[Trusso11783]

The AC Unit was installed around 1990. Nothing changed inside the house as far as I know. We bought in 2014. 3Ton is fine because the house is 1596 sq ft and I live in NY. I just want to replace with what I have, which has worked fine since we moved in. Nothing crazy. I don't plan on being here more than 5 years or so.

Thanks for the reply but I was looking more for people who have had any experience with the unit I am considering and not looking for advice on getting a perfectly accurate reading. I appreciate it though.

 

[Trusso11783]

From the calculators I see, it says that anything from 1,500-2,000 square feet requires a 3 ton unit. Ducts are in the crawl space attic. There is an attic fan up there next to it. Not so greatly insulated. I currently have a 3 ton unit and it hasn’t been great but it’s 34 years old. I would think a new one should be a bit better. I wouldn’t want less.

 

[Trusso11783]

So
You’re purchasing the equipment and will want someone to install it?

Yes. Someone is installing it.

 

[Trusso11783]

Not sure how they are worthless. It is a standard calculator that gets you in the ballpark. My sq ft is right in the middle of the range so it shouldn’t be high or low. Definitely 10 year warranty on parts and 1 year labor. I can spend another $ to make it 10 years of labor too.

 

[Trusso11783]

So then my oversized 2 ton unit for my 2000 sq ft house with full basement is to small! Funny, it keeps the house cool in 110 and warm in -10 but your chart says I need 50% more.

I have 14’ cathedral ceilings. Maybe that changes things snd I need more

 

[Trusso11783]

Who’s covering the 10 year extended labor warranty if you go that route, the manufacturer or Contractor? as if it’s the Contractor what happens to the extended labor warranty if they/he goes out of business before the 10 years is up?

I believe the Blue Ridge ducted A/C is a rebadged Allied Air which is under Lennox umbrella. For you purchasing the equipment, getting a one year labor warranty is pretty generous IMO.

If I buy the Blueridge from Allied, they give the 10 year warranty. Pretty standard as far as every unit I am looking at.do you think the Blueridge is as good as the Rheem? That was all I was asking. Of course, no one answers with what I asked. Instead I am getting a ton of advice that I never asked for. Everyone has something to say about something.

 

[Trusso11783]

Our Pros here are the best in the business. I humbly suggest you take their advice before you make a big mistake.

I know someone who has done plenty of these over the years and it all worked out fine so I am not concerned about something going wrong, I’m not hiring a handyman from the paper. It’s all in the works already. I just wanted an opinion on the two units I asked about.

 

[Trusso11783]

No manufacturers nowadays makes much of their equipment, the outdoor unit as an example the painted sheetmetal box and the coil, that’s about it, the rest of the parts are supplied by vendors and parts coming from all over the world. The heart of the system the compressor is made by others also, so to answer your question the Rheem and Blue Ridge should be pretty much the same if they are in the same tier line. You should worry more about getting a high quality install, setting up equipment, proper sizing of equipment and having properly sized ductwork more than anything.

No two Contractors are created equal, some do a better job at that then others..

Unfortunately you will not know how well your future system of choice will operate to manufacture advertisement hype and to your satisfaction until system is installed and running..but then again that’s where your labor warranty comes in if and when you have issues. Hopefully whoever you hired that included the labor warranty honors it and stands behind it if you call them to tweak, check, adjust, modify etc. your system.

Thinking Rheem has a larger presence as name recognition and Contractors carrying them and supply house carry them more in the USA. So parts may be easier to get if needed than Blue Ridge. Especially if it’s still under warranty.

10 year indoor and outdoor unit warranty is only as good for as long as the system gets registered and to original owner.

Thank you for that response. I guarantee you that if I got 10 different installers, they will all think their way is the best and that the other 9 are doing it wrong. I know, I called a few different guys and they all think the other is wrong. They all suggest the brand they get the best deal on. They all think the other bran$s are crap. So, no matter who I get to install, many others will think something wasn’t done right. I’m not concerned about the labor for parts under warranty. The person doing my install is related to family. I take care of all of his IT stuff and he does this. He will refuse any payment but I will pay him anyway. Again, I am only concerned about the two brands. One friend has installed 3 different Blueridge unit and never had a problem excel one needed a relay replaced under warranty. I just know the Rheem name and never heard of Allied.