What’s a reasonable price these days for a new AC system?
Posted by lizzzgrrr@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 41 comments
Crime flair because that’s what my electric bill feels like.
Anyhow I need to replace my 5 ton unit inside/outside with gas heat. I’m starting to get quotes and a single stage seems to be $10-15k (I know, big spread) and 2 stage closer to $20k. Not sure what’s reasonable vs taking advantage of a customer who doesn’t know HVAC.
your_drunk_uncle_tom@reddit
We just had a full system replaced by Dragon Air Services. Our house is smaller though so we have a 3 ton, 17 SEER2 multi stage American Standard. We also have a nice new two stage furnace as part of it. The quote was very detailed and the guys who came out were very knowledgeable. Total cost was $14k but that also included an Oncor incentive (they filed it for us) and the American Standard rebate. Overall, very happy with it. One day job and the owner came out for a follow up to make sure everything was alright.
We also got a quote from Quigley and they were also very thorough but about $3-4k higher in price.
avatexrs@reddit
We put in two systems in the past month. One was 12k the other for a much smaller space 8.8k. Used Tiger Air.
Magnet2025@reddit
Lennox XR 2 stage about 3 years ago, \~$9500. We got two.
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
Wow - who did you use?
Magnet2025@reddit
Gentry. Think they are out of Southlake. We went to our original HVAC company, one we had been using for about 15 years. I had already used the Trane Price estimator and the range was \~$9000 per to \~$15000 per. Our estimate was the max, $15k per unit.
We asked Gentry and we got the low end. For the exact same system. We went with Gentry and have been very happy.
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
And now I’m off to the Trane Estimator!
PseudonymIncognito@reddit
Sounds about right. When I replaced my systems three years ago (when it was still R410a) that was about what I was quoted at the time. Worked out to around 11k each for single stage systems and $14.5k each for continuously variable ones (American Standard 4-ton and 5-ton with 80% furnaces).
MontazumasRevenge@reddit
Just replaced mine like 2 weeks ago. Basic single stage unit was $13k. Better single stage $16k, high efficiency multi stage amana w 20yr compressor warranty was just under $20k + 10yrs parts and labor covered on everything else. Negotiated down to $18k before the 3% discount for paying cash. The unit is so quiet I have no clue it's even on.
Spirited_Pin8873@reddit
I just paid $10k for mine.
JPhi1618@reddit
Why do you need to replace it? How old is it? Systems can have a lot of parts replaced but people get told to get a new system because the company makes more money.
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
It’s a 14 year old system and the outside compressor is on its last legs. I can’t replace just the compressor because it’s R22. It still works just not well - it struggles to keep the single story house at 78° at 10p and it’s not even that hot yet. I trust my ‘guy’ who’s been in business for decades just not sure how long he’ll be around. He gave me a palatable quote for a single stage American Standard; one of the bigger companies wasn’t much more expensive for a Carrier
dan1361@reddit
A compressor going out doesn't usually exhibit the symptoms of the system struggling to keep up.
Have you grabbed a second opinion? Could be low or have a metering device issue.
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
Another company came out and also said it’s dying 😢.
dan1361@reddit
Dying how is the question
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
I can’t recall what trusted indie guy said (something analogous to a foot pedal not opening or closing as it should); big company guy showed me meter readings from the compressor and said they’re all out of range but I have no idea if he was feeding me a line of bs to test if I know anything which I don’t
dan1361@reddit
Meter readings are always off on old equipment.
First guy damn near sounds like he's blaming a completely different part.
Genuinely, try a 3rd opinion. Don't tell them anything has been diagnosed. Just say it struggles to keep up a bit and you'd like to have it looked at. See what you get back.
TxDad56@reddit
Finding a certified company for the brand of unit OP has is probably worth his while. A few years ago, we had a company we trusted insisting that we needed a new furnace. We started getting quotes. One was a company that knew our unit well. That guy took a look at the existing unit, got a $2 part off his truck, and fixed it right up. We got seven more years out of that furnace. Probably not what's going on here, but maybe worth an extra evaluation.
djcamic@reddit
Were either of the companies referred by someone you know irl? It’s pretty much standard that these private equity companies (the ones that can afford to get higher search results on google) will recommend a new system no matter the issue.
