Where are you located? Is this a one floor or two floor house?

If the 1.5 ton kept the house cool on the hottest days, then it is the right size. Don't let someone sell you an AC which is over sized.

Is the the AC which was quoted to you a 2-stage model? The 2-stage models are only available in whole ton sizes. This may explain the size increase. Get additional quotes.

my home is one story on a concrete slab. ceilings are 8 feet high, unfinished insulated storage attic. not clear on 2 stage..does that mean heat and air? if so, it is only air. I am located in central New Jersey.

which is better a Single or variable speed

Doricee, just to clarify one point. Do you have hot water heating or forced air? If forced air, what furnace do you have now? The single vs variable speed would only be a decision point if you were replacing your furnace as well with forced air heat. Are you planning this?

If your A/C is separate from the heat, the contractor will provide a new inside unit as well. Variable speed adds efficiency and helps remove humidity.

Stay with the 1.5-Ton system; you'll have a quieter operating system that will have the needed longer run-times to keep the humidity @ or below 50%; it will cost you less to cool your home.

I do not plan on changing the electric baseboard heating system which is separate from the central air conditioning system. The water tank is also separate. There appears to be more problems when they are all combined. According to the reviews I read. My home is 38 years old. The onlt thing that stopped working was the cooling system. It still works, both air handler and condenser but does not cool. I was told the leak could be anywhere.

I would like to know more about the words used such as variable speed in a basic air system, scroll compressor, 2 stage vs single stage. etc. The luxaire I have is the simpliest without all the bells and whistles and worked fine.

mike_home, When you speak of adding a heat pump does that mean adding another fuel source? If not, how would I save money on electricity unless it incurs adding Sola energy. Then I would have to get a new roof before installing panels Roof is 20 years old.

A heat pump is basically an AC running in reverse. Instead of extracting the heat inside the house and moving it outdoors, it takes the heat from the outdoors and moves it inside. The outdoor air has heat even when the temperature is in the 20s.

You would be adding no fuel source or solar panels. The outside condenser will look very similar to a standard AC condenser. The cost of upgrading the AC to a heat pump should be in the $300-$500 range for a 1.5 ton unit. I could be off on this, but it should not be much more.

The baseboard heat is resistance heat. It is similar to the heating elements in a toaster. The heat pump also uses electricity, but it uses the energy to pull heat from the outdoors. The heat pump can provide the same amount of heating (BTUs) at 3-4 times the efficiency. The efficiency varies by the outside temperature. When it is very cold outside, there is not enough heat to keep the house warm. That is why you need a back up heating source on very cold days. Your baseboard heating would provide this function. Your heating bill would be cut in half, and possibly more. You would probably get the extra money you spend on the heat pump in one or two heating season.

Have you checked into what rebates are available for energy efficiency improvements?

ionized_gw No rebates unless I go to a higher seer than 14.5.

mike_home, Thanks for the info. I will consider a heat pump. This year the state of new jersey now requires all ac installers to receive training and state licenses in ac installation. In my research it has been stated quite a few times, the ac will work only as well as it was installed. Lennox has premier installers and only a very few of the other brand installers are NATE trained. But the majority are still not ac trained licensed installers. The majority are plumbers and electricians. My concern is the duct work and the refrigerate not being done to specifications. Many hvac contractors offer only one year labor. Unfortunately a number of homeowners found themselves shelving out more money 2,3,4, years later, just for labor. The installer is as important as the ac with 10 year limited warranties. I can accept an annual maintenance contract, but want the ac to work as smoothly as the Luxaire had for 35 years.

"Lennox has premier installers and only a very few of the other brand installers are NATE trained."

I am not sure I agree with this statement. I am not aware that contractors who install Lennox equipment are better trained than those of other equipment. I do know that Carrier Factory authorized dealers must have have Carrier training in order to keep their designation. I assume it is the same with Trane and others.

If you live in or near Mercer county I can recommend the Carrier dealer I used. See if you can send a message through my profile. Send an email address so I can respond.

I live quite a distance from Mercer County and not interested in Carrier. I have done a comparative study on ten systems to find one suitable for my needs. Since the Luxaire system worked well for 35 years, it was at the top of my list. Unfortunately there appears to be limited trained installers for Luxaire. I have not obtained a quote on York which is made by the same Manufacturer.

Trane and Carrier appear to be more publicized in this area. However the air handler is too large for the limited attic space in my home..

I don't think the Luxaire equipment from 35 years ago is the same that is being sold today. I think Luxaire and Coleman are cheaper versions of York equipment. Perhaps some of the low end York equipment are copies of the other brands.

I am surprised to hear you can't find a Trane or Carrier air handler that will fit the space.

Whatever brand you buy, stay away from the builder's grade equipment. They are made with the cheapest parts.

The builders grade Luxaire lasted 35 years. It is probably true that the same quality is not in current builders grade products, considering obsolescence rule of the market these days. That said, it was a Trane salesman who stated

additional work had to be done to increase the opening (22x22) to (24x24) the attic space and then either lay the air handler on its side or hang it from the rafters.

Like almost every appliance in your
home, even your central air
conditioning system has a lifespan. A quality installation of
high-efficiency equipment can lower your energy bills, increase comfort in your
home, and extend the useful life of your equipment. An improperly charged
system may consume more energy and result in higher humidity. Contractors
should test your home’s refrigerant charge and adjust it as needed. That
why I have replaced my old one with a new from a2zairinc.com. After up gradation it really works as energy
level increases and your energy bills decreases.

Shirley Amy, you are so right... and since the installation and other charges are more than half the total cost.......... and only a years labor warranty is offered, there is a great concern for the installation to be done correctly at the time of initial installation.

My energy bills were low with Luxaire. So I can not judge what costs will be with new unit. I am receiving prices of aprox. $ 8000. for total replacement of Air conditioning system which appears quite high for an appliance that will be used less than four months out of the year. Kitchen appliance package replacement done in 2011, cost less than the above ac cost and is in continuous use throughout the year.

Do a free load-calc & see what you come up with.

http://www.loadcalc.net/

Print & follow the instructions.

Trenton NJ is 88°F dry bulb 76°F wet bulb.

Do NOT oversize in that climate!

A 1.5-Ton should be made to work in the climate stated above; you can do things to the home as long as the install is done right it should handle the heat gain....

On real hot humid days start the A/C early at 75°F & as long as it holds to 78 or so on the few extreme hours it's sized right.

$8000 for a replacement 1.5 ton AC condenser and air handler??? Keep looking!

Has zip ties been approved for use on HVAC ductwork?