Air Conditioning - Buying new A/C system..things to condsier

Good day all,

We just bought an older fixer upper house in the northeast that needs central air added

Since I've had good luck getting some heating questions answered on this site, thought I would throw out my A/C questions too.


Some initial issues..

The cost of using 2 compressors v. 1 is about 4k higher for install....is it worth the initial outlay to have an upper/lower zone? Does venting the 1st floor from the basement pose any issues with cold air sitting on the floor v. having it come down from the attic.

Do the ducts need to be near the exterior walls? someone told me that since the front of the house faces SW, if I don't have the duct near the window, it may never get comfy on hot days....if I need to do this it requires 2 zones, not 1 so this is a biggie issue.

Brands--any that people recommend? Any to stay away from? One price we got was 2k higher for Trane v. Ammana

Install ?--what should I be spec as far as, insulation ratings, location of ducts/trunks, etc...any other install things to consider

Anything else you think I should consider/ask and any good resources (besides this one) that might have it all spelled out

The more info the better so that I can select the right contractor and also the right systems.

Thanks in advance..

Zone systems have problems. Better to go with two systems. It will cost more upfront but cheaper to run. The registers should be located near windows on an outside wall. A manual D would be recommended for proper air flow. Trane will be a better brand than the Ammana. That being said equipment is all about the same theses days, just some equipment has thicker steel and has more bells and whistles on it. Insulation should be R-6. Your to most important questions or if they or going to do a manual D and J if they are not tell them to thank you for their time and to have a nice day.

First Is this a flip house or will you stay in it for 10 years??
If you will stay in it go for 2 units one up one down for sure.
go for a a SEER of 15 or more. Go to http://www.warmair.net and compare fuel cost there . See if a heatpump is not the best way to go there? Look into a Trane unit with the 10 year warranty and V/S blowers. I know its more $$ now . But will pay you back in the long run. Like said make sure they run a heat loss and a AC load on the home . Get 3 bids. Also what the company sells that has been there the longest time is the best one to go with.

thinking of upgrading furnace and adding central ac, single level, about 1200 sq ft. problem is, heat registers are in the floor as well as the 3 cold air returns, each one being about 10 feet from a heat register. will that cause a problem with the central ac cooling efficiently?

It is what it is
Heat is more effective when delivered from down low and cooling when delivered from up high but you can't have it both ways without alot of extra costs.

I'm not a brand snob but I recommend against

Coleman
Amana
Aire-Flo
Intertherm

I'd say the quality of the installation and the reputation of the company (how far do they go to make the customer happy?) make more difference than the equipment itself.

Regarding 2 vs 1: I think you'll be happier with 2.

:) I'm not a brand snob here either!

I run between 1000 and 1500 service repair calls every year and EVERYTHING breaks down! I'll agree with some of the guys below.

1. Get something with at least a 10 year warranty.

1a. Find a company that has been in business a good while and will warranty their install. Ask around. heck, take out an ad in the paper asking for customer referals :>

2. INSIST that whatever evaporator coil they put in is the SAME as the brand of unit your getting, don't let them stick some generic coil up there like an Allstyle coil. You'll regret it! heh.

3. INSIST that they put in at least 25 to 50% more return air than needed and larger return grills. A HUGE number of the systems I see have great systems but suffer from airflow problems. Not enough return air space and sometimes not enough supply.

4. If you haven't thought about filtering yet I'd at least have them put in a filter base that will take 4 or 5" filters:
http://americanhvacparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Afilc
...assuming you don't upgrade to electronic filtration. Anyway the 4 or 5" cost more but you can go up to 6 months without a change a lot of times.

5. I know zoning is the new, cool, blah blah thing but I'd NEVER put it on my 2 story house. First time that sucker breaks down and it's hotter then the roof you'll kick yourself! Redundancy is a great thing and if one goes out and your having a budget problem you can sleep in the other area for a while :)

6. If the units are being installed in the attic make sure they hang them and they're not sitting on blocks, 2x4's etc.

7. Make sure that all of the start collars for the air ducts on the unit have mastic on them (look like plaster) to seal them air tight. the same for around the returns coming out of the wall or ceiling and the supply vents if possible.

8. Make sure they put in a large enough lineset (copper lines to the outside unit) for they size/tonnage system you have and for the type of freon you are using (r-22, 410a)

9. Might as well put in a R-410a system now because they are quickly phasing out the manufacturing of new r-22 freon kind of like they did r-12 for cars. It will all be recycled freon in a while which will run the cost way up. An r-22 system might be cheaper though depending on your budget. Higher Seer (effiency) system will cost more money but will be a lower electric bill.

10. Normally I would suggest a heat pump but you said you live in the n.e. so that might not work out for you...gas furnace if possible.

...I'm sure there are lots of stuff we've forgotten but that should give you enough to nail bite over for a while! heh.

Take care,
Michael