Advice needed for 1st HVAC purchase

10 years ago

Last fall my husband & I bought a distress sale house (single
story, 1,300 sq feet) north of Augusta, GA (hot, humid summers, mild winters =
heat pump). We got through the winter
using a wood burning stove (it will remain our primary heat source), but will
need to replace the ’97 Goodman HVAC, 2.5 ton 14 seer unit soon.

The real
value of this house is that it is on 8 wooded acres, otherwise the house is a
little on the cheap side. We have not
done a load calculation because we will be replacing the existing deck with a
screened porch, adding windows/insulation, French doors, metal roof, etc. All
of our renovations are based on improving the house but not so high as to out
price its value when we sell it.

Everything
on the HVAC system needs to be replaced except for some the existing ductwork
that will be sealed.

Some of the estimates we have so far

Rheem 2 ton, 14 seer $6,500

Carrier 2.5 ton 14 seer single speed $7,800

Carrier 3 ton 16 seer single speed $9,800

Carrier 3 ton 18 seer variable speed $11,800

(sorry, I don’t have model numbers for these units)

Trane XV20, 20 seer, air handler TAM8A0C36 $10,959

Trane XR17 17 seer air handler TAM7A0C36 $8,990

Thank you in advance for any advice you might have

Featured Answer

PRO

Austin Air Companie

10 years ago

I would wait to replace the AC system until after the footprint work of the house is done. If you're adding additional areas to the home that need cooling / heating and replacing / upgrading windows and adding insulation this can change the size of HVAC system you need.

8 wooded acres sounds like a nice property. I know if I owned it, I would never sell it. Make it what you want it to be and enjoy it.

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Comments (6)

Maureen Burgess
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you, ACC. The property is great, but the house needs a lot of work. The previous owners trashed the place & then it sat empty for 3 years. Our planned renovations are going to take a couple of years & the present HVAC won't make it that long. I've gotten the impression most of the guys who have come to give us estimates either deal with double wides exclusively or they deal only with high end homes. Only one guy has taken into consideration that we are in the middle and what the renovations will entail (that was the Trane guy). Unfortunately, the HVAC, roof, and water erosion problems need to fixed in the next few months before we can move on to the next slew of problems. Thank you again
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weedmeister
10 years ago
If you are going to sell this fairly soon, I wouldn't spend money on a high end system. 14-seer system should be just fine. Look and see if you have an American Standard dealer around and get an estimate from them. Also ask the Trane guy to quote a X15 system single stage with fix blower and variable.
Maureen Burgess thanked weedmeister
sktn77a
10 years ago
Those prices seem high for GA. But you got several estimates and they are all high, so I guess that's the going rate. I'm concerned by the range of sizes proposed, 2 ton, 2.5 ton, 3 ton. Did anyone do a heating/cooling load determination. You don't want to oversize your system in the humid south and definitely get a variable speed air handler and a dehumidifying thermostat.
Maureen Burgess thanked sktn77a
Maureen Burgess
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you Weedmeister and Sktna for your thoughts on this. We'll take a look for American Standard and the Trane X15.

We did get lower quotes, but these are from the guys who were pushing Goodmans and seemed to be from the "double wide" crowd. It was like pulling teeth to get model numbers etc. from them. It makes me a little nervous dealing with them if something goes sideways.

The Trane guy offered to do a load calculation, but that value will change with the renovations/remodeling we're going to do. He was also recognized our problem will be humidity. The present HVIAC is a 2.5 ton and that seems the magic number for the house. I'm beginning to get why a variable speed is a must.

Thank you again!
Maureen Burgess
Original Author
10 years ago
We got an $8000 bid on a Trane XR 17. The unit got sent to the wrong address, but never run? What do you all think?

1.New pad

2.new electrical disconnect box

3. New thermostat(programmable and wifi compatible)

4. New return work being done to improve smaller return that is currently with high wall grille. Also replace filter grille in LR to match new one.

Also re running of return line to get it out of way of front side of system.

5. New copper refrigerant lines.

6. Removal of all current equipment.

7. Sealing up of all duct connections at the return and supply plenum with the attachment of the new larger air handler.
1. Spot wrapping of some of the deficient areas that are lacking in installation.
2. Charging system with refrigerant, testing and starting up new system.
10. This service includes a 1 year Comfort Club Membership(the name of our service program)

11. This includes all taxes, permits, labor and inspections.