buying new 3.5 ton a/c

havin_aball · 2005-12-04T00:12:23+00:00

Our 14 year old Ruud with an SEER of 12 has rusted out and is leakngfreon. We contacted the a/c company which installed the unit when thehouse was built and they are recommending replacing the old unit with aRheem 3.5 ton SEER 13 RAND042JAZ.My concerns are:1- SEER is kinda low. Wouldn't a 14 or higher SEER be better?2-I don't know if this is a scroll or reciprocating compressor. I'veread on-line that scroll is better. Is this correct?3-I don't know of the motor is one or two speed. Two would be moreefficient, right?4-I am of the opinion that this unit would use Freon. Wouldn't aPuron-using unit be better in the long run?Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.BoJo

Dec 04, 2005 25 Replies

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havin_aball 20 years ago

Got quotes on Trane

1- 3.5 ton 15 SEER 2TTX5042 Condenser with TWE040E Air Handler, 10 years parts AND labor 2- 3.5 ton 14.75 SEER 2TTX4042 Condenser with TWE049E Air Handler, 10 years parts, 2 years labor

Option 1 costs $700 more.

Suggestions? Ideas?

BoJo

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almoran 20 years ago

S*it or get off the pot. Go with option one as labor is expensive and will be worth it should something go wrong.

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havin_aball 20 years ago

Grandeloquent reply. BTW, option 2 contains a mis-matched pair; a 3.5 ton compressor with a

4 ton air handler. I suppose that's inconsequential.

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havin_aball 20 years ago

Grandiloquent reply. BTW, option 2 contains a mis-matched pair; a 3.5 ton compressor with a

4 ton air handler. I suppose that's inconsequential.

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CBHVAC 20 years ago

. Actually, that IS a matched pair.

No one seems to get the part about how higher SEERs require more air flow... Hope hes running a manual D on the duct too, cause most of the time, go too high in SEER over what you had and your duct is worthless.

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havin_aball 20 years ago

formatting link

Credits for Homeowners: There are different levels of credit depending on the type of improvement made, but the maximum amount of homeowner credit for all improvements combined cannot exceed $500 during the two year period of the tax credit. This tax credit applies to improvements made from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007.

Eligible measures are:

Added insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope

Replacement windows

High-efficiency gas, oil, and propane furnaces and boilers

High-efficiency central air conditioning units, including air-source and ground-source heat pumps

High-efficiency fans for heating and cooling systems

High-efficiency water heaters, including heat pump water heaters

Incentive amounts are:

Added insulation: 10% of cost up to $500

Replacement windows: 10% of cost up to $200

Furnaces and boilers: $150 for qualifying units

Central air conditioning units: $300 for qualifying units

Fans for heating and cooling systems: $50 for qualifying units

Water heaters: $300 for qualifying units

ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005 DRAFT SUMMARY OF TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS=B9 (US Treasury has not yet provided final interpretation for IRS use)

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