HVAC experts

[daughtersrus]

We're looking to replace our furnace and air conditioner in the near future so we're gathering estimates. All are good sales people so they make their product sound like its what we need.

Our house is two stories, a little over 2,400 sq ft plus a full basement.

The air conditioners seem the same besides brand. So far one is American Standard and one Trane. They are both 3.5 ton 13 SEER.

The difference is with the furnace. Both are 80%, 100,000 BTU but the Trane is a 5 ton blower and the American Standard is 4 ton blower.

The quote for the Trane package is about $1,200 more than the package for the American Standard with the smaller blower.

I honestly don't know which brand is better or if we need a 5 ton blower.

 

[Art 1]

Both brands are the about the same. With that sq ft and being two stories you would be best with the 5 ton blower. What would even be better would be 2 systems if you live in a hot climate.

 

[Art 1]

Also that tonnage seems small for that, but then again I don't know what climate you are in. Also, your duct work might need enlarged a bit.

 

[tvguy]

I have a Trane, and my service advisor mentioned that American Standard and Trane are the same company and same equipment, but American Standard has a lower price.

 

[tvguy]

Also that tonnage seems small for that, but then again I don't know what climate you are in. Also, your duct work might need enlarged a bit.

You certainly should have a size calculation done, but that seems spot on for 2,400 square feet.

 

[PlutoPony]

We had it down to 2 makes when replacing our heat + cool system. Asked the installer which company he preferred doing business with - was one easier to deal with on warranty, etc. They replied that one company had a much better parts distributor, who went the extra mile to get parts asap and were open Saturdays if needed. That made our decision for us. Maybe your installer has similar insight they can give you on the 2 companies.....

 

[daughtersrus]

Both brands are the about the same. With that sq ft and being two stories you would be best with the 5 ton blower. What would even be better would be 2 systems if you live in a hot climate.

We are in the suburbs of Chicago. Warm/Hot summers and Cold winters.

I'm not sure if it makes a difference but we have a loft that is open to the family room below as well as an open railing in the upstairs hall that also looks over the family room.

 

[PlutoPony]

We also have 2 floors + a basement, and 1 unit (well a 2nd unit just for the sun room but that's another story). We ended up adding an electronic damper system and put a thermostat in the 2nd floor so we could regulate the 2 floors separately. It works like we had a system for each floor, which is the way we would have done it had we built the house. Love this solution, it's so hard to have 1 system for 2 floors. You might consider something like that, although it does add cost, and takes an installer that's familiar with electronic dampering (used more in commercial buildings than residential I believe).

 

[EMAW_KSU]

You certainly should have a size calculation done, but that seems spot on for 2,400 square feet.

How can you determine that with only knowing one variable?

 

[bcla]

I have a Trane, and my service advisor mentioned that American Standard and Trane are the same company and same equipment, but American Standard has a lower price.

Ingersoll Rand. However, it should be noted that a lot of brand names are often split off and essentially turned into marketing names for different industries. American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning has nothing to do with the American Standard brand used for plumbing, other than some licensing deals to use the name and logo.

 

[tvguy]

How can you determine that with only knowing one variable?

I have a similar sized home with similar sized units. Not sure what other variable there would be.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

I have a similar sized home with similar sized units. Not sure what other variable there would be.

Location
volume of the house
type of insulation
air infiltration rate
number of windows
window type
number of doors
type of doors
how many occupants

just to list a few

 

[Tiggeroo]

variables can include how much glazing, insulation levels, how happy you have been with similar sized units before...Frequently with high ceilings and open spaces like lofts 2 systems are better.

 

[tvguy]

Location
volume of the house
type of insulation
air infiltration rate
number of windows
window type
number of doors
type of doors
how many occupants

just to list a few

Well OP has had two professionals examine their home, and their recommendations are inline with what I would expect for a typical home of that size. OP's question was more about the brands bid.

 

[Art 1]

Well OP has had two professionals examine their home, and their recommendations are inline with what I would expect for a typical home of that size. OP's question was more about the brands bid.

I'm sure she's getting whats correct for her area. For a house in Orlando where I am much of the time that would be too small, for the one up way up north more so the 3.5. And it would only be used a few times a year. Like the above poster said, too many variables. I've done this for many, many years.

 

[tvguy]

I'm sure she's getting whats correct for her area. For a house in Orlando where I am much of the time that would be too small, for the one up way up north more so the 3.5. And it would only be used a few times a year. Like the above poster said, too many variables. I've done this for many, many years.

So you agree with me that the OP is on the right track? Not sure why folks are questioning me agreeing with 2 pros who have considered all the variables and seen the house. At least here, you need a permit to replace HVAC and the building department has to approve the size unit.

 

[bcla]

I remember when I got a new A/C unit for my rental house, the owner of the business said that it was a tradeoff between efficiency and maximum cooling. It was between a 2.5 ton and 3 ton unit for my house, and the smaller one was recommended and installed. He also said he'd make more money selling me a larger unit with a higher SEER rating, but he didn't think it would be worth it for the climate. The area gets somewhat warm in the summer, but low 80s are considered hot, and 90s is considered freak weather.

There's very little residential A/C in my area. Also not much when I visited the Seattle area last month, but they had record breaking temperatures. That, and my BIL's new house that was built for fairly cold winters with lots of insulation.

 

[bcla]

So you agree with me that the OP is on the right track? Not sure why folks are questioning me agreeing with 2 pros who have considered all the variables and seen the house. At least here, you need a permit to replace HVAC and the building department has to approve the size unit.

Every city or county has different rules. It would be considered "maintenance" that doesn't require a building permit when I got mine done at a rental. They also don't require a business license to rent less than 4 total units in the city. My parents own one rental house in the city they live in and are required to have a business license.

 

[Art 1]

So you agree with me that the OP is on the right track? Not sure why folks are questioning me agreeing with 2 pros who have considered all the variables and seen the house. At least here, you need a permit to replace HVAC and the building department has to approve the size unit.

You have to provide a heat load with the permit and cannot put in larger than the heat load. They no longer require that in Florida. Just the permit, and very few people bother with that.

 

[tvguy]

Every city or county has different rules. It would be considered "maintenance" that doesn't require a building permit when I got mine done at a rental. They also don't require a business license to rent less than 4 total units in the city. My parents own one rental house in the city they live in and are required to have a business license.

I think pretty much anything costing more than $750 that involves direct wiring and or plumbing here requires a permit. Even water heaters. Doesn't mean everyone does it, but on paper, that's what they say.