$1800 for a heat pump compressor? Seriously?

[trbo20]

The compressor in my 13-year old Lenox heat pump died yesterday through an internal short. The repair guy told me that I could expect to pay from $1700 to $1800 for a new one.

While I'm no HVAC guy, I do understand basic mechanics, and I know that there is nothing either technologically or mechanically wondrous about compressors. I can't get my head around why this part should cost more than a replacement car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

I had a good read on the technician. He was very candid and frank in our discussion and he took the time to show me what his troubleshooting steps were. He helped me explore possible alternatives to save a buck, but he could not tell me why a new compressor cost so much.

Am I being severely up-charged by the reseller, or is this the going rate. If this is the going rate, then could anyone tell me why they're so expensive? If it helps, the repair guy said my unit was a

4-tonner. I don't really know what that means, but I assume it indicates the general size.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

[George]

Sounds like you haven't priced things in a long time.

[trbo20]

How so? I purchased a riding lawn mower this spring for $1700, and replaced my Honda Civic engine with a rebuilt one for $1600.

[dpb]

At age 13, unless the replacement is higher efficiency, you're probably better off replacing the whole unit.

I would guess the cost is at least partially owing to the age and the changes in that time. I presume the new will also include switchover to new refrigerant and if so, the sizing difference is part of the equation as well. 4T is a good-sized unit as well...

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[Steve Barker]

I would think you could buy a whole new outdoor unit for that amount.

s

[SteveB]

Wow. $1800? I paid $2400

[CJT]

Installed, or is that just the parts?

[trbo20]

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Installed

[franz frippl]

Consider a better furnace.

[scott21230]

car engine or a nice riding lawn mower.

A Jasper rebuilt engine for my car cost about $4000 installed, and that was about 6 years ago.

[CJT]

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Doesn't seem out of line to me.

[AZ Nomad]

equivelent in tons of ice. I've only seen it previously used as a rating for AC, not heating.

[ds549]

government doesnt regulate who puts a car engine in, they do regulate who installs ac units .. gov has turned the hvac industry into pompus overpaid industry.

[SteveB]

And now the new one is chugging away and you're not standing there shivering in the cold. What can this mean?

Steve

[SteveB]

And the biggest user AND dumper of HFCs is .......................

you guessed it. The Gov't.

Steve

[trbo20]

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Yeah, I've gotten that feedback from a lot of people now. Seems like my expectations were pretty off.

[CJT]

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Alas ... and such prices make updates difficult to justify based on energy savings.

[clifto]

I look forward to someone telling *why* they're so expensive. If anyone has so far, I missed it.

[Stormin Mormon]

So, a four ton unit is equivilant to four tons of ice? Would I put that ice in the cellar, and melt it slowly over the summer?

I know the answer, but I'm not sure you do.

[Steve Barker]

no, cold air falls, so you need the 4 ton block of ice in the attic.

s