I live in Asheville, North Carolina, in an 1,800 square foot home built in the early 90s. Approximately 1,500 sq feet are above ground and 300 square feet are partially above ground, but mostly below grade in the basement.
In 2015 the prior owners replaced the AC (we think only the outdoor unit, nothing indoors) with a 2 ton basic Goodman unit. It has not performed well since we bought the house in 2015 (post install) and has been rife with issues. Larger repairs are now needed to the tune of $2,000 for the indoor system (i.e. not under any warranty because it wasn't replaced in 2015) and we do not like the Apollo heat system, so we have decided to replace the AC entirely and add a gas furnace instead of the Apollo system.
We have obtained 4 quotes. Each went through the whole house, counted vents, measured windows, etc. to do a load calculation. Two specifically told us that the load calculation was between 2 and 2.5, another told us it came back exactly at 2, and one I've not spoken with in detail yet since we got the quote. From what we gather, variable speed units only come in whole sizes. Here are the quotes/feedback from each:
-Carrier representative quoted 2 ton units across the board and said that even though the load calculation comes back slightly above 2 tons, if we get a nice variable speed unit (specifically the Greenspeed) it should keep up with the heat in the summer. He thinks to go to a 3 ton would be too large unless we add a return and a supply vent, mentioned pressure issues, etc. Quote for this unit is $4,000 above the nearest competitor for what appears to be a similar product.
-Trane representative quoted a 3 ton variable unit and 2.5 ton single stage units. He said the load calculation came back between 2 and 2.5 tons, but that the system can handle a 3 ton and that with variable speed it shouldn't have an oversizing issue, but it may rarely run at 100% capacity. The quote for this unit, at a 3 ton variable, was $4,000 less than the Carrier quote.
-Independent company that works mostly with Bosch and Goodman said the calculation came back just below 2.5, quoted 2.5 ton units for single stage options and a 3 ton unit for the variable speed. This quote is $6,000 less than the Trane quote.
-Rheem representative said that the calculation came back exactly at 2, quoted 2.5 tons for the single stage units, and quoted 3 tons for the variable unit. This quote was $2k less than the Bosch quote, but doesn't include some additional work related to disconnecting the Apollo system and running the new gas line for the gas furnace...which the Trane and Carrier quotes include.
After lots of unproductive research online, I'm hoping the experts here can help. My questions are as follows:
-If the calculation result is between 2 and 2.5, does one then size up or down?
-Is it worth it to get a variable speed unit?
-If it is worth it to get variable speed, if the calculation is between 2 and 2.5, does one size up or down? Is there harm to size up if it's a variable speed unit?
-How much do the brands matter with such widely variable prices?
Our thought process on leaning toward a 3 ton unit is that the current 2 ton has never kept up with the heat in the summer (i.e. it would be 78 degrees inside and 84 degrees outside when we set it on 70). I'm confused by the claim from the Carrier rep that the efficiency of that variable speed unit would be enough to keep up with the heat...because at the end of the day isn't 2 tons 2 tons? Wouldn't that unit still max out the same? Current unit, when working, would pump out cold air--just not enough of it to keep up with the summer heat.
Thank you for any feedback you can provide!
In 2015 the prior owners replaced the AC (we think only the outdoor unit, nothing indoors) with a 2 ton basic Goodman unit. It has not performed well since we bought the house in 2015 (post install) and has been rife with issues. Larger repairs are now needed to the tune of $2,000 for the indoor system (i.e. not under any warranty because it wasn't replaced in 2015) and we do not like the Apollo heat system, so we have decided to replace the AC entirely and add a gas furnace instead of the Apollo system.
We have obtained 4 quotes. Each went through the whole house, counted vents, measured windows, etc. to do a load calculation. Two specifically told us that the load calculation was between 2 and 2.5, another told us it came back exactly at 2, and one I've not spoken with in detail yet since we got the quote. From what we gather, variable speed units only come in whole sizes. Here are the quotes/feedback from each:
-Carrier representative quoted 2 ton units across the board and said that even though the load calculation comes back slightly above 2 tons, if we get a nice variable speed unit (specifically the Greenspeed) it should keep up with the heat in the summer. He thinks to go to a 3 ton would be too large unless we add a return and a supply vent, mentioned pressure issues, etc. Quote for this unit is $4,000 above the nearest competitor for what appears to be a similar product.
-Trane representative quoted a 3 ton variable unit and 2.5 ton single stage units. He said the load calculation came back between 2 and 2.5 tons, but that the system can handle a 3 ton and that with variable speed it shouldn't have an oversizing issue, but it may rarely run at 100% capacity. The quote for this unit, at a 3 ton variable, was $4,000 less than the Carrier quote.
-Independent company that works mostly with Bosch and Goodman said the calculation came back just below 2.5, quoted 2.5 ton units for single stage options and a 3 ton unit for the variable speed. This quote is $6,000 less than the Trane quote.
-Rheem representative said that the calculation came back exactly at 2, quoted 2.5 tons for the single stage units, and quoted 3 tons for the variable unit. This quote was $2k less than the Bosch quote, but doesn't include some additional work related to disconnecting the Apollo system and running the new gas line for the gas furnace...which the Trane and Carrier quotes include.
After lots of unproductive research online, I'm hoping the experts here can help. My questions are as follows:
-If the calculation result is between 2 and 2.5, does one then size up or down?
-Is it worth it to get a variable speed unit?
-If it is worth it to get variable speed, if the calculation is between 2 and 2.5, does one size up or down? Is there harm to size up if it's a variable speed unit?
-How much do the brands matter with such widely variable prices?
Our thought process on leaning toward a 3 ton unit is that the current 2 ton has never kept up with the heat in the summer (i.e. it would be 78 degrees inside and 84 degrees outside when we set it on 70). I'm confused by the claim from the Carrier rep that the efficiency of that variable speed unit would be enough to keep up with the heat...because at the end of the day isn't 2 tons 2 tons? Wouldn't that unit still max out the same? Current unit, when working, would pump out cold air--just not enough of it to keep up with the summer heat.
Thank you for any feedback you can provide!
source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2239031-Replacement-System-Sizing-Mixed-Messages?goto=newpost
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