New AC Install_Feedback

[3Dgtr818]

We are looking to install Central Air & Heat into home in SoCal.
1150 SQ FT.
No existing AC or Duct work
Looking to get feedback on Options presented to us so far
Thanks for the opinions & help!

OPTION 1:
CONDENSER "CARRIER" M# 24ACA436A003, 14 SEERS, PURON - 1PC.
FURNACE"CARRIER"M# 58STX070-1-12, 80% AFUE — 1PC
EVAPARATIVE COIL- HORIZONTAL, PURON, HI EFFICIANCY

OPTION 2:
CONDENSER "CARRIER" M# 24ACA436A003, 14 SEERS, PURON - 1PC.
FURNACE"CARRIER" Mit 58MVB060-1-14, 96% AFUE — 1PC
EVAPARATIVE COIL- HORIZONTAL, PURON, HI EFFICIANCY

OPTION 3:
YORK 3.5 ton 13 SEER R410A Model TCGD42S41S1H
YORK 95% Furnace Mdl-TG9S080C16MP11
Coil 4 Ton Mdl- CV480C6

OPTION 4:
TRANE 3.5 T 13 SEER R-410 4TTB3042A1000A
TRANE 80% AFEU FURNACE TUE1B080A9361A
TRANE COIL 4TXCB042BC3HCA

OPTION 5:
TRANE 3.5 T 13 SEER R-410 4TTB3042A1000A
TRANE 95%. VARIABLE SPEED FURNACE TTUH1C100A9481A
TRANE COIL 4TXCC049BC3HCA[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE]

[JAH0983]

If you need a 3Ton choose option 1 or 2 If you need a 3.5Ton choose option 4 or 5

[3Dgtr818]

Not knowing much about HVAC except from searching online
contractor A states 3.5 ton needed
contractor B states 3 ton is plenty

Going by 1 ton per 400 Sq Ft (House is under 1200 Sq Ft)

[JAH0983]

Instead of going by 1 Ton per 400 sq.ft. I would want the load calculation especially if they're installing all new ductwork. If not sized right it's probably gonna cause you headaches down the line. There is a lot of other factors in determining tonnage and ductwork than just the size of the house itself.

[3Dgtr818]

Appreciate the advice & help

What is the best way to figure the correct load calculation?
Have met with several contractors & all of them (including some major chains)
stated the same SQ Ft ref.

[BigJon3475]

If you want to attempt it yourself:
http://www.hvaccomputer.com/

You can continue to keep looking till you find someone:
http://www.acca.org/contractors/

3 Tons seems like an awful lot for 1200 sq ft. but you never know, the house could be made of windows... You want to go with the smallest system needed to satisfy your design temp load. Otherwise you'll be wasting energy usage while it's running and causing the equipment to short cycle. You may have to put up with those out of design days but overall you'll save more money by having the smaller system and just dealing with it for those few days.

[2old2rock]

I say 2 ton - but that's just a guess, like all the rest.

[BaldLoonie]

I'd really ask on the sizing. If you need 3.5 ton for 1150 sq ft, you have one lousy house! Around here, and we get HUMID and 90s every summer, that would be a 2 ton unit, even an older home with weak insulation. New homes go up to 1600 sq ft on a 2 ton.

If the calc really says 3.5 ton, fix the problem. Insulate, do something to keep the heat out so you don't need so much cooling. Really pay back in the juice bill!

[Cold Feet]

We are looking to install Central Air & Heat into home in SoCal.

Did any of these contractors do a Manual J load calculation? Throw out any bid that doesn't include a load calc.

[3Dgtr818]

house is 1150 sq ft
15 windows
Hardwood & Tile flooring
2 doors (front & Rear)
french doors
3 bedroom
1 bath
Kitchen
Dining Area
Living room
No insulation in attic (we will be adding insulation)

Option3 (revision)
YORK 3.5 ton 13 SEER R410A Model TCGD42S41S1H
YORK 95% Furnace Mdl-TG9S080C16MP11
Coil 4 Ton Mdl- CV480C6

[BlackMountain]

Can't go wrong with a load calculation.

As far as sizing goes, 3 or 3.5 tons for your climate is probably about right. What part of California are you in? Do you get really hot days in the summer like 110? Parts of the country that have higher humidity and highs in the 90s may run 2 Tons so the system runs longer and lowers the humidity. It's different for different climates so keep that in mind. It's why load calculations are important, they take into account climate, insulation, windows, etc.

The York and Trane setups aren't setups aren't apples to apples. The Trane unit is going to have a 850 RPM condenser fan motor and sound blanket on the compressor while the York will have 1075 RPM condenser fan motor and no sound blanket. The York is not going to be loud but the Trane will be quieter. Not sure about that particular Carrier.

[amd]

Since you don't have an existing system, a room by room load calculation is absolutely essential.

Any contractor who doesn't automatically do one is your case isn't worth considering.

3 tons for 1150 sq ft sounds insane.


I'd really ask on the sizing. If you need 3.5 ton for 1150 sq ft, you have one lousy house! Around here, and we get HUMID and 90s every summer, that would be a 2 ton unit, even an older home with weak insulation. New homes go up to 1600 sq ft on a 2 ton.

What's your design temp out of curiosity?

In southern ontario 1 ton can cool 800-1000 sq ft properly at 90-92f oat. (Two story, double pane windows, reasonable insulation assumed)

[3Dgtr818]

southern california
summer days can be about 110 +
winters can get below 30 on days
probably use the furnace 2 months out of the year
the ac 4-5 months

not one contractor that has quoted us even mentioned a load test

not sure what design temp means, sorry
can you please explain?

thanks for all your help

[Cold Feet]

Ditch all your bids and call more contractors. Tell them you want them to follow all ACCA design standards, specifically Manuals J, D, S and T.

Read ACCA's consumer information before choosing a contractor:

http://www.acca.org/consumer

[3Dgtr818]

Having a few more contractors come out & quote the job.

Is Carrier Comfort Series 14SEER a good unit?

[heaterman]

Get a system that qualifies for the 1500 tax credit. Since you are starting from scratch, there is NO reason for this system not to be set up and operate properly AND efficiently. As before Manual J and D, accept no excuses from your contractor, rule of thumb is not good enough.

[3Dgtr818]

We are considering this as well.
But from the quotes we have received the cost has been much higher for the units.
What are the better systems that qualify for the tax credit?
without installing to high end of a unit?

[BigJon3475]

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index#c3

[3Dgtr818]

Opinions on the following system appreciated
Thanks for all the help, we appreciate it!

1. Condenser unit M#APA736A003, Performance Series, 2-Stage, 3Ton, 208/230-1-60, 16SEER
2. Furnace unit M#58CVX070-1-12, 80% AFUE, Variable Speed, 3Ton, 66000 BTU
3. Evap coils unit M#C36H142D446, Horizontal, High Efficiency, R-410, 3Ton

[Juleous]

The York systems have modulating gas control which is really nice for the heating, and Trane sucks balls! You know the saying it's hard to stop a trane, true until you install it.

[catmanacman]

The York systems have modulating gas control which is really nice for the heating, and Trane sucks balls! You know the saying it's hard to stop a trane, true until you install it.

must be lacking in the install department you know the saying only as good as the install