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Beans
Citizen
Username: Nalini
Post Number: 127
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 8:57 am: | 
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to install central air within the next month. Who have you used and did you go with the high velocity system? |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 219
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:33 am: |
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Air Group. High Velocity. Very professional, works great. May be higher than some other estimates, but oftentimes you get what you pay for. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7958
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:43 am: |
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Ditto to what Hommell said. Only I don't know that they were that much different in pricing from anyone else. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11749
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 10:42 am: |
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Their are three issues with the high velocity systems. First, they do make a whistling noise. Second, they aren't as efficient as traditional systems and three, they tend to be more expensive.
We ended up going with a conventional sytem installed by Custom Air and are quite happy with it, the installation and the service. When a circuitboard went out last weekend their service tech was at our house in two hours. The cost was around $3,000 less than a high velocity system and is SEER 14, qualifying for a couple of rebates.
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greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7961
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:19 pm: |
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Bob - our high velocity is completely silent. I'm not sure what you mean by "efficiency", but the house stays cool and dehumidified. I can't compare it to before/after because we only had window units in two rooms (bedroom and den). I probably set the thermostat a little higher on the C/A than I did on the window units.
I agree that it is more expensive. But, I think that it probably makes up for itself in not having visible ducts in a 1927 home. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11753
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:25 pm: |
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Greentree, by efficiency I mean the amount of electricity used per unit of cooling. A SEER of 13 uses a lot less electricity than a SEER of 9 or ten.
We would have rethought our decision if involved building building ducts or giving up a closet to run the mains in. However, it wasn't necessary to do this.
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moving soon
Citizen
Username: Movingsoon
Post Number: 113
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:27 pm: |
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Used Custom Air, conventional system. As it turned out, they were able to run the ducts with virtually no loss of living or closet space, but that's not always the case. Had it required running a big duct through our (already minimal) closets, I might have opted for high velocity. But in my research, I found most folks who knew their stuff said when you have an option, go conventional. |
Beans
Citizen
Username: Nalini
Post Number: 128
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 1:53 pm: |
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Air Group recommend going with the conventional cooling system over the high velocity. Reason being that the conventional system is more energy efficient, a SEER of 14 plus you get a $400 rebate from PSE&G and there is another rebate attached if you buy by end of June. The sales person also said that the high velocity system is about 30% more expensive than conventional. Have anyone heard of or have used Depew & Meyers? I have an appointment with them early next week. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 220
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 2:48 pm: |
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We have not had whistling in our high velocity, and we got to keep our closets. High velocity (unico system) is limited in the SEER it can handle (I think 12 is the max) whereas conventional can go up to 21. But a higher SEER also increases initial cost, more moving parts (might break), not time tested, etc. There is certainly a lot to think about and consider. Get quotes for both high velocity and conventional.
I would also definitely recommend having them install an Aprilaire 5000 electronic air purification system. |
MittenReckitt
Citizen
Username: Mittenreckitt
Post Number: 35
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 7:33 pm: |
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Went with conventional approach and Custom air. Also got the electronic air purification system.
Was quite pleased with their work. No lost closet space, cleaned up wonderfully, would never know they were there. |
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 46
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:11 pm: |
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We used Meyer & Depew to install a new furnace/central AC last February. It wasn't a retrofit - we already had the ductwork, so it was just a replacement.
Either way - highly, highly recommended. The salesman was not pushy at all, and was the only one I talked to who actually walked through the place to take measurements before calculating the size of the replacement units. (Which, I'm told, any reputable dealer should do.)
Installers were incredible. Showed up exactly on time, worked all day with a 20-minute lunch break. The finished project is neat and clean and works great!
PL me if you want more details. |
lizzyr
Citizen
Username: Lizzyr
Post Number: 251
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:42 pm: |
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Air Group, conventional system. They were very clean & prompt. I think they finished a day earlier than expected. System has worked as promised. Only complaint is that equipment in the attic took up a bit more room than we expected, but it's worth it. |
beezer
Citizen
Username: 3girls
Post Number: 34
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:45 pm: |
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Second Meyer & Depew - really great - knowledgeable, professional, timely. Highly recommend them. |
KRNL
Citizen
Username: Krnl
Post Number: 73
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 8:47 am: |
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We had a Unico system installed 3 summers ago by Woolley. It is wonderful--extremely quiet (no whistling whatsoever), keeps the house cooled, at most we lost 6 square inches from one closet in a corner that had no useful space anyway. The air "holes" in the ceilings are viturally invisible and the installers worked very hard not to cause any damage to the plaster. We were able to do all 3 floors with a single unit.
