What affects AC and furnace costs in Poway

Why this guide has no prices

Any figure we printed here would be out of date within months and wrong for half the homes in Poway. Parts, refrigerant and labor rates change, and the same repair can be simple in one house and awkward in the next. What stays the same is the list of things that push a job up or down. Knowing them makes a quote much easier to read.

What drives the cost of a repair

• The part that failed. A capacitor or contactor is a small part and a short job. A compressor, a coil or a blower motor is a major part and often a long one.
• Refrigerant type. Older systems that run on R-22 are expensive to recharge because R-22 is no longer produced in the United States. Newer refrigerants cost less to top up, though finding and fixing the leak is usually the bigger part of that job.
• Diagnosis. Most contractors charge for the visit and the diagnosis. Ask how they handle that charge if you go ahead with the repair.
• Access. A furnace in a tight attic or a condenser behind a locked side gate takes longer to work on than equipment in an open garage or yard.
• Timing. Evening, weekend and holiday calls often carry a higher rate. On the first hot weekend of summer, a weekday morning slot may cost less if you can wait.
• Warranty status. If the equipment is still under the manufacturer’s parts warranty, the part may be covered even when the labor is not. Have the model and serial number handy.

What drives the cost of a replacement

• Size. A bigger home needs more capacity. The size should come from a load calculation, not a guess.
• Efficiency. Higher SEER2 ratings for air conditioners and higher AFUE ratings for furnaces cost more up front and less to run. How fast the difference pays back depends on how many hours your system runs each year.
• Single-stage or variable-speed. Two-stage and variable-speed equipment runs quieter and evens out temperatures, at a higher price.
• What gets replaced with it. An AC replacement may include the indoor coil, the line set, the thermostat or the electrical disconnect. Each one adds to the total, and skipping the coil on an old system can cause problems later.
• Ductwork. Leaky or undersized ducts may need sealing or changes, and California’s Title 24 rules can require duct leakage testing when equipment is replaced.
• Permit. Replacements generally need a permit from the City of Poway, or from the City of San Diego in neighborhoods such as Rancho Bernardo. The permit fee and inspection are part of the job.
• Electrical work. A larger system can need a new breaker or wiring.
• Removal. Taking out the old unit and recovering its refrigerant has to be done properly.

What affects the cost of a tune-up

A basic tune-up is the most predictable of the three. The price moves with what is included: cleaning the outdoor coil, checking the refrigerant charge, testing the capacitor, clearing the drain line, or a full furnace inspection with a combustion check. Some contractors offer yearly plans that cover a spring AC visit and a fall furnace visit. Ask exactly what each visit covers before you compare them.

How to compare quotes

• Ask for the quote in writing, itemized, with equipment model numbers.
• Check that each quote uses the same size and efficiency so you are comparing the same thing.
• Confirm whether the permit, duct testing, new coil, thermostat and removal are included.
• Compare warranty terms on parts and on labor, and who handles a claim.
• Ask whether the contractor ran a load calculation or sized the system from the old one.
• Look up the contractor’s C-20 license on the CSLB website.

Rebates and financing

Utility, state and manufacturer programs come and go, and many apply only to certain high-efficiency equipment. Ask the contractor which programs your new system qualifies for, and check SDG&E’s website for current offers before you sign. If a contractor offers financing, read the rate and the term as carefully as the equipment price.