$350 replace AC start capacitor high priced? (assessment, bill, refund)

[w7kkk]

Not in the Phoenix area, but just had mine done which included a full service/cleaning and the cost was $175.

[Star691]

That price does sound a bit steep for just replacing a capacitor. An AC company quoted me $4,100 to replace a package AC system at my Florida rental property several years ago. I ordered one from the internet for $1,200 with free shipping. Installed it myself, and it still works great! I had experience in the HVAC field, which helped a lot.

[Potential_Landlord]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

True. However, I have a local company that I bought an extended warranty from. $750 a year covers my 3 air units, water heater, and appliances, $75 more for sprinkler leaks. It's $75 a service call (you can combine two events so long it is the same contractor). I've struggled with my late model Carriers. Plus garbage disposal, plus my dryer. I'm glad I bought it. Only one call to make and I don't have to shop contractors. It makes sense for my situation. I'm signing up again this year.

In my experience, those caps go out every few years in AZ (every 15 years in MN).

I also have issues with my new Goodman 5t packaged unit on the roof. Cap goes out 1-2 times per year. Put a thermostat in the compartment. Turns out our extreme summer temps make cap run hotter than 85C (that's what they are spec'ed to usually) and that kills them. Closed-in compartment directly exposed to sun plus the 2-stage makes it run much longer continuously (which is good for energy consumption btw). But it all overheats the cap. Solution: not sure if it works permanently yet but I put some vent holes in the compartment to get cold air in there. It seems like AC manufacturers do not put our extreme heat into consideration.

[b29510]

on hvac was rally bad is price of freon, some like the old r22 is running $400 a pound. its one of those how cold can you afford

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Johnhw222

Labor is so expensive in this country process to do simple things are beyond many budgets. Save the middle class thay matter more than anything. Biggest differences vs low cost countries is cost of labor and gov taxes. Labor costs are driven by add ons and lack of competition for skilled labor to keep,rates affordable. But the real issue is high cost of living here that’s what’s killing the middle class. Inflation is a disaster and prices aren’t dropping as some claim it’s the rate of increase that down.

Existential threat along with our debt levels.

In the last few years, the cost of labor went up a solid 30%. I'd say it is a higher percentage increase on the East side of the Valley. It's tough to get used to.

That said, there is a wide range of labor pricing across this country.

[ben young]

Now mid September in northernmost Coos County. NH .We don't have AC...IN THE Daytime it's now in 50s ,nights mid 30s ,sorry can't helpyou

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by ben young

Now mid September in northernmost Coos County. NH .We don't have AC...IN THE Daytime it's now in 50s ,nights mid 30s ,sorry can't helpyou

Thanks for your contribution. It was a profound post.

[b29510]

my company charge me out at $120 hour, 2 hour minimum plus travel. I dont see that. but that pays for the truck, insurance, offive bldg, copy machine, telephone, ladys in the office. Time when were not busy


its just how they make money, its just business
yes it might be high, but when they replace ducts in attic during summer. its really low


How much cold can you afford

[john3232]

You're not paying the AC tech, plumber, electrician for the 45 min. they spend fixing the problem. You’re paying for their 25 years of experience.

[DAXhound]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

Agreed. The next trick is to figure out what service company you are going to hire. Some companies are not exactly honest. Just look at most of their online feedback.

I found a decent company (letter grade B-). They are far from perfect. Most companies in that business outsource contractors that agree to work with them. I've had an AC problem that took 3 service calls to fix and I paid 3 different trip charges and three different techs (it was intermittent). This is in a 2016 Carrier unit. It quickly cycles on and off. But not every time and generally, only when it is extremely hot outside. It's a cap (nope), there is too much freon (nope). I asked for the best of the best (and talked with the owner of the AC company). He showed me I had a kink in the flex line as it was bent some. He was convinced that was the problem. Nope. I get to make another appt ($75 more) when I return. The next trick is to get them to recreate it. It has to be a HOT day. You get my point.. But, I just explained an odd issue which isn't typical. But the other yahoos that simply replaced a cap were certainly wrong.

Is it a multi speed system? Sounds like a short that occurs during high power. The sleeve of wires coming off the condensing unit is suspect..in extreme conditions, the heat from the copper tube can melt the wire insulation.

Also, did the trouble start with the monsoonal humidity? The condensate drain is critical and some have kill-switches with a full tray...and so many have no clu
e on thermostat differential. 0.5f will cause short cycling on many systems...try 1.5f.