Home and Auto New Home A/C Rec

Skyy God · 10:29 AM

So, this week my old ass, freon A/C stopped lowering the temp at all. Even before this week, humidity had been running in the 70-75% range. I refilled the coolant late last summer (after cutting the line), so I doubt it's a refrigerant issue. And my utility is offering a $400 energy efficiency credit.

So, any recs on a new A/C brand? Per Consumer Reports, American Std, Rheem, and Trane are the most reliable. House is 1625 sq. ft., so I think 2.5 tons is the right size.

FlaChief58 · 06-05-2014, 02:17 PM

I had a goodman for 10 years in my old house. Although it gets some criticism I never had any problems with it

Skyy God · 06-05-2014, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flachief58

I had a goodman for 10 years in my old house. Although it gets some criticism I never had any problems with it

From what I've read, they're either loved or hated and need a quality installer.

Chief Roundup · 06-05-2014, 02:29 PM

The only brand I would tell you to stay away from is Goodman. Their units are a lot more noisy all the way around. They put the cheapest parts they can purchase with no loyalty to an manufacturer of products to assemble an piece of HVAC equipment. You never get a compressor that is piped the same so if there is any problems it will cost more to have it worked on because it won't just swap out.
Those units are all good. There is no real difference between a Rheem and or a Ruud. I have installed and serviced both for years. I would also through Carrier and or Bryant in there they are good units with long history of quality products.
As far as sizing the equipment you will be purchasing.
At this point it has nothing to do with the size of your home, it is about the size of the existing duct work in your home. You can only move so much air through a piece of duct with out causing other issues.
If you look on the outdoor unit there should be a label that tells the specifications of the unit. There will be a model and a serial number on there. The model number will normally have the size of the unit as a part of the model number. Also generally it will be in the last 5 digits. Example: 38ETG030300 The 30 designates that this is a 2.5 ton outdoor condensing unit. A 3 ton would have had a 36 in there.
Now if you don't have any complaints about the unit you can go back and should go back with the same size. If you do have complaints you can possibly go 1/2 ton bigger if the duct will allow it or if you can add a register in a room easily off the plenum box or early in the main duct.

Stewie · 06-05-2014, 02:33 PM

Find a good installer. That makes all the difference in the world.

Skyy God · 06-06-2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

The only brand I would tell you to stay away from is Goodman. Their units are a lot more noisy all the way around. They put the cheapest parts they can purchase with no loyalty to an manufacturer of products to assemble an piece of HVAC equipment. You never get a compressor that is piped the same so if there is any problems it will cost more to have it worked on because it won't just swap out.
Those units are all good. There is no real difference between a Rheem and or a Ruud. I have installed and serviced both for years. I would also through Carrier and or Bryant in there they are good units with long history of quality products.
As far as sizing the equipment you will be purchasing.
At this point it has nothing to do with the size of your home, it is about the size of the existing duct work in your home. You can only move so much air through a piece of duct with out causing other issues.
If you look on the outdoor unit there should be a label that tells the specifications of the unit. There will be a model and a serial number on there. The model number will normally have the size of the unit as a part of the model number. Also generally it will be in the last 5 digits. Example: 38ETG030300 The 30 designates that this is a 2.5 ton outdoor condensing unit. A 3 ton would have had a 36 in there.
Now if you don't have any complaints about the unit you can go back and should go back with the same size. If you do have complaints you can possibly go 1/2 ton bigger if the duct will allow it or if you can add a register in a room easily off the plenum box or early in the main duct.

Thanks! Any installer in Springfield you'd recommend?

Oxford · 06-06-2014, 10:47 AM

Had AirServices (on E Grand) change out our 4 ton Rheem a couple of years ago for a York Heat Pump with natural gas backup. The new unit died within 3 days, but from service phone call to cool air again took 4 hours. Haven't had a problem since. Had them look at our air returns as we had cold/hot sports in the house, they added one and increased the others..... much more consistant temp now

Chief Roundup · 06-06-2014, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

Thanks! Any installer in Springfield you'd recommend?

Sorry, I have not worked with any install companies up there.

**Predarat** · 06-06-2014, 11:46 AM

For the best A/C advice, call 210-444-5140. They will know.

Skyy God · 06-18-2014, 01:48 PM

Ended up going with a 14.5 SEER Rheem. Installer is at the house now and is having a bitch of a time putting in the evaporator coil. Drain pipe is above the coil.

Chief Roundup · 06-18-2014, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

Ended up going with a 14.5 SEER Rheem. Installer is at the house now and is having a bitch of a time putting in the evaporator coil. Drain pipe is above the coil.

