I'm going to replace my central air unit. Any advice?

[XNASA]

Anybody have a particular brand that has been problematic? And brands you are really satisfied with?

Our current system is 20 years old, and still uses freon. It's working, but is cycled on 90% of the time when the temp hits 90.

What say you?

[GOPisEvil]

1. I'm about to replace mine, too.

So I'm very interested as well.

I've heard good things about American Standard, Trane and Carrier, but that's it.

[XNASA]

2. Carrier, Bryant, Rheem, Amana and Trane are good, I hear.

Lennox is to be avoided.

All in all, I hear that Carrier is the best value.

What are you lookin' for, about an 8 ton unit? :rofl:

[GOPisEvil]

5. 1050 sq. ft. here, yeah, 8 ton is about right.

:silly::P

There's a deal going here for a 3 ton, 12 SEER unit for $2800 installed plus tax. But, it's a Lennox.

[XNASA]

11. I heard that Lennox is behind the efficiency curve.

They invested in heat pumps and didn't develope the rest of their line. :shrug:

[GOPisEvil]

13. Interesting.

But 12 SEER is 12 SEER, right? :shrug: I'm guessing my unit (original to the house, 1983) is maybe -5 SEER. My electric meter spins like a frisbee when it's on. It still cools well, but I'm paying for it.

[XNASA]

14. Actually, Sears is having a big AC push....

No interest for 16 months. And Sears only carries Carrier, and Kenmore, which is really a Carrier anyway.

[GOPisEvil]

16. Ooooooh...thanks.

I didn't even think of them. I know Sears will finance me, too.

[SoCalDem]

18. Sears ripped us off BIG TIME

last year they told us our old 3 Ton needed "new piping"..cost $900.00. We figured it was cheaper than replacement so we did it.. 3 months later(immediately after the 90day warranty period).no cool air.. THEN they told us.."Oh , it's your coil"..Needs to be replaced..cost $1200.00..

I told them no thanks.

[GOPisEvil]

19. Was that Sears itself, or their local contractor?

I know I want to replace mine; it's not worth fixing. Actually it works ok, I just get scared it's going to leave me hot one day. Plus I want lower bills.

[SoCalDem]

20. I called sears to set up the appointment, and his uniform said sears,

but he could have been local.. I was so pissed, I didn't really follow up:(

Ask your friends for recommendations..neighbors too :) Local people who rely on recommendations are often careful about their reputations.. I don't think Sears gives a rip anymore:(

[GOPisEvil]

21. I'd rather go local.

But sometimes smaller outfits don't want to finance me as I had a bankruptcy 6 1/2 years ago. Never mind that I've bought a HOUSE since then. :eyes: Anyway, I'm definitely going to shop around a lot.

[dolo amber]

3. Get some big buckets of dry ice

and some unemployed teenagers looking for summer jobs. Give large fig leaf fans to teenagers. Repeat next summer. Viola!!

[XNASA]

7. I'm not allowed near teenagers.

:cry:

[Debi]

10. I thought they dropped the restraining order after her family

moved out of town? :shrug:

[XNASA]

12. A lot of good that does.

:cry:

[lpbk2713]

4. I had mine replaced about three years ago with a Heil.

Don't know what size or model nbr etc but it has worked good and I have no complaints.

[Debi]

6. If you can afford to pay 2x the price up front

geothermal will cut your heating/cooling costs in 1/2 every year!

I soooo wanted to do it but could not come up with the additional $5000 it would have cost.

We just replaced our 30 year old furnace and a/c in November (I think we got Carrier). Our plumber pushed us hard to go with geothermal. He did it in his house and he pays about $50.00 a month for heat/cool air.

[In_The_Wind]

8. I had the entire heating and air conditioning system replaced.

The job was completed two years ago using a Carrier air conditioner. It's doing well even on the worst of days:)

[XNASA]

15. I think I'm going to go with a Carrier. If I can.

[In_The_Wind]

28. We had an antiquated system

with individual cooling units in each room. It was changed to forced air from one main compressor having 3 zones.

[Richardo]

9. Get one of the nitrogen-oxygen models

Those methane ones don't work out too well.

[XNASA]

25. We already have a methane unit.

;)

[Richardo]

27. Me too. The biomass versions.

Two legged and four legged models.

[SoCalDem]

17. We just got a 5Ton York.. Love it..cost us $5200.00 installed

new ducts & furnace included:)

It's very quiet and efficient:)

[XNASA]

22. Thanks. I'll write that one down.

[Double T]

23. Trane Or Carrier

[XNASA]

24. Yeah, that's the impression I'm getting.

After researching it a bit, it seems like Carrier and Trane are the best values.

Thanks!

[Double T]

26. Better Quality And Internal Controls