Air Conditioning - New A/C system - days before listing house for sale !

Hi:

My A/C unit (TRANE) is approx 19 years old and as my bad luck went, the machine didnt turn on last day (for the first day of summer).
I had a technician look at the unit and told me that the condensor is gone and (because of the age of the system), its would be a good idea to get a new unit.
I was planning to list my home for sale in 10 days time. Considering the upcomping sale, what kind of unit should I get ? The tech told me that the furnace is in good shape..
My house is 2 levels and has 1800 square feet to cool.
I have requested SEARS, HOMEDEPOT and some local contractors to give estimates..Anyone dealt with the first two ? (I am in central NJ)

Given all the above,

(1)How much approx should I be ready to spend ?
(2)Can I get the returns when selling the home (extra money on the sale price due to the new A/C unit) ?
(3)How reliable are the online merchants ?

Thanks a ton in advance......sun1974

Hi:

My A/C unit (TRANE) is approx 19 years old and as my bad luck went, the machine didnt turn on last day (for the first day of summer).
I had a technician look at the unit and told me that the condensor is gone and (because of the age of the system), its would be a good idea to get a new unit.
I was planning to list my home for sale in 10 days time. Considering the upcomping sale, what kind of unit should I get ? The tech told me that the furnace is in good shape..
My house is 2 levels and has 1800 square feet to cool.
I have requested SEARS, HOMEDEPOT and some local contractors to give estimates..Anyone dealt with the first two ? (I am in central NJ)

Given all the above,

(1)How much approx should I be ready to spend ?
(2)Can I get the returns when selling the home (extra money on the sale price due to the new A/C unit) ?
(3)How reliable are the online merchants ?

Thanks a ton in advance......sun1974


Well, you got your money out of the first system. If you have been in that house for 19 years, it has probably gone up considerably in value, and the cost of a new system will be a small percentage of your tax-free profits.

Any reputable real estate agent will tell you that if you spend $5k (or whatever) on a new HVAC system, you will not be able to get a $5k increase in the price of your home.

Kinda like trying to sell a car with a blown engine, the car is useless without it, but if it costs $3k to replace it, the sale price will not reflect the value of the new engine.

If the home has those 3 things: Location, location, location, it will sell without the AC to the right buyer. Functioning AC will only make the sale easier.

Lots of luck.

I wouldn't bother with HD or Sears. Call a few local companies and go with a mid range system. Obviously you do not want to go top of the line but don't go with the builder model either. If the furnace is also 19 y/o consider replaceing that to.

Or another option is to list it and offer a few thousand at closing for an allowance for a new a/c.

Hi:
I had a technician look at the unit and told me that the condensor is gone and (because of the age of the system), its would be a good idea to get a new unit.
......sun1974

What does this mean?
When you said technician looked at outside unit, this is a certified HVAC technician? Did you get something in writing? Do you plan to get a 2nd opinion? Since you don't plan on living in home in future, you might want to consider a repair only if you are concerned about recovering investment

Matt is absolutely correct-do not purchase HVAC equipment from Sears or Home Depot.

What is make,model, size, age of existing furnace? Any idea on efficiency?
What is model and size of bad AC condensing unit?.

Forget the online merchants unless you are a qualified/certified HVAC tech.

Matt's suggestion on purchasing a complete new system is worthy of consideration. Great selling tool and I suspect on complete system,you would be able to come closer to recovering the full investment cost.

I would look for several authorized dealers.Insist upon a written Manual J heat/cool load calculation for properly sizing equipment. If you decide on just the outside AC condensing unit, you will need a matched inside evaporator coil. I would request quotes on minimum 12-14 SEER units.

My opinion.
Good Luck!
:)

Matt is absolutely correct-do not purchase HVAC equipment from Sears or Home Depot

Matt, and Tiger.

ok, why do you guys say that?? I am sure you will say, "They do a crappy cheap job".. well, There maybe someone out there that may do that.. But then you may find that w/ a regular dealer as well.. You've seen pictures of my install, and that was done though Home Depot..

When the City inspector came by, I ask him of job he seen done by the dealer for Home Depot, and said all of them he sign off on has look great, I never had to send someone out to fix any problems.

Sun,

Like the other guys say, don't go too cheap.. Get mid range that will appel the next home owner... if you go cheap, they may start to wonder what else was done cheap around the house..

Guys:

OK...Thanks for the tips...
Can anyone tell me approx what would be the cost to get a med price range system installed...And as I mentioned before...My house is 2 level Townhome 1800 sq.feet... The current unit is TRANE (2 ton as per the PSEG technician)..

I live in Central NJ, if anyone needs to know...

sun

sun1974

I had a technician look at the unit and told me that the condensor is gone and (because of the age of the system), its would be a good idea to get a new unit.

Get a Manual J heat/cool load calculation performed for properly sizing equipment. 2 tons for 1800 sq ft sounds questionable but you may have a very good insulated home. Costs vary between regions,dealers, and brand of equipment. If you are leaning toward replacing the AC only, you will also require a matching evaporator coil. Don't let your dealer overlook this. If I was in your position, I would consider a 2nd opinion on the prognosis of your old unit. Get three quotes minimum.

:)

Didn't know HomeDepot installed? Thought they just used the local TRANE dealer who installed.. I guess Trane dealers or systems are crap?

It's a Trane dealer who does the install.. HD gets the info from the customer and then gives it to the dealer, and also provides follow up and also if in a bind, can do a credit card w/ Home Depot.


HD don't have Trane in stock take take home... Just the dealer only install..

Not that they do a crappy job "HD" that is. It's that you will normally pay more. I personally know a guy that does work for Sears and I wouldn't let him even look at my a/c. He is a hack and don't know any of the technical side.

Hi Guys:

C'mon..Can anyone suggest a price for a 2.5 Tonne 12-14 SEER Condensor and coils installed price ???

My first quote was for TRANE (model nr dont remember), 12 SEER for 4200$. Rip off ???

Thanks,sun

sun1974

I don't like commenting on prices as they can vary due to region,dealer, and brand of equipement. Again, I would insist upon a manual J heat/cool load calculation for sizing equipment. You are moving up in size from a 2 ton to a 2 1/2 ton unit? Correct? Advise particular model quoted along with evaporator coil and I will let you know what I think about the price.

:)

Just last week got a price on a Trane 13 seer 2.5 Ton compressor and condensor coil for our 1500 SQ FT ranch from one of the local Trane dealers in Delaware of $3850 before a $300 mail-in rebate good until the end of the month of June. This included relocating the Condensor to a new location ( to allow for a new deck) This was by a reputable local installer who is listed on the Trane site. I would suggest looking at local installers listed on the Trane site in your region. Get a couple of estimates like I am doing and don't be afraid to tell them you are having several estimates done. Don't tell them who else though just ask for the best price. Hope that helps!

Since you are moving anyway, why not check into a 10-SEER, Builder-grade, R-22 unit? Probably no worse than what is being installed in new homes in your area anyway. Being that the house is in NJ, you may not need a higher efficiency unit (plus the higher price tag!) anyway because of the milder weather. If you were staying in the house, I would not personally go this cheap.

Given the upcoming changes for both 2006 SEER ratings and R-22 phase-out, a 10-SEER/R-22 may be your least expensive option and you can still advertise a new condenser unit as a selling point.