Yes, it sounds reasonable.Hello Bogleheads,
We live in an 1100 sq. ft. condo in the Boston area. Our monthly electricity bill in the non-winter months is < $200. During winter, it goes up to $800 - $1000 per month. A plumber, who also does a bunch of utility work in the building, told us the high cost of heating is due to old heating coils in our condo. The condo is 30+ years old likely has unchanged coils since then.
He quoted a price of 17k to replace the coils in our condo and our HVAC system in the roof to which it is connected. He said it includes the cost of getting a crane to help change the HVAC system in the inner roof. A condo board member, who recommended the plumber/repairman, confirmed other condos have paid similar or higher ($22k) costs for changes. Some others have simply chosen to distribute their bill evenly over the year with the provider.
As someone who grew up elsewhere, I do not fully understand how HVAC systems work in general and how our works in particular. I am working on learning more.
At the same time, is 17k a reasonable cost to replace the HVAC system including our unit on the roof and the coils in our condo? I am considering soliciting quotes from other providers to get a sense of the market price.
Thank you,
kurious
Last fall, my HVAC replacement was just under $15K 97% efficiency furnace and high efficiency A/C . Labor in Boston is likely a bit more,
so $17 K seems reasonable. I replaced HVAC when we moved in, and that lasted 25 years.
I did get some efficiency tax credits.
I did not go for a more expensive air source heat pump,but that would have given me more tax credits. If this HVAC lasts 25 years,
it will likely outlast me.
Statistics: Posted by MathWizard — Tue Oct 14, 2025 7:23 pm — Replies 18 — Views 1132