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Home AC
So we have been living in our house for 10years and bought it new. The AC unit is now 10years old. (I was told this is a typical lifespan of an AC unit). Our house is rather large (3000sq feet) and it has only one AC zone which drives us nuts.
Since we live in FL our AC is used heavily. We both work out of the house and at night we like it cool. So my questions are: How long does an AC unit last? How do you know its going bad? Are there good brands and bad ones? (We have a Carrier now). Is there a way to add a zone just for our bedroom? How much should I be prepared to spend? What SEER rating is the minimum or maximum I should get. Thanks! t.
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tk 08 911 C2S - Sold 13 Audi A4 14 Jeep SRT 500HP |
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07-23-2010, 06:55 AM
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10 years isn't all that old for a system that has been well maintained. Another consideration is exposure to salt air. This does shorten the life span of a typical unit.
If you think that your system is not operating to the required capacity or would like to see some options for zoning your home find a good contractor to review your system with you. I worked for Trane for 15 years as a centrifugal chiller mechanic so I am a bit biased as to equipment. I have Trane equipment in my home and have had very few problems with them. If you are replacing go with a matched system to extract the most efficiency possible. Mismatched air handlers and condensing units will not produce the high advertised SEER ratings. Ask around your area for the recommended installer and check to see what equipment he likes to work with.
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Bill K. "I started out with nothin and I still got most of it left...." 83 911 SC Guards Red (now gone) And I sold a bunch of parts I hadn't installed yet. |
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07-23-2010, 07:17 AM
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My AC is original to my place, built in '81. Works great.
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Aaron '81 911SC RoW Targa |
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07-23-2010, 08:14 AM
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Oh, you're in for a nasty surprise WHEN it goes out. Could be 5-10 yrs. still, but the fix is expensive. My unit runs on R-22 and is 14 yrs. old. A new law took effect on Jan. 1 this year that R-22 units can no longer be made. Sure, there are still plenty of NOS and usable used components out there, but they will dry up. The new units are 410's and, while supposedly a lot more efficient, I believe require a new air handler to be matched to them. I was told the ballpark for mine WHEN it goes would be around $6500. Ouch. Of course, there are various tax incentives from the feds and local power utility to soften this blow. But it's gonna hurt bad no matter what. And I doubt my a/c is gonna give much warning when it's time to die. It will probably happen in July or August and we'll end up living in a hotel until it's replaced. I hope I can keep renewing my home warranty until the a/c goes.
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2022 BMW 530i 2021 MB GLA250 2020 BMW R1250GS |
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07-23-2010, 08:14 AM
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Student of the obvious
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 7,714
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My Carrier heat pump is about 15 years old and still running. Compressor was replaced around 3 years ago. I know two people who replaced entire systems that were running fine expecting to save on electricity. Both spent around $8000, both had issues with the installs. Electricity usage remains the same for one, but WENT UP for the other! They both thought they were saving themselves a lot of trouble replacing old units and both really regret it.
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Lee |
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07-23-2010, 08:49 AM
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We replaced ours with a geothermal heat pump. Works great for heating and cooling here in the upper Midwest. We replaced the original 1972 oil burner and central air unit that got struck by lightning.
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Brent The X15 was the only aircraft I flew where I was glad the engine quit. - Milt Thompson. "Don't get so caught up in your right to dissent that you forget your obligation to contribute." Mrs. James to her son Chappie. |
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07-23-2010, 09:00 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
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Geothermal makes me think very expensive. Am I right? Basically its a hybrid that works to reduce the load on the standard system, no?
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07-23-2010, 09:07 AM
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It is more expensive, yes. It replaced everything though and will pay for itself in 6.5 years over what we had and that made it worth purchasing over repairing what we had. The A/C part is more efficient than running our attic fan.
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Brent The X15 was the only aircraft I flew where I was glad the engine quit. - Milt Thompson. "Don't get so caught up in your right to dissent that you forget your obligation to contribute." Mrs. James to her son Chappie. |
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07-23-2010, 09:21 AM
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There is really not much to the unit is there? Compressor, Fan, some relays, If its working then it works. Mine is 17 years old, now if something like the compressor went out then I would just get a new unit but not until.
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______________________ Craig G2Performance Twinplug, head work, case savers, rockers arms, etc. |
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07-23-2010, 09:38 AM
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Wow, great info.
The guy was making us think we were throwing money away and that our unit was heading towards the end. We are on our 2nd blower wheel in our air handler. (2 of out balance wheels that sheared hemselves). That's really it. We have our unit serviced once a year, change the filter monthly and pour vinegar down that tube every 6 weeks. ANything else we should be doing? Interesting that your friends new unit cost them more $$$
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tk 08 911 C2S - Sold 13 Audi A4 14 Jeep SRT 500HP |
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07-23-2010, 10:24 AM
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1983 Porsche SC
Only Porsche
Only bike
1969 and 1986 Porsche Targa and Coupe 1720cc and 3
