Complete HVAC system replacement in Dallas, TX area.

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hello all,
I plan on a complete change-out of the current split system I have in the house: furnace, condenser and coil. This system is a YORK, is 20 years old-original to when the house was built in 1995, has a capacity of four (4) tons, and seemed to have been a "builder-special" grade, from what I have been told. I've been quite lucky and in the past 15 years since I've owned the house, I only had to change the capacitor-once, and the blower motor inside the air-handler/furnace. The house is a one-story ranch with almost 2100 sq. ft. of livable space.
I really like Carrier and I went out and had gotten a quote from an authorized dealer/installer:

Option 1-BASE with 16 SEER, @ $9200.00
24ABC648A003, 4-ton, COMFORT condenser.
58CTW110-1-22, 110k BTU, PERFORMANCE gas furnace.
CNPHP6124ALA, 5-ton, PERFORMANCE cased "N" coil.
TP-WEM01-COR Thermostat.

Option 2-VeryHighEffic. 19 SEER, @ $10200.00
24VNA948A003, 4-ton, INFINITY (5 stage) condenser.
58CVA090-1-16, 90k BTU, INFINITY gas furnace.
CSPHP6012ALA, 5-ton, cased slab coil.

SYSTXCCITW01 Infinity thermostat.

Both options also include additional work:
- the addition of one extra return duct & grille (30ft) in the master bdr, which has always been either too cold or too warm.
-the replacement of supply ducts/tubing for three (3) other rooms, with higher diameter ducts/tubing.
This additional work was necessary after some calculations were done: because the total return was only capable of 1100 instead of 1600, and because the supply was capable of only 1400 instead of 1600cfm.
Also included are: new condenser pad, whip and disconnect box, 4" Carrier media cabinet, plenum transitions, aux. drain pan with safety float switch.

Any comments and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Regards, Cameron.

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Comments (3)

mike_home
7 years ago
Did you ask the dealer why he quoted a 110K BTU furnace in the first quote, and a 90K BTU furnace in the second? I am going to assume he did not do a load calculation. I would think a 90K BTU furnace would be plenty for the Dallas winter, and you may be able to use a 70K BTU furnace.

What is interesting is he gave a quote for low end and high end equipment only, but the price difference is only $1000. Are the prices correct?

I would not recommend option 1. It is over priced and basically builder's grade equipment. On option 2 the Greenspeed 24VNA9 AC is pricey. Get quotes on the less efficient Infinity 24ANB7 and the more efficient 24ANB1 condensers. It would be interesting to see how the prices of these compare with the Greenspeed. The Dallas summers are long and hot. It makes sense to spend the money on a efficient AC condenser.

You should also consider a high efficiency furnace. The winter design temperature for Dallas is 24 degrees. Not very cold, but cold enough to justify a more efficient furnace if the price is reasonable.
Cameron
Original Author
7 years ago
Many thanks for the input Mike !

Yes, the prices are correct.

Option 2 for the Infinity system includes a $1350.00 rebate from Carrier, while Option 1 did not have any sort of rebate at all.

If I remember correctly he said that a higher efficiency furnace would be very difficult to include with my system, since it has to be vertically placed ( due to additional condensation that is generated ? ), and my system is placed horizontally in the attic, due to space constraints.
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mike_home
7 years ago
I should have asked if the furnace was going into the attic. High efficiency furnaces produce condensation which needs to be drained or pumped out for disposal. Most contractors don't like to install a condensing furnace in the attic since they are afraid the condensate will freeze. It can be done by installing a heat tape wrap to keep the condensate from freezing. But if your installer is not experienced or the installation is difficult and expensive, then I suggest going with the 80% AFUE furnace.

The Greenspeed may have the best rebate so the other condensers I suggested may end up costing more.

Complete HVAC system replacement in Dallas, TX area.

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mike_home

Cameron
Original Author

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Complete HVAC system replacement in Dallas, TX area.

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mike_home

CameronOriginal Author

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Cameron
Original Author