18 SEER for Virginia?

[czechsonofagun]

I am looking into new HVAC unit for the house. This is how it compares from one of the sellers:

18 SEER $4500
16 SEER $4100
15 SEER $2900
14 SEER $2800
13 SEER $2500

Prices are for 3ton Goodman but that's not important. My question is if it makes sense to pay for the 18 SEER, looks like 15 SEER is the most popular.

What do you think? Go with the best or compromise? I am replacing the AC only system and baseboard heaters with one HVAC system.

Opinions appreciated

 

[dex3361]

I would go with at least a 14SEER as I think that gets you a scroll compressor. That said I looked at this when I replaced my unit a few years ago. I am leery of the higher SEER as they tend to be more complex with a lot more to go wrong. Some of these higher end units have variable frequency drives and several more circuit boards to worry about going bad. S I went the route I usually go an went middle of the road. I also installed a Goodman 14SEER Heat pump. i am also not so sure you would recoup your price difference over the life of the unit.

 

[murphy1244]

I would go 15 seer arcoaire. Same price better unit.

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

have a look at 3 Ton Air Conditioner, 3 Ton Goodman AC - BUY Online
the listed price is shipped to your door, arrange your own installation.

 

[jonyyuma]

have a look at 3 Ton Air Conditioner, 3 Ton Goodman AC - BUY Online
the listed price is shipped to your door, arrange your own installation.

Guys, What is the expected life of the new Ac units? Some of the pros around here shy away from the goodman and janitrol units? Personally I have a 10 year old goodman 4ton unit with gas pack...I have had repairs but nothing major yet? OR--What are you expecting from them??

 

[V1Rotate]

I recently had a Trane system put in, I went with the lowest SEER which was 13. According to their information, the difference in power consumption between 13 SEER and 14 SEER was 5%. I just got my first electric bill since using my new system and it only went up about 30 dollars (2.5 ton unit, the didn't have AC before and its been really hot).

5% percent of 30 is only 1.50 a month in savings, so I figured i would never get the payback.

 

[jdrobison]

Goodman is as good as any other IMO, I have been in HVAC for 20 years. the so called Pros are thinking back to the janitrol days when they prob were not so good.
check with your utility and see if they offer a rebate. the ones that do usually have a minimum seer rating to qualify for it. 15 seer around this area.

Goodman does have a good warranty now days but I would avoid the online stores, have seen some distributors who would not warranty that equipment and some of it is usually last years models.

 

[firedog]

I agree, the bad rap on Goodman was from several years ago. I just ordered a Goodman 3 ton heat pump 14 seer. The downstairs unit (Heil brand) compressor locked up. I Replaced the upstairs unit last year with a Goodman. Put in Goodman's at my daughters house and the business in town.
I'm not really sold of the high seer units. 14 or maybe 15 is what I'd go with.
1st, the lowest seer you can get is 13 so that's your base cost. A 18 seer will not run any less than a 13 seer it will just be more efficient. So, savings will be based on run time, the more run time you have the higher the savings will be.
So here's "my" calculation: initial cost of 18 seer over the cost of the 13 or 14 seer must be less than the savings derived over half the life expectancy of the unit. In other words, if the thing doesn't pay for itself in half its life, I ain't going for it. Not saying it's the best way, but it's the way I look at it.
Run time may vary based on the quality of insulation and heat load of your home. If your home is well insulated and has double or triple pane windows, good shade on the southern & western exposures, your savings on the 18 seer may be very small.

 

[DKCDKC]

I looked at the high SEER units 10 years ago, because I was retiring I wanted to make a capital investment that would pay off over years. I finally decided to go with a geothermal heat pump, and am glad I did. It cost about $10,000 more than an average heat pump, but really keeps my bills down. Given my sprawling, many windowed ranch house (no stairs) in the mountains of Virginia, I figure it paid off its higher cost several years ago, and is still performing well. It is a complex machine, with three zones and computer-controlled vents, but you have to make sure you have a good, knowledgeable dealer when you buy. After the three years of free checks ran out, I have it checked once every two years... About what I did with my old heat pump in an older house.

I'd give geothermal a look anyway.

 

[s219]

We're putting 16 seer units in our new house. That was the "sweet spot" recommended by the installer. He didn't think the higher SEER units were as good of a value. I forget the brand.

At our current house, we have a 12 year old Janitrol unit that has been fine. In fact, I am surprised it's still going strong -- I would've figured it would at least need a new fan motor by now. Knock on wood...

 

[roamerr]

I must have one of the units FireDog mentioned. My last home had a Goodman that was installed in 2005 by 2008 it had cost me approx $300 in labor for repairs. Ive had Carrier, TRane and now American Standard and repairs have not been needed. I personally will not buy another Goodman. They cost less for a reason in my opinion.

