Central air conditioning

[I-Hate-Hulse]

What are the advantages / disadvantages of mounting to the side of the house with brackets vs a cement block?

[Northendzone]

The disadvantages of attaching it to your house are could cause house to vibrate if unit vibrates.

I opted to attach it to the house via brackets because I did not want a $4000 purchase to sit on the ground

[Ace]

I chose to get a pad cause I didn't want the potential damage to my house, guess this is personal preference. The pad they gave me was actually made out of some kind of composite (not cement)

Also if it's attached to your house you may find it preferable to be able to get under the unit for whatever reason, (lawncare)

[First Lady]

This may be of interest ...

Relief sought from noisy home air conditioners

City looking for ways to muffle loud irritant


Neighbourhood tempers flaring over noisy air conditioners could cool down if proposed noise bylaw changes are implemented.

Calgary may soon join other cities that have measures in place to control the rattle and hum of residential air conditioners.

A notice of motion being introduced to city council on Monday is asking city administration to investigates solutions to rumbling air conditioners that have “a demonstrable impact on the health and quality of life of adjacent neighbours.”

“We have received a number of calls over many years,” said Ald. Druh Farrell, who signed the notice of motion with Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Ald. Shane Keating.

“It’s not an irritant for everyone — some people can live with it. Other people, it absolutely drives them crazy. Some people are more sensitive to it.”

Calgary’s bylaw department recorded 2,400 noise complaints last year. Most were loud music calls, nearly 500 were due to construction, and 131 complaints were related to air conditioners, generators, fans and vacuums, according to Animal and Bylaw Services.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/technol...#ixzz2QyG2Ps2j

[Northendzone]

But loud CAC's save lives?

I believe that this is another advantage of more exspensive units, they are quieter, an important consideration when there are only 8 or so feet between houses

[ken0042]

Makes me wonder if the people who are complaining about loud AC units are doing so partially due to envy. I have heard of this from co-workers; complaining that their neighbour's AC is too loud. However they find it too loud because they have to keep their windows open due to not having AC.

Which brings me to a couple of other side benefits from having AC. Both are due to not having to leave windows open:

- Security. Either from intruders or from changing weather. (Rain, dust, smoke, etc.) Having central AC means you don't have to keep a schedule of opening and closing windows; nor do you have to worry about somebody using an open window to break into your house.

- Noise. In the summer it doesn't bug me if there is noise from traffic or the neighbours having a party. The windows are only open if I feel like having them open.

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

What are the advantages / disadvantages of mounting to the side of the house with brackets vs a cement block?

My installer told me the only thing that can really damage your compressor is leaves and/or debris. Snow/water are fine. So, in an area with lots of trees or shrubs, they prefer to attach it to the house to get it off the ground to reduce the chances of leaves getting piled up around it. He also mentioned proximity to windows as a determining factor, but didn't elaborate.

[DoubleK]

Has anyone had any experience in using Sears Home Services for AC install?

They have Carrier's on for 3 years equal payment with no interest.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

What are the advantages / disadvantages of mounting to the side of the house with brackets vs a cement block?

In New houses the bracket is needed because the soil near the house isn't settled. There is a lot of vibration in these units and over 10 years the fasteners will need to be replaced the concrete pad on settled ground is better, but on a brand new home, not an option.

[Sylvanfan]

I just decided on a new A/C Furnaces system for my house. Seek out prices you can get duct cleaning thrown in too. Places like Sears/Home Depot, can offer better financing, but not the best price unless you get the same sales guy. There are some rebates to be had now, but really the difference in these units is the noise. You have AC your windows will be closed. What do you care about noise?

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Has anyone had any experience in using Sears Home Services for AC install?

They have Carrier's on for 3 years equal payment with no interest.

That's where ours came from 6 years ago. Great service and install. He even moved the thermostat to a better location in the house.

