Looking for advice about replacing HVAC versus repairing.
November 7, 2015 1:38 PM Subscribe
Hello, I'm currently looking at replacing my mother's heating and air conditioning units because they are both frequently broken and both old and inefficient. I'm hoping that this can be used as an opportunity to save money, even though it will be a sizable upfront expense.
My mom lives in a 1995 model double wide mobile home in the middle of South Carolina, the central electric heat and air came installed with it. The air conditioning unit is barely enough to keep up with summer heat and I believe it is also undersized, especially given the fact that the home is not shaded and has picture windows and a sliding glass door in the living room, which we do try to cover during the summertime. I have been told that it also has a leak at a coil indoors that can't be repaired or replaced (the part is no longer available) and because of this it will require visits to have the Freon levels checked and refilled. It just runs constantly while attempting to cool during the summer and finally this summer tipped the electric bill over $500 dollars in July. I pay this bill, because my mother is on disability, and can't afford many of her bills.
The heating unit is also not in good shape, but does not run the power bill up as much as the air conditioning unit. It is an electric strip heater, and it also has a bad blower motor that will need replacing soon, too.
I don't really have an idea of what to expect at all really if I were to call a professional HVAC installer to come quote a price, but I do have a relative who has given me a price. He is actually an HVAC installer and has quoted me his personal price to help me install units that I would buy. He told me $2280 for a heat pump unit which should be more efficient than the strip heater, $2800 for an AC unit, and $500-$750 to install them personally, depending upon the difficulty.
That is him personally and he says he is doing me a huge favor, but the problem is I don't even remotely know what the price for a professional installer would be, and if this really is a huge favor. Also, since he would be doing this personally, any repair work would be me calling him for help, not backed by a professional HVAC outfit (even though he works for one, he said that his outfit that he works for would be very expensive if they did it "officially"). I do trust the guy, he has helped me with this in the past and he actually wanted to help me fix what is currently there to save some money, but I am tired of patching and fixing the old units especially with wintertime fast approaching.
I would have to take out a loan to do this, but I'm hoping that this can be a chance to improve things by both replacing the old frequently broken units with new equipment, and also a way to help save money in the long run, by cutting the power bill down.
Does anyone have any advice on this situation? Maybe even a better idea that I'm not looking at? I'd appreciate any input that might help me sort out this situation, and thanks in advance.
My mom lives in a 1995 model double wide mobile home in the middle of South Carolina, the central electric heat and air came installed with it. The air conditioning unit is barely enough to keep up with summer heat and I believe it is also undersized, especially given the fact that the home is not shaded and has picture windows and a sliding glass door in the living room, which we do try to cover during the summertime. I have been told that it also has a leak at a coil indoors that can't be repaired or replaced (the part is no longer available) and because of this it will require visits to have the Freon levels checked and refilled. It just runs constantly while attempting to cool during the summer and finally this summer tipped the electric bill over $500 dollars in July. I pay this bill, because my mother is on disability, and can't afford many of her bills.
The heating unit is also not in good shape, but does not run the power bill up as much as the air conditioning unit. It is an electric strip heater, and it also has a bad blower motor that will need replacing soon, too.
I don't really have an idea of what to expect at all really if I were to call a professional HVAC installer to come quote a price, but I do have a relative who has given me a price. He is actually an HVAC installer and has quoted me his personal price to help me install units that I would buy. He told me $2280 for a heat pump unit which should be more efficient than the strip heater, $2800 for an AC unit, and $500-$750 to install them personally, depending upon the difficulty.
That is him personally and he says he is doing me a huge favor, but the problem is I don't even remotely know what the price for a professional installer would be, and if this really is a huge favor. Also, since he would be doing this personally, any repair work would be me calling him for help, not backed by a professional HVAC outfit (even though he works for one, he said that his outfit that he works for would be very expensive if they did it "officially"). I do trust the guy, he has helped me with this in the past and he actually wanted to help me fix what is currently there to save some money, but I am tired of patching and fixing the old units especially with wintertime fast approaching.
I would have to take out a loan to do this, but I'm hoping that this can be a chance to improve things by both replacing the old frequently broken units with new equipment, and also a way to help save money in the long run, by cutting the power bill down.
Does anyone have any advice on this situation? Maybe even a better idea that I'm not looking at? I'd appreciate any input that might help me sort out this situation, and thanks in advance.
If the home has Central Air, I'm assuming it also has a duct system. If that's the case you could utilize a single air handler for both heat and air.
