Last Friday we had our first over 90ºF temperatures for the year. We didn't turn the AC on until we were ready to go to bed. We awoke Saturday morning to a still hot house. I cleaned our electrostatic filter on the furnace/ac (it didn't need cleaning but did it anyway), restarted the ac with the same results, no cooling. In the fall of 2017 the main control board failed and it cost us over $300. Then in the spring, same situation, new control board cost us again but they did discount it a little. So we were into the furnace over $500. Now with the a/c has failed but the blower is working and so is the condenser motor so there is most likely a Freon leak somewhere within the system.Yesterday the high for the day was 59 F. So we turned the furnace on before we went to bed "just in case" . This morning abnormally I awoke at 0315 and got out of bed at 0415. The outside temperature was 49º F. The furnace did come on a few times in the next 3 hours.
This Lennox system we installed in 1994. 24 years out of a furnace/ac is respectable. It's time to replace the entire system. So I began researching HVAC systems. I love to research things to the Nth degree before making major purchases like cars, HVAC, homes, etc. Few things frustrate me more than the lack of credible information on expensive devices or purchases. With the invention of the internet, there is an incredible amount of information and misinformation available to people/consumers these days.
I started researching on Saturday and finally by Sunday evening I determined I wanted to one of the premium brand ac/furnaces again. I was satisfied to get 24 years out of my previous purchase. Sunday evening I reached out via "Contact Me" at websites for 3 local dealers for 3 of the major premium brands. By noon Monday I hadn't been contacted so I started calling them directly. In the end, 2 dealers came out of get measurements, took photographs and said they'd get back to me with estimates. One guy said if he got the contract, it would be mid-July before he could install it as he had 41 to install. I informed him we had company coming and we needed it before then. He left and never did come back with a bid. I know his boss/owner personally. I sent a lot of commercial business his way with regards to MRI and CT scanner cooling systems for local hospitals. The next time I see the owner, I will let him know I wasn't given a bid.
Another dealer came out, got information said they'd be by Tuesday, called to say they were delayed and finally showed up Wednesday with a well crafted bid/contract. Though it was the most expensive bid, it wasn't so out of line to render it out of consideration.
Another guy came out Tuesday, got the measurements, asked questions, made some really interesting suggestions and came by Wednesday with a bid/contract.
A 4th guy came out, got measurements, when I told him what I wanted for AFUE on the furnace and SEER on the A/C, he proceeded to tell me that he agreed with my AFUE for the furnace but wanted to sell me a 13 SEER AC instead of a 16 SEER I indicated I wanted. He got really aggressive, informed me that I would never recover the difference in price. He arrogantly tried to impress me with his experience his qualifications, and began telling me if I was his father, he'd sell me a 13 SEER so he wouldn't have to worry about his father's AC. Now, with that statement he told me to my face I was an old guy I can see that in the mirror daily and don't need reminding. He never returned with a bid and it's just as well as I won't be doing business with him. We have some unusual climate locally and I had to take those into account when recommending water chiller specs for MR scanners. Every "reasonable" site I checked recommended a minimum 14-15 Seer AC for our area. I elected to spec a 16 SEER. I don't think a 16 SEER is too far out of line. Beyond that, after explaining that fact I might not recover the difference in price, if I want a bigger engine in my Chevy and it's a Chevy offered option, sell me the bigger engine! I won't complain if I don't get the gas mileage I expected.
So on Wednesday afternoon, I ended up buying a new system with a 2 stage gas furnace with a AFUE of 96% and a single stage 16 SEER AC. Our old furnace was a 80% AFUE and our old AC was probably a 8-10 SEER. I may see a decrease in natural gas usage in the winter. If it lasts as long as it's predecessor, I doubt I'll be here to see it happen.
The frustration for me is wading through the misinformation to get to the useful information so one can make an informed purchase...on cars, homes and HVAC.
Today they come out to clean our ducts and the installation begins on Monday morning.
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