Venting - Home HVAC

Just got a bit of bad news, and needed to vent to someone. I also respect the opinions and knowledge of GRM greatly, though I rarely post.

So its been 95* here in Ohio. It sucks. I've also been outside all day everyday on blacktop for work, though that has actually been fun, albeit hot.

Sunday evening the A/C quit working at home. Today I got home at 6 and it was 88 degrees inside, 86 outside. I haven't got a decent night's sleep since Saturday, despite sleeping in the basement. I just don't tolerate heat well. -20C in winter up near Canada for work, no sweat. 95 degrees and I'm ready to drop. I haven't actually been able to "cool off" and get out of this heat in several days.

The HVAC contractor was able to come out this afternoon after work and take a look, and they say the compressor failed (13 y/o Bryant unit). Going to call tomorrow with an estimate, guy said it'll probably be north of $1500.

This doubly sucks because I've been trying to save money and cut expenses the past 4 months or so in anticipation of trying to move out west towards Colorado. Actually had a decent bit of money saved up, and have been prioritizing what I need to do to the house to get it ready to put on the market. Why is it that as soon as you start to get your feet under you, something comes along to kick the snot out of you?

I know it'll be fine, but dammit, I want out of Ohio. I'm tired of working all week, then working on the house nights and weekends (foreclosure I've been fixing up). Probably NOT going to buy a house when I get out west, as when I bought this place 2 years ago I suddenly ran out of time and money for motorsports. Give me a cot in a pole barn or warehouse and that'll be lovely. Maybe a single tree in a pot for landscaping. Fake tree.

So, advice soliciting time........any recommendations on online vendors for HVAC supplies? Specifically compressors? When I first bought the house I had to replace the thermostat and some other HVAC bits, and found online pricing around half what local quotes were!

You could buy a window air conditioner for the bedroom, and then at least you could sleep at night.

Also, a front is coming through Minneapolis tonight from the west with cooler, dryer air...hopefully it will make its way to Ohio in another couple days. :)

Who's going to do the install if you buy online? Do you know anybody in the HVAC business?

I'd call around. Explain the situation to bidders and let them know that you want a working system at the lowest possible cost. When the compressor crapped out at my wife's house right before we sold it and moved here, I got in touch with a contractor who was willing to fix us up with a never-installed unit that he had sitting in the shop for a very attractive price. The old air handler, thermostat, etc. still worked and we did not replace those.

I know Goodman sells pretty cheap. Haven't heard much bad about it.

Call up places looking for used equipment, since some people will replace the whole system when only one part really need to be replaced and contractor will keep the good parts for just this occasion. And tell them you want it on the cheap.