good company's working with them. They have standards that they have to meet. The good part about HD is the financing. But as GunGuy has stated get at least 3 prices.

I also remember something about that company I just can't remember what it was. I think it was they sold people new equipment because they said the old equipment was gone when it wasn't.

[Gunguy45]

Just a note...I think the company I had heard about problems with was American Home SHIELD, a house warranty company. So I don't know about the company mentioned by the OP.

[ClassicDave]

first, a XL19i has R-22 for refrigerant which in a little over a year 22 systems will no longer be manufactured. Trane is coming out with XL20i with the new refrigerant in early 09.

If the contractor wants to sell you the 19i at this time they better discount it.

For Carrier is made in America, Air handler/Furnace are made in Indianapolis and the the outside Condensing Units are made near Memphis



For Price get a couple more quotes, check what little things they are going to do for the install, not just the equipment.
Check on extended warranties and how much their warranty part labor rate is.