When I have been in homes with conventional systems I have felt drafts (that drive me really insane) and they are often over-cooled. The system is awesome in its ability to control the temperature that we set it at. Overall, if your house is old like ours I would highly reommend a high velocity system. |
Joe R.
Citizen
Username: Ragnatela
Post Number: 473
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 5:16 pm: |
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I just saw the Gore movie. I'm not sure any of us should be doing any cooling until we secure the West Australian Ice Shelf. Scary! |
heroman
Citizen
Username: Heroman
Post Number: 104
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 7:31 pm: |
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I didn't know Woolley installed Unico. We got a huge estimate from Air Group for a Unico. Does anyone have a SpacePak high velocity system? If so, how is it and who installed?
As far as "whistling", Unico explains how that can occur in their installation instructions. We had friends who installed it several years ago and there was no whistling. |
Beans
Citizen
Username: Nalini
Post Number: 129
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 12:35 pm: |
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NJguy - I sent you a PL. I met with Depew yesterday and looking for information on the space pac. |
DReese
Citizen
Username: Dreese
Post Number: 3
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 1:29 pm: |
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I'm getting an estimate on installing c/a this weekend and have no idea of the cost yet but I'm sure it's alot.
We don't have ducts at all... contractor said it could be fed from the basement on 1st floor and then on 2nd floor, it could be fed through existing knee walls in attic. he mentioned it wouldn't be too hard of a job.
can anyone tell me approximately what the range is for installing c. a/c?
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jab
Citizen
Username: Jab
Post Number: 573
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 11:20 pm: |
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What is the electronic air purification system? Is is part of the A/C system? |
MittenReckitt
Citizen
Username: Mittenreckitt
Post Number: 41
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 7:45 am: |
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jab,
It's made to be part of the AC system. It's a separate unit that's built into it so the air is purified while the system is running.
mitten |
jab
Citizen
Username: Jab
Post Number: 575
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 7:49 am: |
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Do you know if it can be added on later? I wonder if I should call Custom Air (they installed our A/C system), because Mr. JAB always complains about cat hair and maybe that would help more than a portable air purifier. |
SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1281
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:39 am: |
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yes, it can be added on |
SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 346
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 2:42 pm: |
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Dreese - I'm guessing your project will be in the $20K-$25K range, but definitely get estimates. Off season discounts, I was told, are available from Air Group. |
DReese
Citizen
Username: Dreese
Post Number: 12
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 10:22 pm: |
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thanks for the info so1969. you're totally dead on. we got a quote for about $20k for the high velocity type. this is pretty hefty on the budget so we'll have to decide whether to do lower part of house or vice versa or hold off and see how much we sweat it out.
thanks again.
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tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4417
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 7:01 am: |
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You can get some window units for a fraction of the cost of central air - I like the Sharp models. Then, you can debate the need for central air in relative comfort for the foreseeable future. Just make sure your wall outlets are up to the task. |
Amateur Night
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1874
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 7:20 am: |
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LOL! TJohn, I am with you. We have window units and I am busily debating. One thing for sure: it's worth it to use the window units just this summer becauseI will save a bundle by getting the Central Air done off-season. |
Beans
Citizen
Username: Nalini
Post Number: 130
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 9:11 am: |
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Dear All - You have been very helpful in my search for a central air vendor. After bidding out the job to a couple of vendors and doing our own due diligence, we chose Meyer & Depew. Thanks again. |
Travis
Citizen
Username: Travis
Post Number: 448
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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Quote:I just saw the Gore movie. I'm not sure any of us should be doing any cooling until we secure the West Australian Ice Shelf. Scary!
Or at least you can try to do AC efficiently.
Don't oversize the system (almost all installers do).
If you're installing the handler in the attic, insulate the roof deck (consider 6" of open cell foam in rafter bays and then 1.5" foam board over it for thermal breaks and vapor retarder). Otherwise your ductwork only has a pathetic R-4.2 or R-6 insulation between it and the outside.
If you have to choose between AC and insulation, choose insulation. Insulation brings down the size of the system and the length of time it needs to run. AC in an uninsulated house will eventually be too expensive to run. It also leaves all kinds of opportunites for condensation, mold and rot of the framing.
Consider a whole-house dehumidifier hooked up to the ductwork, such as the Aprilaire. Often people run AC for dehumidification rather than cooling, and the Aprilaire is very efficient (much more efficient than a HD unit). |
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