slowrev
Elite Member
Yes those rebates can make the difference. Unfortunately my last heat/pump purchase rebate was only for AC not heat pump. Check carefully, don't believe the salesman. Been burnt.
Central air conditioning $$$???
- Thread starter kubmech
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Alan L.
Elite Member
I have 880 square feet of well-insulated living space inside a metal building, which is also insulated. It gets seriously hot around here and I wanted it 68 when its 105 outside. Contractor wanted to put in a 2-ton, I went for a 3-ton Rheem, 10-SEER. Entire cost including flexducts and electrical (to the units) was $2950. My contractor lives about a half-mile from me and he seems to be doing very well. He has 8 tons of A/C in his house, a very nice place.
This was Dec 2000 when this was done. When I lived in a 2000 square foot house, we had two units 1.5 tons for the master suite and 3 tons for the rest. I cannot imagine only having 2.5 tons in a 2000 square foot house, but if it doesn't get seriously hot, its probably OK.
He tried to feed me bull about having too much A/C, not running enough, and thus not removing enough moisture from the air. Here in Texas, its hard to get too much A/C.
I cannot believe the disparity in the cost of things here versus up north. Construction costs around here are $60 to $70 per foot for standard construction, and when I read magazines featuring homes up north I see $120 a foot and more. Could it be that hardly anyone does basements down here? Or that the trades are just cheaper here?
This was Dec 2000 when this was done. When I lived in a 2000 square foot house, we had two units 1.5 tons for the master suite and 3 tons for the rest. I cannot imagine only having 2.5 tons in a 2000 square foot house, but if it doesn't get seriously hot, its probably OK.
He tried to feed me bull about having too much A/C, not running enough, and thus not removing enough moisture from the air. Here in Texas, its hard to get too much A/C.
I cannot believe the disparity in the cost of things here versus up north. Construction costs around here are $60 to $70 per foot for standard construction, and when I read magazines featuring homes up north I see $120 a foot and more. Could it be that hardly anyone does basements down here? Or that the trades are just cheaper here?
_RaT_
Super Member
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- Kioti 3510-SE HST
"He tried to feed me bull about having too much A/C, not running enough, and thus not removing enough moisture from the air. Here in Texas, its hard to get too much A/C."
Thats not bull, thats fact. If you have to go that oversized, then your way undersized on R value and when or if your electricity costs escalate in cost, your really going to feel the heat.
Thats not bull, thats fact. If you have to go that oversized, then your way undersized on R value and when or if your electricity costs escalate in cost, your really going to feel the heat.
PineRidge
Super Member
If you have ever been in a cave then I'm sure that you will remember the feeling of cold and damp. It's a most uncomfortable feeling. AC units are designed so that as ambient loads increase they will run on an almost constant basis. This is to control humidity first (latent heat) and lower the temperature second (sensible heat).
If a unit is way over sized it will quickly cool down the structure without removing the humidity first. It the system is undersized it will do a good job of taking the moisture out of the structure but a lousy job of dropping the temperature. Thats why a balance if the two is needed.
That said, my home is roughly 2000 square foot on the living area (downstairs excluded) and we cool it with a 2-1/2 tom AC unit. The temperature is always at set point on the digital stat even in the hottest weather and the humidity is minimal.
If you are dealing with a reputable HVAC company then I suggest that you let them design your system and follow the sizing recommendations that they make. Otherwise you could be sorry at a later time.
If a unit is way over sized it will quickly cool down the structure without removing the humidity first. It the system is undersized it will do a good job of taking the moisture out of the structure but a lousy job of dropping the temperature. Thats why a balance if the two is needed.
That said, my home is roughly 2000 square foot on the living area (downstairs excluded) and we cool it with a 2-1/2 tom AC unit. The temperature is always at set point on the digital stat even in the hottest weather and the humidity is minimal.
If you are dealing with a reputable HVAC company then I suggest that you let them design your system and follow the sizing recommendations that they make. Otherwise you could be sorry at a later time.
Kubmech,
I know prices differ across the U.S., but here's another quote for reference.
The quote includes the following.
