Central air conditioning

[Allos]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I just got a quote from Arpi's for a Lennox AC install with 4 different price options. I'm leaning towards the Lennox EL16XC1 3.5 ton for a 2300 sqft house, and the quoted price is $7200 after tax. Is that a decent price? I have absolutely nothing to reference it to other than the other models in the quote, but the cheaper ones are louder and less efficient

We bought the exact same A/C from Arpi's December 2021. Price was $5380.35 before tax.


https://ibb.co/tKj9VdL

[8 Ball]

Oof, everything is so much more expensive

[photon]

Noise I don't think I'm too worried about, it will go where on both houses I think there's a total of 2 windows, only one of which opens on the top floor.

For the carrier it says 72dB for the 16 SEER and 73dB for the 13 SEER which I think translates to 25% louder.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by 8 Ball

Oof, everything is so much more expensive

It also doesn't help that it's peak A/C buying season right now.

I was a bit late to the game as well this year (bought mine six weeks ago), but the all of the Lennox/Carrier quotes I received (3 ton, 16 SEER) were in the $5000-6500 range, including installation.

Ended up going with a Daikin Fit, which is really quiet and compact.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by photon

For the carrier it says 72dB for the 16 SEER and 73dB for the 13 SEER which I think translates to 25% louder.

You got it. Each 3 dB is a doubling in "loudness".

[photon]

The only other feature I might like on the more expensive 16 SEER one is "WeatherArmor Ultra" which looks like some kind of protection against hail and whatever. Not sure how effective that is, if that plus the efficiency plus the noise reduction is worth $1000.

[Northendzone]

wow, that is some big price increases; however, as this point in the year, the prices are unlikely to come down as the install season is pretty much here

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by photon

For the carrier it says 72dB for the 16 SEER and 73dB for the 13 SEER which I think translates to 25% louder.

Originally Posted by DoubleK

You got it. Each 3 dB is a doubling in "loudness".

Sorry for the nit-pick, but for the human ear and brain a 10 dB increase is roughly what would be perceived as a doubling in loudness.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Couldn't get the wife to pull the trigger last year on central AC ("It's too expensive, and it's not even that hot this year"), but the hottest May either of us can remember in Calgary and already dealing with wildfire smoke changed her tune in a hurry. Installed yesterday, hit 29 degrees today, and I get to be comfortable without shifting around a heavy ass portable AC unit. I just wish I would have pushed more to get it done last year, which would have saved a good $500 or more on the install

[8 Ball]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Couldn't get the wife to pull the trigger last year on central AC ("It's too expensive, and it's not even that hot this year"), but the hottest May either of us can remember in Calgary and already dealing with wildfire smoke changed her tune in a hurry. Installed yesterday, hit 29 degrees today, and I get to be comfortable without shifting around a heavy ass portable AC unit. I just wish I would have pushed more to get it done last year, which would have saved a good $500 or more on the install

Just be cognizant of the fact your furnace likely brings in a portion of outside air. So on extremely smoky days, you may want to watch that.

[indes]

We pulled the trigger this year after 2 years without. It was a big expense - 7000$ but we had them put it about 40' from the furnace

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by 8 Ball

Just be cognizant of the fact your furnace likely brings in a portion of outside air. So on extremely smoky days, you may want to watch that.

Already tested that on Monday when we had the windows open and woke up to a smokey house. The furnace fan did a really good job of clearing out the smell, so it must not bring in that much outside air, and/or the filter does a great job of cleaning it

[Wormius]

You guys doing anything before turning the AC back on for the season? I thought there was some yearly maintenance that needs to be done so you don’t invalidate the warranty.

[8 Ball]

Originally Posted by Wormius

You guys doing anything before turning the AC back on for the season? I thought there was some yearly maintenance that needs to be done so you don’t invalidate the warranty.

Make sure your furnace filter is clean, and change it if necessary. Also make sure your condenser coil outside doesn’t have any debris or fluff stuck to it. Turn off your humidifier.