Finally, New Central AC

[mrb627]

I finally got my New Central AC System installed yesterday. Out of five individual quotes, I selected the Carrier Infinity System. Very Efficient. Super Quiet. The condensing unit outside is no louder than a standard refrigerator. I couldn't be happier. Here are a couple of pix.

 

[mrb627]

Large Condenser

The Condenser is twice the size of my old R-22 System.

 

[mrb627]

Fancy Product Badging

Proper Product Identification!

 

[mrb627]

Fancy Thermostat

The Thermostat is properly back lit 24/7 and is readable from across the house.

 

[mrb627]

Condensation

If you look closely at the first pic, you will notice a solid stream of water flowing from the condensation line.

 

[whirlcool]

That looks like a nice installation. Nice new concrete slab and the unit looks perfectly level. Everything is tied up nice and neat.
How does it cool?

 

[appnut]

Very nice Malcolm, congratulations!!! Love the t-stat being backlit all the time.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Congrats!

It's a work of art!
Any multi-speeds?

Condneser fan (oudoors)
compressor itself
evaporator fan (indoors)

Are the pipes going into the house via a dryer vent?

Do they still pipe the cold condesate water (i.e. collected humidity) that is normally flushed down the drain to the condenser to cool it?

IIRC it was great in theory, but problem-laden.

Enloy it for decades to come with no headaches and no extra expenses. AMEN!

 

[mrb627]

Both Fans

Both indoor and outdoor fans are variable speed. The compressor is a 2-stage compressor.

When they got it up and running yesterday, it cooled the house from 85 down to 72 in less than two hours.

I am very pleased with the whole system so far.

The dryer vent is just a cover. The pipes run up inside the wall to the attic space where the air handler is located.

Unfortunately, the condensate water drains outside on the ground.

 

[mayguy]

85 to 72˚ in two hours!? I'd say that's oversized.

72˚ seem awful cold for A/C setting.. I used to run my A/C at 72˚ and since I got my variable speed Trane, I now run it at 76˚ since it does a good job pulling the humidity out of the air.

 

[spiceman1957]

Mayguy,

It gets very, very humid in Good Old Georgia (I'm originally from Cobb County), believe me you would appreciate it. Mrb627, how much money do you think you will save compared to the older system.

 

[jaytag]

Hot In Cobb

Yes, today I thought it was like living in the Amazon. Rainy, hot and sticky. Not that I have lived there but.... It has been very humid this week with lows of 72 and 80 percent humidity. I moved 5 yrs from Illinois, hot summers and cold winters. In Georgia the air gets alot of run time. From March to November.

Carrier is Sweet!!! A very nice set up. What did you replace? What Seer is it.

 

[twintubdexter]

my my...

Unless it's the humidity, using the air conditioning when it's 77 degrees seems like a real luxury, and 72 on the inside seems cold enough to hang a side of beef in the living room. Those julip-sippin Southern belles and gents really know how to live.

 

[a440]

Sounds like a very nice system! I am digging the thermostat!
Did you get the furnace replaced also?
72 Degrees is where we end up at 2 in the morning! Then at 9 AM it goes up to 76. This way the unit actually stays off for 6 hours or more. It steps down to 72 during the evening.
Your home looks so new. Did you have to replace the system? Or did you decide to do it for economical reasons?
Brent

 

[toggleswitch2]

oh yes chil'.

100+ *F outdoors was very comfortable in dry Arizona.
85+ *F in oudtoors in humid New York or Connecticut will feel hotter.

I have learned the hard way that a small A/C (5k to 7k BTU/h working in conjunciotn with and set to cool more than the main system will dehumidify nicely.

There is nothing wrong also with having a good dehumidifer, but a small A/C does doule-duty by dumping the heat it moves/utilizes OUTSIDE, not back in the room.

 

[peterh770]

Which contractor did you use? I used Universal via Home Depot for my Trane, but I won't call them for service.

 

[mrb627]

Cost Reduction

The system is reported to reduce my energy cost by 46 percent. Time will tell. I can say that I have yet to notice it come out of low mode while cooling. Not like it did that first day, anyway.

 

[mrb627]

SEER

The system is a 17 SEER.

The old system was a 10.

The house is 11 years old. The previous system, a Comfortmaker, was badly beaten by hail and developed a leak in the condenser coil. Lived with it for three summers recharging annually. Finally got fed up with it.

I did replace the furnace. Required to get the 1500 tax credit.

 

[mrb627]

Contractor

I selected Lawson Air out of Gainesville. The quote they provided was the most detailed. And after weighing the options, I decided the Carrier system was a better choice than the Trane.

The three Trane contractors that provided quotes tried to talk me out of the more efficient systems and none of them knew the tax credit details. One of the contractors told me that none of the newer systems were designed to achieve less than 76 degrees. ( Pure bullchit )

All in all, I am very happy with the system.

At the moment, it is 89 outside and the thermostat is holding steady at 72. ( Like they are supposed too )

 

[toggleswitch2]

FEH!

Trane contractor talked me out of a super-efficent system too.

But based on the number of average hours of use in my climate it made sense to me that I'd never see that moeny back and weould have to deal with a more mechanically complicated system.

I aldsi didnt' have the sense to go with a mutipel speed system. Live and learm I guess!

I am offically envous of your "purdy" system. No, make that HAPPY FOR YOU!

 

[scott55405]

Sounds like a win-win, MRB. My parents have/had three different Carrier central a/cs beginning in the mid 60s, all were wonderful and reliable. I guess they've given up on their signature round condenser unit, however (LOL). I loved as a kid standing over that big fan on top, even if it was blowing hot, nasty air. That thermostat is pretty cool (no pun intended).

76 is NOT air conditioned, LOL. That contractor would have been shown the door with me as well. Humidity does make all the difference. I live in a small window of coastal area in LA where a/c is not really necessary generally. It rarely gets above 80 here, and even when it does, it's not humid and a fan to move the air will suffice. In Minnesota, it's very humid, granted for a much shorter period of time than in the south, but I would not want to be without a/c for long.

 

[mrb627]

Primary Concern

One of my primary concerns was that if another hail storm came though, that should be when not if, would the condensing unit be able to tolerate it. Since this is what took out my previous unit. The Carrier looked very well protected compared to the others. IMO.

 

[a440]

Very interesting about the hail taking out your old system! That is wild! Something I would not think could happen.
Your coils look very well protected on this unit!
I remember you got a new roof not all that long ago. What that a hail claim?
We knew that we would need a new roof in a few years. We called a contractor for an estimate, and to our happy surprise he told us we should do a hail claim! Insurance sent out a field adjuster and claimed the roof a total loss! I am so happy. $11,000 roof for $500.00 deductible!
Who did your roof by the way? They really did a great job!
Brent

 

[mrb627]

ATLROOF.COM

ATLROOF.COM did my roof install. They did an excellent job. The roof was a HAIL claim, but the AC sadly was all out of pocket. I had planned and budgeted for the AC replacement already so I didn't make much of an issue of it.

 

[a440]

Thanks Malcolm for the info.
We are trying to decide between Atlroof.com & Atlanta Roofing Specialist. We have had 5 companies come out. These are the two that were most professional and seemed to have the most knowledge. Also the materials they will be using was the best.
Did you go with a GAF roof or Owens Corning?
Thanks again.
Brent

 

[mrb627]

GAF Roof

I went with the GAF roof, but the Owens Corning Ridge Vent!

MRB

 

[a440]

Thanks again Malcolm!
I am going to go with GAF also.
We just have to decide.....egh.....on who will do it!
Your input was very helpful!
Brent