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Looking to add AC to a 1050 sq foot home with the capacity to cool 500 sq foot if I ever finish the basement. The house already has gas forced air and is located in Denver.
Any tips for vetting an installer that won't screw me? How do I know they researched my house to determine the proper sized unit?
I was thinking it would be around 3 - 4 k for a 16 seer unit?
For the casual reader who doesn't live in Denver but still wants the question answered...
A contractor that adheres to ACCA standards will be able to provide the correct answers. Chief concerns are: a proper load calculation to determine capacity, account for/address duct leakage, establish the outdoor and indoor design conditions/temperatures, verify if the existing heating ductwork and grills can accommodate the larger volume required with A/C, can the existing furnace/blower accommodate the volume required for A/C, and can the existing electrical service handle the additional 25-50 amp load.
The dead give away that you're using a qualified outfit is if the blower pressure drop is measured. The drop known as TESP will indicate if the blower has the capacity to manage the additional airflow resistance that the new A/C coil is introducing to the system.
I don't recall ever seeing a heating only system in my area that readily accepts the addition of A/C without a blower (furnace) change and duct mods. I've given plenty of folks the bad news as to why their system works poorly though.