YNAB You Need A Budget

[LoneStar]

Well, the news is a wee bit worse that I anticipated. It seems not only is my evaporator coil leaking, (I've spent $450 on freon in May.) but the compressor is creeping along. So, I've spent the day reading online about central air conditioning systems. Yawn! Given that the whole system is 18 years old, the consensus is that I should replace the entire shebang, including the gas furnace, to the tune of $4,000-$6,000 dollars depending on what SEER rating I choose. Hopefully, our local utility company will have some rebates that will help a teeny, tiny bit. Although I do have ceiling fans (very popular in Texas) and I grew up without air, I don't want to go through a sweltering Texas summer without air conditioning if I can help it. It'd be like asking Mudie and Erin to survive a Maine winter with just a fireplace or old wood stove.

So, I'm asking for feedback from the friendly folks on our YNAB boards about the various central air conditioning systems (Trane, Carrier, Lennox, RUUD, etc.) on the market today. I want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly before making such a huge purchase.

Unfortunately, this may wipe out my EF that I've been so carefully feeding and nurturing since last summer. So much for cutting back on my subbing this next year; I've got an EF to build back up!

[essnjay]

I am not familiar enough with the various companies - they are all well known names but there are a few things to keep in mind for a job of this magnitude.

1 - Get several quotes - get a total price for the job not just a quote for the equipment and per hour labor cost.

2 - Try to have one contractor do the whole job - that way. if there is a problem, you don't have several people standing around and all saying it is the other fellow's fault.

3 - Make sure the quotes are for similar systems or clearly indicate what the diference are and how they affect the cost - are the differnces for options?

4 - Make each contractor provide several references - from satisfied customers.

5 - Make sure the quote includes all clean up and removal of the old system.

6 - Make sure the quote clearly indicates the warranty details - what is covered and for how long.

7 - Keep in mind that the lowest quote may not be the best choice - cheapest often turns out not to be the least expensive in the long run

Good Luck - at least you have your EF and won't have to use credit for the new sytem.

Jack

[LoneStar]

Thanks Jack for the helpful tips.

at least you have your EF and won't have to use credit for the new sytem.

Yes, that's the power YNAB I'm so grateful I found this program and to Jesse for creating it. Last June when I started YNAB, I already had about a $2,000 EF, but around $16,000 in debt, was bufferless, and living from paycheck to paycheck. One year later, thanks to YNAB I have no debt except for my house, and I have had my buffer in place since January 1. If this had happened last year, I would be in full stage panic mode, wondering how I could possibly squeeze another payment from my paycheck. Today, although I'm sad to have to spend almost my entire EF (which will put me back to where I was last June), I am stress free, knowing I won't have to go deeper into debt and that I now have the cash flow to start over building up my EF.

Now, if only my 18 year old refrigerator holds out a few more years.

[domino]

I replaced my A/C & furnace about 6 years back with a RUUD and haven't had any problems with it at all. I went with a 10 SEER condenser and a 80% efficient furnace which probably wasn't the wisest choice in the long run. At the time I was looking for the lowest component cost since me and a buddy were putting it in more or less in an emergency - the wife told me I was going to have an emergency if I didn't fix the a/c, lol. I think the condenser was around $500 wholesale fully charged, the whole shebang for about $1600. My buddy is a residential installer on the side so he let me buy the stuff wholesale on his account. The install help only cost me beer. It's good to know people.

Next time around I'm probably going to be looking at a heat pump system, which typically comes with a break in electrical rates in the winter months since that's when the electric co has a large excess of power capacity (at least around here). I'd think in Texas a high efficiency heat pump system would make a lot of sense.

[photojenic]

Our Central A/C has died too. It is 18 yrs old also! *lol!*

Our first quote was for $6K. After we got back up off the floor, we have had to make some hard decisions. We just started YNAB, and our only real buffer has been our vacation money. We haven't had a family vacation in 12 years. But we also live in TX, and can't possibly make it through the summer without air. We spent part of our vac money on a couple of widow A/C units. That has given us more breathing room to save up cash for a new central unit. (Both inside and out). We had a "staycation" this week, instead of going out of town as planned. (I'm super bummed about it too. )

We will be going with a TRANE from Home Depot. They were only $4K for the 13 SEER, and for about $100 extra, came with a 10 year warranty that is transferable to the next owner. I really don't know if TRANE is better than CARRIER (the other $6K quote), but it's more affordable for us, and with Home Depot I feel that we might have some recourse if there are problems.

[domino]

IMO as long as you stay with a name brand (York, Trane, Carrier, Rheem/RUDD, Lennox, etc.) your should be ok with the quality of the components. With the price of freon being such as it is I'd definitely get the warranty. The furnaces and condensers are generally pretty dependable, it's the installation that's most likely to cause any warranty issues so I'd go with someone who's been around awhile. Make sure they don't oversize the unit for the house because that tends to lead to humidity and other indoor air quality issues. More isn't always better.

[LoneStar]

I've gotten bids from Lennox, RUUD, and Trane. The minimum recommendation these days is 13 SEER, which is builder's grade. The bids are all for new natural gas furnace with 3 ton condensor/compressor, and range from a low of $5206 for a 14 SEER to a high of $7500 for a 16 SEER, 3 ton unit and furnace. To qualify for electric company rebates with matching rebates from the company, I have to install a 15 SEER or higher unit. Both contractors are offering interest free financing, one for 9 months and the other for 12. I like the idea of keeping my money earning interest for me in EF savings for a while longer while I continue to build up my EF. I would pay off the note one month early to insure I incur no interest.

IMO as long as you stay with a name brand (York, Trane, Carrier, Rheem/RUDD, Lennox, etc.) your should be ok with the quality of the components. . . .The furnaces and condensers are generally pretty dependable, it's the installation that's most likely to cause any warranty issues so I'd go with someone who's been around awhile. Make sure they don't oversize the unit for the house because that tends to lead to humidity and other indoor air quality issues.

I'd also posted on the Garden forum, and that's exactly what someone else said.

First, any of the brands and models mentioned will give good service if they are sized correctly and properly installed. ... Despite all the hoopla none is makedly better than the others. ...Be more concerned about the installation, any brand wrongly sized and poorly installed will not give good service. Next be concerned about the warranty, does it cover parts as well as labor and trip fees? ... Lastly consider price, get the best deal you can on the equipment you select, don,t be too concerned about the brand. Check out the contractor as thoroughly as you can.

Now, for the good news! Yesterday, I received a call from a pregnant teacher who is looking for a long term sub for her 5th grade class. I'd start the year for her and teach for 12 weeks. On the other hand, it would more than pay for the new AC/Heating system! I also work a second job at Sylvan 3 nights a week, so it makes for long days, 11 to 12 hours. Although I wouldn't have to do lesson plans, there will be papers to grade, progress reports and report cards. I'd teach reading to two classes, social studies, and science, no math. I'll probably say, "Yes," and be grateful for the opportunity and the Lord's provision.

[Acecooper]

My suggestion is try to search through online. Actually, I bought my complete air conditioning system through searching online. The fact that you can make a review for every model.