Opinions Appreciated on A/C 10 SEER

[joho]

Hello, I am considering replacing my whole A/C system with either:

1. Air-Ease SCU10H-42 or a
2. American Standard 2A7A1042

I realize they are only 10 SEER units, but have been advised the payback on a 13 SEER is very long.

Both are 3.5 ton units. Any opinions are appreciated plus if you think there is a better option for around $3000 I would appreciate that as well.

Thank you for your help.

[RBranon]

Were are you located. both are good units. Very humid area ok. Moderate to dry area the pay back for higher seer would be worth the extra money.

[BaldLoonie]

In many areas of the country, due to short season, low juice rates or both, 10 SEER is the best bet. Like here!

We sell both. I'd put the Air-Ease in my house. Copeland scroll compressor under a cover vs a Mexican assembled recip 1/2 exposed and noisy. But both are good so check out the dealer carefully. Either would be fine properly installed, neither if poorly installed or oversized.

http://www.imagewiz.net/usr/hvactalk/4339_Swenson2.jpg

[joho]

Originally posted by RBranon
Were are you located. both are good units. Very humid area ok. Moderate to dry area the pay back for higher seer would be worth the extra money.


Thanks for your response. We're in central Indiana. Can have high humidity during periods in summer. Fairly low electric rates which factored into the dealer's recommendation.

[joho]

Originally posted by BaldLoonie
In many areas of the country, due to short season, low juice rates or both, 10 SEER is the best bet. Like here!

We sell both. I'd put the Air-Ease in my house. Copeland scroll compressor under a cover vs a Mexican assembled recip 1/2 exposed and noisy. But both are good so check out the dealer carefully. Either would be fine properly installed, neither if poorly installed or oversized.

http://www.imagewiz.net/usr/hvactalk/4339_Swenson2.jpg



Thanks for your response. Aside from these 2, are there any other models that you would consider to be superior in the same price range?

Thanks again.

[BaldLoonie]

Only thing I'd prefer personally is a Rheem or Ruud. But few dealers of those brands in Central Indiana. So if you like the dealer quoting A-S or Air-Ease, go for 1 of them. Only thing diff about a Rheem or Ruud from Air-Ease is cabinet design and that's just a matter of preference.

[docholiday]

That and sound levels.

[tinner73]

don't forget about Rheem's 10 seer scroll compressor. aren't Armstrong/Air Ease 10 seers gonna be recip. compressors? if you can get Rheem/Ruud 10 seer take it. scroll over recip. anyday.

[BaldLoonie]

The 10G & 10H units are Copeland scroll all sizes. The H have a cover on it. But Doc is right, the fan on the Air Ease is noisy. Can't hear the scroll on the H units but sure hear the roar of the fan. Still quieter than many brands though.

[tinner73]

i did not know that. anyone else produce a 10 seer scroll other thant Rheem and Air Ease? i've never run across an Air-Ease around here.

[andserco]

ICP has them, 10 SEER with scrolls with 10 year warranty...

[docholiday]

Everyone makes them, not all are equal and certainly not in the same price range. When it comes to equipment, you get what you pay for. I AM NOT SAYING lower cost instalations are worse, we arent goint down that path. I am referring to the equipment.

[GradyWhite244]

Originally posted by andserco
ICP has them, 10 SEER with scrolls with 10 year warranty...

We've had very good luck with the ICP 10 & 12 SEER slant top units. Certainly worth looking at especially if noise is a concern.

[Jultzya]

ICP offers a 10 SEER scroll condensing unit. If properly installed, it will offer years of service. And the noise level is very low.

Hey Baldy, need to sleeve that line set! :D

[Jultzya]

Here's one,
http://www.imagewiz.net/usr/hvac1/4730_10_SEER_Unit.JPG

and yes, I sealed the PVC and line set after this picture was taken! :cool:

[tinknocker service tech]

lenox has scrol compressors in all thier unit over 2 ton now. i would still recomend tha american standart if you cant get a scroll unit
they make thier own compressors and they have proven to be tough units
amercan standart is also trane

[andserco]

Originally posted by jultzya
Here's one,
http://www.imagewiz.net/usr/hvac1/4730_10_SEER_Unit.JPG

and yes, I sealed the PVC and line set after this picture was taken! :cool:
IMO, try the same unit but with the better coil gaurd-- if that unit is a HACO36AKC, try the HACO36GKC. I only install them with the better gaurd, seeems to have worked for me...sorry no pics......

[joho]

Originally posted by andserco
ICP has them, 10 SEER with scrolls with 10 year warranty...

Thanks for your response. Under what brand name is ICP sold as?

Thanks again!

[Jultzya]

Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, Heil, Tempstar, AirQuest, KeepRite, Etc...

They will ALL look very similar to the unit in the picture. The Tempstar will have a 'plastic' slanted top, but the rest of the unit looks the same.

All of the scroll units offer a 10 yr. compressor warranty when installed with a matching coil. Everything else has a 5 yr. warranty.

If you decide to upgrade to a high efficiency unit, they offer a better "No Hassle Warranty" when something major malfunctions. (which will not be a wise move, unless you're located in a southern state or a 'warm' climate)

[joho]

Thanks again to all for your great information. I've been doing business with the same outfit for nearly 15 years and want to continue doing business with them. After further discussion they feel that the Air Ease 3.5 ton model 10 SEER with scroll compressor would be a good value for our needs.

This should be a nice upgrade vs. the "builder" grade Bryant unit that already has a leaky evap. coil.

Thanks again.

[docholiday]

The air ease is a builder grade unit. But if you're happy, were happy. :)

[joho]

Really?!?

Can you help me understand what separate premium from builder grade? I was hopeful that a 10 year warranty would help differentiate, but perhaps I'm wrong.

Any suggestions on what is NOT a builder grade that may be in the same general range as the Air-Ease?

Thanks again.

[coolprod]

Originally posted by joho
Really?!?

Can you help me understand what separate premium from builder grade? I was hopeful that a 10 year warranty would help differentiate, but perhaps I'm wrong.

Any suggestions on what is NOT a builder grade that may be in the same general range as the Air-Ease?

Thanks again.

Usually it's the SEER rating. A 10 SEER is less expensive to buy/install than a higher SEER rated unit, thus being a builder grade.

But do not determine your choice of unit just because it's considered a "builder grade". This unit (if installed correctly) will give you years of good service.

[joho]

Interesting, so is there not some differences in the construction of the units in terms of the quality of the components or gauge of metal, etc.? In other words, there aren't premium vs. builder grade 10 SEER units?

I knew I was considering a lower SEER unit, but I did not know that this was the primary indicator of builder-grade.

Thanks again.

[Jultzya]

In the ICP line up, the builder grade unit has a recip vs. a scroll compressor. What this means to you is that the scroll is quieter, more efficient, and is normally going to last longer.

Another factor, is that the scroll comes with the 10 yr vs. the 5 yr warranty.

The other difference is the way the top is manufactured. The basic model has a flat top that is punched and louvered. The premium unit has a raised top and a cut out for the airflow, with a grill covering the opening.

Usually builder models have the recip compressor. Along with lighter metal and a shorter warranty.

[BaldLoonie]

Many brands have builder & deluxe in 10 SEER. On the Air-Ease, the 10B would have a recip in smaller sizes, 10G has a scroll and 10H has the nice louvered cabinet, wire fan grille and scroll with cover. On the A-S, the 7B has shorter comp warranty, cheaper cabinet, no wrap on the compressor. Just getting 10 SEER doesn't mean an inferior unit.