Air Conditioning - Need to replace air/heat looking for advice

ok here it goes:

Hubby has tasked me with obtaining quotes to replace our existing hvac unit. We currently have a RUUD 2.5 ton built in 1992, that is now starting to need frequent repairs, hence time to replace. Our home is 1700 sq. ft. so I think we should get a 3.5 ton unit (based on hubby). We have what is called a "package", with propane heat and elect air. It uses the same duct system to deliver both the heat/cold air. Winter we get a few days of snow, but during the summer we have several weeks with triple digits (106 today). We are located in Northern California foothills and have dry heat and cold.

I called 4 contractors from the yellow pages, and let them know that we wanted to replace our existing system, and that we thought our existing 2.5 was too small for the square footage. All 4 told me that based on the square footage our existing unit is in fact too small, so up front we know that we are looking for at least a 3.5 ton unit. Set up appts. with all 4.

4 contractors, of which the first two were no shows, but one did call to give me a quote "over the phone" without seeing the house or existing unit. He quoted me $6900.00 for a goodman brand package. Just what is in the package I don't know since I don't have anything in writing.
But he did say I should make my choice asap prices were going up really fast due to the copper. LOL...I won't fall for the "must act fast" routine. No way is this guy getting my business. Sure prices are going up, but without a written quote that spells out everything..hey maybe I can sell him my old unit for the copper:) :)


I'm waiting for the other appts. I have never heard of goodman brand (doesn't mean anything because I know next to nothing about hvac), I have only heard of carrier, trane and of course the existing one ruud.

What should be involved in a quote? Shouldn't they at least look at the house/existing system?

And the big one-how do I know if the contractor is ripping me off?

What is involved in replacing our existing unit? We already have the duct work, so just what is involved in the labor? To me it seems like they should be able to just "disconnect" the old, drop in the new, hook up and off we go. (like when you replace a dishwasher)

Can we reuse some of the existing "stuff" if we stay with a RUUD brand unit? What if anything do we need to do with the duct work?

just wanted to add the model of our existing unit.
RUUD URGG05N30JKR 50,000 btu..this is all I can read besides the serial number on the sticker outside the "big box"

Thanks for any info
:) :) :) :) :)

Any reputable company should send over a salesman to do a load calculation. The old rule of thumb - 1 ton/12,000 btuh per 500 sq.ft. doesn't apply anymore. Especially with the high SEERs you want nowadays.
You might also consider getting a heat pump instead of just straight A/C. You can use your existing gas furnace as backup heat. The blower may have to be changed, preferably to a variable speed model to match the newer high efficiency equipment. I personally like the Goodman brand, and it comes with a 10 yr. warantee on everything. Go with Refrigerant R410a, as production of R22 will cease in 2010.
As for the ductwork, that should be sized according to the air you have to move, which with a 3.5 Ton unit would be about 1400 cfm. HTH;)

I will 2nd the heat pump and doing a load on the home. Can't keep the gas as this is a package unit. Load cal will tell you how many KW heat you need.