Get new HVAC or repair A/C? Which brand?

virginian2010

14 years ago

My second floor A/C is not working. It's a 10 year old Carrier 2.5 ton (I believe 13 SEER). I have a Carrier furnace that works fine. I have had 3 contractors look at it. They says the coil needs to be replaced, but other option is to upgrade the whole system to be more efficient. Best bids are for Trane and York as follows (with tax rebate options):

1.Trane XL15i 2 ton AC/15 SEER $3700 (keep furnace)

2.Trane XL15i 2 ton heatpump/15 SEER $4300 (keep furnace)

3.Trane XL15i 2 ton heatpump/10KW electric blower coil $6500

4.Trane xL15i 2 ton HP with 95% VX gas furnace $6200

York Contrctor:

1.Replace coil with other needed repairs $1300

2.LX YHJF 2.5 ton HP/14.5 SEER &LX TM9X furnace 95.5% $5850

3.Affinity YZE 3 ton HP/16 SEER $ YP9C furnace 98% $6200

4.Affinity YZH 3 ton HP/17.2 SEER & YP9C furnace 98% $6750

What do you recommend? Thanks

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Comments (8)

tigerdunes
14 years ago
virginian

a couple of questions

age and mdl of existing furnace.

what size is the living area of upstairs? I notice the Trane quotes are for 2 ton condensers while you state you are replacing a 2 1/2 ton. that raises a flag.

current furnace is located in attic? if so, you don't usually place high eff condensing furnaces in an attic location due to possible freezing problems. I would ask dealers about that if it is an attic install.

I certainly would not spend $1300 on a 10 yr old AC system.

post back.

IMO
virginian2010
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the info.

The furnace is 10 years old as well. The original system when house was built. It's a Carrier WeatherMaker 8000. Furnace and AC are in the attic and cover the second floor (about 1090 SF) and the 3rd floor room (about 350 SF)(although it really doesn't do a great job for 3rd floor, I think it's because of duct system).

Would it be best to replace the AC or whole system? Should I go with Carrier since it came with the house and will be the same as downstair system, or it doesn't matter?

Thanks
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tigerdunes
14 years ago
virginian

if you keep the working furnace and just replace the AC outside condenser and inside evap coil, you will leave the fed govt tax credit lying on the table.

I don't like the idea of going down in size from a 2 1/2 ton to a 2 ton condenser whether straight AC or HP.

what area of Virginia do you live? I would not recommend placing a 95% eff condensing furnace in an attic location.

IMO
baldloonie
14 years ago
Don't bother buying an XL15i with an existing furnace. The best you will get is 13 SEER. Might as well save a bundle and get an XR13 for mucho less.

Keeping the existing furnace does mean skipping the tax credit. But buying a new furnace with high efficiency blower motor then buying a high SEER heat pump or A/C is thousands more than $1500 so probably not worth it with a 10 year old 80% furnace. Adding a decent 13 SEER heat pump makes the most sense to me.
virginian2010
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the inputs.
IMO: I live in Richmond
I got another estimate from Carrier dealer.
He suggests Carrier Comfort Series heat pump, 3 ton, Size 034, SEER 13, digital/programable thermostat, 10 yr parts/1 year labor warranty for $3500.00 .So I'll have a hybrid system. No tax credit, but my furnace is only 10 years old. He thinks this will help the 3rd floor room as well.

Should they do an official load calculation and complete duct inspection as part of their service?

Should I buy extednded warranty?
ryanhughes
13 years ago
Can your existing furnace blower motor support a 3 ton system with adequate airflow? Chances are yes, but important to check.

2-1/2 ton became 3-ton?

May help upper level, but with increasing size, matters will be worse if the initial problem exists in the ductwork design.
virginian2010
Original Author
13 years ago
The dealer told me the furnace blower could handle 3 ton. He also suggested adding two more ducts for the 3rd floor.
According to my research this is their economic heat pump, but better than my current A/C which is actually just a 10 SEER.

Is the price of $3500 reasonable?

Thanks for the help
virginian2010
Original Author
13 years ago
Which do you all recommend?

Still trying to decide on my 2nd floor system located in the attic. 10 year old A/C + furnace. A/C 2.5 ton/10 SEER is out, but furnace 80 AFUE works fine.

Keep current Carrier Furnace, replace nonfunctional A/C with new Carrier Comfort series heat pump 3 ton/13 SEER. for $3500.00
or
replace whole system with Carrier performance heat pump (25HPA5) 3 ton/15 SEER/8.5 HSPF and Furnace (58CTA)80 AFUE
which after tax and manufacturer rebate will be about $4500.00

I'm leaning towrds the 2nd option myself.

Thanks

Get new HVAC or repair A/C? Which brand?

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tigerdunes

virginian2010
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