Community Forums

wagonmaster2 · 05-25-2021, 01:24 PM

My Dutch Star will need a new pump in the Oasis Hydronic system so we can have hot water and it looks like a 4 hr trip back to the dealer for this. But the worst quandry facing me is having to replace the home air conditioner so we will have a cool place to return to. Was told to get several estimates, so that's what I did. Current unit has lasted 25-30 years, can't remember exactly.

Have gotten 3 new replacement estimates for our 3 ton unit. One says to use new 3 ton outside unit but will use a 4 ton coil on the inside of the house. Another writes an estimate for a 3 ton outside and 3 1/2 ton coil inside. The 3rd contractor estimate is 3 ton outside and 3 ton inside (says no such thing as 3 1/2 ton inside the house coil). Don't know which way to turn here.

Has anyone had to face this decision, and what was the outcome? This may be the wrong site for this question, but figured another RVer still with a stick/stone home would be best for a suggestion.

153stars · 05-25-2021, 04:02 PM

Typical to over size evap coil 1/2 to 1 ton. Better dehumidification in humid climates, better air flow over coil when it is all wet. There are 3.5 ton or over sized 3 ton coils.

Ray,IN · 05-25-2021, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 153stars

Typical to over size evap coil 1/2 to 1 ton. Better dehumidification in humid climates, better air flow over coil when it is all wet. There are 3.5 ton or over sized 3 ton coils.

Yup, just don't go over on the compressor size. My dad did that once, the house was cold _ and clammy inside because it chilled the air to 'stat setting before it could remove humidity.

**pasdad1** · 05-25-2021, 08:47 PM

I say go with 3 ton for condenser and evaporator. Don’t oversize the evaporator. My first unit was oversized on the evaporator and the air never felt very cold in summer or warm in winter when in heat pump mode. When I replaced it; I went with matched set, and much happier with the results.

wagonmaster2 · 05-25-2021, 09:24 PM

Thanks, the more I chew on this seems the bigger it gets. Thought this would be a simple decision but didn't reallize there were so many options.

txcpl · 05-26-2021, 04:53 AM

You have 3 estimates, why not get 5 or 6? You want to get the best bang for your buck. You only mention sizes in your post. What about SEER ratings? SEER ratings mean $$$ in your pocket or dollars in the electricity providers pocket..

TomandGloria · 05-26-2021, 06:09 AM

Just replaced my ac system yesterday. 3.5 ton heat pump and variable speed air handler. My last system was 10 years old and suffered two coil failures during that time. I wasn’t a happy camper, but did not want to throw money at a system that was aging. Good luck, it ain’t cheap.

UTTransplant · 05-26-2021, 08:07 AM

Talk to the local electrical company. They can do a full energy audit on your house and give some good recommendations. They aren’t making money on which AC you buy, and they are actually incentivized to use less electricity so they don’t have to build more plants.

wagonmaster2 · 05-27-2021, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txcpl

You have 3 estimates, why not get 5 or 6? You want to get the best bang for your buck. You only mention sizes in your post. What about SEER ratings? SEER ratings mean $$$ in your pocket or dollars in the electricity providers pocket..

Small community and only 2 other reputable contractors, and one of them is the person I sold my 1993 Bounder to in 1997. It was low mileage and in very good condition but never heard back from him how he got along with it or if he was as happy with it as I was. If he was unhappy with it I sure wouldn't want him installing my furnace/AC, I don't think.

I can have a 14 SEER unit or a 16 SEER unit, $970 price difference. From what I'm reading on the Internet it usually takes close to 10 years to recoup that price difference with a more efficient unit.