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Diesel · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 1061 Location: Ellington,CT

I've got a single story, small house with forced hot air(furnace was replaced in 96). The local heating contractor has dropped off a proposal for central air conditioning. Here's what it says:

American Standard 11 SEER 1.5 ton condenser, American Standard A-Coil 1.5 ton.

Any ductwork needed to install A-Coil.

All necessary refrigeration and condensate piping.

Condenser will be set on a preformed condenser pad with crushed stone underneath.

All necessary wiring from panel to units.

One year warranty on labor, five year warranty on parts, ten year warranty on compressor and outside coil. Total $2,950. Total includes material, labor, taxes and permit.

Does this seem like a good brand of A/C unit to you? Does it seem like a good deal? Right now I have an 8,000 BTU and 5,000 BTU window air conditioner that keeps things nice in the house but they are too noisy to sleep with them on. Opinions?

augidog · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 1360 Location: New Jersey

Sounds okay .I'll ask my HVAC guy tomorrow on the brand.You may be eligible for a rebursement on the unit for energy conservation.He may not tell you.(good pocket change if he buys it himself)
He has got it made because your ducting is all there. The coil sticks in by the fan so no real hard extra ducting. The condenser line and pan may need a pump if its down low(basement).
The wireing is one thing.Is he going to hook it up to your panel?
Does your panel have enough circuits?Make sure its complete or you may have an electrician charge and or panel upgrade.
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1978 924 95 mile daily driver.
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dpw928 · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 1860 Location: owasso, ok 74055

Did he perform a load calulation? He should have figured your square footage, attic insulation R value, wall thickness/type of insulation, and square footage/type of windows to determine the actual load requirments. A 1.5 ton unit seems kind of large for a small house if it is insulated properly. A common tactic is to over install AC equipment so it doesn't run as long which cuts down on the warranty repairs. The downside of this is that it doesn't run long enough to properly dehumidify so you set your thermostat lower to get the same comfort level.

Dennis
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Diesel · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 1061 Location: Ellington,CT