savings of 14 seer vs 16 seer

14 years ago

Hey Everyone,

I saw a thread from a few months ago about a similar subject, but had a few differences mainly location. I am trying to decide between a 14 SEER and a 16 SEER system. The contractor that I am working with likes to use Ruud, which I have read a lot of good things about.

I live in Houston, TX and so it is really the heat and humidity that we need to worry about here. Yes it does get cold every now and again but I am much more worried about the days it is 110+ with 100% humidity.

My house is about 50 years old and is not the most well insulated house, but isn't horrible. As far as I can tell it is about average for a 50 year old house in the area. Not really sure if it has exterior wall insulation or not. It is one story right about 2000 sq. feet and all on one zone. Also, the furnace uses natural gas.

I dont have the exact model numbers for the 16 SEER system but it is a Ruud UARL Ultra 2 stage upflow/horizontal R410A 4 ton heat/cool system, which I was told was a 15 SEER and 11.85 EER, but when combined with a third party condenser such as Aspen, ADP, All-Style, etc. it would push it to 16 SEER and qualify for the tax credit. The 14 SEER system was also a Ruud and would run about two grand less.

Our electric rates are about 11.7 per KWh and gas rate is 1.11026 per ccf.

Just wanted to get some opinions on if it would be worth it to get the 16 SEER.

Featured Answer

veesubotee

14 years ago

The _ARL (R or U) is an air conditioner (also known as a condenser). What are you using for heat?

The other names, Aspen, ADP, etc., are for the indoor coil, which should be specified.

Ask for an AHRI certificate.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

creek_side
14 years ago
IMO, it's a waste of money going to 16 SEER for that reason alone. You will not see pay back. If it is a two stage 16 SEER system with the right variable speed air handler, or variable speed furnace with the right coil, properly set up and integrated with the right thermostat, then it is a different matter. You probably still won't see a payback, but the system should provide superior comfort.
Related Discussions
rheem 16 seer prestige vs. carrier infinity 21 seer
Q
Comments (10)
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
...See More
goodman 14 seer ssx14 vs trane xr 13 seer
Q
Comments (1)
As a longtime retired HVAC/R contractor, for a number of reasons I will not list here, I would go with the Goodman 14-SEER SSX14 using R-410A. That comes with a 3-ton evaporator coil with a piston metering device; I would ask for a TXV metering device. I always want the Copeland Scroll compressor with a TXV on the evaporator. Normally you won't need a start kit with that Scroll compressor. Using Goodman's Expanded cooling data, I ran the numbers on a 16-SEER; a 14-SEER will have a little higher condenser temperature split. An 85-F outdoor temp; with a 3-ton evaporator @ 900-CFM & dry bulb 75-F; 51% indoor relative humidity on a 2-ton condenser the condenser temp-split came to 15-F; delivers 23,500-BTUH. That is good for a 16-SEER system. Get a humidity gauge & check other temps as illustrated to see if it comes close to a 15-F split at those listed conditions; if it is "too far below 15-F outdoor condenser split," "at those conditions," it may need some trouble shooting to locate the problems. That is very good performance & illustrates why you need good airflow. A 3-ton coil will tolerate 1350-CFM, therefore 900-CFM is moderate airflow velocity through that 3-ton E-Coil. - udarrell Here is a link that might be useful: Equipment Sizing Duct Sizing & Airflow
...See More
16 seer 2 stage vs. 17 seer single stage
Q
Comments (2)
If you don't oversize the equipment; I'd go with the 16-SEER 2-stage. The SEER Rating when you know how they're formulated doesn't mean that much in most home installation setups; you'd rarely ever get near the SEER Rating due to a lack of all the needed supportive factors!
...See More
Amana 16 Seer, Vs Rheem 16 Seer
Q
Comments (3)
Note the text beside that short list in Consumers Report that says "differences of less than 5 points aren't meaningful." Then observe that the difference between the unit at the very top of the list and the unit at the bottom is only 6 points. If one had their scientific mind on, s/he would conclude that there's no money-in-the-bank difference in reliability between the the best and worst. And would buy the best-value hardware and spend the savings on that great installation guy everyone advises in favor of. For those without the magazine in hand, the list goes: Rheem - Ruud - Trane - AmStandard - Bryant - Lennox - Carrier - Amana - York - Goodman - Heil. But remember that Heil is just 6% less reliable than Rheem barely outside the 5% margin for error. And speaking of a great installation (I do ramble) it's easy to google and find a recent scientific study (in Florida) that found that iirc only about 1/3 of they guys we hire to install our HVAC have a prayer of getting it right. 2/3 start by sizing using a non-recommended approach (e.g. "experience"). Good luck finding Mr. GoodWrench.
...See More
garyg
14 years ago
You need to insulate your exterior walls first. Probably need more attic insulation too. Those investments pay back in energy savings.

2 stage condensers are good for humidity removal because of their long run times on 1st stage. EER is also higher on 1st stage cooling compared to second stage, so you have some operating $$ savings as long as it runs on 1st stage.

With that said, 2-stage condensers are really for comfort and not energy savings.

If you can afford a 2-stage then go for it. Understand that you'll never make up the additional $2000 for the 2-stage with potential energy savings over the life of the equipment.

Take that extra $2k and insulate your house better.

Good luck.
srercrcr
14 years ago
The operating savings you'll receive are offset by the higher cost of purchase. "Deluxe" models are priced higher and have higher profit margins. Sometimes the quality can be better too.
mike_home
14 years ago
Are you saying if you spend an extra $2000 on the 16 SEER system, you will qualify for the tax credit? If that is true, then you can recover up to $1500 in tax credit savings (or 30% of money spent whichever is less). Your out of pocket additional cost is then $500. You then need to calculate the amount of money you will save going from 14 to 16 SEER and how long it will take to get back your $500 investment.
garyg
14 years ago
The Fed tax credit requirements for a heat pump are 15 SEER, 12.5 EER, and 8.5 HSPF. All 3 must be met.

A straight a/c system is 16 SEER and 13 EER.

savings of 14 seer vs 16 seer

veesubotee

Comments (6)

creek_side

Related Discussions

garyg

srercrcr

mike_home

garyg

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US