[MadeinAmerica]

I have a 6-year-old, Goodman 2-ton, 12 SEER AC for the upstairs and a 1.5 ton, 10 SEER Trane for the downstairs.

The Goodman condenser coil is leaking. Various quotes suggest up to about $400 to fix the leak (no assurance on how long the repair will last), $975 (lowest) to $1600 to replace the coil (no one thinks that great as still an out of warranty unit, and more to replace the system.

Best option, given the age of the Trane (18 years) is a quote to replace both with same tonnage (1.5 and 2 ton units) Lennox 13 SEER units with matched evaporator coils for total cost of $3750 for both units.

What do you think?

[hvac1000]

I have a 6-year-old, Goodman 2-ton, 12 SEER AC for the upstairs and a 1.5 ton, 10 SEER Trane for the downstairs.

The Goodman condenser coil is leaking. Various quotes suggest up to about $400 to fix the leak (no assurance on how long the repair will last), $975 (lowest) to $1600 to replace the coil (no one thinks that great as still an out of warranty unit, and more to replace the system.

Best option, given the age of the Trane (18 years) is a quote to replace both with same tonnage (1.5 and 2 ton units) Lennox 13 SEER units with matched evaporator coils for total cost of $3750 for both units.

What do you think?

Sounds like a good deal BUT the copper lines should also be replaced or a special flushing fluid used to flush the oil out of the old lines. The flushing fluid costs some bucks so it might be better to just replace the lines. The price you got is very cheap for two complete setups so I would be very careful on this deal.

[MadeinAmerica]

The company does Lennox and has very good reviews (5 out of 5 on two websites for reviewing heat and air contractors here in GA).

I know about the flushing (and they are guarenteeing parts and labor, so they must be planning to flush) and will check that with them.

Assuming the price is due to the high mark-up that is typical paired with the very bad economy down here (almost no building going on and probably more repairs than replacements). That is my guess - trying to stay in business.

[MadeinAmerica]

hvac1000 - I have seen some of your other replies on here and you seem to know the business.

The opinions on conversions with lines online seem to be all over the place, with most reporting no problems (others saying failures occur very fast). I am concerned about this, but assume that Lennox imposes requirements on the installers for covering the warranty (or makes them pay for the parts if they do not follow them). So, assumptions being risky, I still should think they are not out to do a bad job.

If they come out and do not show they plan to do anything with the lines, then I will refuse the job.

Otherwise, I can only cross my fingers. They are in an area I know well - closed my business near there this past year - so I know that there is not a lot of business going on.

I think some of the smaller companies are just trying to survive and keep their people by cutting mark-up and doing reasonable service rates. The big one here, CoolRay, still seems comfortable in giving outrageous quotes and trying to sell you the furnace plus the AC (my Trane furnace for the malfunctioning unit still looks like it just came out of the box).

I hate this stuff - would like to go to Consumer Reports, pick a unit and get it put in with no installer variables involved. AC does not work that way, so it is some homewark and a roll of the dice... Sucks.

[hvac1000]

Seems you are smart enough to keep an eye on what they are going to do so just stay on top of things and hopefully all will turn out OK.

[MadeinAmerica]

No one is smart enough not to get screwed these days, but thanks.

The system is in. I am seeing how well it will cool now.

I just posted a question on what the temperature should be in the duct (have electronic thermometer from my restaurant owning days). Opinion here?

I have it set to 70 degrees now (usually do 78) up and downstairs to see how well it cools.

Fingers crossed, big time, but it was such a great deal for two units and evaporators at $3750 and good online reviews of the company, that I could not let it go.

If I were religious, I would pray.

[hvac1000]

Look for a 18 degree give or take TD once the interior is cooled down. That is total temp differential from the return air to the supply air. The give or take on this depends upon the humidity.