Comfort Experts Hobson Air Condition $16000 for a new heating/cooling unit that they now suggest replacing after only 8 years! Weatherford, Texas

Well, it is that time of the year when AC heat pumps are being tested with hot July temperatures. I just read your complaint and I am sensing that I may have to replace a 5 yr Carrier packaged AC unit, cost $5000 in 2005, that used to fail every 18 months while under and now is failing every 12 months.

I can clearly see now a pending $600 expense sometime in 2010. Although the 2009 repairman answered my yesterday call, came today in July 2010, and said that there is nothing wrong, at no charge, even when the AC compressor did not kick on for 20 hours. Anything could be the problem: starting capacitor, moisture in the line, .... 

ConsumerReports.org, I am a member, says that the central cooling units fail 13% for the better brands and 19% for the worse. So looks like there is nothing being sold today that will last as long as my 17 year old Amana unit that died in 2005 with just 2 minor repairs: starting capacitor and a freon leak, repair and recharge.

Spending $16000 and not getting any better efficiency is certainly a bummer. But there had to be a way to measure your old AC current draw and the new unit rating and make a comparison.

Robert