Air Conditioning - Carrier Quote

Received a quote today for a new 2-Ton unit was quoted $3K for Carrier 38CKC24-3; New Box Coil; Plenum and Drain Pan. I believe its a 12 SEER for the upstair.

2nd Unit Infinity 13 SEER 38TXA048 was quoted $4k same as above new Box Coil ,Plenum and Drain Pan.

The technician was really pushing the Infinity unit tells me its a superior unit not only because its a Carrier, but because the the Puron operates a a lower temperature and more efficiently. Does the quote seem reasonable? Also, I live in the Dallas area.

Did you get a few bids?

I think it sounds high, but it what they charge down there.

the Infiity system is a great system! They do a great job of temp control and humidty.. It would be great for you where you do get long hot summers.



not sure how big your home is? Make sure they do a heat lost on your home for a proper sized system.. If the system is over sized, it will short cycle, and you will not be comfotable.

I have a dead AC system and wanted to ask some questions. Does it make sense to replace the entire system or just the AC unit. I have a Carrier that has the air handler and furnace and then the evaporator to the plenum? What about an integrated unit with a heat pump? Also, what are the advantages or dis advantes of purchasing the equipment online and then hiring a technician to braze the connections and dispense the freon? The quote I received yesterday was to replace the outside condensor and inside evaporator with new box coil and plenum, pan for $3K (ouch). I see online deals for complete new units for $1,500 to $2,000. In my last house (8 years ago) I had a friend who was a AC guy purchase the unit I did the install and he brazed the lineset dispensed the freon and checked my work it turned out great. Any thoughts for the do-it-yourselfer in 2005?

First, it is illegal for someone to sell equipment to a non-EPA certified purchaser. I know it is done all the time, but the fact remains it is against the law.
Second, few manufacturers will honor warranties on equipment purchased on-line.
Regarding the addition of a heat pump: A heat pump using a gas furnace as aux heat is a nice set up.

The technician was really pushing the Infinity unit tells me its a superior unit not only because its a Carrier, but because the the Puron operates a a lower temperature and more efficiently
To stay with R22 yet will cost you less for now. They will still have R 22 till 2030. ASk him how much a lb is R410a
The cost they gave you sound good to me. for the units
Thats 6 ton of AC how big is the home? do you need all of that??
Heat pump can work there for you go http://www.warmair.net and compare fuels

For where you are Id go for a SEER of 14 or 16

ED

My upstair unit is shot the technican said something about less than 10 pounds of pressure the system we have approximately 1100SqFt of space the existing unit is a 2-ton. I'm not sure the 2-ton unit is efficient to cool the area since we moved in the house the AC never really worked that well he never did any tests to determine the size but said a new 2-ton unit would do it. The heater is the opposite it cranks. Should I replace the entire unit? Air Conditioning and Heating or just the AC-condenser and evaporator; the unit was installed in 1994? We don't spend that much time upstairs so I'm looking for a middle of the road unit that is somewhat affordable, but retains compatibility with the existing heater and relatively high seer. In reviewing some literature on Carrier today the CKC024-3 is only a 11.5 seer unit do I really need something at the 14 to 16 range.

Definately replace indoor and outdoor sections of the AC 14 SEER should be plenty, I'd stick to an R22 unit for nowYour likely to replace it after 12-15 years again so keep that in mind....by then there will be other improvements or problems found with the new gas

The existing Carrier air handler and furnace is a 10 seer. When I purchase the new compressor, condenser, and evaporator is it true that it will only be 10 because of the air handler? What is the maximum seer I can go to using the old unit?

BOTH sections are required...they are a uniquely MATCHED set. It's like buying shoes one at a time. Both will do the job of covering & protecting your feet. But one work boot and a penney loafer don't do the job quite as well.

To recap if the furnace that houses the air handler is 10 SEER then no matter what the new compressor and condensor and evaporator is the SEER will never be over 10? Please clarify?

If you put a 14 SEER outdoor unit on a 10 SEER air handler the new SEER rating would be somewhere in between, usually closer to the lower, of the two. In order to get what you pay for, you should replace both the indoor & outdoor sections. Some manufacturers will not warrant the outdoor unit if it is not installed with a matching indoor section.