[vidguy]

One of our 3 A/C units stopped working on our ~8000.00 sq/ft building.
Diagnosis is failed compressor. installed in 2000 when we built.

Quote to repair on our one story tilt up = $2862..00
Replace with new = $7715.00
See estimates..
These guys do all of our maintenance and get paid about $75.00 an hour plus a truck fee of $40.00 I think when they come out.
Fair deal? I'm leaning towards repairing only the compressor at that price..

Our gas/electric bills are about $1000.00 /mo in the summer
$700.00 in the winter
What say you HVAC guys?


Repair

[Mark1968]

Are these rtu's or residential equipment? that makes a big difference. $2800 for a 5-7 ton rtu compressor is in line with what we charge here.

[Johnnygoose]

Had a quote for a replacement a few months ago, ended up just doing the compressor. I'll post the numbers tomorrow. Ask him how much you'll save if he leaves the old unit behind. There's probably a couple hundred bucks of copper in it.

[Deadhead]

One thing to consider is if compressor has gone bad & run it could have gotten debris into the system, which could shorten life of next one. JAT.

Price sounds good and their rates are very reasonable.

X2 on selling your old Equip. $2-3 a # for the coils. $10+/100 for the steel depending on the day.

[vidguy]

Thanks very much guys.
I don't sell metals but I'm sure I can find a place that buys it around here.
I'll ask the vendor about leaving it and if that saves a few bucks.
Hadn't thought about the "debris" ..
I think I'll take the chance.... argghh

You sound like my A/C guy on my car... "Might have to replace the evaporator, dryer,,, "

[Johnnygoose]

I had a quote for replacing a 5 ton RTU and it was $3,100 for a Ducane. Compressor only was $1,675 and $250 of that was labor this was in Virginia. I heard some areas require that when you replace a unit it has to be one that uses more environmentally friendly refrigerant which might make a big difference on price. I see you are in CA that could be the difference.

[Deadhead]

Originally Posted by vidguy

You sound like my A/C guy on my car... "Might have to replace the evaporator, dryer,,, "

I just had to make the same choice myself. My catch... Had to hire a freakin' crane to put it on the roof b/c newer units are larger and wont fit through the access anymore. Only 1.5 ton replaced everything - I think it was 7 grand. Take a few months rent to cover that one. $90 labor for HVAC here. Only trade I have not mastered in the home repair Dept. I am contemplating taking classes to learn.

[Cammer-6]

went to a HVAC supply house some time ago to buy copper fittings
Counter guy said he couldnt sell them to me unless I had a license.
A customer asked me what I needed and said he would "buy" it for me.
I got the counter guy to sell it to me but his stern warning was no refrigerant products.
Kinda reminded me of the soup Natzi on Seinfeld.Ive been doing HVAC before that guy was born.

[vidguy]

Part of the quote for the Unit replacement is the cost of a crane for our 1 story tilt up.
We are thinking now of getting the whole thing done..

[Deadhead]

Originally Posted by Cammer-6

went to a HVAC supply house some time ago to buy copper fittings
Counter guy said he couldnt sell them to me unless I had a license.
A customer asked me what I needed and said he would "buy" it for me.
I got the counter guy to sell it to me but his stern warning was no refrigerant products.
Kinda reminded me of the soup Natzi on Seinfeld.Ive been doing HVAC before that guy was born.

No gas for you!

They did the same to me when I was buying the bubble wrap insulation to use as sound deadener in my wagon. "OK, but you can only use this for an HVAC application" was the final word.