Buying A/C for the house...

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Well after cooking for 2 summers, I think it is time to get central air for the house.

But really I don't know the first thing..

House is about 2100 sq ft.


Anyone here 'know a guy'?

[Flagrum_3]

You'll need a 3 ton capacity minimum, pic your brand, ....Carrier is a good one.As for price... shop around, there's huge price quote differences out there.....hope that helps.


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[CanadaGTO]

Got a call into a guy who works for Trane. I'll see if he knows someone who does it off-hours :)

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Got a call into a guy who works for Trane. I'll see if he knows someone who does it off-hours :)

Thanx Patrique...

Does Vibrant make Air Conditioners? :chuckle

[jaM3ican]

you may have to watch out for old models. Ontario government is now mandating that you cannot get anything below a certain seer, (i think).

Got mine last year and we went up one level from the required in 06 which is 13 seer. Would be more energy efficient as well.

To play it safe i would probably stay away from anythig below 13. Just my M.O.

[Walrus]

You also don't want one that is too big. My neighbour has an 1850 sq. ft house, and put in a 2 ton unit and it only runs for 15mins, off for 15 mins, on again.. it short cycles. It blasts too much cold air, and isn't evenly cooling the house, then it shuts off. That also means it isn't removing as much moisture from the air. It should be running a little longer, but then off for a little longer.

I put in a 1.5 ton unit in my 1600 sq ft house, and it runs and cools properly. It also depends on if your house is air tight (new) or and older house.

[Caz]

+1
Make sure you get the correct size for your house, most places try to sell you a bigger unit than you really need (ie. more money for them).

[flyinb22]

I am getting one installed this month, I have a new house(1 year old) that is 1500 sq ft and am using a 1.5 ton Armstrong. I called around to all the places and most were about the same price but each one used a different brand. ie, Carrier, Armstrong, Trane, and Amana. All these came with a 10 year warranty on the compressor, as well they are all 13 Seer...good efficiency and meets the new laws.
As for the prices each place was about the same give or take 200-300.
I ended up choosing the place with Armstrong just because the builder of my house recommend the guy and said he does good work and servicing if required.
Price was competitive as well, I would ust open the yellow pages and ask for quotes, every place I called they came out to the house and give a free estimate.
Good luck, hopefully the weather starts to get better and make me happy about my purchase

[CanadaGTO]

PM sent Jeff :)

[Jeff-TheBiz]

You also don't want one that is too big. My neighbour has an 1850 sq. ft house, and put in a 2 ton unit and it only runs for 15mins, off for 15 mins, on again.. it short cycles. It blasts too much cold air, and isn't evenly cooling the house, then it shuts off. That also means it isn't removing as much moisture from the air. It should be running a little longer, but then off for a little longer.

I put in a 1.5 ton unit in my 1600 sq ft house, and it runs and cools properly. It also depends on if your house is air tight (new) or and older house.

The house is 2 yrs old..

So a 2 ton should do it?

The house is 2100 sq ft. but the basement and a couple of rooms aren't used all the time, so we keep the registers/vents closed.

[marchz24]

My house is 2005sq. I have a 2 ton. My air cond. never stops. I should have gone bigger. If I were you I would go 2 and a half ton. Or maybe there is just something wrong with my air cond. I'm going to get it checked out soon. It's not much more as labour is the same.

[Flagrum_3]

Biz you basically always want to go bigger and the standard goes by sq footage...a 2000sq ft house can get away with a 2 ton unit but it will be overworked, seeing as you have a 2100 sq/ft home not counting the basement you might be alright with a 2.5 ton unit, but when I was shopping they didn't have in between just even tonnage, so thats why I suggested a 3 ton unit.


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[Walrus]

What you really need is whoever you pick to install your air conditioner, they need to come to your house first and do a load calculation. It looks at factors like how many sq ft of windows are facing south (sunny side of house), where your ducts run etc.

You DO NOT always want to go bigger.

Google 'air conditioner bigger better' and do some reading.

[Skarbro]

Some good info here. I'm looking to replace my 23-year old air conditioner after it dies a horrible death.

[jaM3ican]

Check Sears I saw an add for $400 off installation in a flyer.

They usually have a pretty good service plan as well.