Public Perception or Misconception?

I have copied and pasted below, a conversation between a homeowner and “All Experts”, Bill Brainard.  Bill has helped thousands of homeowners with HVAC questions over the years.  In this situation, the homeowner is asking if the brand of equipment he is considering, lives up to it’s larger then life reputation and if the price he has been quoted is reasonable.

The first point I want to bring out is that of Brand.  If you look, the homeowner is considering Carrier because his original brand, Bryant was not doing the job.  Sounds reasonable, right?  Well, it is until you learn that THEY ARE THE SAME!  Bryant and Carrier are made in the same factory and are mostly identical.  Then Bill points out that Carrier’s repair reputation is not the best.  But wait a minute, I thought it was the best?

Next, let’s look at the cost quoted to repair the condenser by replacing the compressor.  $2,000!  Now I hate to be the guy to burst the bubble of this dubious contractor, but homeowners, here is something you need to know.  At most, the replacement compressor probably cost the contractor $600.  A competent technician can easily replace a compressor in 3 hours.  So if my math is correct, if the contractor puts a little mark-up on the compressor we will let him make a little money at, oh, say $1000.  Then, if $2,000 was the original price, that means he will be charging his customer $333 per hour.  Sounds reasonable ……….. if he was DEFENDING O.J.!  This was nothing more then a sales pitch to persuade the homeowner to look at new equipment.  

And finally, the homeowner asks if the price is reasonable at $14,000.  I got a little tear in my eye when I read Bill’s answer.  Then I realized my tear was a result of not breathing because I had been laughing so hard.  You see, that is the problem here. Bill makes the statement that he would love to do the job for $10,000, but then says “I do that here in Montana for $4,000. Now I think Bill may be a little low, but the homeowner really doesn’t know.  These types of purchases happen so infrequent and usually are like broken shoe laces.  We don’t react to them until it too late then we just pay up to make the problem go away.

Education is power.  Get some.

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Expert: Bill Brainard
Date: 6/14/2007
Subject: $14000 for a Infinity 24ANA7 full system ?

Question
Bill, I live in a modest 1998 5 bedroom 2500 sq ft in Northern Virginia Loudoun County. A few nights a go my 1998 Bryant SEER 10 outside AC unit compressor started smoking and died. Had an HVAC company take a look and he ran down the numbers stating with replace the compressor at $2K, replace the A/C unit with an infinity A/C unit to include coil $6K to 8K, since I bought the house in 1999 and I have never found the Bryant heating system to heat or cool the house well, I asked for a quote on a full system replacement. Well the technician (sounding just like a Blake Ballard explanation) explained that a Carrier Infinity 24ANA7 split (2 stage) burner and variable speed blowers rated at SEER 16 was a great way to since we plan to keep the house for 8 + years. He stated all the reasons between a SEER 10 and a SEER 16 and 21 and the reputation of Carrier units. Well to rap up this question - the technician came up with approx $14,000 for a full Carrier Infinity 24ANA748 heating and A/C unit. Q: could you or one of your readers tell me if $14k is in the reasonable range??? Please.
Thanks Don

Answer
$14k, only if you have more money than brains. I would bring both units to you & install for $10k. I smile all the way to the bank. I do that here in Montana for $4k. Reputation of Carrier units……….. let me quit laughing first……….. Go to consumer reports & look at the amount of repair they take in the first 10 years of ownership. Then shop for a better brand. Here is my answer, it is too high of a price.  Does this answer your question??