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What would YOU buy?

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SarahW

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
OK, let's pretend that you live in hot, humid Houston TX and your 14-year old central air has died. Your house requires a 5-ton a/c and you want to replace the entire split system, including the gas furnace. What brand/type of components would you buy, as an HVAC pro? Assuming that you know the best performing, longest lasting equipment. :D

Yes, I'm still looking for answers. Help me out, will ya?? I'm so confused, I'll be dreaming about air handlers and SEER tonight. Plus, I'm HOT and I want my a/c back.
 
#2 ·
SarahW said:
OK, let's pretend that you live in hot, humid Houston TX and your 14-year old central air has died. Your house requires a 5-ton a/c and you want to replace the entire split system, including the gas furnace. What brand/type of components would you buy, as an HVAC pro? Assuming that you know the best performing, longest lasting equipment. :D

Yes, I'm still looking for answers. Help me out, will ya?? I'm so confused, I'll be dreaming about air handlers and SEER tonight. Plus, I'm HOT and I want my a/c back.
Click to expand...
How HOT are you, any pics??;)
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I'm about to throw up my hands and tell the next contractor to install whatever the heck is on his truck. Who knew this would be so complicated? I don't care about air flow or SEER or tax implications. I just want COOL AIR. :whine:
 
#7 ·
At my last house, I bought the cheapest system that I could get. You wouldn't believe me if I told you how much I paid, so I won't.

Didn't have a lot of money, but a cranky, sweaty woman NEEDED A/C. :p

I took the time to do a good installation.

Let me repeat that.

I took the time to do a good installation.

The system ran absolutely trouble free for 7 years with only a minimum of maintenance.

So, I think the important thing to take away from this is worth repeating.

I took the time to do a good installation.

Brand is secondary.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
OK, here's the kind of stuff I want to know:

- Is the higher SEER (16-18) worth the additional money?
- Is a 2-stage system a real advantage or does it simply sound like a good idea?
- Would I actually be as well off by buying a 14-SEER unit with a single compressor and get on with my life?
- What's the stock market going to do on Monday?
 
#9 ·
SarahW said:
I'm about to throw up my hands and tell the next contractor to install whatever the heck is on his truck. Who knew this would be so complicated? I don't care about air flow or SEER or tax implications. I just want COOL AIR. :whine:
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You may not care about airflow, but your system will very much care about air.

If you are that hot, go to the movies. They have AC.

DO NOT take this decision lightly, you will be back here screaming about how much you paid for a Piece of $hit AC unit that never works right if you do.
 
#11 ·
SarahW said:
OK, here's the kind of stuff I want to know:

- Is the higher SEER (16-18) worth the additional money?

With energy costs going nowhere but UP, I would buy the most efficient system that I could afford, assuming that I was staying in the house for more than 5 years or so.
- Is a 2-stage system a real advantage or does it simply sound like a good idea? no experience, no answer.
- Would I actually be as well off by buying a 14-SEER unit with a single compressor and get on with my life? See first answer. If you plan on moving soon, you might do as well with a cheaper unit.
- What's the stock market going to do on Monday?
Click to expand...
.
 
#13 ·
SarahW said:
OK, here's the kind of stuff I want to know:

- Is the higher SEER (16-18) worth the additional money?
- Is a 2-stage system a real advantage or does it simply sound like a good idea?
- Would I actually be as well off by buying a 14-SEER unit with a single compressor and get on with my life?
- What's the stock market going to do on Monday?
Click to expand...
What is the difference in price and how long will it take to get a payback?

There is nothing wrong with a 14 SEER single stage system, I like simple systems for my house.
 
#14 ·
I sympathize with you, even though I live in New York and we'll never see the temps that you get down in TX.

Here's the thing. You can go with pretty much any brand that fits your budget right now. You really *really* want to have the dealer, contractor, whoever do a load calc and make sure that the new system is properly sized. And of course check this dealer/contractor out, get references if you can. You don't want to end up with an over or undersized unit and the installer has already taken off with your money and your unit quits working 3 days after install. I have cousins in TX and yes I'll admit it happened to them. They paid cash for a Payne unit (low end Carrier) which was insanely foolish (paying cash for such a large purchase is just asking for trouble) and come to find out the unit was 1 ton too small. They called Carrier and what do you think Carrier said? Carrier played the sad little violin song...too bad....so sad.

Anyway, I just wouldn't want to see that happen to other people. If you are truly not interested in getting the tax credit or high end equipment, look into Payne, Goodman, Amana, ICP base models that may still get you a decent SEER rating and hopefully won't break the bank.

Just my two cents. Again, I know you guys need to act quickly down there with a no-air-conditioning situation. I hope it works out and please let us know :)
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
jpsmith1cm said:
So, I think the important thing to take away from this is worth repeating.

I took the time to do a good installation.

Brand is secondary.
Click to expand...
Oh, that there's my OTHER issue. How the heck do I know if the installation is proper? Every contractor coming here to estimate the job talks a good game, though so far they disagree on exactly what is needed for my installation. "Duct work...NO duct work. Install new freon line...flush old line. Old furnace is fine...old furnace is undersized. That will be a zillion bucks, please."
 
#16 ·
You will be fine. You have been recommended several local contractors on this board (before you made a purchase), many folks are/were not so lucky. When it`s all over go with who you feel the most comfortable with and don`t sweat it. No pun :cool:
 
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Discussion starter · #20 ·
h2045 said:
You will be fine. You have been recommended several local contractors on this board (before you made a purchase), many folks are/were not so lucky. When it`s all over go with who you feel the most comfortable with and don`t sweat it. No pun :cool:
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'm sure it will all work out. I just like to obsess about things; it makes life more interesting when there's drama. (Besides, my little "hurricane emergency" window unit is humming along, making my life worth living.)
 
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