For what you're describing it sounds like a good price (actually low in my opinion). I would get another bid or two to compare prices and make sure this price isn't out of the ordinary (it just sounds too low to me for what's included). Couple of tips: get a load calculation performed to determine proper equipment sizing (hard to find a contractor who is willing to do one unfortunately--did the old 3-ton [I assume] cool and remove humidity effectively?) and have the ductwork looked at. It sounds like you're doing it the right way with getting a complete replacement, but I would just make sure you know what you're getting (in writing) and make sure the prices are reasonable (be them too low or too high).

I had considered calling a few local companies and getting some ballpark estimates for comparison purposes.

The old unit (3 Ton) pretty much held its own over the past few years as far as cooling and heating the house goes. It only had to cool/heat the upstairs of our split foyer home which is only around 1400 sq feet. Most of the downstairs area is below ground level and stays cool all summer anyway.

Alan

If you are getting everything they are offering it is a great deal so be careful go ahead and get at least one more bid

Here is a link that might be useful: Air Conditioning Repair made Easy

For 1400 sq. ft. it 3 tons sounds a bit big, so that's why I'd recommend a load calculation to ensure the sizing. Was it short-cycling (causes more energy usage and less humidity removal). 3 tons MIGHT be right give that it is an upstairs unit and perhaps you live in a hot, humid climate. To put it into more perspective, I have a 3.5-ton unit that holds its own for around 3500 sq. ft. (most people would assume this is too small automatically, but each home varies--my home happens to have plenty of shade, though I don't know if that was considered in the load calculation).

See..this is where living in different parts of the country makes giving advice hard at times. I'm in S.Texas and a 3 ton unit on 1400sqft. is a little on the thin side. We have extreme heat & humidity for most of the 9 months of summer here. The best way is to get a Load calculation done for you home, for your area of the country. Thats the 1st step. That will tell you how big your equipment needs to be. THEN... get estimates of equipment.

Its kinda like buying a car. Figure out what you need, what would be best for you, and what you can afford. Then get prices from alot of dealers.
IMO

Hope this helps

I live East of Birmingham, Al, about 20 miles. Our home is partially shaded from the morning sunlight 'till around 10-11 am. But, from that time on until dark (around 7 pm) we catch the full impact of the Sun. Yesterday it got into the lower 90's, and temperatures into the 100's aren't unheard of around here. The humidity is usually a little above normal, I believe, because there are a lot of wooded areas nearby.

Alan

alan

too good a deal is usually just that.

Post model number of outside condenser and inside air handler and someone will try to get the performance/eff numbers for your system.

I visited Birmingham last August and it was over 100 in the shade by mid day. So if a three ton has worked well for you, then a three ton replacement will probably be OK as long as you are not experiencing any shortcycling and/or have humidity problems inside your home.

these are my specs for a new HP system

15 SEER,12 EER, 9 HSPF
full three ton BTUs in both cooling and heating
matching var speed air handler
R-410a refrigerant
scroll compressor preferred
electronic defrost preferred
staged heat strip backup
thermostat that controls blower speed

IMO

Sorry it took so long to get back with this info. Outside unit says: Nordyne DT5BD-036. The inside air handler says: Gibson GB5BM-T36K-B-10.

We had it installed already, and it seems to be working fine. It's a lot quieter than our old unit was. I still could use some opinions about this so I can kinda know what sort of service to expect from it.

Thanks,
Alan

Was this for the Maytag "Deluxe" system? If so, the model numbers are not Maytag model numbers, and Gibson is a lower tier product, more of a builder grade product, and certainly not "Deluxe" in my opinion. Sometimes you gotta be careful with those low bids. As far as service goes, if it is sized and installed properly, it should service you fine. Change the filter(s), have it serviced once or twice a year, etc. Ask the dealer for the ARI reference number to approve that this is an approved match. I'd also question this being a Maytag "Deluxe" system.

Yes, this was supposed to have been their "middle of the line" or "deluxe" Maytag product. Maybe I should contact Maytag and inquire about these products.

