Estimate cost to replace HVAC

Submitted by adig2021 t3_y9drnk in newjersey

I am looking for estimate cost for furnace and AC replacement cost near new Brunswick area. I was given estimate quote around $14000 with air duct change,all labor cost, tax included.

Current gas furnace is 30 years old. Technician recommended following if want to continue with current furnace.

Current furnace 30-32 years old: Blower capacitor:$500 Blower fan assembly clean $850 or replacement: $1600 Fan limit tripping replacement:$500 Thermocouple working but burnt:$500

I am not sure if it's right price for HVAC replacement ortgo with fixing current furnace.

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lost_in_life_34 t1_it503r9 wrote

i just spent $60000 for dual zone AC and combi boiler and water heater. top of the line inverter heat pumps, variable speed air handlers, 96 AFUE boiler. company did an amazing job and install took 4 days.

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you can go cheap with single stage and regular 80 AFUE boiler but then you're not going to save money when the rates go up soon

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jayc428 t1_it55i9x wrote

I hope there was more to that job than just that equipment. Combi boiler is about $3k, top of the line heat pumps at best are about $7-9k each. Two guys for a week costs about $8k in labor, add a couple grand for material. Costs in the $25-30k range. 100% markup on everything across the board.

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lost_in_life_34 t1_it56wlo wrote

I think my boiler was 150,000 BTU so it's closer to $10,000 online for a 96% efficient unit before the installation

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there was a bunch of people installing it for 4 days. all new condenser lines, electrical, new pipes for the boiler and water heater, etc. much better job than the previous owners I bought from where the wires to the condenser were twisted together

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on hvac direct I priced out the hardware at around $28000 or so just for the condensers, air handlers and boiler. add the accessories and the labor and the extras like UV lights, thermostats, new valves, etc

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jayc428 t1_it57pxq wrote

150k combi boiler is still around $3k. They’re simply not that expensive, unless you need to buy multiple ones to manifold together. They’re all 96% efficient.

I understand you did your due diligence on it but hvac contractors don’t buy from hvac direct.

I’m glad you got a good install out of it.

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lost_in_life_34 t1_it59jnw wrote

I talked to 6 companies total. 2 never gave me quotes. 2 gave me what I didn't want. the two I considered the heating part was similar and they quoted me $15000 for a boiler replacement for a combi boiler and all new pipes, venting, etc.

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the difference was the AC. at first I was going to go with bosch heat pumps but then changed to amana cause bosch supposedly has humidity issues

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SleepyHobo t1_it5xvhh wrote

All of those heat pumps have humidity issues. The DX coils in them are simply too thin to dehumidify the air properly. They're not meant to dehumidify fresh air. Also nearly all indoor heat pumps are manufactured by the same company in China: Gree Electric.

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lost_in_life_34 t1_it6xdob wrote

Amana is USA but the parent is a Japanese company and Bosch is made by midea in China and just rebranded as Bosch

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maurice32274 t1_it5a27h wrote

What brand is your combi boiler? I went with Rinnai. I love it.

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op00to t1_it6w83b wrote

I miss my combi boiler. Unlimited hot water, and free hot water in teh winter

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op00to t1_it6w6vk wrote

Get 3 quotes from different companies, don't ask us. Anyone who tells you what your system should cost without looking at your system is pulling numbers out of their ass.

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lost_in_life_34 t1_it6xikg wrote

And the three quotes should be similar equipment

In homeowners people say to do this and everyone goes and gets quotes and they are all different from each other

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op00to t1_it70aqw wrote

Yes, that’s a great point I overlooked!

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injuredmajesty t1_it57d0p wrote

We paid $15k over the summer for the same thing with Meyer & Depew. The price is eye watering, and PSE&G quoted a bit more. We're happy with the new system and we were happy with the install.

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[deleted] t1_it510sf wrote

[deleted]

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adig2021 OP t1_it51iw3 wrote

I am about to get one more estimate tomorrow for comparison.

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deltajohn50 t1_it5bqhn wrote

deltahvacnj@gmail.comsend me your info- copy of estimate/ equipment. i can do way better for you price wise

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adig2021 OP t1_it5cs1p wrote

Estimate was for carrier 2.5 ton AC and comfort model furnace high efficiency. Technician just gave me estimate number but didn't provide estimate copy. I'll send you an estimate copy once I'll receive it.

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jayc428 t1_it55q1c wrote

Get more than two estimates. Steer clear of large firms, they have a large overhead to feed.

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peter-doubt t1_it50obl wrote

You're not looking at relevant costs, which are related to solar load insulation, and volume (which can be estimated from floor area)

My 1900sf house had ac and furnace replaced separately, for about that price.. and it was a high efficiency unit (95%, if I recall)

I doubt anyone would break out the thermocouple unless it was the only defective part.

