help! rheem 16 seer vs. 18 seer prestige

15 years ago

Hi everyone - I have pretty much decided on a Rheem Prestige 16 or 18 SEER AC unit, attached to a 90-Plus furnace...not the 96% efficient furnace since it does not modulate for optimum temperature and humidity control.

But I have some questions before I commit. The people are quoting around $7900 for a 4-ton system with the 16 SEER prestige, Aprilaire humidifier, and special air filtration system; they are charging $8500 for the 18 SEER system. Am I right that the 18 SEER system will use a different coil than the 16 SEER? Is this price difference worth stepping up to the 18 SEER? Are there any advantages or disadvantages you can see?

Also, they are proposing installing a White-Rodgers 1F95-1291 "Big Blue" humidity control thermostat with this Rheem configuration. Does it allow for full use of the Rheem's multi-stage firing of the furnace? Is this the best thermostat I can get? I will use the humidity control quite a bit since I have artwork in my home that I would like to keep at even temperatures and humidity levels.

Any advice would be appreciated!

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Comments (4)

ryanhughes
15 years ago
Ask them for the true/actual efficiencies of the systems. Sometimes 16 SEER systems end up being around 15.5 SEER and 18 SEER systems more around 17 SEER, etc. The 18 SEER Rheem, or even the 16 SEER Rheem perhaps, may qualify you for the $1,500 tax credit for new replacement systems (need 13 EER and 16 SEER as far as I know). Talk to your dealer about this. May make the decision an easy one for you if you need the Prestige 18 for the tax credit. The outdoor units will be different; usually the indoor coil can stay the same, but it all depends on the particular combination rating for the system (i.e., different indoor coils achieve different ratings with different outdoor units).
arthistoryboy
Original Author
15 years ago
Hmmm, it looks as if the 18 SEER Rheem only comes in 2 and 3 ton sizes...My house needs a 4 ton... :(

What about the thermostat? Will the White-Rodgers 1F95-1291 "Big Blue" humidity control thermostat work well with the Prestige's 2-stage, modulating features?
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Bald one, thanks. I appreciate being cited by you. Question: Had an RGFD installed in June w/ the '411'. I had hoped that it would have included the DOD feature. I was considering having a humidistat installed to take care of that. I find it strange that there would be 2 new models (of stats) released within such a short period. I had an RARL-JEZ installed at the same time and was told by my contractor that it would work with a humidistat. but I opted to wait to see how it would handle humidity without it. It is a 4 ton unit set up with 3.5 ton airflow. Humidity is O.K., but would like the extra 200 CFM, so thinking about going the humidistat route and setting up for 4 tons, if possible. Your comments, please. BTW, do you think there would be a program to swap a slightly used '411' for a '412'? Thanks. V
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veesubotee
15 years ago
Are you replacing your furnace, also? Could you please post the full model numbers of the equipment you are considering?

A Prestige (2 stage) a/c does not modulate. The IF05-1291 has humidification and dehumidify on demand features.

If you are getting the Modulating furnace (90% nominal efficiency, but up to 94+ depening on model). The Rheem Mod stat, model'412' (newest version) will provide the features you are seeking, but the IF05 does not have the modulating software.

As stated, model numbers would help.

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arthistoryboy
Original Author
15 years ago
Model numbers are as follows:

Furnace is RGFD-10EZCMS (90-Plus Modulating Upflow)

AC Coil is RCQD4821AS 16 SEER Upflow Coil

AC is RARL048JEZ - 16 SEER Prestige 2-Stage Scroll

NOW....the $64,000 question I have is this: This configuration does not appear to qualify for Obama's new $1500 high efficiency tax credit...Is there a Rheem configuration that would in a 4-ton configuration? Would I be better off going for the $10,500 quote on the Infinity 21 (which WOULD qualify for the tax credit), but would be more expensive initially? Any advice on this conundrum would be appreciated....

help! rheem 16 seer vs. 18 seer prestige

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ryanhughes

arthistoryboy
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help! rheem 16 seer vs. 18 seer prestige

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ryanhughes

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