Where have you been Bob? Don't you read any HVAC print, industry magazines or publications? American Standard sold the plumbing divison and automotive parts divisions. They then sold their HVAC holdings to Ingersoll Rand and have changed the parent company name to Trane. Trane Co will continue to focus & market their HVAC products under both the Trane & American Standard labels (residential, light commercial & commercial/industrial). American Standard Companies is renamed to focus on its heating and air conditioning business November 28, 2007 Homeowners can continue to rely on American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning for quality products, systems and service American Standard Companies has changed its name to Trane to reflect the companys focus on its heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) business, which includes American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning. Changing the name and stock symbol (TT) marks the completion of the companyÂs separation plan that was announced in February 2007. Since then, the company spun off its vehicle control systems business as an independent company called WABCO (NYSE: WBC) on July 31, and sold its bath and kitchen business to funds advised by Bain Capital Partners, LLC, on Oct. 31 Hamilton, Bermuda and Piscataway, New Jersey, December 17, 2007 Â Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (NYSE:IR) announced today that it has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Trane Inc. (NYSE:TT), formerly American Standard Companies Inc., in a transaction valued at approximately $10.1 billion, including transaction fees and the assumption of approximately $150 million of Trane net debt. Trane is a global leader in indoor climate control systems, services and solutions with expected 2007 revenues of $7.4 billion. Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, Ingersoll Rand will acquire all outstanding common stock of Trane. Holders of TraneÂs approximately 200 million common shares will receive a combination of $36.50 in cash and 0.23 Ingersoll Rand shares of common stock per each Trane share. The total value for this transaction was $47.81 per Trane share based on the closing price as of December 14, 2007. The transaction which is expected to close late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2008, is subject to approval by Trane shareholders, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Herbert L. Henkel, Ingersoll Rand chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "The combination of Ingersoll Rand and Trane will create a global, diversified industrial company with projected pro forma 2008 revenues of $17 billion. The new Ingersoll Rand portfolio will include an $11 billion Climate Control business which will offer high value equipment, systems and services necessary for delivering solutions across the temperature spectrum for indoor, stationary, and transport applications worldwide. "As a result of expected revenue and cost synergies, we are confident that this acquisition will improve Ingersoll RandÂs future earnings growth potential. We believe the new Ingersoll Rand will be capable of sustaining annual organic revenue growth averaging 5-7% and EPS growth exceeding 15% per year, both in excess of our former growth guidance. In particular, assuming timely consummation of the proposed acquisition, we anticipate earnings of $4.00 per share in 2008." Fred Poses, Trane chairman and CEO said, "For our shareowners, this offer represents an attractive price for our shares today and the opportunity to participate in a powerful global diversified industrial company in the future. Combining Trane and Ingersoll RandÂs climate control operation creates a very strong business. With the size, strength and operational effectiveness of a $17 billion global industrial company, we believe this combination is best for our customers, employees and shareowners in the long term." Poses will remain in his position until the acquisition is completed. "This acquisition represents a significant next step in Ingersoll RandÂs decade-long transformation to become a leading global diversified industrial company, with strong market positions across the climate control, industrial and security markets," said Henkel. "The acquisition of Trane meets our long-term objectives of significantly increasing consistency of revenue and income streams, adding strong brands and market positions, and further strengthening the organic growth potential of our portfolio. TraneÂs leadership position in the global commercial and residential climate control industry enhances our own highly regarded Hussmann and Thermo King brands. "TraneÂs demonstrated long-term organic growth rate, averaging 7% to 8% per year, compares favorably to the organic growth targets we have established for our business portfolio. TraneÂs talented management team and employees have delivered consistent revenue growth and operating margins throughout all phases of the business cycle. "We believe Trane will deliver strong growth and profitability going forward. Based upon market fundamentals such as rising energy costs and conservation initiatives, we expect solid replacement-demand for energy-efficient products and for retrofit and refurbishment of current systems. TraneÂs large installed base of equipment and systems will provide profitable aftermarket growth potential. Also, Trane has the leading market position in North America, and is growing strongly and increasing penetration in international markets. "On a combined basis, Ingersoll RandÂs climate control operations are projected to have revenues of approximately $11 billion in 2008 and will have a significant presence in all major segments of the associated industries worldwide. It is anticipated this combination will produce annual pre-tax cost and revenue synergies exceeding $300 million by 2010. Anticipated synergies include purchased material savings through supplier rationalization and procurement leverage, improvements in manufacturing costs, and lower general and administrative costs. Longer term, we will benefit from synergies related to cross selling and service revenue expansion." Trane Inc., previously named American Standard Companies Inc., provides systems and services that enhance the quality and comfort of the air in homes and buildings around the world. The company offers customers a broad range of energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; dehumidifying and air cleaning products; service and parts support; advanced building controls; and financing solutions. The companyÂs systems and services have leading positions in premium commercial, residential, institutional and industrial markets; a reputation for reliability, high quality and product innovation; and a powerful distribution network. TraneÂs 2007 annual revenues are expected to approximate $7.4 billion. Trane has more than 29,000 employees and 29 production facilities worldwide. Ingersoll Rand is a global diversified industrial firm providing products, services and solutions to transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and enhance industrial productivity and efficiency. Driven by a 100-year-old tradition of technological innovation, Ingersoll Rand enables companies and their customers to create progress. Ingersoll RandÂs 2007 annual revenues are projected to be approximately $8.7 billion. The company has 35,000 employees and 80 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