I'm wondering why you are reluctant to call in a recommended hvac company to quote for this work to see how it compares, you would be under no obligation.
posted by HuronBob at 1:55 PM on November 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm wondering why you are reluctant to call in a recommended hvac company to quote for this work to see how it compares, you would be under no obligation.
posted by HuronBob at 1:55 PM on November 7, 2015 [2 favorites]
This seems high to me. I bought a brand new system for my 1500 square foot house 2 years ago -- a new heat pump, a new blower, everything. And I live in the DC metro area, where everything is expensive. It cost about $6,000 for all the parts and labor. I don't understand why a new system for a double wide in South Carolina would be as expensive, unless your mom's house doesn't have existing duct work and you and your relative would be putting that in together.
I would do as @HuronBob suggests and get estimates from 3 hvac companies. You should ask them both what kind of system they recommend, and how much it would cost to install. Local HVAC guys will be able to recommend a system for your local conditions (I imagine humidity is a concern).
posted by OrangeDisk at 2:03 PM on November 7, 2015
I would do as @HuronBob suggests and get estimates from 3 hvac companies. You should ask them both what kind of system they recommend, and how much it would cost to install. Local HVAC guys will be able to recommend a system for your local conditions (I imagine humidity is a concern).
posted by OrangeDisk at 2:03 PM on November 7, 2015
" He told me $2280 for a heat pump unit which should be more efficient than the strip heater, $2800 for an AC unit, ..."
err, a heat pump is both A/C and heating. Major red flag.
I just checked some prices, a 3 ton heat pump unit can be had for under 2K + install.
A package unit (compressor + air handler) that sits completely outside is a bit more.
3 tons might even be too much, a *good reputable* HVAC contractor could tell better.
Here is a calculator to get you started.
posted by rudd135 at 2:11 PM on November 7, 2015
err, a heat pump is both A/C and heating. Major red flag.
I just checked some prices, a 3 ton heat pump unit can be had for under 2K + install.
A package unit (compressor + air handler) that sits completely outside is a bit more.
3 tons might even be too much, a *good reputable* HVAC contractor could tell better.
Here is a calculator to get you started.
posted by rudd135 at 2:11 PM on November 7, 2015
To follow up on Orangedisk's comment about humidity, you want a unit that runs a fair amount of the time. If you oversize it, the humidity problem will be worse because the unit is not running and sucking out moisture enough.
posted by rudd135 at 2:13 PM on November 7, 2015
posted by rudd135 at 2:13 PM on November 7, 2015
I meant to mention there is a program in Utah, maybe federal, that replaces inefficient or broken heating for the elderly or disabled. This is cost free. In areas with high summer heat, I think they take care of cooling too. Your county ageing services knows these programs.
posted by Oyéah at 2:52 PM on November 7, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 2:52 PM on November 7, 2015
I also don't like to waste people's time giving me estimates if I know there is no way I would hire for them the work. (That would be considered in unethical in my faith's (Jewish) teachings.) However, in this case, there is enough doubt about the original offer that I think it is very legitimate to ask people to come out and give you a bid. They know there is no commitment or guaranty that they will get your business and you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find.
Also, You may also get a rebate if your mother qualifies for a discount from the local power company. Here is the page for South Carolina Electric and Gas. I know in our area, you have to use an approved contractor for certain things so check on that.
posted by metahawk at 2:58 PM on November 7, 2015
Also, You may also get a rebate if your mother qualifies for a discount from the local power company. Here is the page for South Carolina Electric and Gas. I know in our area, you have to use an approved contractor for certain things so check on that.
posted by metahawk at 2:58 PM on November 7, 2015
I don't really have an idea of what to expect at all really if I were to call a professional HVAC installer to come quote a price
Fortunately, there's an easy fix for that. You are legitimately in the market for a new HVAC system, so you're not wasting anybody's time. Get some local companies to come out and give estimates. Once you've got their bids and your relative's plan, you can compare them all (come back to the Green with another question) and figure out what makes the most sense practically and financially.
metahawk's point is important: if she's eligible for any energy efficiency rebates, there are specific procedures you have to follow in advance and restrictions on what you can buy and who can install it.
posted by zachlipton at 4:41 PM on November 7, 2015
Fortunately, there's an easy fix for that. You are legitimately in the market for a new HVAC system, so you're not wasting anybody's time. Get some local companies to come out and give estimates. Once you've got their bids and your relative's plan, you can compare them all (come back to the Green with another question) and figure out what makes the most sense practically and financially.
metahawk's point is important: if she's eligible for any energy efficiency rebates, there are specific procedures you have to follow in advance and restrictions on what you can buy and who can install it.
posted by zachlipton at 4:41 PM on November 7, 2015
I bought a 2 1/2 ton Goodman air conditioning unit two years ago to hook to an existing ducted furnace online two years ago. The unit and the installation kit cost me about $1600.00; a local guy installed it for another $700.00. This was for a 1500 sf house, so I imagine your mother would need a smaller unit.
