Opinions on a Carrier Comfort system

[fletch1027]

I have a quote for a new Carrier system I was hoping to get everyones opinion about the system (good or bad)

Quote includes the following Carrier hardware and other services:

- 24ACB442A30 Carrier Comfort outside unit (3.5 T - 16 SEER)
- 58PHA090 Carrier Performance Boost 80 furnace
- CNPHP6024 coil
- three Carrier Edge thermostats

- new supply / return plenums (current builder ones are terrible - drip condensation everywhere, etc)
- new zoning system (was 2 zones - will be 3 zones - master bedroom zone added)
- new bypass damper
- 2nd supply duct / register for master bedroom (major cooling issues in bedroom 16x12 currently has one 8" return and one 6" supply)

Based on the ARI number provided, this system qualifies for the tax credit, so that brings the effective price down a good bit.

I was mainly interested in opinions about the Carrier Comfort line and peoples experiences with it, seeing how it is near the lower end of their product line.

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

Not a bad setup. It is the least expensive option that will meet your tax credit criteria.

[BobbyBJr]

Any properly designed and installed system will meet your needs and provide good long term dependability, but Carrier is good stuff. I really like their zoning controls having installed many of them over the years. You might want to look at the Infinity controls they offer too. With the uncertainty we have about energy costs and such these days, it just makes more sense than ever to buy the absolute most efficient system your budget will allow, or possibly regret it later.

[alkydrinker]

I just had a new Carrier Comfort Series system installed this spring. My set up is very simple - a 2 ton, cooling only. I live in a smallish, older rowhouse (built 1947). My system has an overall SEER of 16 so I will get the tax credit (I have a 24ACB Condenser with a FV4BNF002 air handler)

I am happy with the equipment (not so much with the install guy, but that's another thread). My air handler sits in my attic and is WHISPER quiet. The outdoor condenser unit is pretty quiet as well - it sits outside right next to my living room and I don't hear it running at all from inside with the windows shut. I will say the condenser is quite big (despite being only two ton), but I believe that is partially how they achieve the higher efficiency (more fins/more surface area).

I can't comment on long-term reliability since mine is brand new.

Overall performance seems pretty good. I have one register that is off a very short duct run where I am getting temperature splits over 20 degrees. Registers at the end of more average duct runs are getting like 18 degree split. This is despite the fact that my air handler is set to move 15% more CFM than the "normal" amount Carrier has determined for a 2 ton system.

[The air handler has a "CFM ADJUST" switch which allows you to set the CFMs to 10% below the nominal amount (LO), the nominal amount for your tonnage (Nom), or 15% above the nominal amount (Hi). Looking at my user manual, it appears Carriers' standard (the Nom setting) is only 350 CFM per Ton. That combined with the fact that the air flow out of the registers seemed a little weak made me decide to set CFM ADJUST to Hi]

[fletch1027]

Thanks for the replies so far. It is making me more comfortable in deciding to go with the Carrier system. The other quote we got was for a Lennox system that was the bottom of their line (13 SEER). It was ~2,200 less, but in reality only 700 less after taking into account the tax credit...

[DanW13]

The Infinity Furnace is a nice piece of equipment, I have the 3 stage mod and love it, I will alsobe upgrading my outdoor unit hopfully by the end of summer with either the Infinity HP or the Performance HP as IMO when figuring in the Tax Credit it's not that much more to go Infinity over the Performance and also have 2 stage h/c paired with the 3 stage mod 96% furnace is one nice set-up IMO !!! If you can afford it get the most for the best bang with your money.