SIGforum
Need educating on new HVAC systems
June 01, 2018, 06:49 PM
dry-flyNeed educating on new HVAC systems
Our residential HVAC system is still cranking along and cooling, but.. I was told twice three years ago that it could die anytime. It’s original to the house (2005). The yearly check/tune up is scheduled for next week and hopefully it won’t be bad news, but I’d rather be prepared and learn some than be in a pinch with no AC and have to make a snap decision.
So, assume I know nothing..cause that’s about the extent of my knowledge on the subject. I think we’d need a 3 ton system (1900sq ft, one story, in Texas) with the best SEER rating we can afford. Lay it on me.
"Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway." Steve McQueen...
June 01, 2018, 06:54 PM
Skins2881Here is A really easy way to tell what size your existing system is. Look at model number, find a number divisible by six, divide by 12 that is how many tons it is. Ex 30/12 = 2.5 ton. No clue why they do this but it was helpful for me when sizing generators.
Either replace with same size or have a pro size based on calculations.
ETA - I replaced mine a few years back. My good friend who owns HVAC Co told me don't bother with the higher seer units, even today's lowest seer units will be more efficient than my 13 year old one. I'm saving about $100 per month in electric bill now. Saving $120 instead but paying paying $3,000 more for the highest seer unit didn't make good financial sense to me.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis June 01, 2018, 06:57 PM
dry-flyThank you Skins, that’s a good place to start
"Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway." Steve McQueen...
June 01, 2018, 07:22 PM
Gene HillmanWhat brand is your existing unit? I have an Amana which is Goodman I think and was told it should have a life of about 20 years. Ours was new in 2003 and it is still going along fine. I don't think it is considered a "premium" brand.
June 01, 2018, 07:50 PM
dry-flyYou know Gene, I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know the brand. Its a generic version of somebodies, Bryant, etc.. Everything in the house is just “builder” grade.
"Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway." Steve McQueen...
June 01, 2018, 08:47 PM
sig226fanThe installation is more important than the brand name. You could get a Trane and the install is not as good as it should be, and you will have issues. I lucked out several years ago and was pointed in the direction of a great HVAC guy. He suggested going with Goodman even though it was not a "Top tier" name. He said most of the guts of these are all made by couple of suppliers anyway. They did a great job installing and I have been very happy. Other companies that have done the yearly service since have said it shows that the installer knew what he was doing. also Goodman has a 10 year warranty as well. But you have to make sure and register it on their website for all parts condenser, heat exchanger, and one other part if you replace everything (don't remember what its called).
Was quoted almost $8k for Trane and Carrier. I ended up paying less than half for the Goodman.
It's all about clean living. Just do the right thing, and karma will help with the rest. June 01, 2018, 08:54 PM
tsmccullI replaced our 1995 Goodman system in 2016. It was still working, but I was getting tired of annual freon replacement costs along with the monthly costs to run it. Seems like you should get more than 11 years out of one.
June 01, 2018, 09:03 PM
dry-flyHopefully we will get more life out the system and I know lots of places push sales for new systems... I just want some good info *in case*. I don’t want to shell out thousands we don’t have unless it makes sense. Thanks guys for the info.
"Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway." Steve McQueen...
June 01, 2018, 09:38 PM
doublesharp1 Amana and 3 Goodmans in our family all over 10 years old and doing fine.
________________________
God spelled backwards is dog
June 01, 2018, 09:58 PM
ElKabongquote:
Originally posted by Skins2881:
Here is A really easy way to tell what size your existing system is. Look at model number, find a number divisible by six, divide by 12 that is how many tons it is. Ex 30/12 = 2.5 ton. No clue why they do this but it was helpful for me when sizing .
One ton of cooling is 12,000 btu/hr
That’s the reason for the model numbers
I quit school in elementary because of recess.......too many games
--Riff Raff--
June 02, 2018, 12:35 AM
RNshooterquote:
Originally posted by tsmccull:
I replaced our 1995 Goodman system in 2016. It was still working, but I was getting tired of annual freon replacement costs along with the monthly costs to run it. Seems like you should get more than 11 years out of one.
You did get more than 11 years. Do the math
Bruce
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June 02, 2018, 01:33 AM
lee40215If the system has been maintained, filters kept clean, outside washed out during cooling season no reason shouldn’t last 25 years plus
June 02, 2018, 05:29 AM
95flhrWe have an Amanda System. It’s 3 years old with no issues.
“Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.”
― Ronald Reagan
Retired old fart
June 02, 2018, 06:06 AM
hvactechquote:
I was told twice three years ago that it could die anytime
Typical of someone who would like to sell you a new system. Anything can "die" at anytime. I'd focus on maintaining and as you are prudent in doing so, a check up. Clean coils, refrigerant charge check ( this is critical ). Wear items: the compressor contactor after 13 years should be replaced. Wouldn't hurt to replace the capacitor also, as those fail occasionally. The game changer is if you develop a refrigerant leak. This Can be simple repair up to a component replacement. If your system is R22, the costs of this refrigerant is increasing, to the point of choosing to replace the system. Don't be too concerned, you say the system is cooling fine, an indication that all is well.
June 02, 2018, 08:17 AM
smithnsigMy HVAC contractor thinks that after about 17 SEER, the increases in efficiency get a lot smaller as compared to the cost. Going to a 20 SEER starts costing some real bucks, for reduced (real world) returns.
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TCB all the time...
June 02, 2018, 08:22 AM
Oz_ShadowFollowing closely, as I am in the same boat.
Excam will say find the best installer/servicer in your area and go with what they recommend. Forget the name. That is hard however, as most reviews are of brand new systems or based on their time to respond. It's hard for a lay person to evaluate how good a job they did.
I am curious if Trane has higher annual maintenance costs as I read the coils are more difficult to clean.
Our Lennox outdoor unit is a 1998 and the bottom corners of the condenser coils are disintegrating and starting to develop holes. Probably from some dog or critter, but we have not seen any. The air handler is a Bryant that I replaced the control board with a used one already, so I guess we'll be doing both.
June 02, 2018, 08:50 AM
Gene Hillmanquote:
Originally posted by RNshooter:
quote:
Originally posted by tsmccull:
I replaced our 1995 Goodman system in 2016. It was still working, but I was getting tired of annual freon replacement costs along with the monthly costs to run it. Seems like you should get more than 11 years out of one.
You did get more than 11 years. Do the math
I think he is talking about the original poster's unit in the last sentence. Read the post.
Bruce
June 02, 2018, 10:28 AM
smschulzquote:
I think we’d need a 3 ton system (1900sq ft, one story
I've been told the rule of thumb is 500sf to TON.
The effectiveness is in the QUALITY of the design and installation.
Pretty much most all equipment now days is good, just get with a knowledgeable Pro.
June 02, 2018, 10:57 AM
dry-flyThank you folks for the input. Been doing a lot of reading the past 24hrs. I’ve cross referenced some installers from Angie’s List, Yelp, local DFW reviews, BBB and Home Advisor. Two or three come out on top consistently... I’m sure they’ll be the most expensive as well, but.. you get what you pay for (most of the time
)
"Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway." Steve McQueen...
June 02, 2018, 01:04 PM
fizteachquote:
Originally posted by dry-fly:
Hopefully we will get more life out the system and I know lots of places push sales for new systems... I just want some good info *in case*. I don’t want to shell out thousands we don’t have unless it makes sense. Thanks guys for the info.
Where are you in Texas? I am near Greenville and have a great HVAC guy.
Get over it!!