| m Ransley 2005-11-12, 9:21 am |
| Best as in reliability, Consumer Reports did a 5 yr poll and American
Standard was top, Goodman bottom, read it, goodman- janitrol are the
cheapest junk. You can go from 93-97%efficiency, 97% on a new model with
oil tank in the coil, I forgot the name of the brand. The installer is
key to a good job, you need a written load calc for sizing, or get a pro
tht does them normaly. Look into VS DC, zonable, uses 25-50% less Kwh to
run the blower and will remove 50% more humidity in summer on AC mode in
slow fan operation. I believe American Standard is 95% efficient with a
stainless exchanger, most are steel. Get the 10 yr warranty especialy
with VS DC. Carrier has a unique thermostat where you can adjust fan
speed off the thermostat. For long life its a good instaler being key,
being sure ducts give proper flow and heat at the exchanger is low
within limits. I have a Lennox 93 but like Carrier-Bryants options and
Anerican Standards Stainless exchanger and 95% rating, Carrier and
Lennox are apx 94%. The Carrier infinity line boasts up to 96.7%
efficiency but it is their smallest 38000 btu model, a scam as all they
did is add 20 lb more metal in the coil, actualy the 38000 is 20 lb apx
heavier then the next higher model, proving my point. VS DC are GE
motors now improved to fix faults but do save winter and summer on the
blower Kwh used, my payback on VS DC at Indiana rates is 5 years, rates
are going up so payback will be less. One other thing the efficiency
difference beween a 80 and 97 % is 21% + not 17% as most think. It is
the % difference between the 2. You are Michigan, what zone, im Zone 5
south of you, get an efficient unit NG and Kwh is going up up. 10 yr
warrantys are good with all the electronics and a VS DC motor. Also Be
sure power is good, panel and furnace surge arrestors, are good
insurance. For highest efficiency dont oversize, get a load calc and
plan future insulation , windows into its size. Ive done all I can, last
YEARS NG bill on a 110 year 1800 sq ft house with gas everything was
465.$ down from 2000. Zoning is a nice option to have only VS DC does it
right.
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