Need A/C advice please. ( 20 seer vs 16 seer)

5 years ago

We are building a home, the builder standard is a 16 seer Trane a/c. My husband wants a 20 seer Trane, and we were quoted 5k. We learned the model xl20i is discontinued, and should be xv20i. Also not sure if it is a package including air handler. Not sure who to ask about this or other detailed wuestions, as we are dealing with a sales rep. We need experienced insight to decide on what the upgrade should be. appreciate any info from someone who knows a thing about this.

Featured Answer

maifleur03

5 years ago

Not an expert but currently thinking of replacing. The higher the SEER the greater the efficiency. If you live in the northern states you can get by with a lower number as you move south the higher. Look on the internet for information but the questions you should be asking is it a two stage system. Does it have a variable speed blower. How quiet is that brand. Are there any energy credits or manufactures rebates and where are they going.

Sometimes higher efficiency is not needed but I would go with your husband although not necessarily his brand on this one.

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Comments (9)

weedmeister
5 years ago
As the SEER numbers go up, the cost per number gets greater.

How long are you going to live there? If not 20 years, you may never make up that $5000 in cost savings.

If you are in a warm/humid state, you will want a variable speed/multi stage system to help with humidity removal.

Oh, and that price should indeed include an air handler.
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Maddie
Original Author
5 years ago
@weedmeister we do intend to stay there for as long as the lord allows. Reading about these models, they are variable...this is what my husband wanted. The home is 2700 sq ft, one story, and we are in Florida, central east coast. Thanks for your response.
Maddie
Original Author
5 years ago
@maifleur03 thanks, are you seeing any info on a better brand, appreciate anything you can share.
Maddie
Original Author
5 years ago
Ok so the quote is to upgrade from builder std so we would not get any rebates, I believe. When we looked for decibels, think I saw apx 55 db.
weedmeister
5 years ago
With compressors, there are single-, 2-, and multi-stage units. I think the 20 SEER in the Trane is a multi-stage model. That is, it communicates with the air handler and thermostat and decides how fast to run. I think there are 5 levels. I think the 16 is single, but it may be 2-stage.

People have their brands that they like and dislike. Trane/American Standard, Carrier/Bryant, Lennox, etc. They all have good and not so good.
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sktn77a
5 years ago
We went from a 10 SEER condenser with single speed blower to a 16 SEER unit with variable speed blower. Didn't see any measurable difference in electric usage (despite the 60% greater efficiency of the new unit). Go figure!

Can't really answer your question without more info (model numbers of the condensers and air handlers, installation details. price of the 16 SEER vs price of the 20 SEER, etc, etc).
maifleur03
5 years ago
Maddie I can give you no hint on brand. So far in looking I have not found a system that does everything I want it to do in any brand. This area of the country can be over 100 with 80% humidity although the recent summers have had less humidity than what used to be normal. Winters can be in the minus teens or like today lower 60s. There also appears that some areas receive from the companies those units that the company believes would work best in certain areas. Which means models here might not be available in your area.
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mike_home
5 years ago
A 2-stage variable speed AC will provide better humidity control in Florida's climate. If you plan to live in the house a long time then that would be a good investment. It does not mean you have to spend the extra money to upgrade to a 20 SEER model. There is usually a big price difference between a 16 SEER and 20 SEER rated AC. You may not see the pay back on paying for the extra efficiency.

What is being done for heating? Is it electric heat strips only with the AC?

Your builder needs to give you the complete model numbers of all the equipment he is proposing in the upgrade. It would also be good to know the size of the house and the approximate location. You don't want to install over sized equipment. It will provide poor humidity control and cost more to run.
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