Repair or Replace HVAC System?

MrBill_DIY

I have electric heat in a small townhouse, with a 2-ton AC unit outside (it's all Trane equipment). The AC compressor unit is 11 years old, and the air handler in the attic is only 6 years old. My heating bill is $1,000 per year, and I could save 50% of that by switching to a heat pump.

The fan motor on my AC compressor has burned out, and will cost $500 to replace. The HVAC contractor is trying to talk me into junking my entire HVAC system and replacing it with a new heat pump HVAC system, which will cost $$5,271, or $6,647 if I buy a better one that qualifies for a $1,500 tax credit.

I'm not wild about heat pumps, but some of my neighbors in similar houses have them. I'm thinking that I should wait a few years until the AC compressor is really shot before going to a heat pump, because my current system should have more life left in it. Opinions?

Yoyizit

Using
http://www.investopedia.com/calculat....aspx?viewed=1
@$500/yr [the money you save with the heat pump] @7%/yr for ~10 years would pay for your new system.
Seems like a long payback.

Marty S.

I'd fix the fan. If it was closer to 20 years old then replace but you should have a lot of life left in that AC.

BTW a generic motor with a DIY install should be closer to $100.

beenthere

So you think your better off paying an extra 1500 bucks more for your heating bill over the course of another 3 years. Or if it last you another 5 years. You'd rather pay the electric company an extra 2500 bucks.

Instead of saving the money of a new condenser fan motor for your current unit.

A whole new system will save you money in both cooling and heating season. Could be a total cooling and heating savings of 520 to 600 bucks a year.

Easily pay for itself.