I have to replace my central heat and air. one contractor told me 2-1/2 tons and one told me 3 tons. Help?

Question

I live in a 1600 sq. ft,home. I have had three bids on new heat and air. two contractors say I have a 3 ton unit one says I have a 2-1/2 ton unit. how can i tell which is correct. is there a code on the unit, or do I just pick a contractor with an honest face? i need quick responses. I am on borrowed time with my current unit since it has a freon leak and it is hot and humid in Oklahoma.

Answer 1

On the condensing unit (outside unit) there is a plate with a model number on it....usually the last two or four numbers tells you what size system you have....example...say your model number is 99999930 or 99993099 then the thirty means 30000BTU this is 21/2 tons.... now for a three ton unit the model number will be 99999936 or 99993699 the 36 means 36000 BTU and will be 3 tons ....considering that you already have a unit there if it was doing a good job i would replace it with the same size unit...at 1600 sq ft it would take a minimum of 21/2 tons to keep it cool and if you do not have double pane windows and a very well insulated home then a three ton would be more efficient...what you need is some hvac tech to do a heat cooling analysis ..this would confirm what i am telling you ..if you need help write down what brand unit you have and the model number of the condensing unit .my email is [e-mail]...i can tell you what you have with that information..

Answer 2

a good contractor should be able to calculate the exact cooling load that your home has...there are many variables that can affect what you need...2.5t to 3 ton is only a differance of 6000 btu's which is not much but if the cooling load that you have is just slightly under 3 tons then you are best to go whith a 2.5 ton unit as being slightly undersized it will operate for a longer cycle and this will provide better dehumidification which sounds like a desirable trait for you...also if your old unit is only 10 seer (seasonal energy efficiencey ratio) then chances are you will be replacing it with a 13 seer or higher unit...DO NOT LET THEM cheap out and reuse your old evaperator coil from your old system as this will void your warranty and will not work properly. up here in ontario canada we would only require a 2 ton unit (as a general rule of thumb) for a house your size but insulation, number of windows,window size and what direction they face are key factors when doing a proper cooling load calculation. Sears or some of the other giant chain stores that offer this service can be a good route to go ...they often charge alot more for the installation and the equipment but they usually offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and will rip out the unit and replace it if you aren't happy with the performance so that is an option...but if one of your indepedent contractors has or is willing to do the proper cooling load calculation and show it to you then that is the man that should get the money because he obviously takes some pride in doing the job right.

Answer 3

Hot and humid...hahaha...what about WET!
My hubby is a HVAC contractor, and we live in OK. He said for 1600 sq. ft you'll want the 3 ton.

3 tons is not over sized in Oklahoma. We run them through heat load programs all the time, and if he's replacing the unit, the house is probably not new, which therefore probably is not tightly constructed.

Answer 4

there is not that much difference in 2 1/2 and 3 ton units you are probably better off with slightly oversizing so you don't run the unit too hard. the difference in price is also not significant a 2 1/2 ton unit will run longer to cool your house than the 3 ton unit but it uses less electricity so that also does not make much difference. If you like your home to be cooler than average go with the larger unit. you should go with the contractor you know if possible

Answer 5

Other than the leak, has the unit performed well for your home? If the unit is under 16 years old, have you considered having the leak fixed? If over 16, best to replace & get a new warranty.

With the bids, also check the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating along with the size, cost of operating a low SEER unit will overtake any savings on its installation.

Answer 6

I live in central Oklahoma (hot and humid is right!). I just replaced my 30-year-old unit with a Goodman 2 1/2 ton heat pump. Our house is 1300 square feet. As your home is 1600 square feet, a 3-ton unit might be more suitable for you. We paid $2700 including installation for ours. I hope this has been helpful!

Answer 7

The a/c is made up of three important component.
1 Furnace Blower
2 Evaporator coils
3 Condensor

All have to match in size.

3 ton sounds like alot for 1600 sq. ft

If you are just replacing the coils then make sure they can handle the output of the condensor.

Same with the condensor, match it with the coils.

Also make sure the leak is in the condensor or the coils and not the line set. You might be buying a new ubit with out really needing to.

Finally if you are replacing the coils and the condensor make sure that the blower speed is not less than the load of the condensor.

Answer 8

with only a 1600 foot home i dont see why you need a 3 ton unit. my house is 1800 and i have a 2 ton unit. i was told that if you use a bigger tonage A/C, it doesnt it doesnt help your cooling bill.if it were me id go with the 2 and half. but still dont know why they say yoou need soo much. may you have tall ceilings.

Answer 9

Ask to see the analysis that is the basis for their recommendation, if one is using a rule of thumb or his judgment and the other has done an engineering analysis, ignore the one guessing.