Bigger, Stronger, and a Lift!

[SixtySix]

Just my "Opinion" having replaced a few heat pumps and A/C's out here in the hotter than hell desert.

I will NEVER EVER own a Carrier if you paid me.

Every Heat Pump and A/C unit that either I or my family has replaced has been a Carrier. They're real popular with builders out here because of their low cost, but on the reliability and efficiency front, I wouldn't touch em with a ten-foot pole.

In fact when I replaced my OEM Carrier with a Trane 3.5 ton Heat Pump on my last house the guy in back of me replaced his with a new Carrier and laughed at me for paying so much. Six months later.... His low cost Carrier puked condensation all over his roof and the compressor went south. I had the last laugh.

Anecdotal for sure, but "I" wouldn't buy them. Hopefully you have some kind of choice, I know that you always don't when getting a house built by someone. Might want to get a second opinion on the HVAC stuff and sub it out instead of the builder taking it on.

Food for thought!

 

[don_w]

I appreciate the feedback Tony. But in this situation, I don't have much choice. The trade off for saving $50 to $100 per SF on the house, is that I can't directly subcontract or self-perform any work whatsoever (except flooring). On the upside, everything is covered under a 10 year warranty. So if it takes a crap in a few years... oh well.

 

[Hawgman]

Seems high, but you are in California. So who knows for that market. When we were pricing ours and decided to go up to the SEER we have, there was about a $5k difference between the 14 and the 18. That was including the price of two variable speed furnaces, dual speed compressors, different condensers, and I don't remember what all else. But like I said, that was a big ass upgrade, not just the price of the variable speed furnaces.

I am with Tony (sorry Don... ) I wouldn't own another Carrier anything either. The builder put Carrier in our house when they built it to scrimp on money (but of course charge us full price). What was put in was barely builder grade and pretty much E.O.L. when it was installed. Had nothing but problems with both compressors. Usually had them worked on on average twice a year for the first six years of being in the house. When we finally got tired of it and had everything ripped out and replaced, we went with Lennox. Absolutely no regrets.

 

[don_w]

I hear you... but unfortunately, I'm kinda stuck here. There is no way I can justify almost $11K to go from SEER 14.0 to SEER 15.0/15.5. And if I ask them for a cost to change from Carrier to Lennox or Trane, who knows how much more that will be. In the long run, I think I'll be better off investing that money into a solar power system for the whole house that will reduce or eliminate my electric costs.

 

[SixtySix]

I think I'll be better off investing that money into a solar power system for the whole house that will reduce or eliminate my electric costs.

It's not that funny, but really, I've been doing A LOT of research on Solar since I have no choice but to go that route on my remote property in Northern Arizona. You thought the HVAC was expensive.... I'd wait a while on Solar for a house the size yours is. The good news is the "new" federal incentive kicks-in this coming year and will pay for 30% of the cost on top of anything California has going on. My feeling is that the cost of Solar Panels will come down as more manufacturers come on line and new processes come around making it more feasible. Right now the panels are still pretty pricey, around $1,000.00 per hundred watts. A system big enough to offset your electric bill could realistically be about a 3-5kw system. So you're talking $30-50k in panels alone, not even taking into account installation (which you HAVE to pay for in a grid tie system, NOBODY will permit a do-it-yourself grid-tie system) or the grid tie inverter.

You see where I'm going here.... KACHING!

 

[don_w]

I'm quite aware of the cost of the panels. And I'm also aware of the incentives from the government. One of the solar companies I've been in touch with also offers additional discounts for the fire victims. So, those things all add up and help out.

The thing that really got me thinking seriously about these was looking at an electric meter on house this past summer and seeing it run backwards.

I have a lot more research to do on them, but if there is any possible way I can afford it (even if I have to finance it), I want to do it. At least it will pay for itself in the long run.

 

[thump_rrr]

Well... I asked what it would cost to upgrade to 16.0 SEER and 18.0 SEER, and this is the answer I got... cha ching!!


