Advice on a new air conditioner?

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Hi, I am hoping someone here has some knowledge of air conditioners and can help me choose between my options. I have done my research but it's still Greek to me.

I am looking to replace a 17-year old central A/C for my townhouse. My current unit is a Carrier 3 ton, single stage, that has worked well but is aging and needs minor repairs every year or so. I have gotten 3 quotes over the past couple months.

Company A gave me two options: (This was back in May)
A Carrier Base model, 14 SEER, 2.5 ton, single stage, with 10 year warranty on parts and 1 year on labor - $4185.
A Carrier Comfort model, 14 SEER, 2.5 ton, single stage, with 10 year warranty on parts and 5 years on labor - $4940.
Prices include everything, including removal of old unit, all permits, and duct work, plus the first year cleaning free.

Company B gave me two options in August:
An American Standard/Trane Allegiance, 13 SEER, 3 ton, single stage, with 10 year warranty on parts - $2800.
A York Affinity, 17 SEER (although it will not actually perform that high with my existing equipment), 3 ton, single stage, with 10 year warranty on parts - $3850.
Prices include everything.

Company C gave me two options in September:
A Carrier Comfort model, 13 SEER, single stage with 5 year warranty on parts and maintenance (may be the same model as A above, I'm not sure) - $3300-$3500.
A Carrier that is essentially the same model but better advertised, with "more bells and whistles" - $4300-$4600.
He did not write me a formal quote after I mentioned I might wait a few months to purchase. Prices include everything.

I am unsure how long I'm staying in the house - it may be 1-2 more years, or it may be more than 5 years - I have no idea. I do know I should replace it before I try to sell.

My last question is, should I buy now or wait? I was thinking of waiting till the end of winter, to avoid a few months of wear and tear and save myself one year's cleaning. However, Company C mentioned that now is the end of A/C season, so they are trying to move units, and deals may be best right now (he pressured me most of all to buy now).

Any advice is most appreciated. Thanks.

*bump*

Anyone, anyone?... Special interest in air conditioners?

Oh my goodness. i didnt relise cold air was so expencive, right now i have a wall mounted airconditioner that i really cant imagine costing more than a few hundred dollars. works wonderfully i tell you

I've been thinking of getting a split system myself, but I don't know where to put the outside box thingy (without it being disturbing for the neighbours)

79 dollars per year is the cost savings going from a 13 seer to a 16 seer for a 21/2 ton in zone 5 (my area). You'd gain a little bit more with a 17. If you buy over 15 seer, the government picks up 10% of the cost, up to $500. This incentive may end at the years end. This is the equipment cost.

Another tidbit: Furnace condition. If you are forced air heat, I'm assuming your unit here is 17 years old ( as old as split unit)? If so, you would lose some seer by combining a high seer to an old air handler.

This is something a contractor would know of what is best.

Hope it works for y'all.

Well, the price has gone down $200 from Company A on the Carrier Comfort. Maybe I should do that?

I wish I was sure I am not passing up the same thing from Company C for over $1000 less. When in doubt, I tend to overspend in the hopes that I'm getting higher quality somehow.