Alan

Maytag is part of the Nordyne family, but I want to make sure you really got the Maytag units you were quoted for. See here to determine whether they are: http://www.maytaghvac.com/MTHP.asp

I would contact Maytag and give them the information you have and then get back to the contractor if necessary (you should ask him for an ARI certificate to ensure that you have a properly matched system).

mister al

This does appear to be a Maytag configuration and may be common in the other HVAC companies within the Nordyne umbrella.

Here are the two AHRI matched systems. On the 2nd system, I am not clear on the suffix on the air handler model.
Needless to say, the first system I would describe as poor especially the heating efficiency; the second system much better.

866881 Active Systems MAYTAG DT5BD SERIES MAYTAG DT5BD-036K B5B(M,V)-T36K-B 35400 11.66 13.00 36000 8.00 22000 1 HRCU-A-CB
878870 Active Systems MAYTAG DT5BD SERIES MAYTAG DT5BD-036K B5B(M,V)-T36K-B+VSB-B 35800 12.40 14.00 35800 8.50 21200 1

If the deal was too good to be true, then you probably got what you paid for.

IMO

AHRI HP Directory

Here is a link that might be useful: Maytag HVAC HomePage

It ain't over 'till ya hear from the fat lady.

Alan

I just talked to Bob Marx at Nordyne and he told me that the unit I have is their mid-line Maytag M120 product line model DT5BD series.

He checked the Nordyne Model numbers for the outside and inside units and told me it was a matched set and, after we had finished talking, I felt that I had received what I had been promised. He even e-mailed me the specs to look at.

The only thing left for me to do now is to have the ducts cleaned.

To me, this has turned out to be a pretty good deal.

Thanks,
Alan

Looks like you're good to go. :)

It can get confusing with model numbers due to the different trade names they have, but I'm glad it turns out being a matched set (sorry for any confusion above).

The inside is a Gibson though, right? The difference may just be the name.

I think that the name 'Gibson' I saw on the packing list doesn't matter much since it's part of a matched set. Both units had the name 'Nordyne' on the metal tags and the whole system was sold as a Maytag. Go figure....

Alan

You are in a warm enough place you should consider adding a heat recovery unit to the condenser. It increases the unit's efficiency AND provides your domestic hot water. Any unit that has 180 degree temperature at the compressor discharge is suitable. The only caveat is the condenser unit and your water heater should be in close proximity to simplify piping. A $30 to $50 a month reduction in your electric bill is average.

I hate to re-open an old thread, but I was reading through it and I saw something that I said that was not right. When I talked to Bob Marx at Nordyne he didn't tell me that the unit I had installed was their "mid-line Maytag M120 product line model DT5BD series." What he told me was that the unit I had was a good "entry level" unit. The rest of the conversation I mentioned is correct, but I want to apologize for this error and I hope that I haven't offended anyone by it.

I do wish I had listened to you all and taken a little more time having things done because I'm having a lot of problems trying to get the proper paperwork from the company that installed the unit. I still haven't recieved a receipt of payment/purchase, or any kind of product invoice, they have sent me two ARI Certificates, so far, but both had the wrong air handler model number on them, and, now, there is some question/doubt on my part that they actually installed the right unit after all.

This has really turned out to be a mess, and I really hope I never have to go through anything like this again. But I want to thank you all for the help you offered me.

Alan

mister al

so what are the issues other than paperwork,documentation,warranty?

how is the new system operating in hot birmingham?

post the model numbers on the outside and inside unit. they should be readily available on a dataplate.

TD

The unit is doing it's job pretty well. We have to turn the thermostat down a little extra to get the humidity to a comfortable level but other than that it seems to cool the house.

The model numbers are:

Outside Unit: DT5BD-036K
Inside: GB5BM-T36K-B-10

Thanks,
Alan

Could be because it's oversized and satisfying the thermostat before removing enough humidity.

ryanhughes,

It's possible that the room cools off before enough humidity is removed. I have been reading on the internet that this does happen.

My wife feels comfortable with the thermostat set on 79 degrees, but I still feel a little sticky. But, If I turn the thermostst down to 77-78 degrees then the air gets dry enough for me to be comfortable.

I really don't consider this to a 'big' problem, however, since such a minor adjustment to the thermostat takes care of it. If it gets any worse I'll check into it, but right now It's workable.

Alan