Is $2,000 to enlarge the return ductwork a fair price?
Project Details
I have an about 17-year-old rooftop HVAC unit (R-22 refrigerant) that I had serviced this summer. The techs brought up issues on both the furnace and AC side. For the AC, they said the superheat is too low and the subcooling is low, indicating potential problems with liquid refrigerant returning to the compressor and a small reserve of extra-cooled liquid. They also mentioned my furnace's heat exchanger is discoloring and might crack, though I'm skeptical of immediate danger. The tech notes also indicated elevated static pressure due to undersized ductwork, a blower capacitor below manufacturer specification, and low R-22 refrigerant pressures suggesting a leak or failing metering device. My unit has been working fine all summer, and it's a 2009 Goodman 2-ton single-stage rooftop unit that has been serviced twice a year for several years. The quote for replacement recommended going up to a 2.5 or 3-ton unit due to the house's southwest exposure.
Quote Details
This quote is for improving the airflow of my HVAC system by enlarging the return ductwork. This work is intended to address several existing issues: - Elevated static pressure caused by undersized return and supply ductwork. - Refrigerant pressure issues (low superheat and subcooling) which could lead to liquid refrigerant returning to the compressor. - Potential issues with the furnace's heat exchanger, which is showing discoloration and might crack.
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More Details
Category
HVAC
Price
$2,000
Quote Date
October 2, 2025
System type
Furnace, Air conditioner
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