Anyone have to replace rooftop AC units? Ballpark estimate? About 13 years old, I’ve read they have 15-20 year useful life and don’t want to get stuck paying for years we won’t use. Thank you!
[{"id": "evu21dg", "text": "R22, good luck my friend.", "replies": [{"id": "evu2y43", "text": "In no way does that mean it needs to be replaced with an R-22 system.  Typically no HVAC contractor would even propose for you to install a R-22 system as that cfc is being phased out.", "replies": [{"id": "evu46nx", "text": "Ah yea nobody can even install those anymore.", "replies": [{"id": "evu4mkz", "text": "Haha yea so why\u2019d you say \u201cR-22 good luck.\u201d? Kind of a useless comment imo.", "replies": [{"id": "evu5or0", "text": "Calling attention to the deprecated refrigerant, allowing OP to research the many articles on how it increases his maintenance costs and make buying a new unit less painful. Does that make it clear for you?", "replies": [{"id": "evu6htc", "text": "I didn\u2019t find your statement implied any of that.  It\u2019s apparent we are disagreeing on that but I found your comment off putting and non-helpful.\nIf what your saying in this comment is true then that\u2019s a lot more helpful then just saying R-22, good luck.\n \nAlso R-22 doesn\u2019t change the maintenance of the current unit.  Just if there is a leak then R-22 costs more but once your unit starts leaking it\u2019s basically time to replace anyways.", "replies": [{"id": "evvqg8t", "text": "Compressor burnout in a 410 unit next year means replacing a compressor.  Burnout in an r22 unit next year means they realistically need a whole new unit.  Why is that hard to see?", "replies": [{"id": "evw4qm2", "text": "Yes but the unit is at the end of its useful life and this guy is a renter.  He shouldn\u2019t be responsible for covering a penny if the cost of the unit he is renting.  So basically what I was referring to is that the guys statement was essentially unhelpful and now your focusing on something different.", "replies": [], "depth": 8}], "depth": 7}], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "evu2yyp", "text": "I can't get the picture to load, but to replace a 4-ton package unit the cost of the unit is around $7,000. New wiring $500. New thermostat $200. Labor to have old unit removed, install new duct connections, etc. $1,600. I'm leaving out other things like shipping, tax, etc. All in doing it right I'm out of pocket around $11k.", "replies": [{"id": "evu4p5o", "text": "Thank you for the estimate! Is that the air handler and rooftop unit?", "replies": [{"id": "evu7tyx", "text": "price he gave is pretty correct and that is for a package system. Package systems don't need an interior unit because they are both \"packaged\" together (heat and cooling in 1 unit on roof).\n\nIt would probably be a little cheaper to do a split system (commonly used in residential), but it ultimately depends on how many square feet you have.\n\nI would leave that thing up there until it has to be replaced. If it needs to be repaired then just get it repaired but keep in mind recharging the r22 refrigerant can easily run 1-2k.\n\nIn my experience, normally landlords try and shy away from anything to do with HVAC and will rarely offer warranties lasting longer than a year, but maybe try and get them to warrant it.\n\nsource \nI'm a project manager for a commercial landlord that owns 40+ shopping centers in DFW area :)", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "evubdwr", "text": "This is for a package unit, not a split unit that would use an air handler. This unit would be all on the roof and is typical for what you would see on, for example, a retail center supplying a tenant\u2019s space. Feel free to PM me you you need more details, happy to help.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "ex3sz4m", "text": "Hey i recently got two 50. Ton lennox rtu units in an auction but can not find the price anywhere?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "evu8klm", "text": "any idea the tonage? \n\npretty safe bet that its about $1100 per ton", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "evuf14x", "text": "What\u2019s your lease say?  When I\u2019m advocating for tenants and dealing with hvac the most common thing to be agreed upon (have it written into the lease) is that tenant pays for quarterly maintenance and minor repairs up to a $1,000 annually and landlord is responsible for anything above that for repairs or if they have to replace the unit. Functioning HVAC is something any tenant would expect so the landlord will need one either way if they want to rent the space to someone else. You shouldn\u2019t have to split costs for a new unit if you\u2019re in a short term lease of 5 years or less. the price quoted earlier sounds reasonable, btw. Landlord should pay but if your lease says otherwise you\u2019re kind of screwed.", "replies": [{"id": "evuhqz2", "text": "Thanks, nothing is signed yet so we\u2019re going back with 10/90 and no maintenance. We\u2019ll see what they say. Thanks again for the insight.", "replies": [{"id": "evvhf60", "text": "Maintenance is a must and makes the most sense for tenant to maintain. A quarterly contract should only run about $120 per quarter. Side note: January I replaced a 10 ton rtu (packaged unit) for a total cost of $13k or $1300 per ton. Split systems can be a little less ($1200 per ton). Source, commercial landlord in the Atlanta msa.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "evuibxe", "text": "That thing is nearing the end of it's expected useful service life, but that doesn't mean it won't keep working for a long time.", "replies": [{"id": "evulirj", "text": "Yeah that\u2019s what we\u2019re thinking.  There are 3 of them on the roof and the likely good any of the 3 or 2 go out during the lease is much higher than 50/50 and we definitely did not enjoy half the useful life of them. Really the last 10% max. Thanks for the input!", "replies": [{"id": "evvi7md", "text": "Hope you had representation when you signed yoir lease. Also hope when your lease expires you negotiate a cap on repair costs you will ne responsible for. Call a good local commercial RE agent.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "ex2vs2v", "text": "lol We have a 200-ton unit (3 of them actually) and when one broke, one contractors idea was to just replace the whole thing. He eagerly quoted us $450,000 for the job.  Needless to say, it only needed some new compressors, which still weren't cheap for that large of a unit.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]