Central air conditioning

[squiggs96]

Maybe the additional cost they are quoting me is for how I asked for it. I have three bedrooms upstairs, and I'd like AC in each. There are two main areas on the main floor that I'd like the AC to come out of. I'm guessing instead of just having it run throughout the ducts, that because I asked for individual units, the cost is higher. I'll look further into it, as see if there is a more cost effective way, but still gives me the cooling I'm looking for. I assume the basement will be cool enough, as it has less light and is underground.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by ken0042

The only way I know to isolate floors is to install separate furnaces; is part of that quote adding an extra furnace? Typically they would have one furnace for the upper level, and the other for the main floor and basement. I also have a friend who only installed A/C upstairs, and lets the cold air trickle down as needed.

Many newer houses have zoned HVAC systems, just like you have in commercial buildings between offices and floors where there is just 1 source of hot and cold air.
There is just a solenoid controlled damper on the HVAC stack that controls how much goes to each zone. Most common is a 2 zone (main & lower) system, where it is run by 1 furnace & fan.

[MoneyGuy]

I recently got a central air-conditioning unit and a Nest thermostat installed by the same company. Both are excellent.

[Tron_fdc]

I picked up a 2 ton and a 2.5 ton Oasis unit at Graham Auction for $800 total last year. Apparently the same units go through every weekend.



Cost me about $1500 to get it all installed with wiring etc etc, so just over $2k all in. Well worth it.

[DoubleK]

Just got another quote from Arpis.

Pulled the trigger on a 2 ton Lennox XC13. Came to $3900 installed, tax in and including a sound blanket + winter cover.

[rhythmmachine]

I ended up going with Action Furnace (after also getting quotes from Reliance and W J Heating). Prices were quite close and they all have a 10-year warranty on labour and parts, but Action Furnace's warranty doesn't require an annual service to stay valid, they do the permit application, and I like how many crews they have in Calgary (easy to get help quickly if I need it). I got a Goodman GSX130301 (2.5 tonne) for $3500, including tax. Our house is 2 zones, 2500 square feet with a big vault and south-facing window, and I just got the upstairs/bedrooms done for now... I'll give it a year and see if it's enough to help out the main floor as well before buying a second unit.

[Calgary14]

Bump. With the warmer weather lately is anyone getting prices on central AC installation?

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Bump. With the warmer weather lately is anyone getting prices on central AC installation?

I had 8 quotes done before deciding on Action Furnace for ours. Works like a charm.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

I had 8 quotes done before deciding on Action Furnace for ours. Works like a charm.

How much did they charge you?

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

How much did they charge you?

All in it was $4,000, 10 yr parts/labour/warranty, winter cover installed on brackets. The house is 2400 sqft too so it's a bigger unit. Action had this 2 year guarantee if we don't like it, they uninstall and give us our money back too.

[Drummer]

Really? That's cool. It would cost them a ton of money to do that.

[EldrickOnIce]

Does anyone use heat pumps as air conditioning units in the west, or is outside temp too cold too soon through the fall to use for any heating? Maybe it's the cost of electricity? Nothing but heat pumps here in Quebec, that double as providing very efficient heat at Temps down to a few degrees below freezing.
Had never heard of a heat pump until moving here.

[Ducay]

Commercially yes; but residential I've only seen them out east. Not sure why they're not more common here given electricity is cheaper here as well (could be that NG is cheap like borscht?).

[Calgary14]

I asked about a heat pump while getting an AC quote a couple years ago; the sales guy said he's never done one here in 20 years being in Calgary. Maybe because temps are too cold in the fall here?

[Ryan Coke]

I looked into it a bit and I believe that is it; NG is cheap, and the colder temps.

It's cheaper to have a conventional AC unit and a NG furnace.

[sa226]

What are people experiencing for increases in their electrical bill witj central AC?

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[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by sa226

What are people experiencing for increases in their electrical bill witj central AC?

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How long is a rope?

It depends on how often it is on.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by sa226

What are people experiencing for increases in their electrical bill witj central AC?

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2200 sq foot house, and I'm not shy about running the A/C. I find it costs me about a dollar per day in electricity.

Like Canehdianman said, the costs can be extremely flexible. My answer is like asking how much a new car costs, and I tell you $30,000.

[Northendzone]

we also run ours a lot because I like it to be cool in the bedroom at night and I don't think it costs us that much.

that being said, I also spent some extra money at the time of purchase to get a unit that was more efficient (higher seer)

[jeffh]

The difference in cost of a 13 seer to a 16 seer is about $600 in initial equipment costs.