A/C quote

[elsmooth]

So my a/c's been acting up, and we looking at upgrading before she blows up. Just had a guy from the company we use out (great people, so far), and he's quoting me $5,300 for a 3.5 ton, 15 SEER Carrier Comfort series with some duct widening work.

Pretty sure I'm getting a fair quote, but I wanted to run it by the folks around here...how's this compare to what you've seen/heard?

Thanks!

[Rodeoflyer]

I don't know what the labor rates are like there in Florida, but out here in SoCal that's a good price.

[Argonaut]

I'm an HVAC contractor, it's a good price, almost too good.

[eelhc]

I'm in upstate NY and it can get pretty humid up here. I wish when I had my AC installed I got either a variable speed or undersized my unit so that it runs all the time. On a real humid day my A/C reaches the set temperature and shuts off before all the moisture is gone.

[Argonaut]

I'm in upstate NY and it can get pretty humid up here. I wish when I had my AC installed I got either a variable speed or undersized my unit so that it runs all the time. On a real humid day my A/C reaches the set temperature and shuts off before all the moisture is gone.

Your unit is oversized for your climate. The only solution is to set your temp. lower so the unit runs longer.

[eelhc]

Your unit is oversized for your climate. The only solution is to set your temp. lower so the unit runs longer.

I didn't research it thoroughly enough and my AC contractor sold me on the bigger unit. Now I know better. It's about comfort not temperature. 80*F with no humidity is actually not too bad.

[La Mosca]

You might be able to save a few more bucks by purchasing a so-called "off-brand" AC unit. Normally, I would not recommend this, but it turns out that most AC units are made by just one or two manufacturers. My wife and I bought a Payne three-ton, 15 SEER unit about nine-years ago. It still runs well, cost a little less, and was the exact same unit that Carrier was selling at the time. Your AC installer should be able to tell you if there are any "like" units available that he would trust to install.

[rassage]

that is a good price. you do not want a unit that is too big. it will short cycle. it should run 24/7 when it reaches it's design temp. just make sure that is not a r22 machine. i am telling you to ask that because the price seems low. it would seem right for not replacing the evaporator. trane,carrier,lenox all the same thing mostly. scroll compressors have gotten pretty reliable across the board.