We have a similar dilemma. Bonus room over the garage (new construction) will be used as a music room. I always smile at the term "bonus room", as it evokes the idea that it might be free, a thrown-in bonus. I know I'm paying for it , as we all are LOL :). It's just a funny term. I'm glad to make use of the space. We went with electric baseboard heaters, and no AC solution as of yet. We should be moving in in July so I'll keep you posted on how our setup works. Room is approximately 14 x 20 full height, beyond that is knee walls. A window AC unit will not work because the only window faces out the front of the house, and would look unsightly sticking out there. I am considering a floor model, but I might not need it. Although, it has gotten really hot here in Northern Minnesota the past few years. Good luck on your "Bonus Room" :).

Hello All, I am in the process of collecting bids to replace my 30 year old Rheem 3.5 ton HVAC gas pack in my 1850 square foot condo and would love your assistance. I am currently looking at 3.5-4 ton, 14 SEER gas pack units. I live in LA (but near the water so it does not get very hot OR cold too often). My condo is 1850 square feet (1600 sf on the main level and 250 sf on the top level which we hardly use). We plan on staying here for at least 15-20 plus years I am looking for a unit that is going to last a long time, relatively easy and affordable yearly maintenance, good warranty, easily available and affordable replacement parts. I am NOT interested in a very high SEER rating or anything with too many bells and whistles as they may break down. I am willing to pay a little extra for a product that will last longer. 1- Given that good installation and warranties are the most important factor, how can I compare contractors aside from personal recommendations and google/yelp reviews? 2- In terms of heating, is a AFEU rating between 80-83% okay (we only use the heat MAYBE 60 days per year)? 3- Given that by 2023 California is requiring all new units to have 15 SEER rating, would you suggest I install that over the 14 SEER units I was considering? 4-In terms of warranties, what should I be looking for? It is my understanding that most manufacturers give a 10 year warranty. Should I be asking them to break it down into parts? If so, how many years should I look for in the: AC compressor? the heater? heat exchanger? How many years should i get for the installation warranty AND is this different from the labor warranty? If so, how many years should I look for the labor warranty? Are there any specific brands that are known for excellent service and easy warranty claims? 5-Do you recommend I sign a maintenance agreement with my contractor? 6- I know that good installation is the most important but any brands and/or specific models do you recommend that fall into my priority list above? I was leaning towards 1- rheem, 2- bryant and 3- trane. Any specific brands I should stay away from? ANY advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks you all in advance for your help.

