Help from the "men"

[ogdog13]

Hello All! New home owner here. Single woman...no snickers please.

The HVAC unit in this home is ancient. Must be replaced, rather sooner than later. Have some contractors coming over to give me specs and pricing.

First one comes last night. Until all is said and done he wants to sell me a $12K unit....go ahead, snicker now.

This is obviously a rip-off.

I currently have gas heat. I would love to get gas totally out of my house (yes, one of the few). I have a bi-level house, and am going to convert the downstairs into about 200-300 sq ft of living space (heated and a/c...the rest will just be laundry room, workshop, storage, garage). The upstairs is approx. 1100 feet. I do have direct sunlight all throughout the day on one side of the house.

I know those are real basic. But, what actual size unit do I need. And what is the normal cost. I don't want the caddy of all units. I want quality and efficiency, but cost is still important. $12k is extremely high for a house this big.

Thoughts??? : )

[DeltaT]

Welcome! Have some fun with this if you want to and spend a little money and do a load calculation yourself so that you may answer your own question about the size of the system.

Above press the button for a rather easy load caculation program.

Then, do what everyone else does. Get a least three written estimates and start comparing. The installation company and their history of happy customers are more important then the name of the equipment they install.

Through this process you will become self educated and have a very good chance of making a good decision and finding an installation company that you trust.

Good luck

[Green Mountain]

It is against the policy of this site to discuss price of a job.

That being said, what are you getting for 12K. If you are taking out gas then I assume you are putting in oil. Are we talking new flue? Oil tank? You mentioned upstair living and down stairs working. Are we talking about zoning?

Like Delta T said. Find out what you really need and want as far as a comfort level. You might be surprised that the 12k guy is giving you a deal. We have options in this trade like you wouldn't believe. That's why I wouldn't bash this contractor because I don't know what he has included.

I have done residences for more that 4x what you where quoted. One house I did was for 168 thousand. This guy was a big TV producer however.

[ogdog13]

Sorry on the price.

No, on the oil. I am going to all electric. Yes, we are talking about zoning. I want to have 2 separate thermostats for each level. The downstairs is totally unfinished, so running the new ducts, wires, etc, will be easy. Also, the downstairs will be half underground (good insulation).

I can see the TV producer guy wanting special stuff (as I've worked in TV). I just want a basic energy efficient unit for a house. I have an average sized house.

The contractor insists I need a 2 ton unti, a $1000 filter and an ionic air cleaner because I have 4 dogs. He says that I must have a variable speed blower and a 2-speed cooling cabability.

Guys, once again, I am a single young woman with an average salary. $12K is entirely too much for me. I am very uncomfortable with that.

[aircooled53]

Originally posted by ogdog13
Sorry on the price.

No, on the oil. I am going to all electric. Yes, we are talking about zoning. I want to have 2 separate thermostats for each level. The downstairs is totally unfinished, so running the new ducts, wires, etc, will be easy. Also, the downstairs will be half underground (good insulation).

I can see the TV producer guy wanting special stuff (as I've worked in TV). I just want a basic energy efficient unit for a house. I have an average sized house.

The contractor insists I need a 2 ton unti, a $1000 filter and an ionic air cleaner because I have 4 dogs. He says that I must have a variable speed blower and a 2-speed cooling cabability.

Guys, once again, I am a single young woman with an average salary. $12K is entirely too much for me. I am very uncomfortable with that.

Get another quote from a couple of other company's..I would ask that they do some load calculation on the home and come up with some numbers..12K----LOL
Where are you located? There is a contractor's by state at the top of this page.. Do a little homework and save yourself some $$$..

<<<<<<<<<<<Aircooled>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[ogdog13]

I have 3 other contractors giving me quotes.

Thanks for the chuckle.

I am in Atlanta GA. Trying to find prices online...not easyt.

I'll check out that list. Thanks.

[freezone]

James3528!! He's in Georgia. An added bonus is that he's single!!

[itsamine]

Originally posted by freezone
James3528!! He's in Georgia. An added bonus is that he's single!!

