Air Conditioning - 3.5 Ton for 1700sqf house?

Hi all,

I live in a 1920 Colonial in Westchester NY. I am looking to install central AC into my home. I have gotten 5 quotes ranging from $8K to 15K for my house. I have decided on a single unit in the attic with duct work through the closets. I know this is not ideal, but this is what I decided.

Usually I don't go with the lowest cost provider, but the $8K quote has come highly recommended from 3 neighbors who says he is amazing! All he does is the install, not the service.

Anyway, Looks like American Standard 14 SEER Allegiance 14 and a Variable Speed handler from American Standard as well.

So, now my question. The house is about 1750 sqf. 2 of the rooms are sun rooms with 10 windows each. He is suggesting a 3.5 ton unit for the house. This sound about right? Most of the other quotes were 3.0-3.5.

One other question. He is providing Freon as opposed to Puron. Does it really make a difference at this point? I don't plan on being in the house for more then 5 more years anyway?!

With those two sun rooms, I'd be sure to insist on a written Manual J. If it were not for those two rooms, I don't think 3.5 tons is out of line. As for your selection of equipment; You are wasting your money. In 5 years you will never start to recover the extra cost of 14 SEER over 12 SEER and the only thing 90+% of the prospective buyers want to know about the A/C equipment is "How old is it?" according to a friend in the Real Estate business.
Freon (R-22) vs Puron (R-410a): I agree on your choice of refrigerants. R-22 will be available for many years to come & unless you have a leak, you should never need any additional refrigerant.

G,

Thanks for your input. The cost to go from 12 SEER to 14 SEER was minimal. I think he ate some of the cost in the install to close the deal.

J

If you can get a 14 for nearly the same cost as a 12, that's great as long as we are comparing apples to apples.

For sure go with the R 22 for now they will still make it till 2030. R 410a or Puron cost is to high and if you have a bad leak You have to recover what is there and replace all of it in the system. Go for the seer of 14 if cost is close.
Not there are see the job . But $8k to $15 K for 3.5 tons and duct work .Wish we got that much.

ED ;)

Ed,

Move up to the NE and you can get that.... CT does not even get that!

J

Ed, if you have ever had to run ductwork in one of those old colonials, you would know why it costs so much. What a pain they can be. ;)