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adig2021 OP t1_it51wkv wrote

My house is roughly around 1400sf and estimate replacement cost for 80% efficient unit. Initial estimate was $20k and after all discount, it cam to $14k cost.

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throwaway4shady t1_it51ri1 wrote

New cap is like $40, average blower motor maybe around $300-500, fan limit control around $120, thermocouples are like $15. That being said with an old unit you could put that money into it just for the heat exchanger to crack a week or two later and you'd need to buy a whole new unit anyway.

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jayc428 t1_it54yy7 wrote

Lol guy telling you a thermocouple is $500 is crazy. A thermocouple costs about $10-20, takes about 5 minutes to put replace. Of course people need to make money, even if the labor was $150 for travel, etc, and they marked up the material to $50, its $200 at the absolute most.

Same with the capacitor, it’s a $10-20 part. Blower fan assembly is a couple hundred bucks for a brand new one.

People are trying to pillage on prices because they can in the current market.

Taking a guess at the tonnage of your AC unit, the replacement cost like for like should be about $9-10k range. The equipment and materials is about $3000-6000 depending on sizes, two guys for the day is about $1000 in labor, $6k costs, 50% markup. $9-10kish.

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TheRealThordic t1_it5a7mc wrote

That thermocouple quote is a red flag for sure. They are like $10 at any hardware store and take a few minutes to swap out. Not to mention a burnt thermocouple on it's own shouldn't cause any issues I'm aware of besides occasionally turning off the gas supply by accident and forcing you to relight the pilot.

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jayc428 t1_it5m97w wrote

Exactly right. A thermocouple with a lot carbon build up may not make 100% of the time but they’re pretty robust, they’re always blackened a bit since they live inside a flame.

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maurice32274 t1_it59rkk wrote

To replace a gas (steam) boiler with a like machine was $7000+.

I swapped out my steam boiler, water heater, and steam radiators with a condensing wall mounted Rinnai boiler and water heater (single combination unit) + new hot water radiators for about $20,000. Saved so much space in my basement OMG.

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Danitay t1_it5jocd wrote

Are your ducts not in good condition that they want to change them? We paid $25k in 2019 for 2x 2.5 tons ACs and 2x furnaces, electrical, permits, new gas line ran to the attic (never ran before), and new ductwork for the attic system (older flex duct was all ripped and brittle). Bergen county, NJ.

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adig2021 OP t1_it6q33m wrote

Ducts look like good condition but it's a very old so technician is recommending to replace as well

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SleepyHobo t1_it5xi5l wrote

At 30-32 years old its time to retire the furnace... $4k is nearly the price of a new unit although you'd have to replace the DX coil and condensing unit too. Advances in energy efficiency like inverter compressors, electronically commutated motors (ECM motors), and condensing furnaces will greatly reduce your energy bills allowing you to recoup some money from the initial install.

Ducts: might be able to get away with cleaning and checking for leaks. However if they are as old as the furnace they likely have a decent amount of leaks and the insulation is not as good. Leaks and bad insulation increase your utility bills.

If your AC is also that old or 10+ years old it could be using R-22 refrigerant which was phased out long ago. Very very expensive to maintain R-22 systems. R-410A is what is being used now, but that is also being phased out within a year.

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adig2021 OP t1_it6qbrt wrote

That's right. I am also looking to replace rather than bandaging old system. I thought max would be 7-9k for replacement cost including labor cost, permit,etc.. I guess I'll shop around and find out if I can get better deal.

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mschepac t1_it7baa7 wrote

Had my 29 year old system replaced about 3 weeks ago. The quoted price is right in the ballpark. You will usually get some rebates from the manufacturer, the gas company and the electric company. Mine offered a 18 month 0% financing. I love the new system, it is SOOO quiet. Wasn't thrilled with the cost, but my old system didn't owe me anything.

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bros402 t1_it7lo3c wrote

Call C&C Heating - they've always had the best price for us.

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glkris t1_it99vzw wrote

Anyone but AJ Perry they will kill you with a bill

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adig2021 OP t1_itbh4xm wrote

Yeah. This quote was from A J perry.

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glkris t1_itdc9zx wrote

I’m telling you do not use AJ Perry. They soaked us pretty good and I’ve had 2 companies come in to fix what they did since. Last week I had my new company come in and address a leak from the new heater stack. Guy told me there was no sealing at all, he even asked before I told him was this AJ Perry? Every HVAC person I talk all say the same thing. Overcharges & poor workmanship

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g_ppetto t1_it9uwli wrote

Find someone else to do the work for you. I replaced my own AC capacitor for a couple of bucks. Thermocouple should be similar, add a few more for labor if needed. Sounds like they won't leave the home of office for less than $500.

Find someone else to give estimates for repair and replacement, and do the work.

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