But very moody when not on his meds

[ogdog13]

I must need glasses. Where you finding the oh so single James3528? I went back to the home page, looked under Contractor Ads by State...not seeing him!! : )

[Dowadudda]

12 grand seems quite high for what your describing but as Benncool explained we don't know what he is offering.

As far as you explaining about the two stage condensing unit and variable speed blower on the furnace section, that is correct if your wanting a zoned system. It's one of the two ways to control static pressure. The other way is called constant volume with bypass. And for this as well, possibly reconfiguring ducting is in his mind as well. What did he say??

Out of curiosity, and possibly one reason for the high price is that, is your home electrically in compliance now to offer you electric heat with out an upgrade of your existing electric.

I find it always so fascinating that it's always about the amount of something. If he floored you with the 12 grand, why didn't you then ask for the details as well? Instead you thought rip off. What caused you to immediately go in your head "rip off".

With out details, with out any more information than you have provided, I am thinking in my head. Cheap woman wanting a break.

[Don Sleeth]

I sent him a link to this thread. He will probably want to see a picture

Here, use this one if you want, it should get his attention




[Edited by Don Sleeth on 06-17-2004 at 03:48 PM]

[Dowadudda]

How can one give you a detailed plan and price of something for you HVAC system online??

Everyone who reads my posts, I'd like to point out, that this is a perfect example of how everyone but us thinks this is a retail thing, instead of contracting..

[ogdog13]

[ deleted by Boss
we like to help homeowners in need of technical help and information. However, we can't help you with pricing questions, please do not post or ask about prices.

It is in the Forum Rules


[Edited by Boss on 06-17-2004 at 04:28 PM]

[ogdog13]

How can one give you a detailed plan and price of something for you HVAC system online??

Everyone who reads my posts, I'd like to point out, that this is a perfect example of how everyone but us thinks this is a retail thing, instead of contracting..


********

Not sure what you are getting at here. Don't want a detailed plan and price. Just really wanting to feel like I'm not getting ripped off.

Y'all know that it is a proven study that car dealers don't give women the same prices that they give men...because women generally don't know that much about car specifics. I feel the same way with this particular guy....hopefully tonight's estimate will shed some light on a reasonably affordable yet efficient system.

[hvac4u]

we service the NW side of atlanta, would like to look at your job. 770 606 8100

[rob10]

Originally posted by freezone
James3528!! He's in Georgia. An added bonus is that he's single!!

Called it once. It's 1-redneck-BR549!!!

[joeoilman]

i would seriously consider oil. 140,000 btu per gal. electricity 72,000 btu per kilowatt hour. a good nordyne system will serve you very well. tappan,westinghouse,frigidaire 8ys parts lifetime heat exchanger quality pledge: if heat exchanger or compressor (ac) fails in first 5yrs ENTIRE UNIT replaced with $250.00 labor allowance thrown in as well. OIL HEATS BEST!!!! ask your public utility,they'll tell you. http://www.nordyne.com they have a dealer locator on the sites.

[small change]

I currently have gas heat. I would love to get gas totally out of my house (yes, one of the few). <<<<<


Just a question

Is there a particular reason
you want to get gas out of the house?

Thanks

[Dowadudda]

Originally posted by ogdog13
I have 3 other contractors giving me quotes.

Thanks for the chuckle.

I am in Atlanta GA. Trying to find prices online...not easyt.

I'll check out that list. Thanks.

you said you were looking for prices online is what I am getting at.

[spike]

Ask your trusted friends who they use and recommend. When you get 2 or 3 that give the same answer, call those companies.

Forget the online stuff. You want/need to establish a relationship with a quality contractor (not someone out for a quick buck+. The way to do this is to let them consult with you, sell, install and warranty the equipment.

This is truly an trade where you get what you pay for. (As Jack would say) It only costs a little more to get the best, and when you divide that up over 15 year life expectency, trivial.. Get the best and most you can. You spend so much time indoor the difference in comfort will be amazing if done correctly. Good luck.

Remember these words/phrases: Sporlan adjustable TXV, variable speed, 13 SEER (no higher) (I'd stay with gas, 80%), seal the return air, 10 P&L warranty (buy it!)

[Edited by spike on 06-17-2004 at 11:52 PM]