Moving the wire connectors while unit was on pretty much eleminates broken wire in one of them. Don't rule out the contactor yet. It's possiable for it to occasionaly fail to completly close. While the condenser is failing to run although t-stat is calling for cool,check accross the two low volt connections on contactor. If you find 24v but contactor isn't engaged(closed) ,that says bad contactor coil or if contactor is closed maybe the contact points are dirty or partly obstructed from making contact. Have you tried manualy closing the contactor. I can't add much encouragment regarding the circut board other than mention that many Carrier boards have an led on it that flashs a self diognostics code.

Thanks Tiger and Mike Do you mean that this: 3 ton,up to 16 SEER, Puron, Performance Series, Condenser Model # 24ABC636A003 Is not a Performance model but actually a Comfort one? Do you recommend the performance over the comfort? I see your listed models above are for the comfort series. As for the second part: 3 ton, Deluxe Fixed Fan Coil with Puron, Comfort Series, Model # FX4DNF037000 Is this where I should be looking at getting a variable speed to decrease noise? This will be the unit in the attic - correct? As for returns, there will be a single return at the top of the stairs on the second floor. The layout is very open downstairs and the expectation is that warm moist air would easily rise up there and be returned. Haven't heard anything on the filtration. Good point on labor warranty. Plan to be here 20+ years. Will inquire. Thanks again. Really appreciate it (as you can tell, totally clueless on this). E

Agree with TD. Noise issues are ductwork related. Higher efficiency systems will move more air than the older systems 15+ years ago because the variable speed motors are smarter and will work harder to move the programmed air volume even at higher duct pressures -- caused both by undersized and poorly designed ductwork (likely the route cause of your comfort problems as well, not equipment capacity/tonnage). This creates the air movement noise that you hear. So yes, the 100k furnace will be louder than the 80k furnace if ductwork modifications are not made (it would likely not use high stage much, however). If a load calculation were done properly I would not at all be surprised to see the 80k furnace be more than enough. The output capacity of the 97% efficient 80k btu furnace is not much less than that of the older 80% efficient 100k furnace. I might call back the one that said go with the 80k. Yes you do want the Carrier aluminum coil. That is what you listed above as confirmed by TD. Best course of action is to have the dealers inspect your ductwork and make corrections to match the air volume requirements of whichever size system your home needs. They need to start by measuring external static pressure (ESP) while the system is running. If nobody within the company you are considering has the ability or knowledge to do this, that is a red flag and they are throwing larger equipment on inadequate duct systems. This is bad and affects performance. You lived with it for a while; then they put what I would consider a "bandaid" fix on it with the oversized condenser and blower to compensate for undersized ducting. The result was more noise and less efficient operation, but more air volume. With your new system, I would hope the dealer you select works toward providing you with a quiet and more efficient system. Good luck and please keep us posted. This post was edited by ryanhughes on Wed, Aug 7, 13 at 14:47

It is 14 years old and way past the warranty. The guy said the fan didn't have enough drag when he cut the machine off (it span for too long) so the motor must be weak. In that case it could have sent hot freon into the evaporator coil and that's what caused it to leak. He said the blower motor sounded too loud. The outside motor I can replace myself if need be but others are telling me, if it isn't broken don't fix it! The Carrier isn't happening lol. What would be a reasonable price for a Trane air handler to match my old 5ton xe1200 heatpump? Some say 2500, some 3000. Sears quoted me 6500 both Payne bottom of the barrel units!! This post was edited by LynnInTex on Fri, Sep 12, 14 at 0:04