Looking to purchase a new/old home. Need A/C cost?
 

I'm looking to buy a 1929 house that is next to the Edison Estate down here. Price is right and inspection came back amazing, no mold, 5 yr old roof, plumbing redone in 1990's. Great deal for a 2,800 sf house. The only issue is the A/C unit went out about 5 years ago. The 70 yr old couple that has lived there since 1970 (and currently does) decided not to replace it because they never used it. The house is very cool temperature inside. Probably a 10 deg difference than outside. But I definitely need a new unit.

The ducting is all there, the breaker box is too. Any idea of the cost for a outside unit? Also do I need to replace the inside unit as well?

$2K budget bud.
Good luck,

2k sounds good. Potentially 1.5 - 3

For just a compressor, I'm thinking more like $3500 and I wouldn't be surprised if you needed to replace the linesets and air handlers. Air has been out 5 years and the system is probably 15-20 years old.

Get it checked out by some qualified HVAC guys.

You will want to replace air handlers and compressor. I am no expert, but they are both plenty old, without a doubt

You need a big unit there w/ that many sq'. you will need a 5 ton unit just for cooling. I would replace the ducts and the air handler also. I don't know about your state? around here, you are require to get an independent air duct test for leakage and must have a 13seer system to satify all the green BS to save elec. My HVAC guy just put in a complete 4.5 ton unit, ran new duct, for my client. It was around 6k. It might be a little high in CA. Keep in mind that you might have to get everything up to code. You getting a permit for this? If not, then... forget the ducts and save. Get them clean is a must IMO.

I was thinking somewhere near a grand for both inside and outside, but then again, I don't pay for the brand or retail prices. Unless you have to move the whip, replace the evaporator and need new copper lines, I'd say $600 max. I would take a close look at the evaporator.

Where does it leak? Did the compressor lock up? You might be able to fix it on the cheap.

Might even think about dual units. Friends of mine had one A/C unit go TU and it was in the summer in a 115 degree day.

They had dual units (one for first floor, one for second floor) and they just turned the other unit up another 5 degrees and at least survived until the repairmen came.

Its a bit more expensive but depending on how summers get there, now would be the time to think about it.

You do want to do at least the indoor coil (maybe the air handler) with the replacement of the outdoor condensing unit. Why?
Typically the coil and condensing unit are matched now with the high SEER ratings. Old coils were typically capillary tube metering devices and the new ones are thermostatic expansion valves. Much better efficiency....
Find a few good companies to give you a quote in relation to the size of the equipment that is in place now.

I had a new 3 ton 14 seer unit (inside and outside) installed last year including new ductwork for about $7K. You'll prolly need a 5 ton. Price is very dependant on seer rating.

edit: just pulled invoice - total was $5.3K instead of $7K

Red makes a good point, my folks have a house that is ranch style, similar size, added second unit when they did remodel, one at each end of the house. Their electric bill went down significantly, I presume due to increased efficiency

Terry I know this is not what you are looking for, but I cool my house with 2 window units. I am cooling almost 4000 sq.ft. and the electric bill is about $200 in July and August.

If it is a 2 story house, for sure go with seperate units. Forget about all that fancy electronic damper stuff. My A/C contractor always talk me out of it. In a big commerical situtation, yes, but a home, it really isn't necessary. Let us know about the lay out of your home. 2 stroy, or one. You might think about having a unit just to cool the bedrooms, and another to cool the kitchen, living rm, living room, den and so on.

How many BTU's? They'll pull the moisture out of the air, hopefully.

I wouldn't try to salvage your inside unit. Replace everything together. I know when we upgraded our AC to a SEER 14 Goodman (which is the Chevy of AC units), our AC bills dropped in half over the under rated 25 year old units.

I don't know how many BTU's, but they keep the house very nice in the humid south summers. The house is a two story frame home (1935?)

Check what refrigerant the new unit has. R-22 is being phased out. R 410 is the new refrigerant. It will cost more. Like others said higher SEER rating is better.
Purchase a complete unit (indoor coil, line set, and outdoor unit)

I put in a 2.5 ton SEER 14 unit in my ranch, ran me. 4K installed. Evidently it's highly dependent on locale. Definitely go with the R410

Sounds like my thoughts as well. I'm budgeting $5k for the A/C which should cover it.

Yeah, replace all three, they are a matched set. I have a newer Trane, and I think it uses their proprietory "Puron" refrigerant. My A/C bills are half of what they were with the 30 y/o unit. 10 year warranty, I believe.