1. Cost to upgrade Carrier furnaces to variable speed 90% - $5,097.00 (includes two).
2. Cost to upgrade Carrier furnaces to variable speed 90% and upgrade condensers to 24ANA - $10,822.00 (includes two).

Upgrading the furnaces to variable speed will increase the SEER for the lower and upper systems to 14.5.

Upgrading the furnaces to variable speed and upgrading the condensers to the 24ANA will increase the lower floor system to 15.0 SEER / 12.5 EER and the upper floor system to 15.5 SEER / 12.5 EER.

The Carrier 24ANA two speed condenser is the top of the line Carrier unit. Rating of up to 21.0 SEER can be achieved with the 24ANA on the lower tonnage unit but as the tonnage goes up the SEER drops.

Not worth the price of admission DOn,

Just upgrade the thermostats and be done with it.
With the Visionpro IAQ stats you will be able to heat, cool, dehumidify and with the addition of a humidifier for around a $100 from big box store and a DIY install humidify all from the same stat. It can even run an air exchanger if one is installed.

 

[don_w]

Not worth the price of admission DOn,

Just upgrade the thermostats and be done with it.
With the Visionpro IAQ stats you will be able to heat, cool, dehumidify and with the addition of a humidifier for around a $100 from big box store and a DIY install humidify all from the same stat. It can even run an air exchanger if one is installed.

Previously you said, "If you are running only A/C the focuspro 6000 is acceptable". Can I add the Visionpro IAQ later myself?

I also asked them to install the Honeywell F100 4" media filter.

 

[thump_rrr]

Previously you said, "If you are running only A/C the focuspro 6000 is acceptable". Can I add the Visionpro IAQ later myself?

I also asked them to install the Honeywell F100 4" media filter.

265rwhp to most people is also "acceptable"

The difference with the IAQ is the dehumidification/humidification/air exchange functions along with the Relative Humidity %, and outdoor temp. displays.

You can also program it to remind you when to change your filters.
Yes, you can upgrade the stats later yourself and it will probably cost you less.

Good move on the 4" filter media.

 

[don_w]

265rwhp to most people is also "acceptable"

LOL... good point. I'll just plan on upgrading the T-stats later then.


And mucho thanks to you and Doc for all the tips, ideas and discussions on the HVAC stuff. I learned quite a bit.

 

[don_w]

December 18, 2008

Not much has happened in the past two weeks. Stonefield, the builder, was hoping to get the permit from the City during the week of December 8. But on Thursday December 11, I was notified that the City was requiring us to upgrade from a 3/4" water line/meter to a 1” line. That would be good, except it also had a $2,775 price tag on it. Ouch… didn’t see that coming.

Stonefield had planned on setting sub-slab utilities and pouring concrete as soon as the permit was pulled. But rather than pouring concrete, we just had rain pouring on San Diego most of this week. That pretty much has shut everything down for now. And the forecast for next week is looking like rain almost all week as well. I guess it’s time to just enjoy the holidays, and maybe we’ll see some more visual progress in early 2009!

I took these pics on Thursday 12/18, less than 24 hours after the rain stopped.

I know they say a man’s home is his castle, but I don’t remember asking for a moat with it!!

 

[MSgt46270]

Don, I thought you said you weren't getting a pool, .

 

[SixtySix]

Hey look! Venice! Bring in the Gondola's

 

[don_w]

Too bad I don't live on Canal Street...

 

[jsawyer]

He is building a castle with a moat

 

[retfr8flyr]

Don you should really cover that pool in the winter.


Earl

 

[don_w]

Maybe I should stock it with fish....

 

[cekim]

Maybe I should stock it with fish....

I think I saw a bone fragment there - maybe your house is on an ancient Indian burial ground? - STOP EVERYTHING - I'm calling it in...

 

[don_w]

I think I saw a bone fragment there - maybe your house is on an ancient Indian burial ground? - STOP EVERYTHING - I'm calling it in...

More likely it is a couple neighborhood cats that mysteriously disappeared a few years ago.

 

[MSgt46270]

Hey Don, when your house gets completed. We can hang this sign over your garage door.