Question:
I would like some recommendations for Central Air for people that
really know about this subject (no offense). I got several quotes for
putting central air in my 1500sq feet house in So. California (Orange
County). I am looking for a 4ton 14 SEER unit for AC. There was
somebody sent from Home Depot that gave me the highest quote, $10,500
and they use Trane. I also got one highly recommended contractor (that
worked on a friend's house) that charges $8500 and uses American
Standards, and I got a third recommended contractor that would charge
me $6000 and uses Rheem. These quotes include parts and labor.
I am definetly inclined to use either one of the contractors
recommended. Does anybody know how good are the Rheem/American
Standards units? I know that who installs it has a huge part on the
success of the project.
Answer:
I am willing to bet that a two or 2.5-ton A/C system will do the job right.
As Joseph Meehan said, do not spend any money on equipment and
installation until you get the equipment sizing right!
If you over pay for over capacity equipment, --you will be paying more
every month and will not be as comfortable as would sizing it right!
When a typical HVAC contractor quotes the efficiency of an Air
Conditioning equipment's SEER & Btu/hr, and leads you to believe the new
equipment will automatically deliver that SEER efficiency & Btu/hr
capacity rating, think again. Typically, --installed equipment only
operates at 55% to 70% of rated capacity. Oversized equipment is the
worst combination there is because the duct system airflow and heatload
on the cooling coil are often, way off what is required!
It is important to understand that equipment ratings are only the
potential efficiency of that component of the system under perfect
conditions. Over half of the system’s efficiency depends on correct
equipment sizing, on the duct system sizing, i.e., on the quality of the
complete field-installation!
What you want is right sized equipment operating at its optimal ratings,
for optimal comfort and savings.
