Air conditioner

[franjoe]

Am in the middle of spending alot of money having our air conditioner fixed and now replaced. At the end of March 1st visit - new coil over $1500. 2nd visit a new unit outside $3300 and now a week later they tell me I probably need a new motor, haven't heard how much yet. How long are we to expect an air conditioner to last? Our house was built in 2007, we bought in 2010, was hoping for it to last longer than this. Has anyone else experienced having to replace their air conditioner.

[tommy steam]

I would think it would last longer than that around 11 or 12 years with proper maintenance , maby longer. If you can,get several quotes from different contractors. Look at the search box on this site and type in ac contractors and you will find many that people have used and the good and the not so good. Good luck

[golf2140]

Am in the middle of spending alot of money having our air conditioner fixed and now replaced. At the end of March 1st visit - new coil over $1500. 2nd visit a new unit outside $3300 and now a week later they tell me I probably need a new motor, haven't heard how much yet. How long are we to expect an air conditioner to last? Our house was built in 2007, we bought in 2010, was hoping for it to last longer than this. Has anyone else experienced having to replace their air conditioner.

Some of this should have been under warranty. Let us know the repair firm so we can stay away.

[kaydee]

Sorry to hear of your AC troubles. Something just doesn't sound right since your home was built in 07....yes your unit should have lasted a lot longer. I do hope you are dealing with someone reputable who is not steering you in the wrong direction.

[buggyone]

Yes, please tell the name of the contractor you are using. It sounds very doubious to me.

I suggest you call Seniors vs Crime in either Sumter or Marion County (both have offices in The Villages) and see if they have anything in their database on that contractor. Maybe you should even go there in person and find out if they think you are being ripped off. Seniors vs Crime is a free service.

I used an A/C repair service called Chuck Farrell's Heating & AC. He just put in a re-built Trane motor in my unit for $250 and it came with a 2 year warranty.

[Quixote]

Am in the middle of spending alot of money having our air conditioner fixed and now replaced. At the end of March 1st visit - new coil over $1500. 2nd visit a new unit outside $3300 and now a week later they tell me I probably need a new motor, haven't heard how much yet. How long are we to expect an air conditioner to last? Our house was built in 2007, we bought in 2010, was hoping for it to last longer than this. Has anyone else experienced having to replace their air conditioner.

I replaced the entire A/C system last year in a home built in 2004 and bought in 2011. The old system was working but struggling in extremely hot weather. Research told me that the square footage of the house required a unit in between what TV put in and the next size up, so unsurprisingly they had put in the smaller one when the house was built. I figured why wait for the inevitable in another couple of years; I might as well bite the bullet and do it--and enjoy it--now.

I had Munn’s do the job; they had been my service provider in my previous home in TV and had always been extremely satisfied with them. I got several estimates, and while they weren’t the lowest (though close to the lowest), they included services and parts not included in the other estimates, as well as including additional ductwork and vent to the master bedroom closet which the house was built without and which was sorely needed.

I went for a two-stage unit that Munn’s offered, plus an air cleaner. I don’t know what’s available now, but when I bought I was offered--and I accepted--a one-year interest-free loan, and I also received a rebate for modernizing the natural gas heating system. I could not be more pleased, one more payment and I’m done, and I don’t have to be concerned about the other shoe dropping when I least expect it!

In your situation, unless the previous owner had purchased a ten-year extended warranty and passed it on to you, you may not be covered for the repairs you’ve already done and might have to do on a six-year-old unit. Your repairs do sound extensive for a unit that’s only six years old, and you may want to follow through with other suggestions you’ve been given as far as the integrity of the service people you’re using. Good luck!

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Some of this should have been under warranty. Let us know the repair firm so we can stay away.

This is what I was thinking that it may still be under warranty.

[ducati1974]

As an A/C contractor for 38 years the whole think sounds suspicious to me. About the only reason you would replace an indoor coil would be if it had refrigerant leak you could not pinpoint or could not repair. The fact that they replaced the outdoor unit shortly after tells me the leak was NOT in the indoor coil and that these guys are just guessing with YOUR money. Hopefully the real leak is not in the lineset joining the two. I would certainly never use them again and unless they have a very good explanation for everything it would be nice for you to post the company's name so others could beware. NO A/C system should need to be replaced after 7 years!

[gomoho]

Unless you live at the ocean and salt water has eaten away at it!