A/C 2006 predictions

[eeh]

Does anyone care to voice their opinions on what A/C model changes may take place in 2006?
I know this may be crystal ball gazing, but I am especially interested in the predictions with respect to size, price, reliability, and any special engineering improvements.

My own thoughts on the matter...
a) Size. Some of these units (3t size) are bigger then a s***box. They may make them smaller at the expense of reliability.
b) Price. I'd expect the whole range of prices to shift lower so that the entry level 13 SEER is similar in price to the present low SEER units. The price difference likely shared 60/40 between contractor and manufacturer. Distributors will not stock-pile <13seer in anticipation of 2006.
c) Reliability. It is a coin toss. r410 has been in use for a while therefore its time to cut corners to improve profits. 2-stage scrolls will replace the reversing bristol designs.
d) Engineering. There is no perfect A/C system. Lennox signature series have nice blowers, Trane has the rugged box coil/enclosures, Carrier has a lot of catch-up to do.

My own conclusion is that I will postpone my A/C purchase (and nice rebates) and wait and see what next spring offers for A/C units. I am still going to get my new furnace installed this year. :-)

[beenthere]

I'm not a Carrier fan, but I take it you haven't checked out the Inffinity line, and control.

[dan sw fl]

Originally posted by eeh
Does anyone care to voice their opinions on
what A/C model changes may take place in 2006?

I know this may be crystal ball gazing, but I am especially interested in the predictions with respect to size, price, reliability, and any special engineering improvements.

ALL the '06 planning has been completed .. TALK TO A MFG REPR.

NO Changes for me ...
selling only _> 13 SEER
for more than 3 years.

[eeh]

Designer Dan.
My ignorance is showing. How would I locate/contact a mgr representative? The websites direct me to the dealers. My dealer did not offer any 2006 info.

BeenThere done that.
Yes I have checked out the Carrier Infinity line. As a matter of fact I'll be signing the contract for one this week. This is dispite Honeywell offering a nicer control imho. It is the choice of A/C thing that I am uncertain about. My A/C need not be a Carrier.

[jthomas21]

Originally posted by eeh
Designer Dan.
This is dispite Honeywell offering a nicer control imho. It is the choice of A/C thing that I am uncertain about. My A/C need not be a Carrier.
The Infinity stat is way nicer, IMO. Granted the Honeywell VisionPro is Touch Screen and takes up half the wall. You'll be extremely satisfied with the Infinity. Lots of control from the stat you don't get with others.

I'd stay away from any of the newly redesigned ultra-high SEER stuff for a few years. Give the manufactures plenty of time to get the bugs worked out.

[hvacbear]

The new JCI/York stuff should be interesting.

[eeh]

posted by jthomas21

I'd stay away from any of the newly redesigned ultra-high SEER stuff for a few years. Give the manufactures plenty of time to get the bugs worked out.

Is this quote in reference to the newer 22-Seer units or the one that you have owned for 2 seasons?
As a user, how would you rate your A/C noise and performance?
Have you had any service issues with it? If so, how were they resolved?

fyi. I had asked my dealer what the price difference was between the A/C and heat pump versions. He side step the question and never provided one claiming gas furnace and heat pump was a bad combo. This is exactly what the Infinity control was to make transparent.

[beenthere]

May just be your contractor that has trouble with it.

Duel fuel has been around for along long time.

[jthomas21]

Originally posted by eeh
Is this quote in reference to the newer 22-Seer units or the one that you have owned for 2 seasons?
As a user, how would you rate your A/C noise and performance?
Have you had any service issues with it? If so, how were they resolved?[/B]I'd stay away from the new 20+SEER stuff for 2006 until it matures a little. I have the dual stage Infinity 18, and it's very quiet. I hear my neighbors 2 houses away louder than mine. Haven't had any issues yet. (knock on wood) My highest cooling bill for a 3Ton, 2600sqft new two-story home in Indiana was only $35. I didn't buy it for savings, just comfort.

[dan sw fl]

Originally posted by eeh
How would I locate/contact a mgr representative? The websites direct me to the dealers. My dealer did not offer any 2006 info.

My A/C need not be a Carrier.

Call corporate office and ask TECH SUPPORT Any specific questions.

Dealer 'should ' know. ... Sounds like he is not pro-active in developing business and providing the customer necessary info.

BTW, I would stay with ONE mfg.
( even if I do NOT particularly prefer
Carrier at-this-time).

[docholiday]

a. They havent increased that much in size. Many have the same footprint but slightly higher. Some have lower profiles than others.

b. Consumers should expect entry level 13 SEER units to be lower than todays but no lower than current 12 SEER.

c. The compressor design of the Copeland ultratech 2 stage scroll is light years ahead of reversing compressors. The capacity chang is not by motors or cams, its merely an unloading plate operated by a 24v dc solenoid. Cutting corners rarely ends up in higher profits, cutting legitimate costs by improving manufacturing processes and increasing productivity does. Personally I wouldnt by a product from a mfg that is not profiting. Losing money is hardly a sign of great equipment. That, leads to desperate measures which can include cutting corners.

d. Perfect is a relative term, I would more likley be asking which one is right for me or more closely meets my needs and expectations.

[Black Adder]

Any dealer that would tell you dual fuel with a heatpump/furnace combo is bad news is an idiot. What does the type of backup heat have to do with the operation of a heatpump? Heatpump is locked out by tstat controlled by either fossil fuel kit or outdoor sensor on tstat. Heatpump doesn't even know the furnace is running. If he is concerned because the coil is being heated by the furnace it is no different with an A/C coil in the airstream.

[wgrr]

Originally posted by eeh
[QUOTE]posted by jthomas21
[B}

fyi. I had asked my dealer what the price difference was between the A/C and heat pump versions. He side step the question and never provided one claiming gas furnace and heat pump was a bad combo. This is exactly what the Infinity control was to make transparent.



Get another contractor. Dual fuel heat pumps are great. I have installed and serviced dual fuel units for years. I have one in my own home.

If you choose any type of heat pump you need to have a manual J load calculation done on your home. You will know what size unit to install and where to set the balance points on the tstat. (assuming you have an outdoor tstat).