Bill Guenthner
Platinum Member
I can attest to that from personal experience. A bad installer will heck-up the job no matter what the system is.
The BEST HVAC system for your home, hands down
- Thread starter Sigarms
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Sigarms
Super Member
Depending on the indoor model, annual cleaning of all those indoor blower wheels is no fun
Some one mentioned about parts. There aren't any residential ductless units made in the US to boot. Depending on the models, parts are high on the list per potential issues as well, as there really isn't any aftermarket service parts available.
Bill Guenthner
Platinum Member
I don’t know, I haven’t had to buy any parts. I suspect that as SEER values get better I’ll replace the units every 10 years anyway. I’m stunned by how little energy they consume to heat and cool. The old conventional ducted system needed a 60 amp circuit PLUS a 40 amp circuit. The new system uses one 20 amp circuit. Frees a lot of space in the panel for new stuff.Depending on the indoor model, annual cleaning of all those indoor blower wheels is no fun
Some one mentioned about parts. There aren't any residential ductless units made in the US to boot. Depending on the models, parts are high on the list per potential issues as well, as there really isn't any aftermarket service parts available.
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Sigarms
Super Member
Sometimes it's the smaller things that don't appear very quick per system failure.
Not pulling a proper vacuum.
Not using decent solder.
Checking pressures, but never checking airflow and static pressure.
Having a long line set run but not following the manufacturers guidelines on what needs to be added.
The only reason for this post is that when you ask about a brand of equipment wondering "how good is it?", the reality is pretty much all of them will work fine when installed properly.
I went 2 stage 16 SEER variable speed because I was able to utilize a personal use program directly from the manufacture. My rep wanted me to try a "higher line" but it required a proprietary communicating thermostat. For myself, I won't touch a propriety communicating thermostat made by the manufacturer (and the only tstat you can use) due to way to many potential issues down the road.
My dad's buddy has a home about 40 minutes from us. He lives in Pa though. He called me, dealer installed a Lennox high end XP system with proprietary thermostat. He called me because the installing dealer wanted $1,600 to replace a thermostat that was out of warranty by a year. I was able to get the job done for him for $900, and that was only because the thermostat was well over half that price.
2 Stage, variable speed air handler / gas furnace with any Honeywell thermostat is my high end limit LOL
Torvy
Super Member
I have a couple of questions about AC in our new house build.
One builder insisted that they only install brand C. I have had very good luck with Brand A, and I tend to be very loyal if I find something that works well. You have seen the high end unit we currently have in another thread. Is it reasonable to insist on what we want or just roll with it?
Next question... We designed our new house with a first floor mechanical room to house all other the things typically pit in an attic. The room will be accessible from the outside, so maintenance people don't need to worry about the rest of the house as much. We can also then change filters and such without climbing as we are getting older and kids are gone. The same builder was insisting they still put the equipment in the attic. Help me understand if this makes sense.
One builder insisted that they only install brand C. I have had very good luck with Brand A, and I tend to be very loyal if I find something that works well. You have seen the high end unit we currently have in another thread. Is it reasonable to insist on what we want or just roll with it?
Next question... We designed our new house with a first floor mechanical room to house all other the things typically pit in an attic. The room will be accessible from the outside, so maintenance people don't need to worry about the rest of the house as much. We can also then change filters and such without climbing as we are getting older and kids are gone. The same builder was insisting they still put the equipment in the attic. Help me understand if this makes sense.
Bill Guenthner
Platinum Member
He's trying to stick with his regular subs and attic installed 'brand C' is what his regular sub knows how to do. Is AC separate from heat system?
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Sigarms
Super Member
I don't remember the unit you speak of, but are you dealing with the builder or the HVAC contractor?
I would also think that although you had good luck with Brand A, you probably had better luck with the installing contractor installing brand A.
Personally, I could never understand why people build homes but never have the choice of what HVAC system they want, let alone being stuck with a crappy $50 thermostat in a 500k home.
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Pixguy
Elite Member
We'll have to replace our 15yo heat pump system in Florida and our usual contracted guy only recommends up to 15 seer B system. The neighbor was purchasing a 21 seer and says we're wasting money not going with a higher seer. I ask my guy and he says the 21 has lots of electronics that he can't service it and because we're there for only 4 months the 21 seer isn't worth the extra 50% upcharge. Your thoughts?
OP
Sigarms
Super Member
I could buy anything I wanted at a very good price. I went with 16 SEER two stage with a variable speed heat pump system (surprised you have a heat pump being Florida is pretty much a straight AC market).
In complete honesty, I happen to agree with your guy in his line of thinking...
That added reality is your neighbor is full of crap. Return on investment diminishes greatly from 15 to 16 SEER, and I only wanted to go with a 16 SEER two stage system so I could run some experiments with my whole house dehumidifier tied into the system (old system was 13 SEER single stage variable speed).
Please note, best system to save money IMO is geothermal, and they are rated by EER, not SEER, but they can have a substantially higher install cost.
The sales mantra on high end selling for HVAC is over 16 SEER you aren't selling return on investment, you're selling comfort.
Thus the reason why I want to do some humidity readings with a 2 stage variable speed system now with and without the dehumidifier.
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Pixguy
Elite Member
You're right Sig, it's not a split system but an AC with a heat pump as well, it can reach into the 30's in January.
That's what our guy said, the ROI (return on investment) in the higher seer doesn't see a return for 12-15 years and that's a full timer. Thx