Not sure if you mean the pipe to get the water outside of your home is higher or the drain on the coil is higher......He should be able to reposition the drain pan if that was the case. If for some reason your drain pipe to go out side is higher than the drain on the coil he may have to use a Little Giant pump available at any supply house or Lowes, etc. they are not real expensive. Something they should have picked up on when they came to bid the job.

Chief Roundup · 06-18-2014, 02:00 PM

Just an example of what they look like and such.

Stewie · 06-18-2014, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

Ended up going with a 14.5 SEER Rheem. Installer is at the house now and is having a bitch of a time putting in the evaporator coil. Drain pipe is above the coil.

That makes absolutely no sense.

Skyy God · 06-18-2014, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewie

That makes absolutely no sense.

I hear antifreeze improves reading comprehension.

**SAUTO** · 06-18-2014, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Just an example of what they look like and such.

Mine has one of these. Exactly

06-05-2014, 02:09 PM
Skyy God 11-5, baby Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Livin the dream Casino cash: $2191557	New Home A/C Rec So, this week my old ass, freon A/C stopped lowering the temp at all. Even before this week, humidity had been running in the 70-75% range. I refilled the coolant late last summer (after cutting the line), so I doubt it's a refrigerant issue. And my utility is offering a $400 energy efficiency credit. So, any recs on a new A/C brand? Per Consumer Reports, American Std, Rheem, and Trane are the most reliable. House is 1625 sq. ft., so I think 2.5 tons is the right size. Last edited by Skyy God; 06-06-2014 at 10:29 AM..
Posts: 22,416

06-05-2014, 02:17 PM	#2
FlaChief58 SuperChiefs Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Casino cash: $-1450178	I had a goodman for 10 years in my old house. Although it gets some criticism I never had any problems with it
Posts: 21,943

06-05-2014, 02:29 PM	#4
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $-1608373	The only brand I would tell you to stay away from is Goodman. Their units are a lot more noisy all the way around. They put the cheapest parts they can purchase with no loyalty to an manufacturer of products to assemble an piece of HVAC equipment. You never get a compressor that is piped the same so if there is any problems it will cost more to have it worked on because it won't just swap out. Those units are all good. There is no real difference between a Rheem and or a Ruud. I have installed and serviced both for years. I would also through Carrier and or Bryant in there they are good units with long history of quality products. As far as sizing the equipment you will be purchasing. At this point it has nothing to do with the size of your home, it is about the size of the existing duct work in your home. You can only move so much air through a piece of duct with out causing other issues. If you look on the outdoor unit there should be a label that tells the specifications of the unit. There will be a model and a serial number on there. The model number will normally have the size of the unit as a part of the model number. Also generally it will be in the last 5 digits. Example: 38ETG030300 The 30 designates that this is a 2.5 ton outdoor condensing unit. A 3 ton would have had a 36 in there. Now if you don't have any complaints about the unit you can go back and should go back with the same size. If you do have complaints you can possibly go 1/2 ton bigger if the duct will allow it or if you can add a register in a room easily off the plenum box or early in the main duct. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
Posts: 19,567

06-05-2014, 02:33 PM	#5
Stewie MVP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West of the Equator Casino cash: $-1840099	Find a good installer. That makes all the difference in the world.
Posts: 13,871

06-06-2014, 10:47 AM	#7
Oxford Regular Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Springfield,MO Casino cash: $9605535	Had AirServices (on E Grand) change out our 4 ton Rheem a couple of years ago for a York Heat Pump with natural gas backup. The new unit died within 3 days, but from service phone call to cool air again took 4 hours. Haven't had a problem since. Had them look at our air returns as we had cold/hot sports in the house, they added one and increased the others..... much more consistant temp now __________________ I summon the IRON , Cookin up a whoopin for YOU YOU YOU!
Posts: 1,437

06-06-2014, 11:46 AM	#9
Predarat Run Chiefs fans, run!! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Casino cash: $9963863	For the best A/C advice, call 210-444-5140. They will know.
Posts: 10,776

06-18-2014, 01:48 PM	#10
Skyy God 11-5, baby Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Livin the dream Casino cash: $2191557	Ended up going with a 14.5 SEER Rheem. Installer is at the house now and is having a bitch of a time putting in the evaporator coil. Drain pipe is above the coil.
Posts: 22,416

06-18-2014, 02:00 PM	#12
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $-1608373	Just an example of what they look like and such. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
Posts: 19,567