New A/C Unit

[tiger]

Our A/C went out last night, and Greg from Affordable came out today and pronounced it dead. So we're looking at a new five-ton unit. He quoted a price of around $3600, installed.

I've been very happy with Greg, but for a purchase of this magnatude, I'll call around. I spoke with Devin at Air Source (on Sawdust) and he quoted $1700 for a five-ton unit from a different vendor (Payne, made by Carrier).

Has anyone dealt with Air Source? Greg came highly recommended, but that's a huge difference in price. I'm still calling around, so any other recommended A/C guys would be greatly appreciated.

[Wilson]

I've used Hal Watson for the last year, but just for checks & minor repairs - nothing huge. Good luck!

[mdonn76405]

Hal installed a new unit a couple of years ago. It was top of the line and reasonable. No problems at all.

[tiger]

Thanks. I put a call into Hal. I also started calling around, and everybody says Greg's price is too high. Must be the Woodlands Tax.

[cgwoolf]

Greg has been great for minor repairs and such. But that sounds awfully expensive...what is the brand? There has to be something very different about those 2 a/c's for you to get that $$ swing.

[Lucky]

Had a company called Suncoast HVAC install two Amana units outside last November. Previous homeowners dogs had peed all over the old units until they were ruined. Suncoast was recommended by a realator.

Had one 7 ton and one 5 ton installed I belive. Total cost around $4600 for both. Of course then with new outside units we had a few other problems like a circuit board burning out and one of the new units didn't have the right size circuit breaker. Those were small additional expences.

Suncoast HVAC
281-292-7283

[tiger]

Greg quoted for Amana, which seems to be a great brand, but the pricing seems way out of whack. The GF has a call into the guy who always did great work at her old house... he's not anywhere near TW, so perhaps he'll be cheap.

Lucky: I'll give Suncoast a ring.

[1973VW]

Someone else had the same experience with Greg and went with Hal Watson. They are Trane people and did my original builder grade units which are still going after 13 years, and his ductwork has been called "a work of art" by another a/c guy.

[Bonkers]

Greg installed my Payne a year ago - was happy enough with him that I didn't call around for pricing. I can't remember the exact price, but I bleieve it was around $2300.00

[tiger]

I called Hal Watson, and their prices were almost as high as Greg's.

After calling around, I found three price groupings:

One was 1700, which is suspiciously low.

The majority were at 2200-2300 for builder-grade units, and $2600-2700 for higher end (10 yr warranty) units.

Greg and Hal Watson were in the 3300+ range, and Hal Watson was doing some serious upselling to replace the evaporator and furnace, too.

We're going to go with the guy that did a great job for my GF at her old house; he's honest and dependable, and his recommendations seemed good. He's not in the Woodlands, which may explain his lower pricing.

[Candleman]

I called Hal Watson, and their prices were almost as high as Greg's.

After calling around, I found three price groupings:

One was 1700, which is suspiciously low.

The majority were at 2200-2300 for builder-grade units, and $2600-2700 for higher end (10 yr warranty) units.

Greg and Hal Watson were in the 3300+ range, and Hal Watson was doing some serious upselling to replace the evaporator and furnace, too.

We're going to go with the guy that did a great job for my GF at her old house; he's honest and dependable, and his recommendations seemed good. He's not in the Woodlands, which may explain his lower pricing.

All quotes are not created equal. The brand of the unit is a huge factor in pricing. Also, all A/c units are not created equal. With some units you can save on the front end but end up paying more in utility cost and repairs. If you have had your A/c go out in August you can understand.;)

[tiger]

You're correct about that. I ended up with a Goodman unit.

It's not a brand I was familiar with, but it turns out to be highly rated. They're based in Houston, and they bought the Amana brand a few years back. (One of the 3500 quotes I had was for an Amana unit which seems to be identical to the Goodman I purchased.

[Wilson]

You're correct about that. I ended up with a Goodman unit.

Ah, so you're who we have to thank for this cool weather tonight? :devil: