We just bought a house in Wisconsin. The house was built in 1920 and is just a hair under 2000 square feet. It has a furnace that was installed in 2016, the vents throughout the house are old, they look like original, very large and there seems to be a mix of old and new duct work. Humidity is high, you could smell it in the basement when we first moved in. We have been running a dehumidifier in the basement since we moved in and the musty smell is gone now.
We want to add central air. So far I have had two contractors come out and give me quotes. Their prices were very different. I think the main difference is that one quoted a 3.5 ton until while the other quoted a 2.5 ton unit. The one who quoted the 3.5 ton until was the same company that originally installed the furnace. Part of his quote was also upgrading the filter to a 4" filter while the less expensive quote did not and did not think it was necessary when I asked about it. How do I know which one did a more accurate heat load calculation? Do I need to be more concerned with under sizing or over sizing?
The town we live in is right on Lake Michigan and is well known for being cooler than the rest of WI in the Summer. This is why there wasn't already AC in the house, however there are short periods of hot and humid weather, and we moved in during a truly miserable week. Possibly the smaller size unit takes this climate more into consideration and will provide better de-humidification?
The windows are old as well, I think they're original windows, definitely not modern double pan windows, but they are mostly in good shape with outer storm windows. I only mention that because I would assume it would have an impact on the heat load.
I appreciate any advice on how to choose between two very different quotes.
We want to add central air. So far I have had two contractors come out and give me quotes. Their prices were very different. I think the main difference is that one quoted a 3.5 ton until while the other quoted a 2.5 ton unit. The one who quoted the 3.5 ton until was the same company that originally installed the furnace. Part of his quote was also upgrading the filter to a 4" filter while the less expensive quote did not and did not think it was necessary when I asked about it. How do I know which one did a more accurate heat load calculation? Do I need to be more concerned with under sizing or over sizing?
The town we live in is right on Lake Michigan and is well known for being cooler than the rest of WI in the Summer. This is why there wasn't already AC in the house, however there are short periods of hot and humid weather, and we moved in during a truly miserable week. Possibly the smaller size unit takes this climate more into consideration and will provide better de-humidification?
The windows are old as well, I think they're original windows, definitely not modern double pan windows, but they are mostly in good shape with outer storm windows. I only mention that because I would assume it would have an impact on the heat load.
I appreciate any advice on how to choose between two very different quotes.
source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?2222174-Adding-Central-AC-to-1920-s-home&goto=newpost
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