[redflamesfan08]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I just decided on a new A/C Furnaces system for my house. Seek out prices you can get duct cleaning thrown in too. Places like Sears/Home Depot, can offer better financing, but not the best price unless you get the same sales guy. There are some rebates to be had now, but really the difference in these units is the noise. You have AC your windows will be closed. What do you care about noise?

And this is why spending time outside one's house in the city is becoming less enjoyable every year. Probably the same thought process my neighbours' went through.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by redflamesfan08

And this is why spending time outside one's house in the city is becoming less enjoyable every year. Probably the same thought process my neighbours' went through.

I don't buy that at all. Both my neighbours have older AC units, I don't hear them at all. There are a lot of other things that are noisier. Maybe in new neighbourhoods where the houses are crammed together, but even then I think it pales in comparison to sirens, barking dogs and road noise.

[redflamesfan08]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I don't buy that at all. Both my neighbours have older AC units, I don't hear them at all. There are a lot of other things that are noisier. Maybe in new neighbourhoods where the houses are crammed together, but even then I think it pales in comparison to sirens, barking dogs and road noise.

Its definitely a newer neighbourhood (and I'd assume a newer AC unit as well). Backyard patio on the same side of the house as their AC, and relaxing outside with a beer isn't as relaxing as it should be. I'll have to stop trying to get my dogs to stop barking as payback.

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by redflamesfan08

Its definitely a newer neighbourhood (and I'd assume a newer AC unit as well). Backyard patio on the same side of the house as their AC, and relaxing outside with a beer isn't as relaxing as it should be. I'll have to stop trying to get my dogs to stop barking as payback.

Brian is that you?

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by redflamesfan08

Its definitely a newer neighbourhood (and I'd assume a newer AC unit as well). Backyard patio on the same side of the house as their AC, and relaxing outside with a beer isn't as relaxing as it should be. I'll have to stop trying to get my dogs to stop barking as payback.

Brian is that you? Your dogs are the main reason why I installed the ac.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Any thoughts on how powerful a unit to go with in Calgary? I had 2 quotes specing a 3 ton unit, and a guy I believe to be on the straight and level spec a 4 ton unit in his quote (he got to a 3.3, but they don't make a 3.5 in the compact unit I'm looking for).

Place is 10 years old, 2 story infill, about 2000 sq ft above grade.

And yes, follow EVERLAST's advice to call around... I'm at at 25% difference from the high quote to the low one, on the same damn Carrier unit. (all established authorized Carrier dealers) Scratching my head on that one...

[gottabekd]

I'm bumping this in hopes of getting some more recommendations.

My townhouse has an old AC unit from the 70s. It turns on makes a sufficient amount of noise to tell me that things are mostly in working order, but it doesn't cool. I'm guessing it could probably be repaired or maybe just recharged, but is there any way in hell an AC company would even bother? Or would they just laugh at the antique, and start quoting me for a replacement unit?

I'm fine with shelling out for a new unit. Just wondering if anyone has any further recommendations or suggestions. Thanks.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I just decided on a new A/C Furnaces system for my house. Seek out prices you can get duct cleaning thrown in too. Places like Sears/Home Depot, can offer better financing, but not the best price unless you get the same sales guy. There are some rebates to be had now, but really the difference in these units is the noise. You have AC your windows will be closed. What do you care about noise?

Shameless plug of fellow CP'er, but spend the smallish amount and get Keith to do it. He'll do an awesome job on cleaning the ductwork. Also, you want to have this done right as dust /debris getting sucked into the coils can really mess up the reliability of your AC (which you dropped thousands on). You want a clean system off the go, not some guy who is doing it for free and will do a half a** job. Just my 2 cents.

[EVERLAST]

One more time for those not reading thru entire thread....5 quotes and demand comparable and references need to be checked thru BBB website ...there are allot of hacks out there.

My personal preference is Jack at Fagnan's as the A/C installer of choice...2nd place is Just in Time Furnace.....3rd place is Sun Valley HVAC