Air Conditioner Choice

[danwhitfield]

Hello Forum -

Firstly thank you for taking the time to read a thread from a "first time" -

After a few different proposals on a new Air conditioner from different HVAC companies - I feel i) mislead, ii) poorly informed and iii) have resulted in countless hours of internet time and iv) am here for HELP!

I have a new house (6 months old) it is a semi. It is 1700 Sq Ft (currently with an unfinished basement). We live in Toronto. Construction is Brick / ply / insulation / d-wall.

We have a Lennox G43UF Furnace.

I have been quoted from <2k to almost 4k for a new air conditioner. All contractors have quoted a 2 Ton, so this I am settled on!

- I am confused about the following.

1. Seer Rating - will a higher SEER actually help, will my furnace be able to take advantage of higher SEER?
2. Is the additional expense for a 2 stage air conditioner worth while? (Noting, I only plan to live in this house for 3 - 5 years)

Lastly - some recommendations please!!!!

Thank You in Advance for your time,

Dan

[skippedover]

Becoming an educated consumer of HVAC equipment should be your #1 priority. I've attached several documents to air you in your education. Once educated, you'll find it imminently easier to shop and will be much more confident in the company you choose for the work. Take the time to read the documents. The could save you a bundle of money that would otherwise be lost gambling. Clearly you've already become concerned about gambling with so much money. Now you've got what you need to assist you. Happy hunting.

[Gib's Son]

SEER is an acronym for Season Energy Efficiency Rating. A quick Google will provide you with plenty of info. Basically, the higher the seer, the more efficient the equipment. It has to do with amount of energy consumed vs amount of energy output.

SEER has to do with air conditioning so the furnace has nothing to do with it, other than providing air flow. The indoor coil and condensing unit need to be matched to obtain the listed SEER.

If it were me, only living in the house a few years, I would not pay the extra money. My :.02:

[BaldLoonie]

Actually the furnace does have to do with SEER ratings. The blower motor electrical usage is a factor. With a standard furnace, the ratings estimate so many watts per ton of cooling. Since standard motors aren't efficient, you usually end up with 13-14 SEER even if you buy a machine that can do better. If you look at ratings with high SEER outdoor units, the rating will specify which furnace that rating is with. And that furnace will have a high efficiency motor in it.

So if adding A/C to an existing standard motor furnace, I'd only look at "13 SEER" base units. There's some "14 SEER" units that will deliver 14 with a standard motor but also many that won't.

[danwhitfield]

Thanks Bald Loonie - you basically summed up exactly what I suspected. This was the main concern that I had.

I have been quoted on 13 / 14 and a two stage "up to 18".

I am thinking I will lean towards the Bryant 126B -

Should I be looking at anything else? I have noticed some of my neighbors have "Payne" and "Comfortmaker"

Should I look at these?

Thanks Again.

[LKJoel]

Thanks Bald Loonie - you basically summed up exactly what I suspected. This was the main concern that I had.

I have been quoted on 13 / 14 and a two stage "up to 18".

I am thinking I will lean towards the Bryant 126B -

Should I be looking at anything else? I have noticed some of my neighbors have "Payne" and "Comfortmaker"

Should I look at these?

Thanks Again.

Finding a good installer is far more important than equipment brand. In TO, you likely wont see a payback going higher than 14 (14.5) SEER, as your AC season is limited, in your situation i wouldn’t bother with 2 stage either.

I would, however ask for the proper TX valve to be installed with the system, with the energy grants kind of in limbo, many Ontario contractor are removing TXVs from their quotes to drop their bottom line a few bucks, its worth every penny to have one installed, it will increase your efficency and extend your equipment life

[BaldLoonie]

The 126 is a nice machine BUT with the existing furnace, only gets you 14.00 SEER. So you are paying a bundle for efficiency you are not getting. Just get the 123 instead, you'll get 13 SEER, save a bundle on the inital coswt and 1 SEER point in a mild climate on a little unit is peanuts.

Payne is the elcheapo of Bryant/Carrier. I wouldn't touch it. Comfortmaker has some nice units. The C4A3 is a nice unit, comparable to the 123 with a better warranty. Avoid the Comfortmaker units that start with N.

[amd]

I would get a 13 or 14 SEER unit but make sure it has high and low pressure switches.

TXVs are better than fixed orfices but they can fail.

Ask for the indoor coil model and ARHI reference number.

Also look for a long parts and labour warranty.

[amd]

I know of a very good goodman dealer in the GTA - if you put your email address in your profile, I'll send you their web url.

SSX14 has pressure switches and can hit 14 SEER on a standard blower.

[amd]

2. Is the additional expense for a 2 stage air conditioner worth while? (Noting, I only plan to live in this house for 3 - 5 years)


No. - not with the G43.

[tacomadiamond]

Hi, amd ,can you send me the url of Goodman dealer in GTA. Thankx.

[amd]

Done - sent anonymously so check your junk mail box if it doesn't show up.

[tacomadiamond]

Hi, amd ,Thankx,But i can find then.

[amd]

double post, please delete

[amd]

Hi, amd ,Thankx,But i can find then.

:confused:

[tacomadiamond]

:confused:
Hi, amd, what I mean is I can't find the e-mail you send. Not in the in-box or junk box.

[amd]

I'll try again with a real email address.

The username is just a bunch of letters so don't delete it thinking that it's spam - it's the address I use to sign up for things.

[dan sw fl]

Thanks Bald Loonie - you basically summed up exactly what I suspected. This was the main concern that I had.

I have been quoted on 13 / 14 and a two stage "up to 18".

I am thinking I will lean towards the Bryant 126B -

Should I be looking at anything else? I have noticed some of my neighbors have "Payne" and "Comfortmaker"

Should I look at these?

Thanks Again.

You might spend $140 per year on cooling with 13 SEER IF ROOM Temperature is set to ~ 74'F. You might only save $20 / year with higher SEER.

Payback period might be > 60 years.

http://www.hvacopcost.com/