The BEST HVAC system for your home, hands down

[Torvy]

He's trying to stick with his regular subs and attic installed 'brand C' is what his regular sub knows how to do. Is AC separate from heat system?

AC and heat go together. Heat will need to be LP instead of Natural Gas at the new place.

The place is really one floor with attic over part of it. The living room area will be vaulted and have exposed vent work like an industrial look.

 

[Sigarms]

I really like the continuously variable fan. We have save literally hundreds per month in the summer and still lowered the temps.

What you're looking for is a constant torque variable airflow motor, AKA "true" variable speed.

I get it, the two (and 3rd system) I replaced I with with the same fan type due to low air flow movement.

My only point is going with a variable speed indoor motor, the return on investment isn't there over 16 SEER.

Keep in mind, a variable speed constant torque motor (AKA X-13) is actually more energy efficient than a variable speed constant air flow motor ("true" variable speed).

I don't know about your area, but I'm calling BS on the statement per the builder "that's what everyone else is using". Either Carrier worked out a deal with the builder or the builders HVAC contractors want to use Carrier vs Trane.

Honestly, I'd just stay away from a proprietary communicating t stat where the system HAS to use it no matter what brand you use.

 

[ultrarunner]

That's exactly why I went with a 2 stage compressor on this new install.

I'm curious about the humidity and how a 2 stage compressor with a variable speed indoor unit will handle it vs a 13 SEER variable speed single stage compressor.

Seeing is believing. Currently, after seeing the whole house dehumidifier, I'm a believer. The question becomes if I still need it with 2 stage variable speed.

Humidity or high humidity is very rare in summer and sometimes when it is really hot humidity is single digits.

Unit is old now but several stages of gas heat and variable speed blower.

One of his neighbors had just prior had similar done and very unhappy...

Spent a fortune including new electrical service to provide 40 amp circuit, lost the only hall/coat closet and when it is on it's like a windy day that never stops.

Of course I'm dating myself because my install was 1998...

Brother newly married and said on first hot day A/C or we are moving to her condo.

Brother lived there 10 years prior and A/C central heat was never on the to do list.

 

[tractortroof]

FYI, ICP and Carrier are pretty much the same. My ICP rep has a Carrier signature line, go figure LOL

I've got to ask, in all your 20 years plus, how many heat pumps and gas furnaces have you installed since you mentioned Florida?

EVERYONE has had evaporator coil leak issues to the point that every manufacturer has had a class action lawsuit settled out of court.

EVERY company you've listed I've been to their manufacturing facility. I'm come to the conclusion same crap, different day.

I'm not trying to be combative, just after dealing with all these manufacturers, every one is screwed up somehow, somewhere if you deal with them long enough to see it. Don't even get me going where ICP is screwed up, but overall, I will agree with you that overall, the quality even with pretty much nothing being made in the US is pretty good.

Average life expectancy of a new HVAC system is 7-13 years. Blame that on the government IMO for having all manufacturers trying to meet energy standards which always change over time.

Next year, it's A 15 SEER MINIMUM, 2025, say goodby to R410A.

Gas furnaces in Florida typically don’t break, like I mean close to never. Not enough use. I have installed every type, including condensing. Why I ever did that I have no idea (payback?)

ICP coils are way better than anyone else. I guess I should call them United technologies coils, since they are the parent company, ICP technically a subsidiary of Carrier. I have close to a thousand systems installed out there and especially since they changed to the all aluminum, have replaced only 3 coils. They are simply incredible, no other manufacturer comes close.

What problems could you possibly have with ICP? Always interesting to hear from another perspective

 

[ultrarunner]

Coil failure under warranty with huge lead time is what soured me on Daiken.

Also as an owner they would not speak with me until I said my next action is to file a claim with the State Attorney General Fraud Section...

Felt sorry for the installing contractor because he had so much time wrapped up on this.

York would be my next least favorite as twice now runaway strip heaters melting... in the heat of summer... Installing contractors last job too... another mess as he sold the business to a competitor and retired to Florida.

 

[tractortroof]

What you're looking for is a constant torque variable airflow motor, AKA "true" variable speed.

I get it, the two (and 3rd system) I replaced I with with the same fan type due to low air flow movement.

My only point is going with a variable speed indoor motor, the return on investment isn't there over 16 SEER.

Keep in mind, a variable speed constant torque motor (AKA X-13) is actually more energy efficient than a variable speed constant air flow motor ("true" variable speed).

I don't know about your area, but I'm calling BS on the statement per the builder "that's what everyone else is using". Either Carrier worked out a deal with the builder or the builders HVAC contractors want to use Carrier vs Trane.

Honestly, I'd just stay away from a proprietary communicating t stat where the system HAS to use it no matter what brand you use.

Both of those motors are dependent upon a perfectly designed duct system. The amp draw on both goes up with high static pressure. Neither is more efficient. True variable is more expensive for the consumer so I avoid it.

The largest new construction companies here use Carrier (ICP). None use Trane. Most builders will reject bids with Trane and that’s been true for as long as I can remember.

I just replaced my pastors Trane coils…2019 install and they didn’t last 2 years. I tell them the next time they go out it’ll be time to get another air handler from ICP. Trane has never fixed their coil issue.

I can’t wait till they change the refrigerant again, sigh

 

[Sigarms]

Humidity or high humidity is very rare in summer and sometimes when it is really hot humidity is single digits.

In my neck of the woods, during the summer particularly at night, humidity can reach 80%-90%.

What people forget it that it's not the actual temperature that keeps you comfortable, the the relative humidity level.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep... many problems of our own making...

Just bought a small ice machine and it said caution Flammable refrigerant...

Are we going back to the beginning of refrigeration?

 

[Sigarms]

Coil failure under warranty with huge lead time is what soured me on Daiken.

The issue back then from what I remember is Daikin moved their manufacturing facility from Huston to their new location in Texas (everything made under one roof so to speak).

I remember when Goodman guys were complaining about coils from Goodman with availability. Lots of guys were using 3rd party rated coils back then just to get by that were approved by Goodman because they knew they were screwed.

It may not change anything, but you drew the short stick on luck of the draw when they were moving plants.

I'm dealing with another manufacturer that is having issues just for the fact that they didn't plan it right, but it has nothing to do with equipment, but their software which is a pain in the butt to use because they never did any beta testing to ensure it would work. Go figure...

 

[Sigarms]

Both of those motors are dependent upon a perfectly designed duct system. The amp draw on both goes up with high static pressure. Neither is more efficient. True variable is more expensive for the consumer so I avoid it.

The largest new construction companies here use Carrier (ICP). None use Trane. Most builders will reject bids with Trane and that’s been true for as long as I can remember.

I just replaced my pastors Trane coils…2019 install and they didn’t last 2 years. I tell them the next time they go out it’ll be time to get another air handler from ICP. Trane has never fixed their coil issue.

I can’t wait till they change the refrigerant again, sigh

I've found the X-13 works better with high static duct systems vs variable speed. What works best IMO? Good old cheap PSC motor LOL

Look at ICP ratings, you see you get higher efficiency with the X-13 motor vs the variable speed motor. Pretty much the case with all manufacturers.

Let you in on a secret, from my first picture, you should know what equipment I used

But honestly, that's due to some other things. I would not have been bothered if it were a couple of other brands.

I've had close to 30 years between two Lennox "off brand" systems, 2 defrost boards, one blower motor and two capacitors replaced in those 30 years of combined operation between the two, and that wasn't a bad run IMO. Because the outdoor TXV went on the one and since it was over 14 years old, decided it was time to replace it.