Need Some Air Conditioning Advice Please

[curling]

My dang compressor went out again and it is under warranty but this is the second on in last than a year. It is a crappy amana. Anyway the ac is about 20 years old so I think it is time to update. My power bill runs almost $500 during the summer. Any I can get a 12seer for $3700 a 14 for $5700 or a 16seer two stage York AC system for $6300.

Supposably the 2 stage compressor only runs on the first stage puliing a couple of amps compared to my system now pulling 15amps. And some people I talking to said it takes more humidity out of the air which make it feel cooler. Like he said if we keep it on 69 or 70 now, we should be able to keep it at 78 when we put this system in.

I plan on dieing in that house btw so inotherwords I am not planning on moving anytime soon. What do ya'll think? Remember I live in southern texas and it is HOT!

 

[rnch]

u keep your a/c set at 69....in texas.....in the summer??? dayummmmm!

no wonder you have gone thru 2 compressors.

a "crappy amana" along with lenox was the two top rated units by consumer reports for several years in the late 90's.

 

[curling]

u keep your a/c set at 69....in texas.....in the summer??? dayummmmm!

no wonder you have gone thru 2 compressors.

a "crappy amana" along with lenox was the two top rated units by consumer reports for several years in the late 90's.

Really? I heard amana was just the upgrade versian of janitrol. Which is junk.

 

[CENTURION44]

www.mrslim.com

 

[SoKlueles]

I think 76 is a good temp to keep your ac and its not so bad on the electric bill
Its not freezing cold but its not too hot either
Some people keep them at 72 or 74 but 76 is good with me

 

[rnch]

janitrol is considered entry level, true dat.

i know of 2 peeps who paid the big bucks for a lenox 2 speed compressor. they say that it runs on high from may until late october here in hot, humid new orleans, cannot tell any difference in interior humidity levels....they question their decision now.

american standard is considered "top of the line" by the local a/c guys i have spoken with here in ner orleans. my mother went with the american standard system 2 years ago...sez it's the best unit ever installed in her house in it's 30 years of existance.

i went with (at the time) amana's ultra high efficiency system in 1996 when i couldn't take the window units any longer. it's been maytag relaible, keeps the house at 74 all summer. the compressor cycles in and out until the outside temperature reaches 96 or so, then it runs consistanly.

my electric bill actually dropped after dumping the window units...a pleasant su-prise. i was expecting a slight increse, as i was now cooling the entire house, not just selected rooms.

 

[curling]

janitrol is considered entry level, true dat.

i know of 2 peeps who paid the big bucks for a lenox 2 speed compressor. they say that it runs on high from may until late october here in hot, humid new orleans, cannot tell any difference in interior humidity levels....they question their decision now.

american standard is considered "top of the line" by the local a/c guys i have spoken with here in ner orleans. my mother went with the american standard system 2 years ago...sez it's the best unit ever installed in her house in it's 30 years of existance.

i went with (at the time) amana's ultra high efficiency system in 1996 when i couldn't take the window units any longer. it's been maytag relaible, keeps the house at 74 all summer. the compressor cycles in and out until the outside temperature reaches 96 or so, then it runs consistanly.

my electric bill actually dropped after dumping the window units...a pleasant su-prise. i was expecting a slight increse, as i was now cooling the entire house, not just selected rooms.

Good advice here. I too from checking around heard the two speed isn't working that well either. I am think about staying around the 15 seer range single speed. I will check on the availabitity of the american standard.

Btw I don't keep it on 69 my wife does. I tell her all the time to leave it on 72 but she don't listen to me.

 

[rnch]

the 2 speed compressors might work out better up north where they don't have the extreme, long a/c seasons that texas and louisiana has...i have ran the a/c 12 months a year here.

we have york a/c systems at work...quiet compressors (outside noise levels)but only fair cooling capacity. in fairness to york, it may not be their top of the line systems, dunno.

i have spoken to 4 peeps with recently installed american standard systems, all are well satisfied wth it.

local a/c guys tell me that after the first of the year, by law the minimum eer levels of units sold will be elevated.

when i dump the window units (arrrgh! not again!!) in the 1880's side hall double parlor victorian home i am renovating, i will prolly go with american standard.

 

[Buddy_Christ]

Good advice here. I too from checking around heard the two speed isn't working that well either. I am think about staying around the 15 seer range single speed. I will check on the availabitity of the american standard.

Btw I don't keep it on 69 my wife does. I tell her all the time to leave it on 72 but she don't listen to me.

Smack that bitch and tell her she's costing you a fortune.

We've been keeping ours at 74, but we have a window unit, not central air. The one in our bedroom doesn't have a temperature gauge on it, but I've been keeping it semi-low. Our bedroom is pretty small and it's probably in the 70 degree range. Tiny ass bedroom though, so the AC in the window doesn't have to work too hard.

 

[curling]

Smack that bitch and tell her she's costing you a fortune.

We've been keeping ours at 74, but we have a window unit, not central air. The one in our bedroom doesn't have a temperature gauge on it, but I've been keeping it semi-low. Our bedroom is pretty small and it's probably in the 70 degree range. Tiny ass bedroom though, so the AC in the window doesn't have to work too hard.

She don't care and if I smack her she will go to that dang women shelter again and I won't have any clean underwear.

 

[rnch]

who wears underwear in this heat???

 

[Y_lifter]

77 or 78 with ceiling fans in ever room is perfect for me...
Down here its all about getting the damn 98% humidity out of the air,
so the inside blower unit and drains are just as important as the outside compressor.

Out there its all about cooling and not so much moisture..

While you are spending the $ flow, get your ductwork replaced or at least resealed
if you havent done that lately.

 

[rnch]

how's the rest of the house? attic/wall insulation up to specs? duct work wrapped and insulated and large enough for a newer ultra high efficiency system? windows cauked and sealing well? door weather stripping ok? any ridge vents or power vents for the attic for excess heat removal?? the "total package" all works together for efficent, cold a/c performance.....

 

[Y_lifter]

He does have a new garage.. I know that much..

 

[curling]

He does have a new garage.. I know that much..

Oh that's cold. I do need some weather stripping around some doors though. Turns out I don't need a system at all now. I called another ac company and they said that it was to low of a amp breaker tripping off my compressor. Cost $125 to fix it. Always good to get a second opinion.