"John" wrote in message
...
Hello group...
Hoping to get some insight to make a good decision...We are shopping for a
new home here in Austin TX, and have come to the conclusion the home will
be
a two story, probably between 2600-3100 sq foot ...Some builders offer two
seperate systems, one for up and one for down, and some offer a single
"zoned" system..I think they are all using 12seer units..I don't know
which
way is better, as I have never had a two story home or a two unit
home...It
would seem to me the single zoned one has benefits of only being one
machine
to maintain, but also will get more use...Now, the upstairs of the home
will
not see much use..It will primarily be used for guest visits which don't
happen all that often so that area will be set higher most of the time (or
lower in the case of heat) I am guessing the single "zoned" unit would be
of a larger size than the two seperate ones, would that affect the monthly
cost? Also I asked if the unit can be upgraded to a higher seer and they
said they can but it really is not necessary due to the home construction,
as anything above a 12 jumps way up in cost...
Any thoughts on this would be very appriciated...Thanks! John


If you have a upper and down stairs in a home, here is the way to think.

2 zones up and down --- 2 seperate units.
2 zones both on same level. --- 1 units .

The cost to operate two zones unit are of very little difference but a great
deal better confort level to have.

2 zone cost to maintain --- It cost a little more to change out 2 -- 2.5
tons verses 1 - 5 ton but after bitching for 20 years about up stair being
too hot or cold the price difference is a very small price to pay.

TURTLE