How much should it cost to replace a/c system?

My neighbor just had her whole a/c system ( including condenser, ouside fan, thermostat, etc.) replaced. She paid $8000 and thinks she got a good deal. I think the company overcharged her. Her condo is a two story with approx. 1300 sq. ft. We live in Orange County, CA. Was she overcharged? If you had your a/c replaced, how much did you pay? and how big is your home?

How much should it cost to replace a/c system?
I live in Florida, and for a 1300 sq ft condo, I would install a super-high efficiancy 3-ton unit for about $5000.00, provided that the electrical lines , refrigerant lines and ductwork did not require replacement.





Your neighbor may have been clipped, or that may be the going rate in your area. It always pays to get competitive bids. My gut tells me she could have saved some dough.
Reply:My old condo was 1600 sq ft. My entire a/c condeser-coil-fan-etc. was one solid rack unit that was part of an over/under a/c and furnace thingy. When the a/c went out due to a bad coil and the whole thing had to be replaced, it cost $1,700. When I bought my house, which is now 56 years old and 2000 sq ft, I paid cash to have central air installed. They used soft ducts and the whole job cost about $7,000. I recently replaced my entire boiler, converted from oil heat to gas, installed two additional radiators in the basement, and added a sump pump, all for $10,500. I live in the DC area, which is expensive. The only reason to pay $8,000 for a replacement job in a condo is if they replaced the ductwork. Otherwise, your friend was badly overcharged.
Reply:A Trane XL19i (one of the the most efficient centeral air systems) cost $6,000 uninstalled, $100 for the digital thermostat .. more or less, and $300 - $500 to put in place and hook up if all the plumbing, ducts, and wiring is in place and nothing needs repaired.





$6,600 total
Reply:Go to www.grainger.com to help price wholesale prices for the parts they need to repair it.