[WestieJeff]

10-15k per unit is definitely in spec depending on the size of the unit and the various extra features/energy efficiency (variable speed, etc)/warranty. The contractor's cost for a unit is probably 5-8k depending on size/features.

Generally the more features and higher energy efficiency, the more complexity, higher repair cost, and possibly a shorter lifespan. Perhaps if you can run the compressor and/or blower at a lower speed then they might last longer? I have a single speed unit so I don't know in a practical sense how these units operate in our environment. Is it simply so hot here that they run at 100% 85% of the time and maybe you get a month total of it running at less than 100%? I don't know.

Originally Posted by Equalizir

Thanks everyone for all the help. So my AC guy came out Saturday night and looked at our AC unit. We have one for each floor of our house(2 story). The upstairs unit is the one going out. The capacitor was dead so he replaced it no charge. He then tested the amps and did say it was pulling a lot more amperage than its suppose to. Our house was built in 2005 so our AC units are around 18 years old. They are Lennox units have have been really great. We did have to replace a motor on the other unit and over the years have had to replace capacitors but for the most part have been great. What worries me is our AC guy was throwing around 10k-15k per new unit! I almost had a heart attack when he threw those numbers out because I've had it in my head that around 6k per unit would be about right. He did mention the 15k were for these new Bosch smart type units that don't always draw 100% power like traditional split systems would. He brought that unit up because we recently went solar and he said that unit would be great for our system. I'm really hoping that we can make it thru this summer without having to replace anything. He said he would try to get us thru the summer and I am definitely crossing my fingers. But I know we still have a long way to go before it cools down so I don't know how this will play out.

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by WestieJeff

10-15k per unit is definitely in spec depending on the size of the unit and the various extra features/energy efficiency (variable speed, etc)/warranty. The contractor's cost for a unit is probably 5-8k depending on size/features.

Generally the more features and higher energy efficiency, the more complexity, higher repair cost, and possibly a shorter lifespan. Perhaps if you can run the compressor and/or blower at a lower speed then they might last longer? I have a single speed unit so I don't know in a practical sense how these units operate in our environment. Is it simply so hot here that they run at 100% 85% of the time and maybe you get a month total of it running at less than 100%? I don't know.

I have a 2-stage compressor and it only runs at 100/% when I've been away from home and it's trying to get the temp down several degrees. But once it's at the set temperature and cycles on to drop it a degree (over most of the day and night) then it's running at about 60% most of the time.

[DAXhound]

I had a carrier mini split, 17000 BTU 17.6 seer installed in my west facing 18th floor condo in 2019..was 620 used installed. That was Bangkok. Don't get extorted. And I have no idea why the inverter technology hasn't caught on in the us.makes refrigerators work better, too.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by Equalizir

My question is can anyone recommend good AC units?

Most of that comes out to a Ford vs Chevy debate.
Instead of brand, focus the the PERSON installing or servicing whatever is put in.

[moguldreamer]

One thing to look at is the energy efficiency of the unit, expressed as SEER. SEER stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.” It is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), divided by the total electric energy input consumed in watt-hours. You'll see a number such as SEER of 17 or 21 or whatever (ranging from 8 to 30). HOWEVER, this number is calculated using a constant indoor temperature and varying outdoor temperatures ranging from 60°F to 100°F, and that isn't as realistic for Las Vegas. Because our summers are hotter than the test parameters, subtract 6 from the reported SEER for its Las Vegas climate performance.

The higher the number, the less electricity it uses to cool your house. Not too surprisingly, the higher the SEER, the more expensive the unit tends to be.

Here in Las Vegas, a better number to evaluate is the EER rather than the SEER. The "S" in "SEER" stands for seasonal, which is less of an issue for us because we have only two seasons rather than 4.

When comparing, say, Carrier to Lennox, compare EER to EER and SEER to SEER.

Sizing the HVAC unit’s cooling capacity capacity correctly is more important to your monthly electricity bills than the unit's SEER or EER.

If you buy a SEER 21 unit that is too large in terms of BTUs, it may get you a nice, comfortably cool upstairs, but it may not be electricity-efficient compared to a unit correctly sized.

***
IF IT WERE ME, I would call a mechanical engineering consulting company that can do load calculations that are much better and more accurate than your typical HVAC contractor, taking into account the specific orientation of your house, the square-footage of east- and west- facing windows, shade trees, the type of insulation in the attic and walls, etc. The engineer will use software different from the software the contractors use.

I've used Comfort Engineering in the past and can recommend them; there are many others. I consider it money well spent.

[wpcoe]

Originally Posted by DAXhound

I had a carrier mini split, 17000 BTU 17.6 seer installed in my west facing 18th floor condo in 2019..was 620 used installed. That was Bangkok. Don't get extorted. And I have no idea why the inverter technology hasn't caught on in the us.makes refrigerators work better, too.

I lived in Thailand 19 years and now Mexico 3 years, and in both places inverters are ubiquitous. It has puzzled me, as well, why they are not more common in the USA. One nice feature (benefit?) is that they don't noisily "snap" on when they power up. They start slowly and gradually spin up.

[DAXhound]

Originally Posted by wpcoe

I lived in Thailand 19 years and now Mexico 3 years, and in both places inverters are ubiquitous. It has puzzled me, as well, why they are not more common in the USA. One nice feature (benefit?) is that they don't noisily "snap" on when they power up. They start slowly and gradually spin up.

More of a bang once they get older...and that is where lots of energy is wasted.

[Equalizir]

So our house has two ac units. Our upstairs unit will need to be replaced soon. Our house was built in 2005 so our ac units are around 18 years old. My question is can we just replace the unit that is going bad now and replace the other one later?

[movin1]

If they are both the same age, they will both probably fail about the same time. You could wait, but you might get a better deal to replace both of them at the same time. You should see lower power bills with newer and better systems, another reason to do it sooner rather than later.

[moguldreamer]

Remember: the higher the SEER number, the lower your monthly power bills.