Do we really need the solar panels?
Of course not. Is is a good investment? - depends. I would be skeptical of any and all estimates in savings by salesman. If you told me your neighbors had a 25k system installed and now pay $2000 less per year - that would mean a lot more.

I am installing a 6.4kw system with a net cost of $7k or so and that should save about $700 a year. To save $2k a year (with 10 cent/kwh), you would need at least 13kw system (I am giving you a lot on efficiency based on Nevada sun). A 13kw system is pretty big and you need a pretty big roof - that is 52 panels.

Generally - it is a more efficient use of dollars to replace an old a/c system. But you didn't give any info on what your system is now - is it 20 years old?

And of course, the furnace decision has nothing to do with the solar panels. It does sound like piece of mind etc would favor replacing the furnace(s?).

The nice thing about having two furnaces is if one breaks down, the other can keep the house warm enough while you shop for a new furnace. I am not suggesting you wait until the furnace completely fails, but you don't have to panic in the event it does.

A cracked heat exchanger is a serious issue. Have you gotten anyone else to confirm the heat exchanger is actually cracked. I am suspicious of an HVAC company which discovers a crack, but proposes leaving it and replacing the blower motor because it is overheating.

All AC condensers sold in the US by law must have a SEER rating of at least 13. A SEER rating of 14 is about 7% more efficient. The savings in electricity will be hardly noticeable.

Solar panels may be a good investment if you have high electricity rates like I do in NJ, consume a lot of electricity, and plan to live in the house for many years. Some of my neighbors have installed panels. I personally feel it ruins to look of the house.

just for thought...
there is a solar installer locally that wanted me to work with them. energy rating with solar install. problem for me was that they want to size solar panels prior to any energy efficiency upgrades are done. simple things like sealing air leakage into the house, and duct leakage of hvac system are fast payback, improvements that save money on utility bills. not being able to do the work prior to sizing solar panels is why we don't work with each other.

lots of states have great solar incentives now, but improving the efficiency of the home would come first...then size for solar system. I've yet to see anyone
pay only $10.00 per month unless house was built passive solar.

cracked heat exchanger isn't anything to mess around with.

do some reasearch before making puchases.

best of luck.

I refer to the post of david_cary wherein you’re talking about 6.4kw system that you’re installing with a savings of $700/year. Forgive me but I’m novice when it comes to cooling and heating or solar. May I ask if the 6.4kw system is a solar panel system? I figure it is since you mention about a 13kw system would need 52 panels. If this is so, it gives me an idea what to ask when the solar engineer guy will visit me to discuss about installing solar panels. Nevada has a good incentive on solar panels. The $25k net that my neighbor is paying for their solar panels is already net of the Nevada incentive.

The old a/c that I have is 11 years old and the brand is York. The smaller one I know is 4 ton. However, I don’t know the bigger one. By the way, my electrict bill of $2,000/year includes the swimming pool and spa filter pump that runs 12 hours/day throughout the year. Hence, I thought, I don’t spend on electricity as much as I did when I was in NJ. With solar system, an electric bill of $10/month or $120/year must be a good investment. My neighbor’s electric bill during summer goes up to $600 in a month because she said that her husband wants it very cold while my highest bill during summer is $411 in a month. If she spends more on electric bill and she will only be paying $10/month with the solar system, will my bill be less than $10/month comparing her electric bill and my electric bill without solar? In other words, is it still based on the consumption?

As for the post of mike_home, I will start looking for authorized dealers of Carrier to see the small crack on the heat exchanger as well as get an estimate for a new system if I need one. I had read some post regarding which brand to choose. Hence, I think I’ll start with Carrier. Does the brand don’t matter which State you live. As you know I live in the sun city Las Vegas wherein the temperature could go up to 118 degrees during summer. Last year, I was told by the heating, cooling & plumbing company that maintains our system that if you live in Nevada you need some special brand that could hold up the outside temperature. The company had recommended Goodman last summer when I was told that either we fix that part (don’t remember the name) that holds the Freon from leaking. Another HVAC and plumbing person told me that the freon does not leak that much but instead sold us 2 units of fan motor for the 2 a/c and change the capacitors for $1,300. You see if you know nothing about a/c or furnace, this heating, cooling and plumbing people will rip you off. Am I right?

As the post of energy_rater_regarding the $10/month with solar system installed, I met a person year ago while I was in line inside the supermarket who was chatting with me while waiting in line who told me that he had solar panels installed which cost $100k. He got rebate from Nevada $40K and his electric bill is $10/month. Looks like that there is some truth to the $10/month; but I I think $60K net is too much.

Next time if the heating and cooling company tells me that my system needs something that I have to spend, I have to go to this forum to get advise before I spend on heating and cooling.

Thank you all for the advise/comments. I appreciate it.