Hey everyone! I have a Trane AC system from 2018 that's developed an evaporator coil leak and is now out of warranty. A service tech added refrigerant during his visit, but he mentioned it might be worth considering replacing the entire system due to the high costs associated with fixing the coil. I received a quote of $3900 for the coil repair and about $11000 to replace the entire system, including ducting work. I'm weighing my options since this would be the second repair, and the tech also pointed out my return ducting might be too small for my 3-ton system. It feels weird to replace a system that's only about 7 years old, but I'm worried about future issues and repair costs. If I replace the coil and then the compressor fails soon after, I could end up spending around $9000. I would love any advice or insights, especially if you've dealt with similar situations! Also, please let me know if I might be getting taken for a ride here.
4 Answers
Definitely seek a second opinion! It’s unusual for a 7-year-old unit to have these types of problems, especially with a reputable brand like Trane. I had a similar experience where a tech tried to sell me unnecessary repairs, so get another HVAC company to check it out before making any big decisions.
I’d suggest just replacing the coil for now, but definitely get a couple more quotes. A lot of HVAC companies push for full system replacements when a simple fix could do the job. Don’t get pressured into a big expense unless you think it’s truly needed!
I had my AC replaced last year, and a key takeaway is to find a local, reliable HVAC company. The big firms often push unnecessary upgrades. A smaller business might save you a lot, and they'll give you an honest assessment of what you really need.
Sounds like you should just fix the evaporator coil! Components can fail, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a whole new system yet. Keep monitoring the situation, and if it starts costing you even more in repairs, then you can think about a replacement. Just know 2018 isn’t old at all!