1. Remove existing furnace, supply plenum and return plenum.
2. Install new 90,000 BTU - 80% Elite Series Lennox Furnace.
3. Install new 24,000 BTU -10 Seer 2 Ton- Elite Series Lennox Air Conditioner (this will be a new add--currently using window A/C unit)
4. Installation of new supply plenum
5. Installation of new return plenum
6. Installation of 3 returns with white 4 X 12 grills (these will be new returns as the number of returns we have is not sufficient for A/C).
7. Conversion of one supply into a return (we have a den that has two supplies and it gets hot in there so only one is needed and we need the additional return).
8. Installation of a new supply in one of our bathrooms. Currently this room does not have a heat supply other than what goes through the door.
Total Bill for the above--$5000.
Hey Murph,
You were kind enough to counsel me on the last quote I received. I know you don't sell Lennox, but what's your opinion on the above equipment. I believe you told me they had some problems years ago--do you feel they have their issues worked out?
I wish you were an hour closer--I'd have you do this.
Bob
I know prices differ across the U.S., but here's another quote for reference.
The quote includes the following.
1. Remove existing furnace, supply plenum and return plenum.
2. Install new 90,000 BTU - 80% Elite Series Lennox Furnace.
3. Install new 24,000 BTU -10 Seer 2 Ton- Elite Series Lennox Air Conditioner (this will be a new add--currently using window A/C unit)
4. Installation of new supply plenum
5. Installation of new return plenum
6. Installation of 3 returns with white 4 X 12 grills (these will be new returns as the number of returns we have is not sufficient for A/C).
7. Conversion of one supply into a return (we have a den that has two supplies and it gets hot in there so only one is needed and we need the additional return).
8. Installation of a new supply in one of our bathrooms. Currently this room does not have a heat supply other than what goes through the door.
Total Bill for the above--$5000.
Hey Murph,
You were kind enough to counsel me on the last quote I received. I know you don't sell Lennox, but what's your opinion on the above equipment. I believe you told me they had some problems years ago--do you feel they have their issues worked out?
I wish you were an hour closer--I'd have you do this.
Bob
BillyP
Veteran Member
We had a Lennox heat pump in our old house. It was installed in 1978. We sold the house in 1999 and the unit was still going strong. The only thing I ever had to do to it was replace a start capacitor and oil the fan motors.
Thanks Billy,
My parents house has a Lennox and it's been good for them as well.
I know they had some problems at one point at which time the came out with or purchased from another company the Armstrong line. I think Armstrong is their low end unit as compared to the Lennox line, but don't remember for sure. Murph was a big help last time I looked at this.
Bob
My parents house has a Lennox and it's been good for them as well.
I know they had some problems at one point at which time the came out with or purchased from another company the Armstrong line. I think Armstrong is their low end unit as compared to the Lennox line, but don't remember for sure. Murph was a big help last time I looked at this.
Bob
BillyP
Veteran Member
A good friend and neighbor of mine (an AC guy) talked me into installing Janitrol heat pumps, for this house. He said they were good units so I guess I'll wait and see. I think he was being honest cause he wasn't selling them. He worked on my old Carriers every summer and wouldn't take any pay.
He retired at 55 from American Electric Power two years ago and died last year. He was a heck of a guy.
He retired at 55 from American Electric Power two years ago and died last year. He was a heck of a guy.
Well Billy--I can give you some feedback on my Janitrol furnace. It's at least 20 years old and has been neglected (by me) since we moved in in 1998. I've replaced filters, but that's about it. It's still going strong and I'm only replacing it due to it's age and the fact we will be asking more of the furnace once we install the central air. So if my experience is any indication, you should have trouble free years from your Janitrol.
BTW--the new investment will prompt me to take better care of the new furnace/ac.
Bob
BTW--the new investment will prompt me to take better care of the new furnace/ac.
Bob
PineRidge
Super Member
Years ago Janitrol got a bad rap when they made the series 44 round AC condensing unit. They were very unreliable and earned them the name "Janijunk" from the service technicians. But Janitrol soon rallied and started making newer, better, and more reliable equipment. I think they have completely changed their image.
