Natural Gas Furnace and Central Air Conditioning (vinyl, Lowes, heating)

[eggalegga]

If you have either of these, what brands are they? How long have you had them? How is their performance and reliability?

I'm in the process of getting bids to have central air conditioning installed. In doing so, I'll be getting a new furnace as well. I have a 1550 sq ft home with bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, and living room on the upper level; family room, laundry room, and storage on the lower level. The necessary vents and duct work are already there. I work with a licensed HVAC guy so he will be one of the bids I'll be considering. He installs Coleman brand equipment. Have you heard anything about this brand? I only knew they supplied camping gear. Guess you learn something new every day.

Any other advice or things to consider?

Thanks.

[crazyma]

Coleman is part of York, which is now owned by Johnson Controls. Luxaire is also in the family. The manufacturing plant is here in Wichita.
My hubby would say go for it....Coleman was one of the brands he used as a HVAC contractor back in Atlanta. He also recommended you go ahead with a r-410a, as 22 is phasing out slowly but surely. Maybe 14 SEER or higher...depending on pricing and the efficency you want...
We currently have a York system. Other brands you might consider are Lennox and Rheem. IMO you pay more for the Carrier or Trane 'label'.

ah life, as a hvac wife, ha

[harborlady]

saw the coleman link- looks pretty efficient but not the highest seer in town @13 so I looked around to see which had higher seers.

some misc info I found from another blog expert on this subject (accessory costs related)

"I'm not a fan of two stage, variable speed, etc. The incremental savings going from 14 (you can do that with conventional technology) to 16 SEER do not justify the incremental cost and the associated repair liability.

You're being offered these systems because it's good business for contractors and manufacturers. "
"Buy a 13 or 14 SEER smaller unit (when multiple bids say 3ton, 2.5ton, 2ton) knowing it'll run for long periods at peak times in hot weather to optimize humidity. This option is not glamorous, doesn't cost a lot, is based on tried and true technology, and works. Oh yes, and you don't have a contractor salivating over the thought of selling a $1,000 blower motor when the variable speed motor quits (today's cost for the part, w/o labor).

You do need R410A, you don't need variable speed. The incremental savings are not worth the increased cost and risk."

Heating, Air Conditioning, Fridge, HVAC: HVAC systems, exact model number, seer rating

Hope that helps you keep costs reasonable for most bang for your buck.

[sweetana3]

We did a lot of research and replaced both with Trane units. Cannot tell you how great the results have been. Finally we have a totally warm or cool house. Originally the units were cheap builders brands and the heat exchanger rusted out.

We could have picked higher eff units but we discussed with company and even they did not suggest it. I think ours is around 90%. Our bills are great and very low and we are very happy.

In about Feb. March in Indiana, there are great sales since it is the slowest season for them and they want to keep their people working. I have had friends who paid much more during the winter or summer which are peak seasons.

[procfreq]

My A/C is also a Trane and is currently 20 years old and still kicking. We get it serviced every year, and the guys always tells us what great shape it's in. Knock wood, we've never even had the first hiccup with it, and (despite its relatively poor efficiency compared to newer models) our summer power bills remain surprisingly low. If I ever had to replace or buy an A/C for a different home, I'd probably stick with Trane, as this unit has me sold.

[Rakin]

I've been told that if you'll get at least a 14 seer unit the manufacturer is not that important. To meet todays govt standards the technology is about all the same and brand units should not vary much in quality.

I also understand several brands are made all in one location and privately branded.

I would try & go with a name you've heard in the past.

[eggalegga]

Thanks to all of you who have replied. If anyone else wants to chime in, please do.

Originally Posted by harborlady

saw the coleman link- looks pretty efficient but not the highest seer in town @13 so I looked around to see which had higher seers.

....two stage, variable speed, etc. The incremental savings going from 14 (you can do that with conventional technology) to 16 SEER do not justify the incremental cost and the associated repair liability.

You're being offered these systems because it's good business for contractors and manufacturers. "
"Buy a 13 or 14 SEER smaller unit (when multiple bids say 3ton, 2.5ton, 2ton) knowing it'll run for long periods at peak times in hot weather to optimize humidity. This option is not glamorous, doesn't cost a lot, is based on tried and true technology, and works. Oh yes, and you don't have a contractor salivating over the thought of selling a $1,000 blower motor when the variable speed motor quits (today's cost for the part, w/o labor).

You do need R410A, you don't need variable speed. The incremental savings are not worth the increased cost and risk."

Heating, Air Conditioning, Fridge, HVAC: HVAC systems, exact model number, seer rating

Hope that helps you keep costs reasonable for most bang for your buck.

So two stage, variable speed isn't necessarily a good thing, right? It might cut down on power consumption, but the wear on the motor isn't worth it?

Can you clarify your post about optimizing humidity in peak times in hot weather with a 13 or 14 SEER? I live in an extremely dry climate (Utah). Anything about 35% is considered humid. Summer days usually have humidity at less than 20% and on really hot days the humidity can fall below 10%. Would this dry climate factor into a decision on SEER choice?

[Rakin]

Drop by a new neighborhood in your area and see what several good builders are doing. Most here are still doing 14 seer but I know of one that's at 16 (which maybe the new standard soon)

[texdav]

I haven't heard many good things about coleman units really but alot of bad. Coleman and goodman seem to be cheaper unit that many builders of non-custom use in their satndard homes unless you pay to upgrade. I would check with Reem or Carrier for two examples.Usually cost more depending onthe unit but tehy are known for quality.Check google and youy will even see places that give cost.Gas heat and electric force air is a good choice and much preferable to forced air cooling and heating.You will find that units with a expnsion valve are higher but they reduce the humidity that can be a problem in soe places so it seems cooler at a higher setting. Also helps with mold problems.

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by eggalegga

Thanks to all of you who have replied. If anyone else wants to chime in, please do.




So two stage, variable speed isn't necessarily a good thing, right? It might cut down on power consumption, but the wear on the motor isn't worth it?

Can you clarify your post about optimizing humidity in peak times in hot weather with a 13 or 14 SEER? I live in an extremely dry climate (Utah). Anything about 35% is considered humid. Summer days usually have humidity at less than 20% and on really hot days the humidity can fall below 10%. Would this dry climate factor into a decision on SEER choice?

I'm not an HVAC expert, I've just been making similar info searches and saw your post. Not sure where texdav got his impressions from but consumer digest calls coleman a best buy. Maybe he's going on older info? They don't seem to have any dealers for my zip code and I've never heard of them before.

What I posted above in quotes came directly from that link included. The cost benefits of a variable speed just don't add up right according to this guy for the reasons you said. You could always post a question on that blog link directly about your drier climate of utah.

Based on this guy's advice, I'd think you'd do better to spare yourself the variable speed option and invest in beefing up insulation properties on the house to optimize your bill (or increasing your SEER through this secondary approach in other words). Not sure if that's a tax write off for this year or not- check IRS website to see if congress got off their keister on that bill extension for energy efficient homes.

Make sure you've got solar shades to reduce summer heat gain on southern exposure windows- that helps out so much more than most realize & many low tech solutions available. I've heard good things about cellular shades, plastic film glass tinting has mixed success, I've used mylar mirrored shades with success, and old fashioned vinyl works on a tight budget during heatwaves. More than one thread in house forum speaks in details if you'd like to read more. Awnings, overhangs, windbreaks/strategic landscaping are also your friend.