It looks like your relative is rather expensive.
posted by djinn dandy at 8:42 PM on November 7, 2015
It looks like your relative is rather expensive.
posted by djinn dandy at 8:42 PM on November 7, 2015
Response by poster: Hello all, just wanted to say that the reason I was sort of hesitant to call anybody out was just because I want to try to be an informed consumer, and to try to have at least some remote idea of what price tag I should be looking at, I am now probably going to call out some HVAC installers for quotes. I'm feeling much better about the situation now, even though I do know you are not my HVAC guy.
And I like the idea about calling the aging services, also. I didn't really think of that - but my mom did call her power company, and they were *not* helpful at all (I had attempted to see if I could get some sort of energy audit to help lower her bill).
posted by FireballForever at 8:51 PM on November 7, 2015
And I like the idea about calling the aging services, also. I didn't really think of that - but my mom did call her power company, and they were *not* helpful at all (I had attempted to see if I could get some sort of energy audit to help lower her bill).
posted by FireballForever at 8:51 PM on November 7, 2015
Please call the power company again. You should ask broadly about "money and energy saving programs" for the following types of customers: 1) Mobile Homes, 2) Seniors 3) Low-income rate-payers, 4) disabled rate-payers. You may be able to take the brunt off of your mom's rates sooner rather than later. Then, once that's done, you should ask about 5) HVAC energy efficiency replacement "direct install, rebates, incentives or financing" (direct install = the utility will install the unit directly.) You should ask the call center rep about each of those categories separately, because it will help them search their database for any key words.
Best of luck!
posted by samthemander at 11:26 PM on November 7, 2015
Best of luck!
posted by samthemander at 11:26 PM on November 7, 2015
seconding samthemander's recommendations. The utility company likely has several programs that your mom qualifies for that will reduce her rates and allow her to improve the efficiency of her home.
posted by cosmicbandito at 7:36 AM on November 9, 2015
posted by cosmicbandito at 7:36 AM on November 9, 2015
Response by poster: Hello again all.
Have done more digging, unfortunately, the power company was of no help to me at all. They offer no programs, aside from an emergency assistance that will help if you are in danger of not being able to pay your bill. Other than that, there are no weatherization programs or efficiency programs to be had or anything to help low income or disabled residents.
On the upside, after talking with the relative about the heat pump installation, he did clarify to me that I would NOT need the both parts that he quoted me the prices for, I was mistaken on that. One price is for a heat pump, and one price, is for having the current heating setup repaired.
A quote from the local installer that came highly recommended was $6000, for a 3 1/2 ton unit that has all of the duct work checked and will also have the unit piped into the duct work differently, to help balance the temperature of the rooms across the house better. That price is also financed by the company. It is a reputable company, I have many neighbors and friends who have had them do work and they've been a community company since the 1970s.
The relative of mine would do the installation for approx. $3500, but that is not backed by an official company, I would have to have him install it and if something went wrong, also come to repair it. I do believe that he would try to help out and make things right if something did go wrong, but technically there is no warranty, aside from what is on the equipment. I am now trying to figure whether the cost saving in this situation would be worth that risk or not.
Thanks all.
posted by FireballForever at 3:14 PM on December 8, 2015
Have done more digging, unfortunately, the power company was of no help to me at all. They offer no programs, aside from an emergency assistance that will help if you are in danger of not being able to pay your bill. Other than that, there are no weatherization programs or efficiency programs to be had or anything to help low income or disabled residents.
On the upside, after talking with the relative about the heat pump installation, he did clarify to me that I would NOT need the both parts that he quoted me the prices for, I was mistaken on that. One price is for a heat pump, and one price, is for having the current heating setup repaired.
A quote from the local installer that came highly recommended was $6000, for a 3 1/2 ton unit that has all of the duct work checked and will also have the unit piped into the duct work differently, to help balance the temperature of the rooms across the house better. That price is also financed by the company. It is a reputable company, I have many neighbors and friends who have had them do work and they've been a community company since the 1970s.
The relative of mine would do the installation for approx. $3500, but that is not backed by an official company, I would have to have him install it and if something went wrong, also come to repair it. I do believe that he would try to help out and make things right if something did go wrong, but technically there is no warranty, aside from what is on the equipment. I am now trying to figure whether the cost saving in this situation would be worth that risk or not.
Thanks all.
posted by FireballForever at 3:14 PM on December 8, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
The quotes seem too high. The cost is likely near the value of the home. Get more bids, checknwith your local aging services for referrals to honest installers.
posted by Oyéah at 1:46 PM on November 7, 2015