When to buy AC?

[34saving]

Hi all. I hoping somebody can help me out on this one . . . Our central AC gave up the ghost a few hours ago. It's 20 years old, so it's probably not worth fixing. So, we're going to want a new one. Any ideas on frugal timing? Of course we'd love to get it right away, but August is usually the last of the really warm months here in MN. Would we be better off waiting? Or since the cooling season is almost over anyway, would now be okay? Any ideas? (Of course I can ask, but I'm betting most salespeople won't say "and this unit will be $500 cheaper in two weeks . . . "

[mom-from-missouri]

Around here the cheapest time to buy a window one is after the season-when the stores don't want to be stuck with one. If you are going with central AC, I would think the best time would be when you don't need either AC or heat--I would think that would be when the dealers would be wanting do deal as it would be their slower season.

[Tree0164]

We had the same situation last year. Our central AC transformer went down the last week of July. We got quoted $875 to get it fixed. We didn't have the money at that time to get it fixed. We waited until early spring when we got our tax returns and it was the same price.

You are paying alot for labor so I don't think the price varies all that much. Check around and you can probably get several estimates.

[PrincessPerky]

According to that new article by Jeffery, waiting till after january with the new tax breaks would prolly be good.

[terry1156]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

According to that new article by Jeffery, waiting till after january with the new tax breaks would prolly be good.

Yes, if you can wait out the rest of this summer, you're probably better to study up on the new tax incentives. You can probably get a more expensive unit for less money with the tax break plus one that is really efficient to save some more money when you actually use it.

[34saving]

The old me would have been able to wait . . .the new me . . . not so sure BTW, did you know you can buy central air on eBay? My Dad has once last idea to fix our old unit to try today. If that doesn't work we're getting a new (overstock) 2 ton unit off of eBay for $600 (with free delivery even) and my dad and his friend will be able to install it . . .I think

[34saving]

AC working again. Hope it lasts At least we cleaned out all of the dryer lint that was in the condenser unit. Still not quite sure why it quit though . . . Now we can probably make it to next spring

[MrsChambers]

GLAD that your AC is working again... but I just wanted to tell you something. My mother works for WINAIR, they are a heat and AC wholesaler, the WIN company also has divisions for plumbing and electric... ANYHOW, my mother was telling me that that if I know anyone that is wanting to buy AC to do it NOW. she said something about them changing the systems and due to that change AC is going to be very costly. She also said something about this big change not even being all that great. She said buy now.

food for thought... I can get more details if anyone is interested.

[34saving]

Okay, I'll take the details (Don't work too hard, but . . .)

[HVACcontractor]

A respectable company will charge around 850-1000 per ton installed around Houston Tx.Unless it is a discontinued model it will not be $500
cheaper in a week or 2.

Originally Posted by 34saving

Hi all. I hoping somebody can help me out on this one . . . Our central AC gave up the ghost a few hours ago. It's 20 years old, so it's probably not worth fixing. So, we're going to want a new one. Any ideas on frugal timing? Of course we'd love to get it right away, but August is usually the last of the really warm months here in MN. Would we be better off waiting? Or since the cooling season is almost over anyway, would now be okay? Any ideas? (Of course I can ask, but I'm betting most salespeople won't say "and this unit will be $500 cheaper in two weeks . . . "

[HVACcontractor]

$875 is a RIP OFF!
A transformer for a residential unit is usually around 75 dollars.
most transformers dont cost over 25 dollars and it should not be more than an hours labor if the fool knows what the hell they are doing.
get at least 2 more estimates.

Originally Posted by Tree0164

We had the same situation last year. Our central AC transformer went down the last week of July. We got quoted $875 to get it fixed. We didn't have the money at that time to get it fixed. We waited until early spring when we got our tax returns and it was the same price.

You are paying alot for labor so I don't think the price varies all that much. Check around and you can probably get several estimates.

[HVACcontractor]

The change is January 26,2006
It makes the lowest Efficiency rating 13 SEER instead of 10 seer.
the prices of the 13 seer units are more expensive to build than the 10 seer
but you will see atleast 30% lower energy cost for the 13 that should make up the difference in 2 years or less.

Originally Posted by MrsChambers

GLAD that your AC is working again... but I just wanted to tell you something. My mother works for WINAIR, they are a heat and AC wholesaler, the WIN company also has divisions for plumbing and electric... ANYHOW, my mother was telling me that that if I know anyone that is wanting to buy AC to do it NOW. she said something about them changing the systems and due to that change AC is going to be very costly. She also said something about this big change not even being all that great. She said buy now.

food for thought... I can get more details if anyone is interested.

[Ima saver]

We built spec houses and use the same a/c man all the time. Our prices have stayed the same year round until the last house. Prices did go up at that time, but will stay level for a while.