Time for a new central AC, need advice.

[asahitoro]

Thanks again for all of the replies,

Here's the latest. I've been quoted $5700 installed for a Train XR13, with all the Train internals (air handler/coil, new heater, thermostat, etc.). They are also giving me a 10 year warranty on everything and sanitizing my ducts. My furnace/heater (propane) is mostly fine (old though) but not getting a new one of those is only going to save me $200 ($5500 total wo/ heater).

Also, I can add the Train 'Clean Effects' air cleaner for the whole household for an extra $900 ($6600 total installed). Is the Clean Effects add-on useful and effective? My 11yo daughter has allergies and we would like to cut down on the dust if it will help significantly.

Even though I'm getting an XR13, the tech said that jumping up to a XR14 for about another $800 won't give me a full extra SEER point (only about a .25-.5 gain real world wise because of the combo of equipment) and that in his opinion, it's not worth it.

I'm thinking that $5700 isn't that bad after some of the quotes I have been seeing considering it's all Train equipment, a good warranty, sanitized ducts, etc.. It's just coming down to do I spend the extra $900 of the Train Clean Effects.

One more guy is coming this afternoon so I haven't committed yet.

Thanks again for the input.

[dpb]

[e-mail] wrote: ...

That's "Trane", not a train...

On the whole-house air cleaners. They do work a make significant and observable difference.

That's based on experience w/ old Bryant unit in a dry climate and on a farm where there is always much pollen, grain dust, etc., etc., etc., around besides the normal household stuff. Owing to the dry conditions, molds and that sort of thing are pretty minimal.

How to compare that to FL and a presumably urban environment I have no idea though...

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[asahitoro]

Thanks for the input,

Sorry about that, yes Trane is what I meant. It's been a crazy two days. The guy actually just called back and he said that Trane would discount the Clean Effects even more so it would be $6400 installed for everything.

Still a lot of dough but it's the best thing I've seen so far and I've compared with recently installed neighbor's jobs. I'm sure I could save a lot with used parts but again, I'm not feeling comfortable going with that route on a 12yo system.

[dpb]

[e-mail] wrote: ...

I'm getting ready to replace full system here as it's 25+ yrs and 50% efficient furnaces as well. Since the pipeline company now charges residential rates for our tap as well, it's worth upgrading as well. The upstairs unit we've not run for two years any way as it has a sufficiently large crack in the exchanger weren't comfortable altho CO monitor never indicated a problem, still...

Anyway, will replace the whole house cleaner as well whatever the cost differential is--that's how valuable we think it is. Mom had severe allergies and it made a tremendous difference for her and it does make noticeable difference in simply how much dusting is needed (had a HV xfmr failure and was out for a while a year ago so was reminded of difference).

Again how much it might help in your area w/ daughter's condition will be depending entirely on the type of allergens she's specifically sensitive to. If they're the common household airborne kind of thing, I'd think it likely to be beneficial--at least it can't hurt...

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[JIMMIE]

I had Lennox 3 ton heatpump with NG backup installed. This was everything including new ductwork for a little over $6K.

Jimmie

[Uncle Monster]

Heck, you doubt me and you don't even know how to post to Usenet.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

[Uncle Monster]

Whatever you do, keep your system clean. Don't cut the grass with the condenser running. The condenser will suck in the debris like a big vacuum cleaner and clog up the fins. I find so many blown compressors in dirty condensing units during hot weather. It pays to get a service tech to professionally clean and check your HVAC system every year. Oh, and if you try to clean the condenser yourself, be careful, I've had to straighten a lot of fins that were flattened out by a homeowner using a water hose adjusted to the kill setting.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

[tnom]

Look into going Geothermal. Once installed heating, cooling and hot water will cost about $50 a month. It will pay for itself in about 10 years.

[Old AC Guy]

Feel free to make stuff up since that is what you have done. Whoever told you these figures pulled them out of their ass. Did someone even take into your duct work and ho airflo effects everything?

[HeyBub]

I guess it comes down to whom you trust: someone who makes stuff up from second-had ass droppings or an old AC guy.

Gee, let me think...

[Bubba]

Well, you've certainly gotten some good and bad info in here. First of all, Goodman or Amana is not junk. The truth is, ITS ALL JUNK! Yes, even the TRANE! You need to find a good installation company that will be back to service it later. The installation will make or break the unit. Goodman just happens to be leading the industry in their warranties at the moment. Some of the best out there. I am NOT pushing Goodman though. I wont until they pay me for that. Next, you need to get a warranty that includes LABOR! Not just the parts. The parts aren't chit. You can have a lifetime compressor warranty and it wont mean diddly. All it means is they will hand you a compressor that you will pay shipping on both ways. Now you have to pay labor to install it, refrigerant recovery, new refrigerant, evacuation, pressure testing, filter drier, disposal, etc. etc. You have done well so far not wanting the "used" or "friend of a friend" route.

13 SEER is a high efficient unit now however it is also the lowest efficient unit now made. Living in Florida, you will likely do better with a higher SEER efficient unit. Dont go crazy though. Have one of those companies explain how a higher efficient unit will save you money and which one is just going to be overkill and never get your payback out of it. Good Luck, Bubba

[Steve Barker DLT]

I post just fine. You the one putting the shit on the bottom.

s

[Red Green]

"HeyBub" wrote in news:yIKdnRjke8VlcEfVnZ2dnUVZ [e-mail]:

Is there a door #3?

[Red Green]

Bubba wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Ditto

Super Ditto

[Uncle Monster]

You are tho thilly.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

[trader4]

Geothermal in FL is going to pay for itself in 10 years? Says who? In FL, the need for heating is minimal, so you're paying for a high cost install system and then using it largely for AC only. I find it hard to believe it's going to be economically viable, let alone pay for itself in 10 years compared to a gas heat/AC system,

[hallerb]

a very good friend now a retired HVAC instructor of 30+ years highly revcommends the goodman. they use mostly standard parts available from multiple sources, unlike trane and most others with pricey OEM only parts.

plus a bunch of family have had goodmans for years and our very happy, with zero breakdowns.

[dpb]

I don't know the payback for sure, but w/ the high water tables and hot weather, the heat rejection dT should be quite a lot better than air-air so it might be pretty good. I've never had any reason to look at it specifically, but I'd not rule it out a priori...

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[tnom]

You must have a crystal ball. I responded to the original post which didn't mention any location.

The 10 years is accurate for northern climates. I have no idea what the payback time is in Florida.