which A/C SEER is more reliable?

I'm in the market for a new HVAC system. I've noticed that the higher SEER units jump dramatically in price going from 10 SEER to 12 to 14. 10-12 is an 85% increase. 12-14 is about %50 increase. I've also been told that the 12+ SEERs have "variable" (valve can open/close to change the pressure gradient) expansion valves. Lastly, these "variable" expansion valves are prone to failure and frequent servicing. Is this true

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go with the highest you can afford. energy costs are going up, and will never go down. also, pretty soon a 10 seer will be illegal to install.

Charles Spitzer wrote:
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Did that law go through? Isn't it interesting how one group of politicials claim the other group of politician is making poor people more poor, and we need more welfare.
Yet, this same group of politicians make laws that make affordable ACs illegal for those with low income. --Mike

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Minimum 12 SEER by Jan 2006. For NOW, that is! "They" are pushing for 13 SEER......

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politicials
And what about "Puron"?

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Nothing regulates "Puron". Thats just a pretty Carrier name for R410a. Bubba

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Yeah. Has nothing to do with the SEER rating (except I don't think anyone makes a 410 unit under a 12 SEER, but I could be wrong.....)

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I got the buzzword from a magazine article where someone was complaining that R-22 was poison and will all be replaced by puron in the near future. It was in a waiting room at the car repair place so it could have been automotive. It was saying that the old stuff wouldn't be available much longer.

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Probably the same "someone" that says the internal combustion engine is destroying the eart and that we all need to go back to the horse and buggy....

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change
will
install.
and
Puron is a marketing scam started by the Chicken Littles of our industry.
I've never believed in it and now they have supposedly come out with a 'drop-in' replacement for R-22.

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I know this debate has gone 'round and 'round for years now. I have installed quite a few R410 units and have not had any problems with them (some are going on 8 years now), but I usually will not sell it unless the customer asks for it.
And as far as Kathy's question about the availability of R-22: Heatman will probably agree with me that there is so much out there now that I don't think we will EVER run out even if they stopped making it today. Some say the price of it will skyrocket (just like R-12 did), but I think the price will come DOWN (because of the glut).
Time will tell. Who knows: In another 10 years they will do away with central a/c systems because we will have a little unit that you carry in your back pocket that will give you heating and cooling and it will run off of methane (thus the "back pocket" design)....
;-]

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industry.
will
off
Gives a new meaning to 'gas' powered...

I up graded to a 16 seer heat pump a/c combo, and it was about $500 more after the utility company rebate.
Tom
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Goodman manufacturing maker of Amana and Goodman a/c products has been lobbying the feds for years to reduce the 10 seer requirement. Sighting among other things that people can not afford the newer higher efficiency equipment. So far the feds have not moved from the 10 seer requirement.
You need to ask yourself some questions before shopping. How long do you plan to stay in the home? Is noise an issue? What is your electric rate? etc.
http://198.147.238.24/ac_calc/default.asp This web page will help you sort out some of the questions. I was going to replace a 10 seer with a 12 seer and when the savings came back at less than $400 a year I decided against spending $5400.00 for a new a/c cause I am not planning on staying that long.
I have never heard of an variable valve a/c. Variable air speeds and 2 speed and or 2 stage compressors but nothing in the valves. Maybe one of the guys that is installing the newer equipment will know about them. I like the variable speed air fans for humidity control. The one I have works great for that. I would get the best scroll compressor that I could afford. Luck to ya with the decision

'I'm in the market for a new HVAC system. I've noticed that the higher SEER units jump dramatically in price going from 10 SEER to 12 to 14. 10-12 is an 85% increase. 12-14 is about %50 increase. '
The 85% increase is a little high if thats what youve been told. The increase is because in 12 eer units, there is a Scroll Compressor over 10 eer units. It upps the price . They are quieter and usually more reliable. Different design vs. reciprocating compressors.
'I've also been told that the 12+ SEERs have "variable" (valve can open/close to change the pressure gradient) expansion valves. Lastly, these "variable" expansion valves are prone to failure and frequent servicing. Is this true'
Cooling Coils that have this TXV are more efficient and can tolerate lower indoor load conditions than a fixed metering device can. TXV's are generally reliable and typically last for many many years before something goes wrong with them. I would not let this affect your decision.

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This is Turtle.
First I'm not good at Per cents as tring to judge prices because of too many veriable in the per cent game. Now do looking at the % that you stated here. They just seem just too high to be called fair. Now for a look at a price difference of a hvac system usely in 6 different brands I sell here is the price for a give tonage, type and seer but all three prices is for the same everything but change the seer rating. I'm looking at the wholesale price sheets and get my Retail bid prices from them.
10 SEER Same set type system ------------------ $3,200.00 . 12 SEER Same set type system ------------------ $3,950.00 . 14 SEER Same set type system ------------------ $4,725.00 .
These prices are from a bid sheet that I just turned in to a customer and the profit from the 10 , 12, and 14 seer bits installed are all the same. I make the same money off the 10 , 12, or the 14 seer and don't care which seer the customer picks for I make the same money off each. Now do your per cent game if you like.
TURTLE

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This is Turtle Again.
I forgot about the expanion valve question.
I and the manufactor of hvac equipment concider a expanion valve to be used on high quality equipment and if your just going cheap type system just use a flow rater on it and not a expanion valve.
Now to the expanion valve being more trouble or more pronded to have trouble. I will say a expanion valve would prevent trouble in the future and be a very good thing to have if your going to keep your system for a long period of time like 20 or 30 years. I change my evaperator coil and furnace out in my house and I wanted and installed a expanion valve on my system.
Now there is one draw back of having a expanion valve on the system. The Uneducated and Hack HVAC people don't like them for you have to know what your gdoing to gas up the systems and they will bad mouth these expanion valves.
TURTLE