It's that time of year again. My evaporator coil in the attic has sprung a leak and the tech that came to check it out is recommending replacement. Evidently the part is under warranty but the repair quote is still $1150 - 10 pounds of R-22 at $32/lb, $800 in labor (two guys at $80 each an hour x 5 hours), plus misc materials.

My neighbor claims he got his coil replaced for about the same cost, except his was not under warranty so he paid $800 for the coil and ~$350 for labor.

So is my company trying to hose me? What is a fair price for this?

[This message has been edited by wessimo (edited 4/3/2012 9:52a).]

What size/brand is he quoting?

Amana 12 SEER.

What tonnage though?

From what I understand, Amana/Goodman are not the best products.

I had quotes for Carrier a couple of summers ago and and it ended up in the $1500 range, IIRC.

I paid $600 last summer for this same scenario and still felt a little ripped off after all was said and done. The coil was under warranty and included in that price was the initial service call (since it was free but obviously needs to get rolled into the final cost). Initially I didn't think it was a bad price and they said it would take two guys four hours to do it. They were done in two, thus why I felt a little ripped off. Mine was not in the attic so that definitely makes much more difficult, but all in all I think its on the high side and would get another quote.

I’m confused, aggielax.

Are you saying they replaced the evap coil with a new unit for $600, but the evap was NOT located in the attic?

I had a coil replaced in a York last week. It was outside and under warranty. I think the total bill was $675 and included recharging the system since all of the existing gas had leaked out. There may be an adder for working in the attic though.

Sounds fishy.

Warranty companies are supposed to pay the contractors to install the equipment. The contractors agree/abide by the rules/compensation for doing the work.

That means: the warranty company pays for the broken part (the evap coil in this case) plus the labor to install the broken piece.

The warranty co. doesn't pay for the other "incidental" pieces required to make the new piece work. I.e. Refrigerant, transition from the air handler or furnace, permits required (if any based on location), etc.

Some contractors are now making homeowners pay for the fix (parts, labor, everythkng) and then handle the "payout" fr the warranty company after the fact bc the warranty co. takes forever to pay the contractor.

Yes, the evap is not located in the attic. Its in a "closet" upstairs. And yes, it was $600 for labor, which indirectly included the initial service call and the freon. The part was covered under manufacturer's warranty.

I was told York does not cover labor in their warranty but it could have just been a line to get me to agree to the work.

All warranty companies are different obviously but most of them pay the contractors a set price for each service.

I.e. Condenser = $300
evap coil = $150
furnace = $400

those prices aren't necessarily accurate as they cover: service fee, labor, other covered parts, etc.

NEVER pay for anything without understanding the breakdown from the warranty as to what they are paying the contractor.

Gf's went out last summer, under warranty, she paid labor, $600.....but, it took them a whopping 1 hr. they said it was a flat rate charge. Fail

I thought 13 SEER was the minimum allowed for new installs now...

The job is done. It took two guys 4.5 hours. I don't know what made the job so difficult other than it was in the attic.

A fair price on evaporator coil change out not under warranty would be close to $750-1000 depending upon tonnage including refrigerant that is saved by recovering the refrigerant or pumping the system down to the compressor. Unless the refrigerant is contaminated they shouldn't have to load with new freon.

If it took them 1 hour to complete a coil change out they did not due a proper pulling of vacuum on the line sets and left moisture and contaminants in the lines. This process usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour at the minimum after the coil is installed and the line sets are sweated in.

Sounds like someone got hosed by people doing cheap work and not following EPA regulations.

I'm an owner of an HVAC company in Dallas and the timing on the descriptions are completely unrealistic. 4 1/2 hours is what it should take to do the change out.

Jason

[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 4/30/2012 9:54a).]

$32 a pound for freon!!!!

I bought a 30lb tank last October for $120

Yes it was R22 virgin

[This message has been edited by BCOBQ98 (edited 4/29/2012 11:40p).]

Thought I would bring this thread back to life since I'm currently looking at a $700 quote to replace the evap coil on my Carrier. It's almost 5 years old, but there is a leak somewhere in it. I was with the tech and saw the magic wand signal Freon leaking.

If I commit today, then it could be fixed by tomorrow. I need to be in the HVAC business.

We have a home warranty and our evap coil in the attic has gone out and needs to be replaced. Our out of pocket will be $595 for a list of things:
supports
duct modification
drain modification
permit
disposal fee
copper modification
armiflex

The guy said it would be $2500 or so out of pocket without the warranty. We only have the warranty because it came with the home purchase. I'm just curious if we are saving any money with the home warranty or not?

Edit: I think we are saving quite a bit. I just don't want to be that gal who thinks she saved when she didn't really!

quote:

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. I need to be in the HVAC business.

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in Texas during the summer

I have a Trane (slightly over two years old) and had to have the coil replaced a couple of weeks ago. It was still under the manufacturer's warranty (which is 5 years), but that only covers parts and not labor. I paid just under $1000 to have it replaced, which included the initial service call to diagnose the problem and two charges of refrigerant (one charge when they did the service call, to make it limp along until they did the repair, and a second charge when the new coil was installed). Tech said this is typically a $2k repair when the unit is not under warranty.

Timely bump as my unit crapped out on me again last night. Could hear the compressor trying to kick on and failing so I knew the capacitor was shot.

Cheap fix I thought. Nope, silly me.

I managed to get someone over at 7pm to replace the cap. Also replaced a burnt contactor. I had him check the refrigerant while he was out and it needed 4 pounds (R22). He recommended trying some EZ seal (basically fix-a-flat) to seal the leak and I decided to give it a shot to hopefully let me limp along with this system another year or two.

All said and done, another $700 to the AC repairman. Totally worth it to keep the cold air blowing.

Hey there jcurtis2979, what's the name of your company?

I'm in Dallas and may be taking a home warranty buy-out to upgrade my unit. I'd love to get an estimate from you.

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$32 a pound for freon!!!!

I bought a 30lb tank last October for $120

Yes it was R22 virgin

[This message has been edited by BCOBQ98 (edited 4/29/2012 11:40p).]

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I'll take 4 30lb tanks at that price. Was it stolen...?

Which company did you use? We are in The Woodlands and our quote is $1779 with the part under warranty and me joining the $13/mo membership with the a/c company.

AHI give me a call and I can take care of you. Unless something is unusual with your unit $1779 to change your coil out under warranty is ridiculous. 713-466-7555 Jim Wolf Enviromax Services.

quote:

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Which company did you use? We are in The Woodlands and our quote is $1779 with the part under warranty and me joining the $13/mo membership with the a/c company.

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I used AirTeam because they installed the original unit and the replacement (not labor) was done under warranty. I have no complaints, though, and would use them again. They actually went out of their way to get mine fixed in a hurry, before I went on vacation.

Didn't have to sign up for any service contract, either.

Interesting. Had Evap coil fail and got a quote of $1700 plus freon to change it. Told them to pack sand and will never call them again. Bought coil for $549, 25 lb. pail of R410A for $115 and changed it myself.....

SumAggie,

Who did you buy your pail from? We used a company near the woodlands, but they recently got bought out and no longer sell pails.

So, my evaporator coil is leaking- I'm seeing prices all over the place in this thread- I was just quoted 2500 to replace mine.

Seems way too high - unit is an Amana and is 9 years old. I've found the exact coil online for 350 to purchase, this is in the attic as well.

Any suggestion on who to call?

Who did you end up using, and how much did you pay, I really don't want to end up spending 2500!!

Who did you end up using and how much did you pay? If you remember?