Has anyone replaced their own central AC system?

Question

There are a couple of web sites that will sell the system at about 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of what I have been quoted to replace our central AC system. The outside compressor would be easy enough, but the furnace is in a closet upstairs. A 5 ton system is going for about $5800, while I am getting quotes in the range of $12,000. Is there really $6,000 in labor to replace one of these units. My last salesman said it was about a 2 day job.

Answer 1

We bought a 5 1/2 ton Rheem about 3 years ago and only paid 5700.00 TOTAL. Took one day to install it. The Rheem that had been replaced had worked for 20 years.. Never had any problems with it.
Good luck

Answer 2

To the Customer of this question allow me to share with you some information about my business.

1st lets talk about what you where quoted over the net...

Do you think that because you where quoted a price on the internet for one of these products means that it is legal for you to buy.

2nd This trade is required by FEDERAL LAW to have a Licence because you have to work with Electricity /Natural Gas/and be aware of EPA rules regaurding Freon... We are also required by STATE LAW to have Liability Insurance(THATS NOT CHEAP)

This seperates us from the Lawncare Maintenance Co.

3rd We are subject to serious FINES and FEDERAL PRISON should we fail to follow the FEDERAL LAWS that are the guide lines to OUR PROFESSION. Allow me to tell you some ove penilties you the HOME OWNER would be subject to if you chose to do this yourself.

for minor violations of the CAA or the EPA you could recieve up to $5000.00 per day you are in violation.

False Statements or Certificationsn to EPA investigators will result in 2 years of federal prision.
Serious Violators(like installing your own AC system w/o a licence) can result in 5 years federal prision you can even be sued for civil damages on top of that.

Enough of the that now and there is much more but i will spare you lol.

Because your a home owner your not licenced in HVAC you CAN NOT buy any products related to HVAC. So forget what you thought you could buy ok .

Now back to your second part of your question you said you needed both systems replaced the outside unit and the furnace upstairs. There is an Evaporator located in the furnace so both of these units need to be balanced.

Im also willing to bet the system in your home isnt even as good of a product as the one your replacing it with even if your old system was new chances are it was underrated.
Homes 15 to 20 yrs ago where never considered as ENERGY STAR HOMES.
Secondly you bought a home and it was how much ???? ONE to maybe THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND when you bought it. AN HVAC system is a very LARGE part of your comfort in that home. Did you think it would be cheap to replace such a large part of your home??

Why dont you think about this how much prep is there to take out that upstairs unit in the middle of the SUMMER and CONTAIN all the MESS and protect/move all DAMAGABLE goods in your in a way that dosen't harm you, your family, and your house furnishings.

When you ADD up all the time needed to do this job and consider both units being repalced 12K is in the ball park.

IF you have any questions feel free to E MAIL me

Signed Tim

Answer 3

There is absolutely no way you can safely and legally install it unless you have the specialized tools needed. The cost of the basic tools needed is over $1000 plus you need to be certified to handle the refrigerant. Stay out of jail and the poorhouse. The fine is $10,000 and up to 10 years in prison.

Answer 4

Pay me now or pay me later. I love these folks who buy a a/c system over the web. Here is another job for "Uncle Billy Bob's heating and Lawn care".

Those of us who know what we are doing can seem expensive, but wait till you buy that system that doesn't work and then want one of us to come fix it.

Answer 5

no labor is not that much....they have to pay insurance, wages, operating cost, overhead, taxes.......plus u cant change out the outside unit unless u r lic. because u have to remove the freon that is still in the lines and if u leak any of it its a $ 10,000.00 Federal fine!! plus u have to have the right equipment to remove it ....plus u cant by the freon to add to it if needed with out a lic.......

u need to know how to work with copper....

i'm not saying the bids r not high just u need to get a bid on labor only......

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 6

tell that sales man to take a hike it can be done in 8 hrs or less. you can install it your self it might take u 2 days are you using a tube kit or hard pipe then where are you getting the ref. from most places you have to be licensed to buy it and the know how to charge it gauges do you have a set