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Message |
    
Milosdad
Citizen
Username: Milosdad
Post Number: 9
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 11:33 am: | 
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Recently moved into an older (c. 1923)English Colonial in S.Orange and have been getting quotes from several contractors to install central air conditioning. Three of the quotes are for "conventional" central air systems and range from $18,500 - $25,00 (from Air Group, Fritze and Custom Air). I received a fourth quote of $16,500 from a company called Service Professionals for a High Velocity central air system manufactured by SpacePak. On a purely economical basis I'm leaning towards the less expensive High Velocity system but this is not really my area of expertise.
Does anyone have - or know someone who has - experience in choosing between a conventional vs. high velocity system? What are the pros and cons of each? Also, are there other central air contractors that serve the area that I should contact for a quote? |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 871
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
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What is the size of the house? |
rssounds
Citizen
Username: Rssounds
Post Number: 385
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 2:08 pm: |
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Try Steve @ Thermal Design engineering. 732-868-9066 I believe he can do either type.
The high velocity allows the contractor to snake the ducts (three inch diameter ducts) into areas that conventional ducting can't fit into. Most rooms require two drops. Are the conventional contractors quoting for one or two air handlers? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12034
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 2:22 pm: |
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Air Group usually pushes the high velocity systems and they are more expensive than conventional systems, or so was our experience back in the spring.
Service Professionals is, I believe, a referal service that advertises on the internet.
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Steinism
Citizen
Username: Steinism
Post Number: 75
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 3:14 pm: |
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We just did our 4BR home with a Space Pak system through Meyer&Depew. We had gotten 2 quotes. One through M&D and the other through Air Group. Air Group's price was 3k higher than M&D and was for the conventional system. Bigger duct work running through your closets.
M&D Space Pak high velocity(http://www.spacepak.com/) came in at a lower cost than conventional, didn't expect that, so we went with M&D plus we had a referral for them through a neighbor and friend. Took 5 days and they were real easy to work with, answered questions and cared about the interior of our home.
my rep was Michael O'Grady at M&D. 800-246-4342. call him. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2047
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 3:42 pm: |
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Had Fritze install a convential a/c sytem. Upgraded to the best "variable speed air handler" -- worth every penny. Starts on "high," then goes to a gentle "puff" which is not too breezy in the bedrooms. Should you choose conventional, my suggestion is to go with the best variable speed air handler. Upped the SEER a bit, too. Fritze's install was great, too.
/p |
Milosdad
Citizen
Username: Milosdad
Post Number: 10
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 5:42 pm: |
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rssounds,
The conventional central air quotes are all for a two zone system. |
Milosdad
Citizen
Username: Milosdad
Post Number: 11
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 5:46 pm: |
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In answer to questions from Smarty Jones and Rssounds:
1)The house is approx. 2700 sq. ft. including finished basement and finished attic.
2)All the quotes from the conventional central air contractors was for a two zone system (one zone for the attic and second floor, theother zone for the basement and ground floor)
Thanks for the replies and advice! |
Darren Say Grrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 471
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 6:58 pm: |
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From what I remember Unico was first on the scene with high velocity systems, then Spacepak came along.
High velocity systems have had a price premium over conventional systems for one main reason: They take up less space and are less noticiable visually. Another benefit was that the high velocity systems were touted as extracting more moisture out of the air allowing you to have a higher temperature in your house and it will feel cooler.
The size of your home should have little to do with your decision on which system you wish to install. The real question you should ask is based upon the stated age of your home is how much of an impact you want the system to have if you're going to choose between conventional and high velocity. I like the idea of the high velocity systems over conventional just for aesthetics. I've observed many in action and when installed properly they were quieter than conventional systems.
If you can get a high velocity system installed at a lower price than a conventional I would go that route. At the same time I would get a few more quotes. Also have you investigated ductless mini-split systems? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12041
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 4:34 am: |
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High velocity systems are less efficient than conventional systems and don't qualify for rebates and tax credits.
The original high velocity systems were sold as a do-it-yourself system by the old Montgomery Wards and their were a lot of problems with them and the company that manufactured them stopped doing so. They have made a comeback under the Unico name. They make sense if the duct work is going to go through closets as less space is lost.
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Darren Say Grrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 475
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 9:24 am: |
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Bob,
I agree with you on the point that traditionally the high velocity systems are less energy efficient than the conventional systems. This was one of the reasons why they touted the higher extraction of moisture out of the air over conventional systems saying you can leave your home at a higher temp.
As for problems with high velocity systems in general, I believe they've worked out almost all of the bugs. Also with the current mandates for energy efficiency in place they're overall energy performance has no choice but to increase over the coming years. |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 419
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 10:52 am: |
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DarrenSGr:
what is a ductless mini split system?
oots |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12049
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 11:03 am: |
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http://www.warmair.com/html/ductless_split.htm |
Darren Say Grrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 476
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 11:26 am: |
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Oots,
A ductless mini split system has been pioneered by Mitsubishi Electric for many year. They're very popular in Japan and Europe as a highly effective way to bring both A/C and heat into existing spaces without the need for ductwork. They're almost like the best of both worlds when you consider a entire A/C system and a window unit.
They're starting to become much more popular here in the states. I found this PDF file which tells a bit about them.
http://www.clsfacilityservices.com/pdfs/Mini-Split_Systems.pdf
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Darren Say Grrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 477
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 11:32 am: |
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Good site Bob.
I like how you get a remote control with many of the units, allow you to control the temp in that room individually versus having to cool an entire zone.
The more I read about this type of system the more I'm leaning toward it. I noticed that the Trotoria in town put in a couple of units in the dining area. The units aren't ugly, and they are energy efficient.
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oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 421
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 11:49 am: |
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Thanks for the info guys! Looks like a great alternative.
oots |
dano
Citizen
Username: Dano
Post Number: 222
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 1:14 pm: |
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ASK THIS OLD HOUSE episode a couple of weeks a go did an istallation of one of these units. I think the only drawback was that the compressor could not be more than 48-50 feet from the interior unit. Pretty cool unit! |
rssounds
Citizen
Username: Rssounds
Post Number: 386
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 1:30 pm: |
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Milosdad,
I bet the reason the high velocity is cheaper is because the company only needs to install one system not the the two as required by a conventional system. While the HV may be slightly less energy efficient, you need to run the numbers re operating cost over the projected lifespan of both systems. Only then, will you be able to see if it warrants the extra cost of installing a conventional system. I suspect that the HV will win out. Shop around for some more prices. You should be able to get an HV system cheaper than $16.5K. I have a conventional system but I was very impressed with my neighbor's HV sytem. |
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