HVAC techs chime in

[naplesE30]

My 9 year old heat pump is on its last leg. It's a 4 ton unit and 12 seer (I think). So the wife and I are starting to gets bids and it isn't pretty no matter how you slice it. We are looking to move to a more efficient system 18 seer or above ideally. First quote was for $9400 installed for a bryant evolution 189bnv048 compressor with a bryant fe4anf air handler. Not cheap. I have 3 other companies lined up in the next week to bid out the project. However, doing some poking around I found I can buy the compressor and air handler online for around $5300. So am I better off sticking with buy and installing all with the same company or buying equipment and just having a install done by a moonlighting technician? I know there would be additional equipment that would need to be purchased, such as surge protesters, some ductwork I'm sure, copper lines etc, but does that really equal 4 grand? I am just guessing a clean install would be 2 guys at 8 hrs each max. Any advice on equipment recommendation and questions to ask during bid process and installation would be awesome. Also I live in SW Florida so dehumidifying the air is huge.

[Todd Black 88]

What needs to be replaced?
Is just the heat pump failing....as in the condenser section outside....or is the air handler, the evaporator in the ducting of the air handler all done for?

[Kevinl]

I would look into a Trane XV18 variable compressor

You can probably find somebody to install it but you basically have no warranty if it was purchased online

Do you really need an 18 seer?

[M-technik-3]

18 seer qualifies for Federal and State rebates most likely.

[naplesE30]

Coil is leaking and condensor is starting to corrode, 10years is about the lifespan here where they ar used 10months out of the year, countless power surges, and high hummuidity, espc with our low grade contractor unit. Ducting is a bit undersized in sections and would need some modification but not a total redo according to first contractor. The $9400 price was after all rebates and tax incentives. However you have to use a qualified company to get the Florida Power and Light rebates. We broke the bid out to several different models all Bryant. The 18seer at $9400 being the highest and a 14 seer at $5200 being the lowest. I just dont see how their can be $4000 in labor. If I can buy the whole system on line for $5000ish. That would mean the 14 seer would only cost the contractor $1000 in parts. I assume its just as labor intesive to install a 14 seer as 18 seer?

I have read good things on both the Trane and Bryant systems. We are looking at the 18 seer as we are planning on being in the house a while and the payback at this point is about 4yrs with toadys utilities costs. May be less time after the EPA rapes our local coal fired power plant.

Warranty work is the other big question with going with a moonlighting tech. I am pretty much in the dark with HVAC so just trying to get as educated as I can. I know I have been taken a few time before. Almost paid $650 for a uv light, that I ended up doing myself for a grand total of $130. I like to save a penny where I can, but if the cost to do have a job done right is more than I have no problem shelling out the $$$ to get quality work.

[Julien]

Bryant is good stuff. Maybe look at ductless: toshiba carrier

[Kevinl]

Its not $4000 in labor only its overhead, additional materials, and profit Is it a Bryant Evolution? I really don't think you need 18 seer unless the rebates are huge we only get a lousy $245 rebate here. SEER Is a selling point EER is a more realistic look at efficiency I wouldn't do ductless either

[naplesE30]

Ductless not an option. Yes bryant evolution. State rebate is 402 for 17 seer and up 267 for 16 seer. $1000 bryant rebate. I would like to stick with a multi stage system espc for nighttime cooling to help keep humidity level low.

Kevin are you in the industry?

[Julien]

i am :)

[Kevinl]

Yes I work in the industry. There are 16 seer two stage units that can save you some money upfront The price you got is probably not to far out of line but I would see what other companies have to say

[naplesE30]

OK guys I have 2 companies coming tomorrow I will let you know if their prices are in line. The gentleman I met with today recommended Rheem, he seemed honest enough and actually was on the pro bbq tour for a while.
Either of you have any experience with customers buying their own equipment online? I can see how it could turn into a disaster.

[matthugie]

Either of you have any experience with customers buying their own equipment online? I can see how it could turn into a disaster.

I wouldn't do it. It may affect the warranty, shipping these items is very difficult and units are frequently damaged, and there are laws regarding the purchase of some systems (i.e. if it's a wet system it can only be purchased by someone with EPA certification).

I agree about Kevin's assessment on the balance of the price. It takes several hours of labor, the additional supplies can add up, and refrigerant is very expensive.

[Kevinl]

Brand does not really matter they are all built with the same components being your in florida definitely get a unit with an all alumminum evaporator coil they are not affected by formicary corossion

[naplesE30]

So looking at 16 seer as the jump in price to 18seer is just to much to stomach. Also will be moving the air handler to the garage wall. Currently it sits in a closet between bedrooms and is loud and has no return ducts. We will be able to utilize a few passthroughs that are already in place, and add two more large returns on the other side of the house. This should help to cool the house more evenly, quiet the house, eliminate the sucking up of dog hair(we have a golden retriever and tile floors, bad combo for an air handler that sits 18 inches off the ground). The price for relocation was $1500 across the board from 3 contractors. Awaiting bids from 3 other contractors but the concensus so far is 16seer units are about 3-4k less $$$. Also we want a 2 stage unit to aid with hummidity control. Rheem had a good price and a 16 seer 2 stage unit we are eyeballing. The bryant is only one stage at the 16 seer level so I think we are eliminating it.