the XB13 is bottom end trane. what mdl air handler was quoted? new lineset to be installed? just off hand and without more info, a two ton straight AC at $6K seems extremely high.

IMO

We were quoted the 4TEC air handler with the $6K quote. Also we are replacing an old Freon system so the quote also included a new lineset.

I know what you mean about getting suspicious. The $3.5K quote includes the new 2.5 ton compressor and air handler, a new fused disc box outside, new condensate pump, and removal of the old system. Everything but the permits. No duct work needs to be done since we are replacing an old system, but still, the quote seems low. Of course we've never had to replace a central AC before so we have no idea. My only other thought is that I am pregnant with twins and he was feeling kindly toward me!
As to your first follow up, the lowball contractor did not calculate the manual J, he just took the square footage of the house from the survey and didn't check how many windows we have.

normally, I agree with Ryan. But not this time. either you have left out some pertinent information or the 6K dealer is simply overcharging you.

what size are you replacing and how did it perform?

what is your location?

I would solicit several more quotes. since this is a straight AC system, how do you heat?

and you realize that you are leaving the tax credit lying on the table.

while prices can vary between markets, take a look at this recent thread regarding a 4 ton XB14 HP in the Houston mkt.

IMO

We are replacing a 2 ton, 20 year old system. We just bought this house a year ago when it was too cold for the home inspector to test the system and due to the cool summer here in central New Jersey we never tried it last summer. I had someone come look at it a few weeks ago to get it ready for this summer and he told us how old it was and that it was very low in coolant and we should consider replacing versus repairing. Pretty much what we expected.
We heat with a gas hot water boiler.
We looked into the tax credit and it still makes monetary sense for us to go with the bottom end model since we only plan on staying in this house for 3-5 more years and we plan on doing some other work to take advantage of the tax credit before the year is out.
I'm going to check around for another Trane dealer and see about getting another estimate. I feel like we are in a bit of a rush to get this done before the babies arrive, but I want to avoid us making a bad decision.

ah, New Jersey. that explains alot.

While I don't care for your equipment selection, I would talk further with the 3.5K quote dealer.

I would not go up in size unless you have a load calc in hand to support that size.

you might check on a basic 13 SEER Rudd/Rheem or Bryant.

IMO

Maybe ask him to install a heatpump instead of AC.
I know they are not popular in New Jersey because of the expensive electric, but I think it would still save money and add comfort to heat with heatpump when above 40 degress fahrenheit. You would have extra flexibility too.

Alot of lower priced contractors do good around me because they get alot of work instead of making lots on just 1 install every once and a while.

The dealer may have been looking out for you with the $3500 bid, since unless he's cutting significant corners/reusing more ductwork than the other dealer--or some significant difference--he can't be making much money off the job. How long has he been in business?

Just so you know, I'm not in the HVAC business, so I have no bias as far as profit margin goes. Having seen many quotes, for your job and system selection, I would expect in the $5000-6000 range.

Tiger,
What kind of price would you expect for a complete installation and removal following all proper procedures? Assuming the a/c costs roughly $1000 or more (who knows..Trane, NJ..could be expensive units), the air handler costs around $700 or more, and then there is the cost of additional materials (metal, Puron, copper, electrical, thermostat, etc.) and labor. On top of that, the dealer has to make some money if he wants to be in business to service the equipment down the road and pay for trucks, insurance, etc. I do agree that $6000 may be on the higher side of the spectrum, and I would expect more of a $5000 price tag. Regardless neither of us know what the job exactly involves or how much the Trane equipment costs in New Jersey. Likely quite a bit more than in Florida.

Ryan

take a look at my link concerning the 4 ton XB14 for a Houston, Texas homeowner. and that was for a heat pump, not a straight AC install.

I will say this. New Jersey pricing is usually on the absurd side.

TD

The central air is only on the first floor which is ~1300 square feet. The $3.5K contractor has been in the HVAC business for 20+ years, 13 as an independent contractor. The owner himself came out to give us the estimate and asked about our future plans for staying in the house before advising the low end model. The $6K estimate came from a bigger company who sent out a salesman who intially suggested a higher end model.
I called a third company and am getting another estimate tomorrow. Hopefully this will shed some light on whose estimate is more realistic.
And believe me tigerdunes, it's not only the pricing in NJ that's absurd!

you are on the right track. keep at it and let us know what you find.

it would seem to me that you should be able to find a good tax credit qualifying system for around $5-$5.5K.

TD