Surprise, its summer and our AC broke down. We were quoted prices for installation of the current standard (SEER 14) AC units (about $6500 unit cost and installation) vs Trane's SEER 18 AC units ($10,100 unit cost/install). The sales rep for the local HVAC company said the SEER 18 AC units was significantly more efficient than even the SEER rating indicated. The reason, he said, was that the unit has a variable rate compressor. He said normal online SEER savings calculators. Like this one underestimated the impact of the variable rate compressor. This is for our upstairs in our dual zone system. We live in a rather humid area in the summer, and the unit is used for both head pump and AC. We plan to live in this home for a long time. Is it worth the $3500 bump in price to get a unit with a variable-speed compressor? Are the online calculators underestimating the bump up to a variable speed compressor? In general, when is it worth the price difference to get a variable speed compressor?

Help me (and everyone else who sees this question) be better informed when talking to their HVAC sales rep! The test procedure for determining the SEER is quite elaborate, and involves measuring the efficiency at a variety of simulated outdoor temperatures. I'm not sure what the basis for the sales rep's statement was, but without more information (i.e. specific numbers) I wouldn't put too much stock in it. The SEER is not just calculated at a single fixed situation. As for whether it makes sense, that depends on your climate, the size of the area being cooled, the local price of electricity, etc. I would just use one of those calculators like you've linked to to determine the value, but make sure you get accurate numbers for all the inputs. The cost of electricity varies widely throughout the US, so get a current number for your area in the summer and then maybe round up a bit to account for the gradual rise in prices.Browse other questions tagged hvac energy-efficiency or ask your own question.

Over the last 20 years, the Energy Star certified homes program has worked with builders to construct more than 1.6 million energy-efficient homes. Tried-and-true strategies like air sealing and increased insulation form the core of our program, but we’re always looking for emerging technologies that will raise the bar on efficiency. One of those technologies has actually been around for decades, but only recently has begun popping up in the UnitedDuctless variable-speed HVAC systems may not sound very exciting, but wait until you learn more. Almost all heating and cooling systems used in U.S. homes have just two modes--on and off. During a hot summer day, your air conditioner will probably be on a lot more than it’s off. And during a more temperate spring day, it will be off more than it’s on. But in both examples, it’s just cycling between these two modes--on and off. How is a variable-speed HVAC system different? implies, it has many different modes.

You can think of this a little bit like the features in your car. In your car, you can set the fan to low, medium, or high. And you can set the temperature to very cold or just slightly cold. cooling systems for your home offer similar features, controlled automaticallycost of hvac diffusersThis can save energy and keep you more comfortable, both bysamsung air conditioner window 1 ton price producing just the right amount of cooling and heating and by better managinghow to find tonnage of ac unit These features alone make variable-speed systems stand out and worth a look by builders. But many are paired with another importantInstead of ducts, the heated or cooled refrigerant is distributed to different zones within the home, where a small fan in each zone

heats or cools just that space. This allows comfort to be tailored to eachIt can also increase savings by eliminating ducts in unconditioned spaces and only conditioning the zones desired by the homeowner. Between the advanced controls, variable settings, and lack of ducts, these systems can produce impressive energy savings. features, you can also imagine why ductless variable-speed HVAC systems have become so popular around the world. But why has the use of this technology been limited in the U.S.? There are several reasons: – higher equipment costs;and, for the ductless versions,Regardless, this technology has started to gain traction in areas that play on its strengths. That should lower the remaining hurdles, making this a promising emerging technology. Click here to learn more about Energy Star certified ductless heating and cooling.RELATEDLEDs are Lighting the Way--And Dropping in PriceConnected Thermostats Optimize Efficiency and Comfort

How much does it cost for a capacitor to be installed in a home ac unit  offers a nice sizing chart for HVAC capacitors and furnace capacitors. Most of the capacitors I've looked at are $5 to $15 dollars, so a little less than Home Depot and Lowes. Stay safe and hire a professional if you feel unsure about doing it yourself! said by GusHerb94:Have any of these companies run a Manual J heat loss calculation in order to quote you with a furnace that is properly sized for your home?This post gets my vote. I know HVAC pricing varies from area to area, but those prices seem extremely high for 1300 square feet with easy access. I would be willing to bet they aren't sizing properly.As for the single vs 2 stage, I'll add in that I have been extremely happy since moving to a 2 stage blower. We leave it in the "on" position, so it is always running. It then ramps up when heating or cooling is called for. We have a 2 story house, and the constant circulating air really helps regulate temperature between floors.