Hello! New member here. I'm about to sign a contract with one of the big box stores for two new HVAC systems for my house. Bottom line up front (BLUF) - can I safely or effectively pair a Nest Learning thermostat with a Carrier HVAC system that doesn't have communications capabilities?
Background
I've reluctantly decided to replace my two Carrier HVAC systems. One is 35+ years old (100,000 btu), but has never failed in the 10 years I've owned the house, despite doing NO maintenance whatsoever, except changing the filter once a year. Upstairs unit is 30 years old (50,000 btu), but stopped working in January (burners going crazy turning on and off sporadically every few seconds, with crazy clicking or sparking sounds.) I blew through a few hundred bucks trying to repair it myself (1 professional diagnosis, 1 fan control board, 1 3-wire starter, 1 igniter module), but decided I might be better off replacing it at this point rather than throwing more money at it to have it repaired professionally. Outside AC unit is a 10+ year old Amana. The other unit is probably from the '60s or '70s.
I received two quotes, one from each of the contractors that each of the big box stores use. One is offering Carrier equipment. The other is offering Trane equipment. Both lines are comparable in features and performance, but some differences in furnace BTUs. The Trane guy didn't walk through my house, ask about number of rooms, look for number of windows, skylights, insulation, etc. The Carrier guy conducted a good survey, then went out to his car "to run some calculations", then returned with some recommendations. Who knows, maybe he was only checking sports scores, but it gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling.
The Trane guy couldn't tell me what percentage of total BTU is output on stage 1. He told me he'd have to discuss it with his manager since he's only been doing this since July. Although the sales person is not performing the install, the Carrier guy instilled more confidence in me. Price wise, quotes are within $200 - $500 of each other, depending on whether I get the store credit card for an extra discount.
The quote for the Carrier systems consists of two two-stage, variable speed Carrier 80 AFUE, 70,000 btu Infinity furnaces (58TN0A070C14-12), matched coils (CNPVP3014ALA), and two Performance line 2 Ton 16 SEER AC unit (24ACC624A003). Quote includes 1 Aprilaire 700 humidifier for the downstairs unit, two air scrubbers (UV light) and two 3rd generation Nest learning thermostats. Although one of the furnaces seems to be an Infinity (based on the Sku), I don't think it has communicating capabilities. Quote also includes some duct modifications downstairs (adding a return box with filter slot and new 24" supply plenum from the ceiling), along with adding two new ceiling registers in the master bedroom to increase airflow into that room. Warranty is 3 years labor, 10 year parts on Carrier equipment.
The Trane quote offers to use my existing Nest E thermostats, offered no duct modifications (no return box, filter slot, supply plenum), no master bedroom registers and only provides 2-years labor warranty (plus 10-year parts).
I'm leaning towards the Carrier system (versus the Trane) because the warranty is slightly better, I'm getting more for about the same price, and because the sales person came off as more knowledgeable and took the time to inspect my house closely, so I am more confident in his recommendation. However, I'd be interested in knowing if anyone recommends the Trane equipment (XV80 furnace paired with XLi AC) over the Carrier (Infiniti furnace paired with Performance AC).
Anyway, back to my original question - My question is, will the Nest thermostats that the contractor is including work well with this system? I happened upon this site when Googling compatibility between Nest and Carrier and found an alarming thread here, titled "Carrier Infinity and Nest a nasty combo" , which made me worry about my contractor's recommendation.
The contractor's 3 year labor warranty makes me believe he's confident in his equipment recommendations. But before shelling out $16k, I'd like to ensure this system won't crap out on me at the worst possible time.
If this isn't the best choice, what Thermostat would you recommend for my setup for the best performance? Currently, I use Nest E thermostats on my 35+ year old and 30 year old Carrier HVAC systems and they have worked great for the years I've used them. Not a single hiccup... ever. Integrate well with Alexa and I usually change temperature via voice command. I'd love to maintain this capability if possible.
Background
I've reluctantly decided to replace my two Carrier HVAC systems. One is 35+ years old (100,000 btu), but has never failed in the 10 years I've owned the house, despite doing NO maintenance whatsoever, except changing the filter once a year. Upstairs unit is 30 years old (50,000 btu), but stopped working in January (burners going crazy turning on and off sporadically every few seconds, with crazy clicking or sparking sounds.) I blew through a few hundred bucks trying to repair it myself (1 professional diagnosis, 1 fan control board, 1 3-wire starter, 1 igniter module), but decided I might be better off replacing it at this point rather than throwing more money at it to have it repaired professionally. Outside AC unit is a 10+ year old Amana. The other unit is probably from the '60s or '70s.
I received two quotes, one from each of the contractors that each of the big box stores use. One is offering Carrier equipment. The other is offering Trane equipment. Both lines are comparable in features and performance, but some differences in furnace BTUs. The Trane guy didn't walk through my house, ask about number of rooms, look for number of windows, skylights, insulation, etc. The Carrier guy conducted a good survey, then went out to his car "to run some calculations", then returned with some recommendations. Who knows, maybe he was only checking sports scores, but it gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling.
The Trane guy couldn't tell me what percentage of total BTU is output on stage 1. He told me he'd have to discuss it with his manager since he's only been doing this since July. Although the sales person is not performing the install, the Carrier guy instilled more confidence in me. Price wise, quotes are within $200 - $500 of each other, depending on whether I get the store credit card for an extra discount.
The quote for the Carrier systems consists of two two-stage, variable speed Carrier 80 AFUE, 70,000 btu Infinity furnaces (58TN0A070C14-12), matched coils (CNPVP3014ALA), and two Performance line 2 Ton 16 SEER AC unit (24ACC624A003). Quote includes 1 Aprilaire 700 humidifier for the downstairs unit, two air scrubbers (UV light) and two 3rd generation Nest learning thermostats. Although one of the furnaces seems to be an Infinity (based on the Sku), I don't think it has communicating capabilities. Quote also includes some duct modifications downstairs (adding a return box with filter slot and new 24" supply plenum from the ceiling), along with adding two new ceiling registers in the master bedroom to increase airflow into that room. Warranty is 3 years labor, 10 year parts on Carrier equipment.
The Trane quote offers to use my existing Nest E thermostats, offered no duct modifications (no return box, filter slot, supply plenum), no master bedroom registers and only provides 2-years labor warranty (plus 10-year parts).
I'm leaning towards the Carrier system (versus the Trane) because the warranty is slightly better, I'm getting more for about the same price, and because the sales person came off as more knowledgeable and took the time to inspect my house closely, so I am more confident in his recommendation. However, I'd be interested in knowing if anyone recommends the Trane equipment (XV80 furnace paired with XLi AC) over the Carrier (Infiniti furnace paired with Performance AC).
Anyway, back to my original question - My question is, will the Nest thermostats that the contractor is including work well with this system? I happened upon this site when Googling compatibility between Nest and Carrier and found an alarming thread here, titled "Carrier Infinity and Nest a nasty combo" , which made me worry about my contractor's recommendation.
The contractor's 3 year labor warranty makes me believe he's confident in his equipment recommendations. But before shelling out $16k, I'd like to ensure this system won't crap out on me at the worst possible time.
If this isn't the best choice, what Thermostat would you recommend for my setup for the best performance? Currently, I use Nest E thermostats on my 35+ year old and 30 year old Carrier HVAC systems and they have worked great for the years I've used them. Not a single hiccup... ever. Integrate well with Alexa and I usually change temperature via voice command. I'd love to maintain this capability if possible.
source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2227320-Will-Nest-Learning-Thermostat-Pair-Well-with-Non-Communicating-Carrier-HVAC?goto=newpost
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