Might replace central A/C and have questions

[Mojoed]

I recently had (2) Lennox Seer 19 systems installed and I'm lovin' it. I keep one unit between 67-69 24/7 and my last electric bill was around $80.

 

[Rubycon]

19 Seer? Do they have multistage and/or variable displacement compressors?

 

[NascarFool]

Yep old Freon was R22 newwer ones use r134a. The oils I am sure are very different.
That and new copper lines are minor cost when replacing a system. Its like rebuilding your engine in a car but using the old oil filter.

I am a NATE / EPA certified HVAC Tech and this cracked me up. R-22 units are no longer being manufactured in the US. The new units use R-410A not R-134A. R-410A has been around for many years, Carrier/Bryant calls it Puron. When installing a new R-410A unit, you must replace the indoor coil and copper line set.





P.S. R-134A replaced R-12 in automotive air conditioning, window units, refrigerators and a few other items.

 

[drnickriviera]

19 Seer? Do they have multistage and/or variable displacement compressors?

Thank goodness you are back. Don't scare us like that.

 

[Mojoed]

19 Seer? Do they have multistage and/or variable displacement compressors?

Multi-stage compressors. (Two stages to be exact)

It's the Signature Series XP19. I think there is now one even more efficient, it uses solar panels I think. I'm happy with mine though.

 

[Vette73]

I am a NATE / EPA certified HVAC Tech and this cracked me up. R-22 units are no longer being manufactured in the US. The new units use R-410A not R-134A. R-410A has been around for many years, Carrier/Bryant calls it Puron. When installing a new R-410A unit, you must replace the indoor coil and copper line set.





P.S. R-134A replaced R-12 in automotive air conditioning, window units, refrigerators and a few other items.

Yep I was thinking window unit AC. I always get the 410 and 134 backwards since I am looking for a window unit for my shop and my dad did the charging for my new AC system in my house.

But still the same advice, replace the copper lines when replaing the ac system.

 

[WannaFly]

Update:
This company quoted me $6700 for a 2 ton 15.5 SEER carrier unit. it includes running new drain, copper lines, concrete pad, thermoistat, ec. This also includes $950 for redoing most of the ductwork, they said it was undersized even for my current 2.5 ton unit. This is much more than I was expecting, this company has great reviews on angies list and has been around a long time. I called to have another company come out on saturday so i can have 2 quotes to compare just so I know what range to expect. Right now I'm thinking this company is high priced.

Any opinions? My coworkers say 2 ton sounds too small but the guy spent 2 hours measuring and calculating the head load of the house.

 

[Vette73]

2tons may be ok for a 1200st/ft house. Depends on the windows, doors, insulations, etc... sq/ft is only one part.

I would lean toward a 2.5ton myself but that is based on general knowledge since I can;t see your house and its good/bad qualities.

But the price is not that bad. Not great but not really bad.
If you are trying to stretch your dollar check out craigslist to see if someone does it on the side.
But for example I spend about $6000 just on parts for my 5ton ac and 125k furance with all new duct work and all the other stuff. Labor was myself and some other family members.

 

[Renob]

As others have said seek out a skilled installer thats 90% of the battle then he will help you choose the hardware, thats what I did 2 years ago ended up with Train hardware and then last summer blew in R35 worth of insulation in the attic going from like R7 wow with that and the new Train system the bill went way down and the comfort went way up!!! woot FTW! Live in Central TX keep the house at 75 when Im home it rocks!!!

 

[Rubycon]

As others have said seek out a skilled installer thats 90% of the battle then he will help you choose the hardware, thats what I did 2 years ago ended up with Train hardware and then last summer blew in R35 worth of insulation in the attic going from like R7 wow with that and the new Train system the bill went way down and the comfort went way up!!! woot FTW! Live in Central TX keep the house at 75 when Im home it rocks!!!

You live in a roundhouse?

 

[Renob]

You live in a roundhouse?

Close Round Rock.