Go w/ A Coil or Replace A Coil and Outside Unit?

[jimmie7700]

I have a 14 year old "A" coil and outside unit made by janitrol. It's 4 ton and I was just told by an hvac service man that the "a" coil is leaking and needs replaced. He said the outside unit has a trace leak. Since we will be in our house another 2-3 years he recommended replacing both the coil and condenser unit. He quoted $XXXX (no pricing per rules) for a Trane XL14i that includes the condenser, new "a" coil, and installation. Or $XXXX to replace just the coil.

Not sure what I should do. He said the I could go with just the coil, but no telling when I might need to finally end up replacing the condenser. Whenever that may be will require the retro fitting of the new coil to the new condenser down the road.

Please help!!

Thanks

[Edited by arpa on 06-20-2006 at 08:52 PM]

[smokin68]

Get a second opinion.


How bad's the leak? If it takes 2 lbs of freon a year, keep it gassed up till you sell, and inform home buyer. Or install new complete system and raise the sale price accordingly.

[jimmie7700]

We put 3lbs of freon in it 1.5 months ago and now the coil was frozen solid with 2" of ice. Is that too recent?

Let's say I do decide to get it worked on, which direction should I go? Just the coil or both?

Thanks

[RoBoTeq]

As already suggested; get at least one other opinion, especially on that "trace leak" comment about the outdoor unit.

If the outdoor unit is in decent condition, have the indoo coil replaced.

14 years is a real borderline age for a cooling system. You don't want to put too much money into it but then again it may give you another 6-12 years.

[BaldLoonie]

Just remember that the XL14i with matching Trane coil but not Trane variable speed blower is only 13 SEER. Did the dealer admit this to you?

[jimmie7700]

He did mention, after I asked what the SEER rating was, that is was 13. Is that poor? What would it be with a variable speed blower? Would it make a noticeable difference?

[beenthere]

arpa, I can't believe you missed the second price, must have been along day. :)

[jimmie7700]

Sorry for posting the pricing. I missed that in the posting guidelines.

I do still need advice on whether or not to just replace the coil or pay 4x that to replace both.

Thanks guys. I am very thankful to find this site with such a vast amount of knowledge which I lack completely.

[plman]

Last year I was faced with a similar choice due to a leaking drain pan under the A coil in my system. The condenser was early 70's vintage, but due to short summers in MN, it did not get all that much use. People on this site recommended replacing the coil & condenser, so I did. Wow, what a difference!! I can barely hear the new York unit run, ductwork was added to condition our breezeway (finally cool after 12 years in the house), and the house temperature does not creep up on hot days. We had a 97 degree day in May (hardly ever in MN does that happen). Total replacement was the right choice for me. Certainly worth serious consideration. You should get trouble free comfort now, and better resale in a few years when you go to sell. This site is a great resource for excellent info. Thanks for all the pro's that share their time and opinions.

[jimmie7700]

Can someone please explain what the variable speed blower is and whether it's really necessary?

Thanks!

[johnl45]

Even if repaired the system will be 17 years old when you sell. Replace the entire system now; you'll get your money back when you sell.

[newoldtech]

Originally posted by jimmie7700
Can someone please explain what the variable speed blower is and whether it's really necessary?

Thanks!




A variable speed blower will run quieter, save a few dollars on your electric bill, provide more even cooling, and control humidity better. Its a nice feature to have, but its up to you if you want to spend the extra bucks.

[jimmie7700]

Newoldtech

Thanks!

[Mr Bill]

Outdoor condenser has a leak? Maybe, me personally I would go with the coil first if $$$ is an issue and see what happens I would say from experience about 99% of the time the leak most of our leaks are found in the evaps.

[pstu]

>>Replace the entire system now; you'll get your money back when you sell.

There are damn few home improvements which really return your money when you sell. This is like saying the retail and wholesale price of something is the same number. You always buy at retail and nearly always sell at wholesale. No way would I as a home buyer want to boost the price of a new-ish AC system by the full original price. First of all it probably wouldn't be the same thing I would choose, and second I wouldn't pay full retail for something used that has little secondary market. Sorry.

I *want* to ask if there would be any way you could put that promise in contractual form, but there really isn't any way I can think of.

Regards -- Pstu

[smokin68]

Originally posted by pstu
>>Replace the entire system now; you'll get your money back when you sell.

There are damn few home improvements which really return your money when you sell. This is like saying the retail and wholesale price of something is the same number. You always buy at retail and nearly always sell at wholesale. No way would I as a home buyer want to boost the price of a new-ish AC system by the full original price. First of all it probably wouldn't be the same thing I would choose, and second I wouldn't pay full retail for something used that has little secondary market. Sorry.

I *want* to ask if there would be any way you could put that promise in contractual form, but there really isn't any way I can think of.

Regards -- Pstu




You're not serious are you? There are TONS of home improvements that increase the value of your property when you sell. Why do you think there are house "flippers"? That new A/C can keep your house at market price, or you can get a low-ball offer when the homeinspector nails your 17 year old system in his inspection. Well sir, we like the house, but the a/c needs replacement, so I'll offer $xxxxx. Paint is also a great value adder per dollar. Insulation same thing. All selling points.

[pstu]

OK Smokin68, I hear you. Thanks for reaffirming your point of view. I will sleep on it.

Best wishes -- Pstu

[servtech2]

You're not serious are you? There are TONS of home improvements that increase the value of your property when you sell. Why do you think there are house "flippers"? That new A/C can keep your house at market price, or you can get a low-ball offer when the homeinspector nails your 17 year old system in his inspection. Well sir, we like the house, but the a/c needs replacement, so I'll offer $xxxxx. Paint is also a great value adder per dollar. Insulation same thing. All selling points.

Ok well Smokin68 not sure but this might have something to do with it, It says u are from florida where theres alot of flipping going on as well as in NJ where i am.. Pstu says is in TX... Not sure if theres alot of flipping going on there...

But additions like a new HVAC system would definetly add value to the selling price of the house.. as well as Smokin68 said many other improvments which also add value..

[danielworkerbee]

What kind of warranty for the new system ? Can be transfered to the new owner ? It is really nice to just have a new system and not think about it anymore. luck dan

[saltcedar]

I am in Texas and can tell you for a fact
in this market you won't get a dime extra
at resale. Been there, done it. Admittedly
you won't get dinged for it but it will only
sell for the same square footage dollar
amount as your next door neighbor with
an older AC. Even Kitchen & Bath remodels
will have a limited ROI here. At resale (in a
sellers market) I effectively gave away a
Deck, a Hot tub and a Greenhouse!

[heatpumpguru]

If you were buying the home,would you want an OLD a/c that has had some repairs and maybe a home inspector that tells them it is getting ready to go.If the inside section is old a new one even without the variable speed is better than an old one.Just put it it the price of the home,because if you do not do it you may have to take it off anyway when you go to sell it.