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
Yes - one is a local independent guy I’ve been using for 5 years (he saved me from a shady company) who also handles my boss, her company, and her whole extended family. The other was a larger company a trusted friend used to install a 2 stage system. Both have similar quotes for single stage, but the bigger company’s 2 stage quote seemed egregious
Thedoctorsaysrelax@reddit
Oddly enough I do ductwork estimating for commerical stuff. I'm just curious which companies have you quotes. If you want to PM me, that's completely fine. If not, that's cool too.
Either way, those quotes aren't completely crazy, but that top dollar one is a bit high there. Few years ago I got my inside coil and outside condenser changed out for about $4200, but I also work in the industry and got a fucking great deal from one of our customers who started in residential and went to commercial. He's a good joe.
EqualIllustrious9633@reddit
Just don’t buy from the iPad scammers 🤣
pot8odragon@reddit
10-15k realistically
TequilaTsunami@reddit
Got quoted 12k for mine a year or two ago for a single stage. 15k seems about right unfortunately 🙃
fwdbuddha@reddit
Need to know more about house like number of stories, number of windows, are they double pane energy efficient, when was house built. Etc. but those price don’t seem to be out of a typical range.
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
Single story 30 year old house with high ceilings. Original windows but only on the east side (zero lot line); but that eastern sun in the morning is brutal - I keep my blinds closed 6 months out of the year
wannabetmore@reddit
About right. About 7 years ago for a 2.5 ton single stage and furnace and such was about 8k. About 3 years ago for a new 2.5 ton (one for each level) dual stage for about 10k. They recommended against against a variable stage... Although they may have made more money as it's more expensive
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
I’ve heard variable isn’t necessary, dual stage is a luxury.
Zack_Dtx@reddit
Neighbor just replaced his 2 weeks ago on emergency - 5 ton, single stage, the works (ducts, furnace, etc) - it was $12k and they did it in a single day … Mondragon Mechanical
FirstAmendAnon@reddit
Mondragon is my boy!!!! He used to do ac work for my dad's business nice dude
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
TY! Was it Mondragon or Dragon (I’ve heard good things about Dragon Air and am overwhelmed with the sheer number of hvac companies)
Zack_Dtx@reddit
It was Mondragon mechanical!
mcmonies@reddit
Reach out to Dustin at Thermal Choice. He’s been doing our annual maintenance and the level of detail - and the honesty in pricing - is fantastic.
drinkywolf@reddit
We used Top Gun Air. Fully variable speed 3 ton Daikin unit inside and out for $9k. This was in 2024. I love that damn thing so much. It replaced a 20 year old Lennox that we’d repaired a dozen times since moving in. This thing uses a fraction of the electricity and my downstairs is COLD. Love it.
QuestionableProtip2@reddit
That $10-15k sounds reasonable these days I’m afraid.
Arrasor@reddit
Man with the price ranges from people here I might as well get a heat pump system by the time I need to replace mine.
dan1361@reddit
One of the most efficient upgrades you can make. Electric heat is so much less efficient comparatively
mattalat@reddit
Last summer I had a 2-stage American Standard installed with furnace for around 11k. Company was D-T AC, highly recommend. Closest second quote was Dragon for 12.5k. Some others were like 20k for the same system, huge variance.
jaydee288@reddit
A couple years ago I paid 8k for a 4 ton with new gas furnace. Quotes I got were 8-12k. I would think 10-15k isn't too far fetched now.
jaydee288@reddit
American Standard. I used JPR Mechanical. No complaints or issues
lizzzgrrr@reddit (OP)
Thx - I was horrified with the two stage quote. Neither quote included duct work (2nd return, direct duct to guest bedroom, new vent would add about $5k 😭😭😭).
If you liked who did yours pls dm me their name! I’m trying to get quotes from a couple of the big names (not Milestone or A#1) and a couple from smaller companies
royalooozooo@reddit
What company and what brand