replacing AC
 

Our air conditioner unit is almost 20 years old now. It is a Trane unit and
still works fine-SEER is 12.

The attic furnace, also a Trane, is natural gas and is about 13 years old.
It still works OK.

We haven't had problems with any of the equipment since installation. I
live in northern Texas-the summers can get pretty hot and humid.

I hear a lot of commercials recommending that I change out the old units
with new, higher efficiency air conditioners and furnaces. Many of the
commercials claim that the newer units will pay for themselves with savings
in utility costs.

My house was built in 70s and I have added insulation in the attic. It has
about 2200 sq ft living area. My highest electric bill this summer was
$350 (electric only).

Is it worth replacing the AC and/or the furnace with new units? Depending
on the costs, I would strongly consider upgrading the SEER.

Thanks.

replacing AC
 

"trailer" wrote in message
...
Our air conditioner unit is almost 20 years old now. It is a Trane unit
and
still works fine-SEER is 12.

The attic furnace, also a Trane, is natural gas and is about 13 years old.
It still works OK.

We haven't had problems with any of the equipment since installation. I
live in northern Texas-the summers can get pretty hot and humid.

I hear a lot of commercials recommending that I change out the old units
with new, higher efficiency air conditioners and furnaces. Many of the
commercials claim that the newer units will pay for themselves with
savings
in utility costs.

My house was built in 70s and I have added insulation in the attic. It
has
about 2200 sq ft living area. My highest electric bill this summer was
$350 (electric only).

Is it worth replacing the AC and/or the furnace with new units? Depending
on the costs, I would strongly consider upgrading the SEER.

Thanks.


It is not worth it to replace the unit if it is working. It would take many
years (like maybe 15 or 20 or more) to pay for it. a SEER of 12 is not
really that bad if it is working and already installed. Even if you clould
save $ 15 to $ 30 a month , it would be a very long payback and by then you
would need a new unit.

I would just run what you have and if it breaks and costs more than say
around $ 500 to repair, then replace it.

replacing AC
 

"trailer" wrote in message
My house was built in 70s and I have added insulation in the attic. It
has
about 2200 sq ft living area. My highest electric bill this summer was
$350 (electric only).

Is it worth replacing the AC and/or the furnace with new units? Depending
on the costs, I would strongly consider upgrading the SEER.

Thanks.

Run the numbers. Since your house has additional insulation, it may be
possible to get the same or more comfort with a smaller unit. You need to
find a competent installer that can properly size (Manual J) the unit and
figure operating cost comparisons. We don't know your climate or your
electric rate so we can't decide for you.

OTOH, if it breaks it is probably not worth investing a lot of money in
repairs. At least you'll be ready to make the right choice if it does.

replacing AC
 

On Sep 26, 3:39*pm, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:
"trailer" wrote in message
My house was built in 70s and I have added insulation in the attic. *It
has
about 2200 sq ft living area. * My highest electric bill this summer was
$350 (electric only).

Is it worth replacing the AC and/or the furnace with new units? *Depending
on the costs, I would strongly consider upgrading the SEER.

Thanks.

Run the numbers. Since your house has additional insulation, it may be
possible to get the same or more comfort with a smaller unit. *You need to
find a competent installer that can properly size (Manual J) the unit and
figure operating cost comparisons. *We don't *know your climate or your
electric rate so we can't decide for you.

OTOH, if it breaks it is probably not worth investing a lot of money in
repairs. *At least you'll be ready to make the right choice if it does.

I have to totally agree with Ed. I usually do. Any good
installer will do the numbers (Manual J) and can give a an reasonable
accurate answer. Local conditions mean a lot in this situation, so
anyone outside the area is working at a disadvantage.

Good Luck.

replacing AC
 

On Sep 26, 6:07*pm, wrote:
...


* * I have to totally agree with Ed. *I usually do. *Any good
installer will do the numbers (Manual J) and can give a an reasonable
accurate answer. *Local conditions mean a lot in this situation, so
anyone outside the area is working at a disadvantage.

