New central air conditioner energy standards (14 SEER) take effect

[tiger08]

Originally Posted by WriterDude

Good point. I personally find the standards a little confusing (not to mention that if you do research on the higher-SEER units, people seem to say they are a lot more finicky and require more maintenance).

After all of the research I've done, my head is whirling. Cathedralized insulation? R30 compared to R38? Don't get me started on HERS ratings. I think I need a nap.

Higher seer units use ECM blower motors that are very expensive to repair and often misdiagnosed. Higher seer units also use thermostatic expansion devices which have been around for years but over the last few years, they had a bad batch of them go around that caused many breakdowns.

Have to also remember that just because a higher seer system is installed, doesnt mean power bills will drop tremendously. Seer rating is kind of like mpg ratings on a vehicle, a properly sized unit must be installed to get the best efficiency out of the system.

[WriterDude]

Originally Posted by tiger08

Higher seer units use ECM blower motors that are very expensive to repair and often misdiagnosed. Higher seer units also use thermostatic expansion devices which have been around for years but over the last few years, they had a bad batch of them go around that caused many breakdowns.

Have to also remember that just because a higher seer system is installed, doesnt mean power bills will drop tremendously. Seer rating is kind of like mpg ratings on a vehicle, a properly sized unit must be installed to get the best efficiency out of the system.

I appreciate the explanation, and I'm honestly not stupid at all, but to my eyes, your comment looked like this...

Higher seer units [omglikewhat?] use [omgwhat?] that are very expensive [omghowexpensive?] to repair and often misdiagnosed [omginwhatway?]. Higher seer units also use [omgwhat?] which have been around for years [omghowlongt?] but over the last few years, they had a bad batch [omgwhatwasbad?] of them go around that caused many breakdowns [omgwhathappenswhentheybreak?].

[kell490]

The OP must own a AC business trying to get people to buy AC units. It takes 10-15 years to get an ROI if you compare 13 seer to 19 seer I would bet 13-14 seer is less then $10 a year. The warranty's have long run out on it and one failure your replacing the unit again never really making up the difference in Electricity cost. Lots of crooked AC business tactics here in Arizona they tell you anything to get you spend money. It's nice that the lower end units are 14 seer as the cost will be low next time I replace mine I only go with the cheapest unit an can get. My last unit a goodman 4 ton I had installed for $3000 13 seer it has lasted 8 years now not one issue. My neighbor bought a high end unit cost him $9000 installed he has had his unit fixed several times. I will be able to replace mine unit 3 times if I needed to to match what he spent. Over the next 20 years If I had to replace mine it will still be under some warranty and each time I get a higher SEER as the minimum is raised.

Real cost savings is making sure your ducts are sealed and your home is insulated properly. Using fan's, and keeping the air moving and the thermostat up a few degrees. Look for an energy star home when you are in the market for a new home.

[MaryAguila]

Reminds me of how long it takes to break even on the premium you pay for hybrid car....

[observer53]

Originally Posted by kell490

The OP must own a AC business trying to get people to buy AC units. It takes 10-15 years to get an ROI if you compare 13 seer to 19 seer I would bet 13-14 seer is less then $10 a year. The warranty's have long run out on it and one failure your replacing the unit again never really making up the difference in Electricity cost. Lots of crooked AC business tactics here in Arizona they tell you anything to get you spend money. It's nice that the lower end units are 14 seer as the cost will be low next time I replace mine I only go with the cheapest unit an can get. My last unit a goodman 4 ton I had installed for $3000 13 seer it has lasted 8 years now not one issue. My neighbor bought a high end unit cost him $9000 installed he has had his unit fixed several times. I will be able to replace mine unit 3 times if I needed to to match what he spent. Over the next 20 years If I had to replace mine it will still be under some warranty and each time I get a higher SEER as the minimum is raised.

Real cost savings is making sure your ducts are sealed and your home is insulated properly. Using fan's, and keeping the air moving and the thermostat up a few degrees. Look for an energy star home when you are in the market for a new home.

The OP does not, he's just very interested in subjects like this.

Good advice in your post.

[ji603]

Originally Posted by kell490

The OP must own a AC business trying to get people to buy AC units. It takes 10-15 years to get an ROI if you compare 13 seer to 19 seer I would bet 13-14 seer is less then $10 a year. The warranty's have long run out on it and one failure your replacing the unit again never really making up the difference in Electricity cost. Lots of crooked AC business tactics here in Arizona they tell you anything to get you spend money. It's nice that the lower end units are 14 seer as the cost will be low next time I replace mine I only go with the cheapest unit an can get. My last unit a goodman 4 ton I had installed for $3000 13 seer it has lasted 8 years now not one issue. My neighbor bought a high end unit cost him $9000 installed he has had his unit fixed several times. I will be able to replace mine unit 3 times if I needed to to match what he spent. Over the next 20 years If I had to replace mine it will still be under some warranty and each time I get a higher SEER as the minimum is raised.

Real cost savings is making sure your ducts are sealed and your home is insulated properly. Using fan's, and keeping the air moving and the thermostat up a few degrees. Look for an energy star home when you are in the market for a new home.

Second the good advice in this post.