From what I see on the American Standard web site, the Platinum Series is a inverter type condenser, compared to the Gold Series has a 2-stage or dual compressors. Without any other information, it would seem getting an inverter condenser and the matching thermostat would be worth the extra $1400.

I see there is also a variable speed Platinum 18 condenser which can achieve up to 18 SEER. Did you also get a quote on that model? I suspect you were give the quote on the 20 SEER in order to qualify for additional energy credits.

Are these condensers being paired with a furnace or air handler? I assume in either case they are variable speed. I would be concerned about using the Nest thermostat with the Gold 17 condenser. Depending on the equipment your are buying, the Nest is not going to able to communicate with the furnace or air handler for optimum humidity control. It would be helpful if you posted the model numbers of all the equipment that has been quoted. The most important thing is the equipment is properly sized and installed correctly. You can buy the top of the line equipment but it will never operate correctly if it is the wrong size or the installation was not correct.

It will also be helpful if you posted the size of your house, your location, and what you typically spend each year to cool your house.

I am trying to make a similar decision. I live in South Florida and a good AC unit is extremely important. I had the Rheem 20 SEER variable speed AC installed and it is not sufficiently cooling the back of the house (whereas my previous Rheem 18 SEER 2 stage unit did the trick just fine). The variable speed model didn't seem to blow hard enough at the low speed to push the air to the back of the house. The thermostat was also problematic. The AC company is offering to replace the Rheem with the American Standard 18 SEER Platinum model mentioned above, which can be set to a minimum blowing speed. Again, there is a required thermostat which does not seem to get great reviews. I would like to use a variable speed because it is quieter, but am hesitant to go with another variable speed AC. Not sure whether to go with the American Standard variable AC or a different 2 stage model. Do you have any suggestions Mike?

Wonderful questions, Mike! Our house is 3,200 sq. ft. in total on 2 floors (a cottage/ranch with a basement), with a bit more than 1,800 of those sq. ft. on the main floor and the rest in the basement (with attached garage). We are in Northern Virginia -- steamy summers and s-o-m-e snow each winter but not, like, midwestern-level cold for the most part. Our quotes are as follows (sorry for the all-caps, but that's on the quote):

1) AMERICAN STANDARD PLATINUM 95% EFFICIENCY FURNACE M#AUHMC100ACV4VB, EVAPORATOR COIL M#4TXCC007DS3HCA, GOLD 17 SEER A/C SYSTEM M#4A7A7048B1000A.

2) AMERICAN STANDARD PLATINUM 95% EFFICIENCY FURNACE M#AUHMC100ACVVB, 4 TON EVAPORATOR COIL M#4TXCC007DS3HCA, 20 SEER PLATINUM A/C M#4A7V0048A1000B, NEXIA CONTROL THERMOSTAT M#1050

I agree with everything mike said...what is your location?...if you purchase a fully communicating system, then you want the proprietary AS thermostat model from AS to accomplish this. Don’t get hung up on a few SEER points. The Platinum 18 is an excellent idea as opposed to the Gold 2 stage model which is fine but not communicating.

TD

In terms of the cost to cool the house, I can give you the annual cost of our gas & electric bill, but that would also (of course) include the rest of our energy usage. It's about $3,000 - 4,000/year.

I am now seeing your quotes. Several things jump out. Basements carry little load both heating and cooling. I would say you are being oversized on both quotes. On quote #1, you don’t need a communicating furnace with a non communicating AC condenser,

TD

What size (tons) was the original Rheem 18 SEER, and what is the size of the Rheem 20 SEER? What thermostat do you have? How many attempts have their to fix the problem? Why does the contractor think the American Standard 18 SEER Platinum condenser is going to fix the problem?

My first thought is that this is an installation and/or set up problem. I am not an expert on Rheem equipment. But if you have the correct thermostat, then I would think it could be set up to have a minimum air flow on the lowest stage. It is also unusual for the installer is willing the eat the cost of the condenser as a way to fix the problem.

I assume this contractor is neither a Rheem or an American Standard dealer. Has the contractor called in the Rheem representative to figure out what is the issue?

They are 4 ton units. We also have a separate Rheem single stage 2 ton unit which is working just fine. They are a Rheem and American Standard dealer. They have been in contact with Rheem but aren't able to figure out a way to set up the minimum air flow, whereas they say they can do that on the American Standard. There were problems on the initial install with it not communicating, but they realized it was the thermostat that was malfunctioning and replaced it.

The front of the house is cold and the back is 3 degrees warmer. Never had this problem with the Rheem 18 SEER 2 stage.

Tigerdunes, we currently have a 3.5 ton unit and it works great but we know the American Standard units are 4 tons... unforunately (or so we are told) they don't have 3.5 ton options. What other things jump out and what would you advise?

We have two conversations going on at the same time. Let's try to keep some order.

Nancy Trainer,

If the main floor of the ranch is 1,800 sq feet, then I agree with Tigerdunes that 4 tons is too large. The 3 ton size should be fine. Don't fall for the "if it is over sized it will run on the low stage most of the time" story. Your duct work may not be large enough to handle the 4 ton of air flow.

Lisa,

If the you do go ahead the American Standard condenser, then will you have a mismatched system? If the equipment is the communicating type, then how will the thermostat work?

If you want to continue the discussion, then I suggest you start a new posting. I am happy to help as best I can once you have set it up.

Remember that the American Standard brand is owned by Ingersoll Rand which also produces HVAC products under the Trane brand.

The American Standard Platinum 20 is the same as the Trane XV20i

The American Standard Gold 17 is the same as the Trane XR17

• American Standard brochure
• Trane brochure

You might want to get quotes from a Trane dealer to compare with those of an American Standard dealer before buying. The Trane website shows "savings" on its products.

Multiple brands from one company is common. For example, Amana is Goodman, Ruud is Rheem, Day and Night and Bryant are Carrier.

the post from Lisa should be put on her own thread not piggybacking onto Nancy Trainor thread. This keeps things orderly and less confusing..

Thx

I have had a Trane heat pump with multi-stage condenser/compressor and variable speed air handler since 2003 and I love it. I had to replace the compressor in 2015 because it suffocated itself to death and fried the electronics. My fault. I had a huge cottonwood tree in my back yard and my clothes dryer vent exhaust near the compressor. And no service tech ever advised me to hose down the outside of the compressor and get rid of the stuff reducing the flow of air into the unit. Both have had an SEER of 18. In 2003 that was the top of the line and in 2015 it was next to top of the line.

I will definitely ask about the 3 ton versions... any opinion about whether I should choose the 20 Platinum vs. the 17 Gold? Am I right that I could use the Nest thermostat with the 17 Gold or must I change thermostats in any case?

first Nancy, get sized correctly. On the furnace I would drop down to no more than the 80 K model whether the fully communicating modulating or the two stage VS speed model. No more than a 3 ton condenser whether the XV20, XV18, or 2 stage Gold 17. IMO, I would want to know price difference btw XV18 and XV20 condenser models. On the thermostats, if you go with the modulating var speed condensers, then the matching AmSTd communicating thermostat. On the Gold 17 and a two stage var speed furnace model, the Nest should be fine. What are you doing about filter media cabinets?

TD

Haven't heard from the technician what he's suggesting re: filter media cabinets. Regarding XV18 vs. XV20, he told me the difference was just a few hundred dollars, and he thought the difference in energy efficiency made it worth not even looking at XV18.

Am I reading right that you think the furnace is too large as well?

Yes, no more than 80 K size regardless of one you go with!....

TD