* Good Luck.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I had to add one thing. If a contractor wants to give you an
answer or do the work without doing the numbers, you should look for a
different contractor. While an experienced contractor can usually hit
close, the smart ones will do the numbers. If you had a standard home
in a development with all the same homes and had not had additional
insulation, then a local contractor who had recently worked on several
homes in your area like yours might be able to give a good opinion
without doing all the numbers.

replacing AC
 

My take

Simple rough calculation. Assume $250 of the $350 is for AC. Compare your
electric bill to April or October when you aren't doing much heating or
cooling. Assume new system is SEER of 16.

Cost of new AC in worst month is $250*12/16 = $188, so you would save $62.
So maybe about $200 to $250 over the year. You may wish to compare this to
interest you could earn by putting the cost of replacing the AC in the bank.
Something like 4% these days. This also assumes you are staying in your
house for more than 10 years.

That being said with all the financial problems in this country there is
going to be a lot of inflation. Both electric rates and the cost of a new
AC will be rapidly increasing. So it probably is a good investment. This
time of the year is probably a good time to shop around as folks aren't
using their AC as much and installers/repairers are less busy.


"trailer" wrote in message
...
Our air conditioner unit is almost 20 years old now. It is a Trane unit
and
still works fine-SEER is 12.

The attic furnace, also a Trane, is natural gas and is about 13 years old.
It still works OK.

We haven't had problems with any of the equipment since installation. I
live in northern Texas-the summers can get pretty hot and humid.

I hear a lot of commercials recommending that I change out the old units
with new, higher efficiency air conditioners and furnaces. Many of the
commercials claim that the newer units will pay for themselves with
savings
in utility costs.

My house was built in 70s and I have added insulation in the attic. It
has
about 2200 sq ft living area. My highest electric bill this summer was
$350 (electric only).

Is it worth replacing the AC and/or the furnace with new units? Depending
on the costs, I would strongly consider upgrading the SEER.

Thanks.

replacing AC
 

Jeff wrote:

My take

Simple rough calculation. Assume $250 of the $350 is for AC. Compare your
electric bill to April or October when you aren't doing much heating or
cooling. Assume new system is SEER of 16.

Cost of new AC in worst month is $250*12/16 = $188, so you would save $62.
So maybe about $200 to $250 over the year. You may wish to compare this to
interest you could earn by putting the cost of replacing the AC in the bank.
Something like 4% these days. This also assumes you are staying in your
house for more than 10 years.

That being said with all the financial problems in this country there is
going to be a lot of inflation. Both electric rates and the cost of a new
AC will be rapidly increasing. So it probably is a good investment. This
time of the year is probably a good time to shop around as folks aren't
using their AC as much and installers/repairers are less busy.


"trailer" wrote in message
...


Our air conditioner unit is almost 20 years old now. It is a Trane unit
and
still works fine-SEER is 12.

The attic furnace, also a Trane, is natural gas and is about 13 years old.
It still works OK.

We haven't had problems with any of the equipment since installation. I
live in northern Texas-the summers can get pretty hot and humid.

I hear a lot of commercials recommending that I change out the old units
with new, higher efficiency air conditioners and furnaces. Many of the
commercials claim that the newer units will pay for themselves with
savings
in utility costs.

My house was built in 70s and I have added insulation in the attic. It
has
about 2200 sq ft living area. My highest electric bill this summer was
$350 (electric only).

Is it worth replacing the AC and/or the furnace with new units? Depending
on the costs, I would strongly consider upgrading the SEER. Thanks.


A 12-SEER is very efficient & a new higher SEER may not gain much in
savings, if anything.
A lot to be learned in respect to SEER & Return On Investment (ROT)!
It is usually a better (ROT) investing on reducing the heat-gain of your
home.
http://www.udarrell.com/proper_cfm_b...syste ms.html
udarrell

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