Get the Carrier and don't look back. It's the best money can buy. Anyone says differently then they're lying.

 

WILLIS-WASHED!

 

I got the most expensive estimate on the Carrier so I'll have to factor that in. And the fact that you're Razorback fan. War Eagle!

 

BELCHER

3000+ sq ft and three stories

1.one system?

2.Carrier Infinity-you might look into dual fuel

3.get a load calc

4.look into Carrier's zoning system for three floors

imo

 

Lennox and Ruud seem to be very dependable brands still. Have you looked into Trane by chance? The Carrier infinity system is premier. What contractor(s) are you getting estimates from? I live in Maryland. Go Terps... lol.

 

Tiger,
I'm looking at replacing a 21 year old Trane 3.5 ton unit. I'm not interested in doing multiple systems, though I do have 12' ceiling in the attic. Hmmm. Can I get more information on zones at the Carrier website? I burn about 3 cords of wood a year in a big woodstove. That's my dual fuel.

Ryan,
I got estimates from Advanced Air, Woody's and Mann-IN. All out here in the Western Prince William and Western Fairfax area. All were highly rated in the local CheckBook. Can't wait for College football to get going.

 

Are they all being quoted from the same contractor?

The quality of the installation trumps the logo on the equipment all the time!!

 

True, EVERY TIME

 

Sell Carrier and TRANE, Infinty rules!! fan control maybe to help move the wood stove air around.Also rebate Sept first $900 from Carrier

 

Carrier Rebates



What is that 900 rebate on. I am looking at puting in a Infinity system
Infinity 96 furnace
Infinity 16 Seer Heat pump
Infinity air purifier
zone control.
I have been waiting to see what the rebates would be but havent seen anything on Carrier website yet. I missed the spring rebates.

 

Zoning would be a cool option to be able to control the temperatures in different areas of your home. One thing to remember that is important is the sizing. Did these companies suggest increasing capacity to a 4-ton system? 4 tons sounds more reasonable for 3000 feet, but I have a 3.5-ton system for my home which is just around 2500 sq. ft. and sometimes I even think it's oversized. Just make sure you don't go too big because then it can run more often for less time and run up those electric bills!

-Ryan

 

I had a 3.5 ton unit originally. We finished the basement about 3-4 years ago and that pushes the space to a little over 3000 sqft. I'm going to look into the zones. Thanks for the idea.

A $900 rebate would be sweet. I understand that a rebate is pretty common during the fall season. Any word on one for Lennox or Ruud?

My neighbor recently had the same contractor install the Ruud. He had to clean up a real mess in the ductwork. Left it looking real nice and neat and they are very happy with the cooling so far. The other two contractors are very highly rated on our local CheckBook which is similar to Consumer Reports.

WILLIS-WASHED? Clue me in. I usually hang on the A/V forums.

 

Did any of the contractors do a manual J. You really shouln't have to go to 4 tons. If you did any improvements like replacements windows 3.5 should be enough. I went with the Bryant Evolution which is similair to the Infinity. I am in Mont. County. Love the system so far. Wait till they have the $1000 Rebate, make sure you get the Infinity controller.

 

With the Infinity he'll have to go to a 4 ton because it doesn't come in a 3.5.

A zone system would probably require complete duct remodel. The Infinity, and Infinity Zone systems are the best systems currently, hands down. Main problems are configuration related. Depending upon the settings chosen the operating efficiency can suffer tremendously. The SEER rating isn't set in stone, it's just the maximum SEER that can be extracted out of the system. Same goes for the others mentioned.

I don't recommend the efficiency settings. Get a 19 SEER and set it up for maximum comfort. For only a couple dollars more on the electric bill you can be comfortable rather than just cool. Fantastic system!

 

I'm assuming the rebates won't show up on the website until the day they're effective.

 

Are there any rebates for humdifiers? I'm definitely leaning towards Carrier at this point.

A couple more questions:

Does setting up multiple zones make sense financially or just comfort wise?

Does the Infinity 16 two stage system not have a scroll compressor? That's what the brochure and online information seem to say. See link below.

http://www.docs.hvacpartners.com/idc/groups/public/documents/marketing/01-825-002-25-010606.pdf?SMSESSION=NO

 

Correct, same for the Bryant. Because it is a recip the lower stage runs at about 50% of high while with a scroll the lower stage is around 70.

http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=105187

Mine is pretty quiet.

 

Thabks for the link.

Just spent the last hour reading threads on scroll vs. recp. I'm going for comfort so the Infinity 16 will probably be my choice.

Now I need to read up on humidifers.

 

I got the AprilAire 700 series Humidifier and AprilAire 5000 AirCleaner integrated with the Evolution system.

Actualy had the 700 on my old system with it's own control/sensor. Now it is controlled by the Evolution System.

 

I think we should make a Sticky on the who's the best manufacturer.

Ok let's get real. This year Billy Bob Ray heating sells Carrier and it's the best. Next year Billy Bob Ray switches to Trane, suddenley it's the best. And so on.

People/contractors get used to a brand and don't like change, anything new or different just won't cut it with them.

Let's see I worked on a Carrier the other day with a Copleand scroll, then next day on a Rheem with a copeland scroll. OH, did I mention they both had Fasco motors in them and Mars contactors? Get the point?

As for production with exception of cabinet/coils many parts are the same across the lines. Some Mfgs have better R &D or warranties.

HVAC is not like cars, there just is not that much differenence between them. Get the HVAC guy who as others stated does the Manual J, S and D. Get references and do it.

You can buy a giga SEER $$$ top of the line system but an existing undersized and leaky duct system and you have basically gained nothing.

There.... I told "How it is".

 

Have you ever worked on a TRANE®?

THE KEY IS THE COIL & the BASE!! PERIOD . Compressors are as you said, THE SAME. UNLESS you get a TRANE®. Look at the warrentees. Why don't the other brands offer 10 year ALL FUNCTIONAL part warrentees?​

 

Steve,

I think the conversation has gotten past who is the best. I'm getting information on combinations of equipment and for me the control that the Infinity provides may be what sways me. I've been reading tons of posts and still haven't got a handle on the scroll vs. recp issue. I'm still trying to get a good grasp on what I should expect from a humidifier.

 

I'm looking at a flow through humidfier. I don't have a drain in the basement and am concerned about pumping water out through the condensate pump during the winter. Any thoughts?

 

Oh thats not important, someone said earlier that they all use the same one and thats not 100% true. If you must know, its the switch in the outdoor unit that turns the power on and off to the compressor and sometimes the fan motor. (your thermostat tells it when to switch them on and off). It is however, the most common failed componant in an air conditioner. Again, if you get a system with 10 year warranty, you only have to pay the labor to replace it because the contactor is covered.

 

Thanks Doc.

I am leaning towards the Carrier, getting an additional estimate today. With the rebates the Carrier Infinity is a few hundred less than the Ruud.

And yeah, I do like to stare at the thermostat. I'm into data and tweaking things. I also watch the Weather Channel, golf and my grass growing. ;-)