Air Conditioner

[ryanps]

Hello all, been awhile since I've been here. Our AC unit unfortunately died and I was just given a quote for a new TempStar unit. Model with better warranty = $3,700. Or less warranty model for $3,200.
Any advice that you could give me. Should I check out Home Depot? Lowe's had a 2.5 ton for $1,600 (don't think that included installation though).
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Ryan

[jackellis]

Is this central or window? Either way, get the highest SEER you can. Higher SEER =
lower energy costs. I don't know about Ohio but my brother in SoCal just put in one with a SEER of 20.5 when more typical SEER is 16.

[pelligrini]

I would go with something with a better warrantee. You may not have to use it, but it sure is nice to have when it's needed. I like to use a smaller, established, reliable A/C company for installation and service.

Go as energy efficient as you can afford. I prefer spending a little extra for a good quality appliance or fixture, than to skimp and go with something bottom line. I think it really pays off in the long run.

I had to replace my 5 ton unit last summer. I pulled the trigger on a pretty efficient variable speed Lennox system. I ended up getting a pretty good deal from a company that did the AC on all our big condos we built downtown. They really made a big effort to make me happy. I think having 42 of their units in the condos and me being the contact on behalf of the architect/owner helped a little.

[dbhost]

2.5 ton sounds kind of small. Unless your home is 1K square feet that is... I would suggest starting with getting the sizing right for the house, and picking the best A/C you can buy with the strongest warranty. The wife and I are going to change out our A/C next spring with a new 4 ton Trane system. Might just be because A/C here has to pull so much humidity out of the air...

[pelligrini]

That sized unit may not be that far off. The avg temps. around there aren't like ours. There's a chart on this page. The degree delta change needed isn't large.

[khf314]

Central A/C Research

You might want to look at this article: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/ho...-conditioners/. It's a very detailed article that I think anyone should read before purchasing a new or replacement A/C.

[unclecritic]

If your use of an a/c unit is anything like it is in michigan, sometimes a higher seer unit will take a really long time to make up the cost difference. Sometimes I cringe at people that are installing 19 seer units here in michigan because its going to take around 20 years to offset the cost difference lol. Some companys will do a cost study to see how long a particular purchase will take before it actually starts saving you money.

Tempstar isn't a real bad brand... it falls about in the category of payne, goodman, arcoaire... If i were in your shoes i would go with trane or carrier because the warranty is so much better.... and im biased cuz I install trane Lennox isnt bad either, but sometimes getting them serviced can be a little diffuclt as only lennox dealers can get parts for them.

Another thing to consider is the condition of your furnace if you have forced air heating also... When they are in there installing the new a/c they are going to have the plenum tore apart already and sometimes will offer you a price break if you install both at once as some dealers get a price break on a package deal.

And 2.5 ton unit is good for a pretty large space actually, depending on insulation, windows and doors, solar gain, cathedral ceilings... the list goes on. In the last 10 years or so alot of units here are being replaced with smaler ones due to the fact that they are more efficient and cool better than an oversized one...

[unclecritic]

and i'm not sure about there, but here if you have "Home Depot" do it, they end up having a regular trane dealer do it and take some of the profit... I'm not sure how lowes does it.