340 posts, read 414,887 times 1,135 posts, read 1,624,739 times 589 posts, read 882,928 times 1,345 posts, read 1,756,296 times 5,150 posts, read 5,049,224 times 8,406 posts, read 14,815,803 times Originally Posted by Glmore My home is 1600 sq. ft. , and I replaced the 3.5 ton AC unit and air handler a couple years ago for $2900. That is closer to the lower end than the higher end. The furnace was, and is, fine. Someone said 1 ton per 500 sq. ft., and I agree. I wanted supercooling ability, but was told if the unit cools the home too quickly, it doesn't remove enough humidity. I didn't understand that when I did the first system 12 years ago, but I learned.But in homes the size of yours and mine, zoning simply means closing a vent or two to redirect the air. The master suite is upstairs in my tri-level home, and I closed all the vents on the bottom floor to force more cool air into the master suite, It works well, since I don't use the downstairs bedrooms, They stay cooler anyway, year round.

Our homes aren't big enough to warrant a true zoned system. Originally Posted by Sean_CLT Good luck selling that house. You may not be able to have window units depending on your neighborhood rules. Window units are noisy, air leaks around them, bugs can get in, they are easily stolen and provide an easy entrance for would-be burglars, etc. They are a last resort IMHO. 104 posts, read 221,403 times Originally Posted by vmaxnc Some good info .....could you PM me the company you used for your AC replacement?buy window unit air conditioner 3,915 posts, read 2,674,064 timesair conditioner unit for bedroom Having paid to replace several ACs myself in different homes, I will add the following.single room cooling systems

If you are comfortable in your home now, then there isn't any need to change how it works by adding zones, etc. If it is a builder grade system you are changing, you should however look at increasing the efficiency and reducing the noise while you have the opportunity to do so. Stick to a middle of the range unit. That last % or so of efficiency isn't worth it. You should probably pay for a 2 speed system. They mostly operate at low speed but have the ability to shift higher during periods of a lot of heat or if you change the temp. Most contractors will include venting changes during the install. If you have a vent that is too little or too much, or a room that isn't heated or cooled properly, this is the time to tell them about it. Since you are doing a preemptive install, i.e. it's still working, I'd recommend waiting until they are in a slow period which would be the fall or spring. There are better deals then. Don't forget to check for rebates including those from the power company.

101 posts, read 141,257 times Originally Posted by Jareb Does this rule of thumb apply equally to one and two story homes? Does it apply in a linear fashion as square footage increases? I seem to be ok with two 2.5 ton units cooling a 3,600 square foot two-story house.If your new equipment meets our eligibility requirements, you could get a $600 rebate! This program is available to Duke Energy residential electric service customers residing in single-family homes, condominiums, mobile homes, townhomes and duplexes.Is it time to repair or replace my air conditioner?You’re not going to hire a service provider without checking Angie’s List first are you? Whether you live in a home where you can’t install central AC or simply want a quieter, more compact, energy-efficient home cooling system without unsightly window or wall units, a ductless mini-split AC system is the solution for you. Ductless Mini-Split AC Systems – What You Need to Know You may have already seen these small, compact indoor devices installed high on walls in homes, hotel rooms, restaurants or office buildings.

These are ductless AC units and sometimes referred to as split systems, multi-split systems, or split-ductless systems. Ductless cooling provides a more cost-effective way to replace inefficient window units and an ideal solution for homes where installing central AC systems is a challenge or not possible. How a ductless mini-split AC system works Like any central AC system, ductless, mini-split AC systems place the compressor and condenser, which make the most noise, outside the home. There’s no need for basement- or attic-located evaporator units and no bulky ductwork. The system uses thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant directly to discreet wall mounted blowers inside the home, which come in numerous capacities and configurations to fit even the most difficult spaces. The systems work in reverse in winter to absorb heat from the air outside and moves it indoors to heat your home for efficient year round cooling and heating. And, they provide you with ability to cool and heat specific zones of the home to desired temperatures for year round comfort and energy savings.

Benefits of a ductless mini-split AC system You don’t have to worry about the expense and hassle of ductwork installation – no ductwork means more efficiency Smaller and less expensive than central AC Quieter than loud window units or central AC systems they are virtually quiet One outdoor condenser can be connected to multiple indoor unit, each with its own programmable remote for individual zone control They save you money as they also function as a heating unit in the winter, for energy-efficient benefits year-round. Piping can often be routed through walls to maintain the aesthetics of your home, there’s no bulky AC system components inside your home or in your window Remote control facility lets you control temperatures in different rooms or zones of the home. More flexible cooling solutions than traditional AC systems Helps to improve home air quality with no ductwork in your homeNo ductwork means you lose less than 5% cooling vs. up to 40% for traditional central AC systems, with increased efficiencies up to 27.2-SEER for lower utility bills.