Hello! I addressed all responses below by name: Stax, Please note my apology at the end of this message, aside from that this is my response to everything other than the comment addressed below... Thank you so much for the advice. It's funny, I had a feeling I got ripped off on that duct cleaning thing! Grrr. I was widowed soon after buying my house so I was completely thrown into taking care of my very first home and had nooo idea what to do. He had owned a home but I hadn't and I didn't have many friends at the time who owned homes so I didn't have many people to turn to for advice. Or they are just things that you do but no one really thinks to tell you until there's a problem because you didn't do the maitenance... total catch 22. This was one example of me falling for sales pitches I should have gotten second opinions on. Unfortunately I think I was too naive in the beginning and probably had too many "maitenance" things done to the house that weren't needed... and had no idea of things like AC servicing yearly which I should have been doing but just didn't have any idea. Very frustrating. Annnyway, just funny you mentioned that. I try not to kick myself for those things because at least I tried! Haha. And you are correct, I was just focused on filters and did the duct cleaning due to a good sales pitch that I was gullible to fall for. Thank you about your concern for my safetly as well re trying to fix things myself. I plan on calling a professional in now. Kevin, Thank you! I will take a look in case it's a nest or something that I can easily see/diagnose without touching anything. First I will make sure to turn the electricity off just in case though, thank you for that important reminder! Remodeling, Ah! I do something similar with pest control. I will call around my area and inquire about these contracts. Would you mind if I ask how much you pay that you believe is reasonable for this biyearly service? Mike, Thank you as well!! I will try your advice as well and while calling around for what remodeling suggested I will also look into getting it checked. Good point, this isn't like a lawn mower I can trouble shoot (totally succeeded!). Haha. I think I got ripped off with house stuff so much that DIY is just where my brain goes nowadays. Anyway, being here for 5 years without a check I should have done that a long time ago. I need to start making a list of yearly house "chores"! I'm sure there is more I'm neglecting that I haven't even realized. My new husband has helped with a few since he's been here so that's been awesome. He just has never had AC in the houses that he has owned so he didn't have an answer for this one. Anyway, I will do what you suggest so I'll have some information to update the tune up person before they come. Lastly for Stax, I would like to apologize. I didn't mean to post and run and most certainly do not want to waste anyones time. I so VERY VERY much appreciate peoples time and responses. I love this forum because it shows the good in people, that people do want to help each other regardless of getting something in return and am extremely appreciative and grateful for everyone that takes their time to help out. Unfortunately, I didn't realize 18 hours was an innappropriate amount of time to wait to respond. After posting I finished work and didn't have my personal email up, my husband came home, did gardening chores then straight to making dinner with him. We try to not be on our phones or computers during that evening quality time after the day finally winds down. Maybe its a newlywed thing... spending every minute together that we can is still shiny and new. Haha. I hope it stays though. But that's beside the point, sorry, lala land still... we just got married 2 weeks ago. Anyway, I will stop posting unless I am able to respond immediately to my posts. Again, I apologize for my rudeness and thank you for enlightening me on posting etiquitte. Thank you again SO SO much for your help. It' is more appreciated than you probably realize. I respect you so much for being one of those people that helps strangers without anything in return, it's very selfless. I wish everyone the best. I know I've said this a million times but THANK YOU AGAIN!!! Stay safe and enjoy your summers!!!! All the best, Beth

Questions: 1. Age of the unit + it uses R22. (Equipment doesn't last forever) Is R22 valuable? It is against the law to take freon from one unit and sell it somewhere else, it must be cleaned and certified to be so. (if this system's reason for not working is a burn out compressor, the refrigerant is worthless 9 times out of 10) Replacements for R22 assume the equipment is worthy of such. Due to age of this equipment it would be a waste of money in my opinion. The con in repair is knowing when something is worth fixing vs replacing. Some markets in HVAC are different than others due to use. Your climate is at best 2-3 months of use per year. That's the reason most likely that it has lasted as long as it has. In Katy, Texas I haven't seen anything this old in probably over 20 years. 2. Bids are bids that are primarily based upon cost of equipment, cost of labor, cost of materials for extra things associated with the installation, 1st year labor warranty provided by who is installing it in the event something goes wrong. Cut your labor rate then you cut the pay of everyone working for you. If those people are skilled they leave and go to make more money somewhere else. You get the tail light special, as soon as the tail lights go out of the sevice van you never hear from them again. So arguing over price of what someone charges vs the skill of people on their staff? They aren't selling you a pizza. If this new machine breaks you better hope they can fix it. Just hiring an installer is a risk you will bear when the machine breaks again. It will. Prices vary by market no two markets are the same. 3. Brands. There is no perfect brand. There is the skill of those doing the work, in some instances the problems you have could be a direct result of the skill who put the system in or in some rare instances could be defects of the equipment. All brands can and do have defects don't kid yourself. Although they are quite rare maybe 2 pieces out of 100. The refrigerant problem you're dealing with now is on the cusp of changing for the stuff you are likely changing to. 2025 is likely to be the equipment cut off for R410a. Maybe worse for places that like to follow in the footsteps of California and their style of restrictions on what you can and can't do. No manufacturer covers the cost of refrigerant should your new AC spring a leak. (read the fine print of the warranty litterature that you should receive when the job is complete) 2.5 hours in video embedded below telling you how, what, why, where and when all this is happening. It won't end in 2025. About 10 years after that the process of phasing out and banning is likely to begin anew. (this will effect every refrigerant currently in use, not just R410a) Brand will matter very little, if the refrigerant it uses is phased out / banned / restricted etc. 4. Not sure what you mean by this 5. HVAC is slow to change, but when changes come they come at a price. I service the Katy, Texas area,