LSS, my unit is a 3.5 ton as well. What was the cost and did you replace duct work or just the two units?

Ductwork was fine, but $6500 for the new units, and for the wiring that had to be done (something to do with either the new fan or heat strips....I forget. I think we paid $2800 for a Goodman outside unit in 2008. I think it was going to be another $3200 back then for the inside to be done as well....something like that. Turns out the Goodman was not a 3.5 like it was supposed to be, but a 3.0 ton. UGH!

same for "diy carpenters/electricians/plumbers" call me out to fix your job and it usually runs triple what the normal cost would be, 1. tear out 2. repair. 3. do it right.

this is what a lot of folks don't get, 3 times the work is 3 times the hrs. in labor alone then add the new stuff that replaces the things done wrong.

I'm like Bob. In 23 years in the my current home, there have been two times that contractors have been on the property: 1) Roof, and 2) HVAC system replacement. I'm very capable, but lack the freon license. Regardless of that, the components are massive, requiring several people to move them into place. It took several men all day to do the work. A good bit was heavy work that one person really can't manage.

You probably should have replaced your system long ago. If you buy the right unit, the savings on energy will accrue rapidly toward the cost of the system itself. My power bill dropped substantially when mine was replaced.

i can do almost anything. I changed my transmission by myself. I do not do AC. even in a car. I also dont do any 120v wiring. also dont jack with carburetors or fuel injection. Let those guys do it.
Way more invovled than you think. HVAC? hell no.

Absolutely right!

$6,500 doesn't sound bad. I was expecting to be around $10,000

we have 3 4 ton, 1 3 ton and 1 2 ton, all done about 3 yrs ago but not the air handlers/furnace, all 6 just replaced yesterday and today and total bill for just furnaces came to about 16,000.00 no idea what previous owner paid for the ac units.

a 4 ton by itself should run around 5,500 to 7k depending on seer and brand/quality.

we have york ac and just got american standard furnace/air handlers.

oh, ac units are all 16 seer and the new furnaces are 18 I think. and propane which is a little more

We were quoted just over $10000 for a 20 seer Bosch....we declined the offer.

1 Where are you going to get the equipment?
2 Who is sizing it?
3 Are you reusing the Plentums?
4 what are Plentums?
5 Reusing Plentums, do Plentums match new unit?
6 plentums don’t match new unit need transitions made
7 Where are you getting transitions made?
8 Do you have the needed tools i.e. torch, gauges, meter, vacuum pump?
9 Are you going to need extra refrigerant aka Freon the equipment comes precharged but might more.
10 So you were able to buy a Jug of refrigerant ($280) and you just needed 2 lbs out of the 30 lb jug
11 Misc supplies foil tape, duct sealant, metal strap
12 Now you have extra [censored] in the garage that’s going to piss you off and you have no need for it for another 20 yrs
13 Who is helping you put the 100 lb unit in the in the attic?
14 Attic's are great place to hang out of this time of year 100 + degrees
15 it’s not going in a attic but in a closet that’s fun too
16 it’s all done and it still doesn’t work why?
17 it’s working but not good why?
18 what are you going to do with the old unit? Scrap it best to break the metals down to get best price but scrap prices sux right now maybe $100.
19 Scrap yard is going to want to know where the unit came from since it is A/C equipment.
20 new equipment TXV or piston? TXV don’t over heat it, you will not know until you start the unit up


In short you can do it yourself and once you are done you will ask yourself why.
I do this work everyday and I try my best to stay away from residential HVAC because it’s a beating and will have one of my coworkers help me replace one of my units and pay them what they ask for the help.

I have been selling A/C equipment and supplies for 32+ years now and as Hop as said it is not a DIY project.

Technically a homeowner can purchase equipment and even refrigerant (for their personal use on their own equipment) there is probably not any supply houses that will sell it to you.

You could buy it online (many companies sell it) although none of them have a warranty on it if you do.

Add to that there will be no reputable AC guys that will install it and stand behind their work if they are just working for labor.

Replacing a 23+ year old system (probably in the 10/12 SEER range) with a new one will reap tremendous benefits including much better heating with R-410A refrigerant over R-22.

If you have any questions just send me a PM and I will be happy to help!

Thanks for the info folks. BigDozer, the unit I currently have is a Lennox HP26-042-7p. It's 3.5 ton 12.5 SEER. The unit works great, it's just old. I want to replace it within the next few years during an off time so I dont get screwed by an abrupt failure.

In my 14 years of A/C and service I don't remember ever seeing a DIY job. Had homeowners provide the electrical or even a tear out but never heard of a homeowner doingma turn-key job. I've put quite a few in on the side and helped other A/C guys do jobs.

I quit most A/C work in 1990 though but it was less technical then.

DIY HVAC is beyond the scope of most DIY folks. I know it is outside of my skillsets.