.97 static pressure is too high and not energy efficient to run at (the blower ramps up to maintain proper airflow). I'm sure your system is noisy with that type of static. They need to design your ductwork in accordance to Manual J standards. This could mean a completely new ductwork system. Your system, on high cooling, probably wants to push around 800 cfm. I personally think you need more supplies or to increase the current ones. What was the size of the old system? The system's size sounds right; the ductwork seems to be your problem.

Ryan,

The old system was a 3 ton Carrier AC unit and a Carrier furnace (sorry no more details known). There had been condensation forming around the uninsulated metal boots going into the house. This lead to water accumulating in the ductwork, and required the replacement of the ductwork.

Your advice a week or so ago was extremely helpful as one company was pushing a 3.5 ton Lennox and did not address the water in the ductwork. I feel the actual system is a good fit for me, it just needs the ductwork to be properly designed.

I presumed that as the ductwork was being replaced, there was appropriate consideration given to making any neccessary changes. I may have presumed too much. The company seems to be more concerned with the amount of return rather than supply, but I am sure there will be additional discussions on the matter, so I appreciate being as educated as possible in a short period of time.

Thanks for the confirmation that .97 static pressure is unacceptable. I may have to consider adding return and or supply floor vents to cure this problem. I will find out if the Manual J standards are being met.

Unfortunately, many wimp out when it comes to duct design and install and just go by rules of thumb. Good thing the Infinity can determine the static pressure. Don't be surprised if you get the "deer in headlights" look when you mention Manual J. Your return and supply fittings at the air handler may be restrictive, too.

That would be ACCA Manual D "Residential Duct Systems". Is the 0.97" the total of supply and return, or just the supply reading? If it's supply only, you have a huge problem. That furnace can deliver as much as 1,400 CFM in cooling, and delivers 1,500 CFM on High Heat; you need 800+/-, you might want to make sure he's set for the right CFM (you may be delivering too much air, thus the noise). FYI: Operation beyond 0.50" in the two ton setting "is not recommended, because the high-heat operation will be above 1.0" ESP" (that's from the Carrier catalog).

Very good point about making sure the airflow setting is correct. On the Infinity controller, what does it say your airflow is? I'm not sure how to find this on the controller, but there should be a way to determine this from the controller.

Open the bottom flap on the Infinity t-stat and press and hold the 'advanced' button for 10 sec. When that menu pops up, scroll down to 'service' and select. Then scroll to 'AC status' and select and read.

As and example for you: On 'low' fan setting (we keep ours on that for the 2 story vaulted end of the house in daytime), our readings are:

airflow CFM = 1050
blower rpm = 1020
static press. = .51

Exit 'advanced' by pressing that button again.

You can get the CFM, RPM and static press. for each fan speed (low, med, hi) by exiting and then changing the fan to next highest speed and then going back into advanced again.

Take all those readings to the installers for whatever proof you need.

You have ductwork problems, thus the need for your blower to ramp up to 1". This increases "Air Movement Energy", an important component of SEER; as a result, your SEER is 10+% less than advertised.

As I like to say "You're Wasting Energy Efficiently", and needless to say, your ductwork is not "Green".