AC Installation Location

[Tallicon]

I'm getting an AC installed and I'm trying to decide if the unit should be installed on the wall or on a ground ground pad. Thing is the unit is getting installed on the exterior wall of our master bedroom. So I want to keep the noise/vibrations down. I would like to wall mount to keep it clean but if it's noisy I would rather want it on the ground. How bad would it be?

any opinions???

Thanks!

[beenthere]

I would never mount a condenser on the wall of a bedroom.

[cartercrew]

Unless you have some crazy ordinance that says you cant put it on the ground, put it on the ground, with a slab at least 2" larger that the unit in all directions. Don't run the slab up against the house foundation.

The only condensers I would mount on a wall bracket are mini-splits. Most of the time you can't even tell they are running, so noise is not a problem.

[Tallicon]

Done! On the ground it's going thanks!

What about concord vs Payne?


Sent from my finger using My Brain

[tinner73]

Done! On the ground it's going thanks!

What about concord vs Payne?


Sent from my finger using My Brain

that's cheap vs. cheaper.

[Tallicon]

Payne is cheaper then concord? I live in Sudbury Ontario and the severe cooling season is only about 3-4 weeks and I've been told that's not a lot of wear and tear so it's not worth the money to go for a top name brand. Or am I getting fooled?

[tinner73]

Payne and Concord are both bottom feeders..that being said as long as either is installed correctly they should be fine with your short summers.

[Tallicon]

Any recommendation on mid grade brands?

[energy_rater_La]

most big names have lesser known names.
trane/american standard
york/luxaire
carrier/bryant I think..
and others..just don't know all the sister brands.

same on the inside as far as working componets
just more bells and whistles for more expensive
big brand.

install is the key, you can have a top of the line
with a bad install and you got crap.
knowing that the tech/installer knows what they are
doing is golden.

people love some brands and hate others..
doesn't mean one is better than the other in most
cases. just personal prefrence.
I'm not a fan of Rheem/Ruud. but its because
any tom dick or harry can go the one of the local
supply houses and buy one. then hack the install.
makes work for someone
..but at a big extra cost to the homeowner.

best of luck.

[socotech]

I agree with Energy Rater. All units are good and all units are crap. Depends on the install. BTW Payne is also made by Carrier. On the residential end I don't prefer one brand over another, but that is a different story in commercial. All residential warrantys are about the same too.

[Tallicon]

Should I worry about the "silent" rated units or is that just a sales angle? Since its going on my bedroom wall I don't want to get annoyed by it.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Payne or Concord?

Payne is a sub-name of Carrier.

Concord is a sub-name of AlliedAir, which is owned by Lennox.

Choose your 'economy brand name'... because mostly all you are choosing is a name. AS noted above; the guts inside are mostly the same across all 50-something names, which are built by 8 manufacturers.

As Energy Star Rater noted above: Installation is the key.

Personally; I have been through the AlliedAir manufacturing plant in Columbia SC... they run a tight ship with lots of attention to quality control. I have been through a few other plants also... and honestly AlliedAir is the product I would buy if it were me.

[energy_rater_La]

I've never heard of Concord or AlliedAir.
must be a regional thing??

[ga-hvac-tech]

AlliedAir includes:

ArmstrongAir
AirEase
Ducane
Concord
MagicPak (apt 'thru-the-wall' stuff)

And they actually build old dedicated horizontals as well as an oil fired version of the dedicated horizontal. No VS ded-horiz as far as I know... <grin>

http://www.alliedair.com/

Locally, they are sold by C C Dickson; I was a guest to the factory 'Red Carpet' tour in February.

I have a background that includes some understanding of manufacturing processes... and I was impressed with the AlliedAir plant.

Regardless of which product you buy (except magicpak), the furnace will be from the Lennox plant, and the coil will be from ADP (coils all have microban technology included). Only the AC's, HP's, pack units, and AH's come from SC.

I have been installing AirEase and Ducane for about a year now (left Ruud); I think AlliedAir is a good quality product at a very reasonable price.

[Tallicon]

Thank you guys so much for this info! Will be buying the concord.

The other option is the Tx valve. Is it worth the $? What is the main benefit?

[socotech]

Yes. I feel like the TXV will more than pay for itself. It modulates refrigerant flow based on load. This is a way more efficient use of heat rejection.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Thank you guys so much for this info! Will be buying the concord.

The other option is the Tx valve. Is it worth the $? What is the main benefit?


Yes. I feel like the TXV will more than pay for itself. It modulates refrigerant flow based on load. This is a way more efficient use of heat rejection.

Yes, absolutely get the TXV valve. Think of it like this: Would one size shirt fit all folks? NO. The TXV valve adjusts the refrigerant flow to accomodate different conditions (hot or mild, humid or dry). And IMO a properly installed system (will not be the cheap price) including a TXV valve, will last longer than making the decision strictly by the numbers.

[Tallicon]

And the efficiency come from lighter loads on the compressor with saves power?

[Tallicon]

Gents,

So I got the unit installed. It hasn't been hot enough to use it but the install looks clean. Only thing is that it was balanced at about 15*C.