It was installed yesterday around noon. Temp outside was probably about 80 degrees and humid. We set it somewhere in the 70s and left it running for a few hours while we went out. When we got back, it was running well and the air seemed drier in the room but what was blowing out of the unit didn't feel that cold. I should add that this is in an apartment that we rent out. We had to leave, so we turned it down to the lowest setting, 60 degrees, and left it running. We called the tenant and asked her to call us and tell us whether it was working properly by the time she got home from work. From what she said, it sounded like it wasn't any different. We live an another city, so it's a bit difficult for us to get back up there to check on it. The apartment is a small studio, and it's a 7800 BTU Friedrich, so I believe it's the correct size. We had the store install it. I suppose we would need to use a separate thermometer to determine whether the room air is cooling to the right temperature, but subjectively, it didn't seem like it was.

Quote 1 (local guy): -Luxaire TCJF 24 15 SEER $2985 (2 ton) adding a 96%, 2 stage, multispeed Amana furnace would bring the total to $5285 -talked about improving my ductwork to make it more efficient Quote 2 (Home Depot): -Rheem, didn't leave model number, size, etc. $5995 plus a 2 stage furnace adds an additional $5995 -no clue about ductwork Quote 2 guy went on and on. Where did you meet? We have financing, blah blah. He kept trying to play us against each other.

So yesterday buddy comes over to look over things with the a/c system and I think we've got things nailed down properly now. The superheat for the given ambient temperature and heat loading from the indoor coil was way off (5F) vs. the 14-15F that it was supposed to be so he had to remove some of the refrigerant (I was quite surprised how little he had to remove to get the superheat up) and we even went as far as measuring the furnace's CFM flow rating using a differential manometer. I'm pushing roughly 1000CFM across a 2 ton coil so which is a tad bit on the high side but my colleauge says it's a margin of safety for the a/c to not freeze over as we have relatively little humidity in the air would means that on the cooler days we wouldn't be heat loading the coil enough which could lead to freeze up. I personally would like to try running my furnace on the lowest speed to get the 855 CFM but I'm not sure how that will affect the superheat. Presumably I would imagine that if a system is charged properly using the superheat method for fixed orifice systems that blower speed shouldn't dramatically impact the superheat values to the point where they're completely out of whack. I would guess that superheat would rise but isn't that sort of a given? I mean hotter days for example would increase loading so therefore superheat should rise no? For the record the pressure reading on the manometer with the furnace on medium low with a 3M 1500 series filter installed has a -0.44 in wg static pressure difference. With no filter the static pressure diff changes to -0.55. Humidity was still somewhat of an issue yesterday night when it was raining but it was quite cool outside. I had to drop the tstat to 21C to force start the a/c on but after just 20 minutes the house was nice and dry and less stuffy. Just for the sake of my understanding does TXV technically do any better or worse job of temperature/humidity control over a fixed orifice system IF both systems were installed properly and charged to near perfection? I have a friend that is looking to install a/c and his contractor insists on having TXV and says that fixed orifice is evil and should never be used. I find that rather extreme to make a claim like that. I've tried to do my own research online and although it's a given that TXV is the way to go I think it has a lot to do with the fact that it will better protect the compressor from liquid flooding + it's more forgiving for techs that do an incorrect charge on the system - critical charge isn't nearly as important on a TXV system vs. fixed orifice. Thanks,