Central air conditioner

18 years ago

Hello,

After years of using a window unit, my wife and I have decided to get central air. I hate going through the hassle of getting estimates, but managed to get two that came out to the house and one that gave me an estimate over the phone.

The one on the phone was pushing the York brand and I seem to recall reading some negative things about York on this forum, so I'm ruling him out already.

The other two seemed very informative, and the first offered a Lennox 13ACD024 2-ton 13 seer as option one (the cheapest at $2350.00)

the second was a Carrier APA 024 2-ton 13 seer at $2550.00 and the third was a Carrier APA5024 2-ton 15 seer for $3150.00 although this model has a 330.00 rebate making it 2820.00

The other estimate I recieved is a bit higher with a Lennox 14ACX-024 2-ton 14 seer for $3159.00 after energy rebate and a 9% discount for paying by check.

Our house is roughly 1800 square feet and is a single story rambler. We live in Minnesota so air is not real important but is a luxery we don't want to be without.

My concerns are that maybe a 15 seer may be overkill for us? And is a Carrier a better brand than Lennox?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

John

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Comments (6)

ryanhughes
18 years ago
Those prices are surprisingly low. Be careful with low bids like this; they may be cutting corners somewhere. Get everything in writing. How was sizing determined? It's good that they all quoted the same size, as long as it's correct. I assume these prices are for a new lineset, electrical, coil, and condenser, right? The Carrier Performance units are higher quality than the Lennox models you've been quoted (as far as durability goes).
ryanhughes
18 years ago
At least get the model information for the York. York's Affinity products are great from what I hear. Their Latitude units are along the lines of the Lennox models you've been quoted. Be careful with phone quotes. The estimator cannot see the job site, has no idea what needs to be done, etc. 15 SEER units usually won't get 15 SEER without a variable-speed blower, so I wouldn't go past 14 SEER (which still may be hard to get without a variable-speed furnace).
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udarrell_2007
18 years ago
In your climate, I would get a quote on several brands including Goodman.

The cooling season is short in MN.

T agree with Ryan, I personally would NOT go above a 14-SEER.

First & foremost of importance is the correct order of proper procedures to follow for optimal efficiency of operation, & long trouble-free equipment performance.

Before you do anything else, educate yourself enough to ensure that you request the proper things be done in the proper order of sequence.

The ductwork system & airflow will need to be thoroughly checked.
- udarrell

Here is a link that might be useful: Air Conditioning & Ductwork Systems
baldloonie
18 years ago
The 13ACX is a cheapo unit, the Carrier APA series are very nice units so you aren't comparing like products. The Carriers are better built, much better coil & compressor protection and quieter.

I've heard some negative about reliability of the higher end York stuff but your basic units should be pretty simple.
johnny99
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks everyone for the info. and advice! I appreciate and will proceed accordingly. The carrier sounds like the way to go, Baldloonie, so your info. was very helpful.
centralairunits
16 years ago
"Those prices are surprisingly low. Be careful with low bids like this; they may be cutting corners somewhere. Get everything in writing. How was sizing determined? It's good that they all quoted the same size, as long as it's correct. I assume these prices are for a new lineset, electrical, coil, and condenser, right? The Carrier Performance units are higher quality than the Lennox models you've been quoted (as far as durability goes)." I like this consideration!