mlbussert
10-05-2005, 11:09 PM
Hey everyone,
First, I have to tell you that this site helped me lots with my research and understanding of HVAc.
Second, I followed Docholiday and Heatpumpguru's advice, and did a little bit of research, and only got 3 bids (I also read related posts of course).This is what happended.
I have a 1000 sqf. home, cinder block no insulation but for the roof. I live in Tucson, AZ, where for the most part winters are mild, with the exception of the rare freak storm, and summers (three months) are brutal. All three contractors took measurements, and they all seemed like experts and very knowledgeable. Please bear with me, as my explanation is rather long.
Contractor A, after calculating the size of AC/heater in his office, said that I needed a 3 ton gas/electric package unit. His proposal is for a 12 SEER A/S (YCX036GIMOA), with a programable thermostat. This includes 5 yrs. parts, 10 yrs. compresor, 20 yrs. heat exchanger, and 2 yrs. parts and labor (from them). I feel really comfortable with this guy and, in my mind mind this is the best proposal so far.
Contractor B took measurments, but told me right off the bat that I needed a 3 ton unit, without any manual j calculation or anything. He offered 3 systems: Trane, Carrier, and Rheem, all 14 SEER and understandably more expensive than the 12 SEER; no models, just prices and similar warranties for the Trane, half for the Rheem (one year labor).
Contractor C took measurments, and did a Manual J calculation in my house, with a laptop. He showed it to me and it came out to 2.79 tons. He said the best thing to do was to go with the 12 SEER 3 ton unit. He offered Trane and Rheem, but even the Rheem is more than the A/S of Contractor A by about a grand (same warranties for the equipment, but only one year labor).
Now, here's how I see things. Contractor B is almost off the list since he said that he could not sell me 12 SEER as it was not made anymore, and that he could only sell me 13 or 14 SEER. Now, all three companies are about the same size, so I assume they have similar distribuitors, yet the other two had no problems offering 12 SEER units, even from Trane. So, after this, I am left with several questions:
1. Is it okay to go from 2.79 tons to 3 tons, or is it better to undersize (this is a block house, in a very hot climate; besides I have a dog and when I am gone I need to leave one of the doors slightly open so he can go outside).
2. I am not staying here more than 3 years, so is the 14 SEER worth it (I think not, but I would value your opinions?
3. What size of return should they install for this?
Like I said before, I am leaning towards Contractor A, not just because of price, but because he seemed to be the most willing to answer all my questions, called back after his visit to tell me he had the calculation and a proposal ready and he would mail it to me, and he was not pushy at all (neither was guy C, but B insited on 14 SEER even though I told him that I would be here for only three more yrs.)
What do you all think? (I apologize for the length)
First, I have to tell you that this site helped me lots with my research and understanding of HVAc.
Second, I followed Docholiday and Heatpumpguru's advice, and did a little bit of research, and only got 3 bids (I also read related posts of course).This is what happended.
I have a 1000 sqf. home, cinder block no insulation but for the roof. I live in Tucson, AZ, where for the most part winters are mild, with the exception of the rare freak storm, and summers (three months) are brutal. All three contractors took measurements, and they all seemed like experts and very knowledgeable. Please bear with me, as my explanation is rather long.
Contractor A, after calculating the size of AC/heater in his office, said that I needed a 3 ton gas/electric package unit. His proposal is for a 12 SEER A/S (YCX036GIMOA), with a programable thermostat. This includes 5 yrs. parts, 10 yrs. compresor, 20 yrs. heat exchanger, and 2 yrs. parts and labor (from them). I feel really comfortable with this guy and, in my mind mind this is the best proposal so far.
Contractor B took measurments, but told me right off the bat that I needed a 3 ton unit, without any manual j calculation or anything. He offered 3 systems: Trane, Carrier, and Rheem, all 14 SEER and understandably more expensive than the 12 SEER; no models, just prices and similar warranties for the Trane, half for the Rheem (one year labor).
Contractor C took measurments, and did a Manual J calculation in my house, with a laptop. He showed it to me and it came out to 2.79 tons. He said the best thing to do was to go with the 12 SEER 3 ton unit. He offered Trane and Rheem, but even the Rheem is more than the A/S of Contractor A by about a grand (same warranties for the equipment, but only one year labor).
Now, here's how I see things. Contractor B is almost off the list since he said that he could not sell me 12 SEER as it was not made anymore, and that he could only sell me 13 or 14 SEER. Now, all three companies are about the same size, so I assume they have similar distribuitors, yet the other two had no problems offering 12 SEER units, even from Trane. So, after this, I am left with several questions:
1. Is it okay to go from 2.79 tons to 3 tons, or is it better to undersize (this is a block house, in a very hot climate; besides I have a dog and when I am gone I need to leave one of the doors slightly open so he can go outside).
2. I am not staying here more than 3 years, so is the 14 SEER worth it (I think not, but I would value your opinions?
3. What size of return should they install for this?
Like I said before, I am leaning towards Contractor A, not just because of price, but because he seemed to be the most willing to answer all my questions, called back after his visit to tell me he had the calculation and a proposal ready and he would mail it to me, and he was not pushy at all (neither was guy C, but B insited on 14 SEER even though I told him that I would be here for only three more yrs.)
What do you all think? (I apologize for the length)