"Bill" wrote in message
oups.com...
We have a 40 year old Florida home 2450 sq. ft. with large windows;
also 1 acre lot with lots of big/tall oak shade trees. We currently
have an outside older 3 ton Trane A/C unit (rated 10 seer) which is
underpowered but with the help of a couple of upstairs window units we
do ok. I think its time to upgrade/replace the Trane; what I am
thinking is a 4 ton higher efficient (maybe 14 or 16) unit. My wife
thinks that if we replace with another 3 ton higher efficient AND
install a smaller unit for upstairs - programmable so that the bottom
primarily runs during the day and the top primarily at night (upstairs
is all bedrooms) we would possibly be more efficient and cooler.
Obviously big up front install costs for upstairs unit but if we are
willing to absorb those - is this usually the more efficient way to
go? Thanks in advance - Bill


I'm in a similar boat, 3 ton unit with one window unit upstairs, but in a
cooler climate and about 3500 sq. ft. South facing upstairs rooms can reach
85+ with the AC running. The best solution would be a multi unit mini-split,
but it comes in around 12K. A 4 ton unit might help some, but our ductwork
sucks, so a mini split would be a better option. I bought a portable last
year, but the aluminum wiring couldn't handle the load over the long haul.
Plus it's a PITA to use with the casement windows.

Depending on your situation a separate unit for upstairs is probably the way
to go. I might buy a single mini for the one room in the short term.