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Sun, Aug 7, 11 at 16:25
| We need to replace our 18 y.o. AC system and have bids from 2 companies that do comparable service but gave us very different bids. One bid looked more professional, but the other came from a co. we've had good service and a contract for years. Any advice would be great!
The house is 2000 sq ft with lots of windows and 3 levels. The top level has a separate system. The difference in the two bids is that our current co. proposes 2 RHEEM gaspack models: RRPLB042 - 3 1/2 tons and RRPLB024- 2 tons, both with 14SEER and will give us a year free service contract, for $12K. The new company proposes (2) American Standard 4YCY0, 14.25 SEER at $19,800; Am. Standard 4YCZ0, 16.4 SEER at $19,800 or Lennox 15GCSX, 15 SEER at $16,750. The tonnage isn't specified and they also recommend using Aeroseal to seal the ducts, at an additional cost. I read that the EER measure is important in our climate, but can't find that listed anywhere and wonder if that is applicable for the packaged units. We know next to nothing about how to choose, except that we like the lower cost, of course! Thoughts? thanks so much. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by tigerdunes (My Page) on Mon, Aug 8, 11 at 7:33
| Desert Tell us what type of systems you are replacing-brand, size, etc. They are package systems? What if any are the issues/problems you are experiencing from your Existing systems? Did dealer perform a load calc? Correct sizing is a must for both comfort IMO |
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- Posted by lovingdesert (My Page) on Mon, Aug 8, 11 at 13:09
| I don't know the systems since they were installed when the house was built in 93, before we moved here in 06. I assume they are also package systems, but I don't know definitely. I could ask our serviceman. We had been hearing some clunking when the system was turned on and were told by our regular service guy that the system was about to go - that seemed reasonable since it was older and gets lots of use here. The second company provided a building analysis. Is it latent cooling load (1150 Btuh? U value is .129 btuh/sq.ft-F. The glazing contributes 54% to the cooling load and 34% to the heating ) or is it Air required/cfm (2326) that measures the load? Where are you located? |
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- Posted by lovingdesert (My Page) on Wed, Aug 10, 11 at 0:32
| Tiger dunes, There was a load test done and both companies recommended 5 1/2 tons - 31/2 in the main area and 2 tons upstairs in the bedroom area. The current system has 2 Rheem package units. We first noticed a high pitched whine when the ac was on and a loud clunk when it went off. When the serviceman checked the problem, he said the units were giving out and the oil was "getting sucked out of something into something." Actually, that's not what he said, but that's our poor translation. Ignorance is not bliss. Neither seemed to think it was an emergency, but that we should start looking into replacement soon. BTW, there's no whine since he was here. Thanks for your help! |
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- Posted by lovingdesert (My Page) on Wed, Aug 10, 11 at 0:33
| Tiger dunes, There was a load test done and both companies recommended 5 1/2 tons - 31/2 in the main area and 2 tons upstairs in the bedroom area. The current system has 2 Rheem package units. We first noticed a high pitched whine when the ac was on and a loud clunk when it went off. When the serviceman checked the problem, he said the units were giving out and the oil was "getting sucked out of something into something." Actually, that's not what he said, but that's our poor translation. Ignorance is not bliss. Neither seemed to think it was an emergency, but that we should start looking into replacement soon. BTW, there's no whine since he was here. Thanks for your help! |
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