On older cars it is not as much but the newer cars are built so that half of the parts under the hood have to come out. 1995 Pontiac Grand Am water pump replacement, $847.00. If the belt breaks it will make $1000.00 look cheap.

If you're getting timing chain noise at startup, try using a different oil filter. Some filters just don't have a very good anti-drainback valve design and this results in the timing chain noise because the hydraulic tensioner isn't getting oil fast enough because the anti-drainback valve didn't do what it's name says it does. Ford had issued a TSB about timing chain startup noise on the '95 Contour/Mystique--they went so far as to redesign their FL-820 oil filter with a silicone anti-drainback valve to fix the problem, and it did.

Before I started getting any new system quotes I would get an energy audit done. Your local utility might have someone or pay for a portion of it..some pay a large portion. I would make sure the house is shot from the inside and out with a thermal imaging camera while you are there to see it first hand. Have the registers both supply and return flow tested and compared with what the unit is supposed to be at and get a blower door test to see how much leakage you have. I would go on a caulking and foaming rampage any wire or pipe penetration into the subfloor I would caulk or foam and any in the attic same thing. Recessed lights are a big leakage point even IC rated can leak up to 50cfm each. I would get this done and then get the new unit and make sure they seal the ductwork at every seam and connection before putting insulation over it. I went back through your post..I would get quotes for a new system, both gas and all electric. I would post the results in here along with at least the state you live in and electric and gas rates. The people in here that really know hvac will need the model numbers of the units you received quotes on, outside unit, inside unit and coil. Some utilities will give you a credit or pay you to upgrade if you keep a heat pump. I have seen some go up to 1,000.00 for an air to air system depending on SEER. Quite a few will throw 300-500 at you just for upgrading.

That's what I like to hear- do it yourself and save money. I wish my son had asked about prices before he stopped at the Infiniti dealer to get a new windshield wiper for his rear window- the wiper was $14 and they charged $28 in put it in. The front wipers he could buy at any auto parts store, but the rear wiper is proprietary- and he never thought they'd charge that much for a wiper insert. Oh it probably needed a proprietary screw and screwdriver too.