Is 18 Seer overkill?

[Katyinspector]

Is it cost effective to go with an 18 seer? My friend got a 5 ton and 4 ton for That seems ridiculously high but I'm too familiar with pricing soe maybe its not..any thoughts?

[iraqveteran]

remove your prices as they are not allowed. See site rules.


go with the highest SEER you can afford.

Make sure its installed properly by a reputable contractor. Get the 10 yr extended warranty to cover parts and labor. Get the semi-annual service agreement. And enjoy.

The lowest SEER system installed properly will outlast and outperform the highest SEER system installed improperly.


Installation is key. Not brand, SEER, or price. If you expect the best, you gotta expect to pay the most. Thats just how it works.

[Katyinspector]

other than condensation and air flow is there other reasons for strapping ducts?

what would be some things that would be poor installation other than not sealing connections or kinking ducts or not stapping off floor?

what is a good installation?

[air2spare]

you're never going to weed through this without help...hire a trustworthy reputable pro and relax

[uncle buck]

My cousin and her husband purchased a new construction home in maryland
in "2000".
Their "10" seer unit's compresser failed last september.
Cousin's husband is an engineer not sure what type he researches everything. He found out who was the most reputable contracter in his area was.He did not want to deal with "LOW-BALLERS"
Their house had a furnace in the basement with an "A-coil"
He had a high efficiency furnace in stalled may have been a condensing furnace because his gas heat bill reflected a savings compared to previous winter.
He also went with a very high seer unit. He did'nt care about the "UP-FRONT"
expense.
He claims that his electric bill also reflected a savings.

[beenthere]

2 stage equipment is more for comfort then high savings.
An 18 SEER doesn't have a good ROI over a 16 SEER. But can provide better comfort.

[gary_g]

Is it cost effective to go with an 18 seer? My friend got a 5 ton and 4 ton for That seems ridiculously high but I'm too familiar with pricing soe maybe its not..any thoughts?

In most homes, a 14 SEER system offers the best combination of purchase price and actual operating costs.

[beenthere]

In most homes, a 14 SEER system offers the best combination of purchase price and actual operating costs.

Unless you have tested different SEER systems in multiple houses. Thats only your personal spectulation.

[Llama]

An 18 SEER doesn't have a good ROI over a 16 SEER. But can provide better comfort.

The upgrade price from an Infinity 16 to the 19 was slight to me, but my contractor told me that in the setup I needed the effective SEER (15.5->16) and HSPF (8.9->9.0 IIRC) was not going to be worth it in the end. Should I have upgraded to the 19 for the scroll compressor or am I good with the 16?

[Airmechanical]

what would be some things that would be poor installation other than not sealing connections or kinking ducts or not stapping off floor?what is a good installation

a better installation would mean;

flowing nitro while brazing
proper sized ducts and copper lines
proper evacuation (with drier installed)
proper refrigerant charge
properly hooked up high and low voltage
proper set-up of t-stat
proper system configuration (dip switches)

the list goes on and on!



.

[Mr Bill]

In most homes, a 14 SEER system offers the best combination of purchase price and actual operating costs.

I totally agree as you said "IN MOST" homes and I also would say in Houston, Tx. I feel it's a waste of money to go beyond 14 seer, but hey I am entitled to my opinion.

[gary_g]

I totally agree as you said "IN MOST" homes and I also would say in Houston, Tx. I feel it's a waste of money to go beyond 14 seer, but hey I am entitled to my opinion.

Thank you, Mr Bill.

I now like you much better than Twilli

[gary_g]

Unless you have tested different SEER systems in multiple houses. Thats only your personal spectulation.

I should have indeed added "in my opinion".

Take care.