The 25 year old Carrier AC finally gave up the ghost. At the very end of the brutal summer we had last year, the unit starting freezing up due to being almost completely out of coolant. I had the unit recharged in 2019 and knew that the microscopic leak they found in the coils would bring us to a point where we would have to decide to give it another shot of coolant, or replace it.

Our old unit takes five and a quarter pounds of R-22. I don't recall how much they had to put in it back then, but the whole shebang- materials and labor, came to 600 bucks. You don't even want to know what R-22 costs these days. It was out of the question.

We've got a good HVAC company who tells us they can get us whatever we want. We finally settled on an Amana, mainly due to their attractive warranty.

Next week, they'll be installing an Amana "3.5 Ton 410A 15.2 SEER 2 Stage Variable Speed System". Fancy-shmansy drip pan sensors, a filter you change once a year. New thermostat, too, and no, it's not Bluetooth this or wi-fi that or connected to the cot dam innernet. Shit, I feel like a kang.

Please don't pop in here and tell us we could have done better, or that your Amana is crap or whatever. The decision is made and we trust our HVAC people to steer us correctly and if we have issues, we have great service from a company we've used the entire time we've owned this home.

For the last few years, I dreaded every time the AC would kick on, being keenly aware of the age of our system. I understand how much has changed with American manufacturing over the last quarter of a century, but if the Carrier of today was the same as the Carrier of the late Twentieth century, that's what I would have purchased, but it's just not so.

You'll be happy and relieved when the work is done!

Good choice!

Is it as good as a Waste Kang?

New unit times are great, I have been babying my inside unit along for 28 years and its about time for a replacement.
I like your choice in filtering as crapy or lack of filtering has been my main issue over the years. Its uses a 1"x20"x20" filter which I have always changed regularly but the fines and cat hair still get by and stop up the a coil every few years and its a bugger to get clean.
I know the better filters can be costly but if it does its job then it should stop the fines and other crap form getting by which IMO is important.

You'll be happy when you see the power bill too.

When I went from a R22 unit to the newer stuff it had a less efficient SEER number than yours (a 13 maybe?) but was still a great improvement in efficiency.

I usually buy one step below the latest and greatest as the price is much better, but still a big upgrade from my old unit.

Congrats, a huge piece of mind for you two. Hope it lasts another couple decades

Just got the hvac guy to finish the job on my families new construction. He set and hooked up the new OD unit for the AC. It is a Evcon unit. Seems like the lower end on the quality spectrum but as many have said the installer is the most critical component. The installer knows his trade well so we will try to stay optimistic about it performance and longevity.

Again, happy for you guys. Enjoy.

Maybe the fact that you’re now well prepared for the heat of summer will mean that this summer won’t be as hot for you as last summer? Kind of like it always being a light season for snow when you buy a new snowblower? Good luck and enjoy your new HVAC system.

I have been putting off doing our downstairs unit. Over the summer stuck a portable in the kitchen to cool the first floor.
This winter just ran the furnace on gas.

May replace it this year.

Did the upstairs 5 years ago and it cost $3500. We’re closer to $7k this time. Crazy how nearly everything has doubled in price.

We replaced ours last year. We did agree at the last minute to do an Ecobee digital thermostat. Fabulous decision. If I forget to turn the heat down and I'm in bed or vacation, I do it on the app. If it's a cold morning and I've got to get up soon, I turn the heat up from my bed. Yea, I'm kind of old and lazy, but man we like the digital convenience. I'd suggest you maybe rethink that as it's not an expensive upgrade.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
For the last few years, I dreaded every time the AC would kick on, being keenly aware of the age of our system. I understand how much has changed with American manufacturing over the last quarter of a century, but if the Carrier of today was the same as the Carrier of the late Twentieth century, that's what I would have purchased, but it's just not so.

I know the feeling. Replaced furnace and A/C two yrs. ago.
But I get the sense that heating/cooling manufacturing has not suffered like fridges and laundry. They're still heavy duty and bit more efficient.

We did a second story attic heat pump in 2013 and it was $6k. Lasted exactly 10yrs. This time around it was $9K (last summer). 50% increase in cost over ten years (and this was with a healthy discount over the cost the first contractor quoted who did our 2013 install).

Brands matter but installer quality matters most.

Glad for you and sad for your wallet. I’m about at the same point, let us know how it works since I’ll need to pick one shortly.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

For the last few years, I dreaded every time the AC would kick on, being keenly aware of the age of our system.

Totally understand as our carrier system is now 41 years old.

quote:

Originally posted by Milliron:
Is it as good as a Waste Kang?

Not if a baby yak is involved.

The thermostat is a VIVE Programmable Thermostat. My HVAC guy says I'll really like it. I trust him.

quote:

Glad for you and sad for your wallet

We could have done this cheaper, but the wife and I decided to invest in a quality system. We spent a lot of money. I don't even want to say.

Based upon comments I've gleaned from consumers and HVAC professionals over the years, yes, the quality of the install matters greatly, and as I've said, I think the people we have doing this install are the equal of anyone around here.

Having a good installer is almost as important as the brand. If I could make one recommendation don’t wait a year to change out your filters. Dirty filters is perhaps the single most significant issue for a properly running hvac unit.

Comfort and no more worry sounds great, enjoy.

I live in a 1950s built ranch style house with an attached 2 car garage that was converted into a family room adding about 600 sq ft to the a/c load w/out any new ductwork, just a 220v combo heat/air noisy ass window unit. Area was cold in winter and hot in summer.

Room was tailor made for a mini split so last March we had one installed. 2 ton unit was $3500 installed and so far we've saved over $100 a month in electric as well as keeping the room quiet and comfortable.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
If I could make one recommendation don’t wait a year to change out your filters. Dirty filters are perhaps the single most significant issue for a properly running hvac unit.

I would second this. ^^^^^^^

Congrats! You'll be happy with the efficiency that a new unit delivers VS your 25 year old leaker. My realtor bought me a home warranty (yeah, I know I paid for that) and the home inspector told me the A/C wasn't gonna make too much longer, well, 11 months into the warranty it crapped out and I got a new 16 seer A/C heater for about $1100 out of pocket.

The date on the old A/C panel was 1996, and it was decaying. The new unit is also saving me about $100 a month, something you'll appreciate!