My 14 –year old 3-ton Lennox AC unit has been nothing but problematic, costing me an arm and a leg to keep running. My most recent charge was $X because it needed 3 pounds of refrigerant. Apparently the evaporator coil is done. Anyway, the original AC company that installed it gave me a quote on a new unit. I also got quotes from 2 other companies as well.
The quotes range from XK – XK. That’s a big difference for a unit that most likely will need to be replaced in 10-15 years anyway, living in this central Florida heat and humidity, regardless of brand.
I’ve been told that Carrier is a great brand and that I should pay extra for a variable speed compressor (as opposed to a 2-stage heat pump??), as that’s the most important component, and will be more efficient in the long-run and save me more $. I’m also told that all AC units will be variable speed by 2025 anyway. (Although, there’s variable-speed handlers and variable speed compressors, but I think the latter is most important??)
Anyway, here are my quotes!! Any knowledge-based decisive input that can be provided to help me make the right choice on this insanely high priced purchase is greatly appreciated! It’s all Greek to me! Thanks for making sense of all this! J (All quotes include installation, compressor, handler, and thermostat for a 3-ton unit at 15 – 17 SEER2 rating)
1. Carrier - Performance 3-Ton 17 SEER R410A 2-Stage (NOT VARIABLE SPEED) Heat Pump (208/230 V 1-Phase) w/ a variable speed air handler & Ecobee 6 themostat - $X
2. Carrier - Performance Compact Heat Pump- Variable-Speed 38MURAQ36AA3 w/ a Performance Air Handler- Variable-Speed 40MUAAQ36XA3 & Honeywell Honeywell TH8321WF1001 WiFi thermostat - $X
3. Carrier - Performance Series Single-Stage Heat Pump 25SPA536A003 w/ a Performance Series Air Handler Variable-Speed FT4BNXC48L00 & Ecobee EB-STATE3LTP-02 thermostat - $X
4. Amana - S series Variable Speed Split Heat Pump ASZS603610 w/ a AHVE Series Multi-Position Air Handler Variable-Speed AHVE36CP14 & ATST-CWE-BL-A SMRT TSTAT thermostat - $X (heavily discounted due to a promotion – supposedly!)
5. Bosch - H062616 BOVA-36HDN1-M15G BOSCH 3.0 TON HP CONDENSER 3 ton Bosch 15 series 77 stage variable speed heat pump system w/ BVA-36WN1-15 Bosch Air Handler and accompanying thermostat - $X(According to quote, comes with New full platform New 30ft copper line set and drain New hurricane pad New WiFi Bosch thermostat New uv light New electric air cleaner 10 year parts warranty 10 year labor warranty 10 year maintenance warranty Pull all permits – big selling point was the 10 year labor for any reason whatsoever is covered. Worth it??))
6. Goodman - 3 ton Goodman 17.2 SEER2, 2 stage Heat Pump system with 5kw emergency backup heat kit. Includes: Nest gen3 smart thermostat, U.V. light placed inside the evaporator coils, New copper lineset (7/8 and 3/8), new drain line to outside, float switch for the drain line, new 3/4 plywood decking for air handler, new communicating wire to condenser outside unit, removal of old units, and installation of all components. Once registered with Goodman, the units carry a 10 year parts warranty, and we provide one year Labor warranty. Model numbers for the equipment: Condenser: GSZC703610A* Air Handler: AMVT42CP1400A* (this is a variable speed air handler)
- $X(although this was a small company and I showed the technician my 1st quote of the Carrier at $X and he just underbid that.)
The quotes range from XK – XK. That’s a big difference for a unit that most likely will need to be replaced in 10-15 years anyway, living in this central Florida heat and humidity, regardless of brand.
I’ve been told that Carrier is a great brand and that I should pay extra for a variable speed compressor (as opposed to a 2-stage heat pump??), as that’s the most important component, and will be more efficient in the long-run and save me more $. I’m also told that all AC units will be variable speed by 2025 anyway. (Although, there’s variable-speed handlers and variable speed compressors, but I think the latter is most important??)
Anyway, here are my quotes!! Any knowledge-based decisive input that can be provided to help me make the right choice on this insanely high priced purchase is greatly appreciated! It’s all Greek to me! Thanks for making sense of all this! J (All quotes include installation, compressor, handler, and thermostat for a 3-ton unit at 15 – 17 SEER2 rating)
1. Carrier - Performance 3-Ton 17 SEER R410A 2-Stage (NOT VARIABLE SPEED) Heat Pump (208/230 V 1-Phase) w/ a variable speed air handler & Ecobee 6 themostat - $X
2. Carrier - Performance Compact Heat Pump- Variable-Speed 38MURAQ36AA3 w/ a Performance Air Handler- Variable-Speed 40MUAAQ36XA3 & Honeywell Honeywell TH8321WF1001 WiFi thermostat - $X
3. Carrier - Performance Series Single-Stage Heat Pump 25SPA536A003 w/ a Performance Series Air Handler Variable-Speed FT4BNXC48L00 & Ecobee EB-STATE3LTP-02 thermostat - $X
4. Amana - S series Variable Speed Split Heat Pump ASZS603610 w/ a AHVE Series Multi-Position Air Handler Variable-Speed AHVE36CP14 & ATST-CWE-BL-A SMRT TSTAT thermostat - $X (heavily discounted due to a promotion – supposedly!)
5. Bosch - H062616 BOVA-36HDN1-M15G BOSCH 3.0 TON HP CONDENSER 3 ton Bosch 15 series 77 stage variable speed heat pump system w/ BVA-36WN1-15 Bosch Air Handler and accompanying thermostat - $X(According to quote, comes with New full platform New 30ft copper line set and drain New hurricane pad New WiFi Bosch thermostat New uv light New electric air cleaner 10 year parts warranty 10 year labor warranty 10 year maintenance warranty Pull all permits – big selling point was the 10 year labor for any reason whatsoever is covered. Worth it??))
6. Goodman - 3 ton Goodman 17.2 SEER2, 2 stage Heat Pump system with 5kw emergency backup heat kit. Includes: Nest gen3 smart thermostat, U.V. light placed inside the evaporator coils, New copper lineset (7/8 and 3/8), new drain line to outside, float switch for the drain line, new 3/4 plywood decking for air handler, new communicating wire to condenser outside unit, removal of old units, and installation of all components. Once registered with Goodman, the units carry a 10 year parts warranty, and we provide one year Labor warranty. Model numbers for the equipment: Condenser: GSZC703610A* Air Handler: AMVT42CP1400A* (this is a variable speed air handler)
- $X(although this was a small company and I showed the technician my 1st quote of the Carrier at $X and he just underbid that.)