 

[meburdick]

I recently had a Trane system put in, I went with the lowest SEER which was 13. According to their information, the difference in power consumption between 13 SEER and 14 SEER was 5%. I just got my first electric bill since using my new system and it only went up about 30 dollars (2.5 ton unit, the didn't have AC before and its been really hot).

5% percent of 30 is only 1.50 a month in savings, so I figured i would never get the payback.

This is the general sort of guidance that I've gotten... You *think* you want the highest SEER because it's the most efficient, but the actual difference is very small. When it's all said and done, the extra money you dish out for the higher efficiency never really comes back to you.

Call your electric company before you purchase. Ask what programs they may have in place for rebates on certain SEER levels and what you need to do to qualify.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

If your baseboard heat is electric, I'd give serious thought to going with a heat pump. Oh, the SEER rating is for cooling only, there is another std used for heating efficiency. Heat pump can still put out a decent amount of heat down to about 30F. At that temp you will need some kind of aux heat source. Humidity plays a big part on low temp performance. With a lot of humidity/rain/snow the coils will freeze up and require defrosting more often which will up the operating cost. If not for the humidity, I could almost rely on the HP down to nearly 20F.

I replaced the heating system in our house last yr, was electric ceiling heat. Did a LOT of reading including frequenting a HVAC forum. Recall Goodman not having a very good rep on that site. Went for a fairly high end system and payback figured out to be ~8 yrs. Not too bad as over half the cost was for the air handler and duct system install.

With no current forced air ducting the cost is going to be a lot more but there is a big payback on the electric bill when replacing radiant electric heat. The avg efficiency of the HP over the straight electric heat is 3X. Our first month's electric bill dropped 40%. Not bad considering this is an all electric house. I have a well and a larger shop in addition.

Oh, think my system has a seer rating of 16 and I forget what the heating system is rated at.

 

[kenmac]

14 to 15 seer. When they went to 410A most if not all all units went to scroll. In a goodman, most of the parts are the same as all the other brands. I can install any brand in my home that I want. I have a goodman. Goodman used to be a lower priced unit. Not so much anymore. It will be the installer that makes the difference no matter which brand you choose. You can buy the most expensive brand on the market. If it's not installed correctly. It will live a short life

 

[forgeblast]

We were looking at the fujitsu halcyon series. We needed three bedrooms to have ac so we were going to get the minisplit/heat pump combo. It was a 19.2 seer. The fujitsu have a 5 year parts 7 year compressor warranty.

 

[tulenutn2o]

Goodman is as good as any other IMO, I have been in HVAC for 20 years. the so called Pros are thinking back to the janitrol days when they prob were not so good.
check with your utility and see if they offer a rebate. the ones that do usually have a minimum seer rating to qualify for it. 15 seer around this area.

Goodman does have a good warranty now days but I would avoid the online stores, have seen some distributors who would not warranty that equipment and some of it is usually last years models.

Same here. I've been in the biz since 1990 and the older Janitrol stuff was somewhat problematic. However, beware of online purchases as Goodman's policy is no warranty on units purchased from anyone other than an authorized distributor/dealer. So unless these online stores have a stated warranty do not buy. One thing that Goodman has been doing, like everyone else, is sourcing electric/electronics from China---- I have noticed alot more frequent failures of capacitors-especially. I am not a big fan of complicated electronics from China.

 

[tulenutn2o]

Couldn't have said it any better.

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

My AC unit is Goodman, installed new in 1990 with an Olsen gas furnace. Had a couple minor probs with the furnace, but (touch wood) the AC is still going strong... and sure need it these days.
I recall the HVAC guy telling me back in 1990 that Goodman was made in Texas, and if they work good in the hot south, they should be good for Canada.

Pete

 

[tulenutn2o]

Yes, they are from Texas. Parts are sourced from everywhere. Good units, but prices are getting up there. Used to be 1/2 to 2/3 less.......Now pretty close to others. I have been installing them since 1990 but am wary of the newer high tech stuff. Electrical storms/surges= ouch! Can get costly.

 

[kenmac]

I have noticed alot more frequent failures of capacitors-especially. I am not a big fan of complicated electronics from China.

Nothing we can do about that as all the brands are going cheap on the parts. Had a meeting with my wholesale supplier last week about caps. from china. They said they could buy better caps. but most of the service companies don't want to pay the xtra $ for them. I would pay a little more & get better parts. I guess service companies would rather just keep charging their customers to replace the low quality china parts. Make $ off the low quality parts & the service call. I just don't like doing business that way