We live in Los Angeles, specifically the Sherman Oaks area (long warm summers but generally cool nights). We own a 1600 sq ft 50's modern home with vaulted ceilings and lots of glass. We have updated everything insulation wise (windows, walls) but the vaulted roof and that is coming shortly. Oh, half our house is Vaulted, the other half has attic space with a max of 3 feet of headroom.
So, the combo AC / Furnace is dying and we are now looking to install a new system. I am getting an idea from this great site on what to look for (but I will continue to take any and all suggestion) but what I am initially looking at is a 4 ton 2 stage 410 system. We have had a couple of quotes and we are now quite confused.
First, the current 3 ton system resides in a closet, and feeds attic ductwork that fees all rooms (most of the time poorly).
Due to our interest in utilizing more space in the house we have been asking and have been told to move the AC our of a closet and either into the attic or onto the roof. So, what is better? Mounting the whole system on the roof seems like a good idea cause it is easy access and not jammed into a very hot and very cramped attic, but the guy we like wants it off the roof and in the attic with little explanation of his motivation.
Second, both guys have rejected whole house fans. I have been in homes that have them and they really seem to work well. Open a back bedroom window up in the evening, and suck in the cool outside air, reducing your AC costs.
Anyway, I look forward to all the advice you can give a consumer.
Carl