"Ray" wrote in message
nk.net...
I'm having central air installed in my house and am trying to decide on a
10
or 12 SEER unit. The price difference I was quoted was $700.00 more for
the
12 SEER unit. I've also seen some info that the 12 SEER unit costs about
20% less per year to operate. I live in Philadelphia, where summers can
vary from year to year as far as heat and humidity. Any rules of thumb on
how I can determine how quickly I will recoup the cost difference in cost
of
electricity saved?? Or any other advice?



Not knowing your life style, size of house, and electric rates no one can
answer your questions! I use my air constantly for the summer months, my
neighbor in a simular house, does not mind the heat as much so he rarely
runs his AC. Getting the point?
Say it costs you $50 to cool your home for a month, if you save 20% that is
$10. You will use you AC maybe 4 months, savings $40 per year. $700 didvided
by $40 comes out to 17.5 years to break even. If you double the savings it
is still close to nine years. Are you planning on staying in the home for
10+ years?
In my opinion, energy savings on equipment like this is often not worth it,
especially in norhtern climates. You either pay the HVAC contractor, or the
power company, you decide! If you want to energy conscious, but a 12 or 14
SEER, If you want to save money, the 10 SEER may be the right one. If you
lived in Arizona, it would be differant.

I work for a HVAC contractor in North Dakota. With our climate we have yet
to sell a 12 seer unit!
Greg