CHA-CHING $$$$$ New Heater and A/C installed

[JRD77VET]

Starting last Monday, I had the 20 years heater and central air units replaced. the A/C unit got upgraded to a 3-1/2 ton ( from a 3 ton) and a more efficient oil burner ( forced hot air) installed. Unlike the previous system which didn't cool or heat well upstairs, the new installation is split into two zones. They also added a return from the second floor.

We can actually make it cold upstairs now.

My house is a dutch style house which was built in 1945. The previous installer ran ductwork and it left something to be desired as far as using the correct calculations for duct size.
All floor registers were replaced plus added one for the downstairs bathroom. The only "old" ductwork that was reused was the "spider" in the attic feeding the upstair rooms and the 16" feed.

The units are American Standard.

Chunk of change but it seems to work GREAT.

[Don Rickles]

Nice!

Question?

From the last picture it appears that that feed and return round ductwork is both touching and attached together. I might think vibration and transfer of temperature could occur???

I’m by no means a heat expert just asking.

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

Nice!

Question?

From the last picture it appears that that feed and return round ductwork is both touching and attached together. I might think vibration and transfer of temperature could occur???

I’m by no means a heat expert just asking.

Just camera angle, not actually touching.

[markids77]

Congrats! The new high SEER units work well, and you will see both improved comfort, and reduced bills.

[Oh-yaa]

We replaced our a/c-heat unit last week too. The original unit was 25 years old and only 2 service calls during its career. The 3rd/last call was too much for repair to not replace the entire thing.
We have noticed the difference in power usage already.

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Oh-yaa

We replaced our a/c-heat unit last week too. The original unit was 25 years old and only 2 service calls during its career. The 3rd/last call was too much for repair to not replace the entire thing.
We have noticed the difference in power usage already.

Our was running fine but it was 20 years old and both my wife and myself are in our 60s and still working so we decided to replace. I'm sure the electric bill will decrease too.

[ratflinger]

Oil fired heater?!? You must live in some frozen wasteland.

[ZipZap]

Adding zones is definitely a good deal. Main and basement are 10 degrees different in winter and zero degrees different in summer. Damn thing rarely runs for the basement.

[LATB]

I'm waiting on a quote for the total install at the new house.
Going with all metal ductwork with external insulation wrap.
Looks like a 3-ton system for the 2300 sq ft house.
Likely Lennox variable speed equipment.
The HVAC quote will include venting three bath fans, kitchen exhaust hood, and dryer. All done in metal pipe.
I'm hoping it comes in under 20 grand.

[Frankie the Fink]

$20K may be the magic number......daughter just had her west coast Florida house A/C replaced, the old one had been in service since 1996. A/C guy couldn't believe it. Prices have jumped up in recent years for A/C and water heater replacements. Her little 'ole 3/2 with a bonus room was $8,400 but that included some electrical upgrades to bring her 1965 house up to code.

[simpleman68]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

Our was running fine but it was 20 years old and both my wife and myself are in our 60s and still working so we decided to replace. I'm sure the electric bill will decrease too.

Looks great man!
I'm sure it will make a substantial difference in monthly costs. HVAC tech has come a long way in the last 20 years.

We did a full gut/reinstall of the HVAC system at the FL house. Did a 5 ton, 18 SEER, variable speed unit from Lennox.
The bills dropped by at least 30% vs having 2 older units.

Glad you guys got the upstairs balanced out better; worth its weight in gold.
Scott

[Don Rickles]

We could really use a new HVAC system too.....This geothermal system is over 30 years old now. Never was it what I consider a great source for heat, but just incredible for AC. We have three zones with individual duct work for each, a huge deal to try to connect them together now....

I'll be happy to 20k for a new installed system!

And Larry, I had a Lennox Pulse gas fired in my last house, man was it great! Cheap to operate too! Wish I'd gone that route 30 years ago here.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

Our was running fine but it was 20 years old and both my wife and myself are in our 60s and still working so we decided to replace. I'm sure the electric bill will decrease too.

Similar here.
Last September, I had my 38 y/o Lennox gas F/A furnace, and 25 y/o
Carrier 1 ton A/C unit replaced with new Lennox variable speed 96%
efficiency gas furnace and 2 ton A/C units.

Seems that the furnace runs more often than the old 80% unit, but my
utility bills are definitely lower.

[Onebadcad]

20 yeaars is a DAMN good run!!

In FL, I got 14 from the original equipment, replacement rheem was 11 years, and replaced a few months back with rheems--I figure any time over 10 is good if you get it.
Paid $9,600 for a 3.5 and 3.0, was quoted as high as $13,500.
Energy bill is down, also thanks for new windows and doors.

[Taurus]

Had my 17 year old unit replaced last September because of cracks in the heat exchanger. Went ahead and had a high efficiency AC unit put in as well. Cut my electric bill in half.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

We could really use a new HVAC system too.....This geothermal system is over 30 years old now. Never was it what I consider a great source for heat, but just incredible for AC. We have three zones with individual duct work for each, a huge deal to try to connect them together now....

I'll be happy to 20k for a new installed system!

And Larry, I had a Lennox Pulse gas fired in my last house, man was it great! Cheap to operate too! Wish I'd gone that route 30 years ago here.

Has anyone looked into the Mr. Cool DIY systems?

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Taurus

Had my 17 year old unit replaced last September because of cracks in the heat exchanger. Went ahead and had a high efficiency AC unit put in as well. Cut my electric bill in half.

17 years is commendable!!

The problem in FL is once you are past the 10-year factory warranty, you are paying for both parts and labors for repairs.

My 11-year upstairs air handler required a $2,200 repair, with freon being most of the bill, so getting a new one installed for almost the same price was a no brainer.

[theandies]

We have two zones. The top two floors are on a heat pump and the main floor and basement are on an AC/gas heater. Both have been replaced about 10 years ago.
The heat pump compressor shit the bed when we turned on the AC for the first time. I can get it to work by cycling the breakers and the starting cap is good. Had our guy come out and the refig. pressure is way high. He checked to see if it was overfilled but it's not. They ordered a new compressor and best of all it's under my 10 year warranty, parts only. Yea me. Still have to shell out for labor. $1200. I'm awaiting parts right now. Good thing its cooled off.

[theandies]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

Nice!

Question?

From the last picture it appears that that feed and return round ductwork is both touching and attached together. I might think vibration and transfer of temperature could occur???

I’m by no means a heat expert just asking.

Those flue pipes are double walled. At least my gas furnace, hot water heater and stove are.

[theandies]

Originally Posted by Onebadcad

17 years is commendable!!

Indeed. Our original systems lasted 15 years. Today they build them to fail a month after the 10 year warranty is over. See my previous post. I got lucky. Warranty runs out next month.