New Construction AC Set-Up

18 years ago

Hi,

I purchased a house that the builder walked away from around the 80% completion point. My house has around 3,100 sq. ft. of living space and is set-up for two units. The duct work is complete and there are two 12 Seer Rheem airhandlers in the attic. My GC originally estimated $3,500 to finish the AC work which only included two 13 Seer Rheem condensers and two programmable thermostats. The originally AC sub is MIA so my GC brought out two new AC subs for estimates. One says that the duct sizing, return sizing, and registers per room is fine and it will cost $4,900 to install two 13 Seer Rheem condensers and increase the size of the connector pipe. The other says that the connector pipe is fine but we need to increase duct sizing, return sizing, number of registers per room, etc. He will install two 13 Seer Tranes and do the other work for $8,200.

The two Rheem airhandlers are 4 tons each. The recommended condensers are 3 and 3.5 tons. My two returns are 20" x 25".

I plan on living in this South Texas house for about 5 years. I'm trying to stay close to budget but have the available funds for mandatory revisions. What do you recommend I do?

Thanks,

T.J.

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Comments (5)

ryanhughes
18 years ago
You really should try to match the air handlers with the condensers for reliability and efficiency. The 13 SEER Rheem condensers may or may not be an okay match for the 12 SEER Rheem air handlers. With that said, I like Trane equipment.
baldloonie
18 years ago
If things are undersized, should be corrected. But I wouldn't mismatch equipment. If Rheem air handlers are in place, then you should stay with Rheem, Ruud or WeatherKing outdoor units. I would think this new dealer could pick up one of them for this job.
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texasjerry
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi,

Thanks for the much needed advice!

In an effort to have matched equipment, the Rheem man said he would upgrade the two airhandlers to two-speed 3 ton Rheems that are 13 SEER each. He would pair these with two Rheem 3.5 ton 13 SEER condensers. This would take his proposal to $6,100. Would having two-speed airhandlers decrease the concern about the possible undersized ducts and returns that the Trane man mentioned?

For $6,300, he said he could offer two Rheem 3.5 ton 14 SEER condensers to be paired with the existing 12 SEER air handlers. Would this be a more efficient combo than the one above?

Which alternative would you recommend?

Thanks,
T.J.
texasjerry
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi,

Read my last post and the two condensers in both scenarios are 3.0 ton instead of the stated 3.5 ton.

Thanks for taking the time to assist me.

Best regards,
T.J.
ryanhughes
18 years ago
Ask him why he wants to put 14 SEER condensers on "12 SEER" air handlers. Ask him for the proof that these are rated matchups. If you can step your budget up, you could probably get two nice systems with VARIABLE SPEED air handlers. 2 speed air handlers aren't inherently variable speed. Ask for air handlers with ECM motors.