A/C Blues

[kybearfuzz]

Before the rant, big happy birthday wishes to book_of_daniel! Enjoy your 29th again! :)

So after having trouble with the leaking A/C unit the other night, I called for a guy to come in and check out the unit. He was referred to me by a coworker who says he did good work for her.

Well, he just left. Here's the possibilities with my 33 year old A/C unit.

• Replace the evaporator coil for $800.
  
• Get a whole new unit for $4,700.

With the age of my current system, the $800 patch job will likely only be a temporary fix if something new breaks. The new unit will cost a hell of a lot more, but comes with a 10-year warranty and will cut my electric bill down. And I likely will have to get a new unit if the old system breaks some other way.

So I'm strongly leaning toward the new system. While I'm not terribly happy, this isn't going to crush me. I save quite a bit. My sibs all drive expensive vehicles and buy unneeded things for their kids, I try to be practical. The reason I put money in my savings is so when these sorts of crushing costs hit, I'm not devastated. Wow... I'm boring.

When did I get so old?

Comments

[barak.livejournal.com]

Another way to offset the cost of the new unit is to look for rebates issued by the state or power company.

[book-of-daniel.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the birthday wishes. :-)

$4700 seems pretty pricey. I'd lean toward a new system too but give yourself a day or two to shop around and get different quotes.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

You're welcome handsome!

And the $4700 is to replace the entire heating and A/C system. Because my system is so old, to replace one piece in the pair (I have an exterior heat pump) would be problematic because of the different coolants used (I verified this with a friend who researched this when she had hers replaced last year).

[book-of-daniel.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. That's a MUCH better price if it's for both the furnace and the a/c. I know my furnace is about 27 years old and I think my A/C is about 20 years old. I had a few estimates of around 5k to 6k to replace them both although I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet. It's one of those expenses that's always floating around in the back of my mind though as looming closer and closer....

[martini-tim.livejournal.com]

I think it's great that you are practical and save for such emergencies. Our country would be in a better place if more people were like you, instead of buying luxury goods and houses beyond their means, and then crying to the government for assistance when an unexpected cost occurs.

You aren't old. *I* am old.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks handsome!

And who is old?? You're what? 29??

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

*we* are old.

I second the motion from my colleague from California. I do the same thing.

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

From the land of where AC isn't an option, $4700 isn't too bad. There will be a good deal of work required in the furnace also to replace the AC evaporator coil.

Check around with different companies. There are usually rebates from the electric utilities, especially when replacing an old unit with a new more efficient one. The AC company can also give you leads on any applicable state and local tax credits for the replacement.

[itzgid.livejournal.com]

When did you get to be "so old"? I may have to slap you. :x

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Do I get to pick which cheek? :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Would a second bid help in the decision? Does your research indicate that this pricing is right on?

Tim and I spent a couple of hours this afternoon looking at a futon bed or sofa bed for the den, recliners, stoves, fridges and microwave ... There's a lot on the list, but updating my bathroom with the broken shower head (inside the wall) and, then Tim's bathroom will have to take priority.

Good luck!

HUGS!

[squirreltot.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. I just paid almost 8000 to replace my unit. I'm still waiting to see this decrease in my electric bill even though I now have a much higher SEER number. I guess you need to consider how much longer you plan on being in the house to guide your choice. Big Hugs!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'm going to have it replaced I think. I've only got five more years of payments on the mortgage before it's gone and I don't foresee myself moving anytime before that.

I am hoping that the new unit in conjunction with the new windows from a couple of years back will shrink the electric bill this summer.

[clintswan.livejournal.com]

I like how old you are...

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

You are not old, just sensible.

If you were old you would have bought a Buick. [coughs]