New air conditioner and furnace system ???

[Geoff Timm]

Depending on your location also consider your windows. Higher efficiency window systems will have a positive effect on your energy consumption. Also check natural gas vs. electric vs. whatever is available.
Geoff
Who has a distorted sense of Life Support in Florida.

 

[mohavesam]

Considering heat load calculation; anyone know the factor for open stairwells and hot ceilings (angled ceilings with hot roofs/non-insulated) ??
This would be in the lower great lakes zone with plenty of wind on the roof.



just kidding. I went through a couple "contractors" before i found one who could rig for to open stairwells and everything else. in lower MI.

it pays to shop around if you want the best.

 

[Wheelgunner]

Kevin,

We did both of ours about 15 years ago.

The A/C is an Admiral, I think, and it has worked really well.

The furnace is a Lenox and I'd never by one of those again. It uses non standard size air filters, so I have to either cut filters to size (I had a metal rack made to hold them) or use one of their washable ones (aluminum I think). If I use a washable one and use enough pressure to actually clean it, I blow a hole in it. They are really expensive to replace too.

The service people curse them when trying to remove the cleanout caps. The caps are usually mangled by the time they get them off.

In my model at least, the main circuit board is prone to failure and it too is a pricey item.

When I need another furnace, I'll have to research like you, but my choice won't be a Lenox.

Good luck with your choice of equipment and contractors.

Take Care

Wheelgunner

 

[Coogs]

wheel, First of all been a Lennox dealer for 30+ years. Know exactly what your talking about those heat exchanger/cleanout caps. One 1/4 screw holds them in place, unless you HAVE TAKEN them off before, you can almost destroy them trying to get them off for the first time. Remove the screw, a large pair of channel locks around the edge and twist back and forth, the come off with very little if any damage. As far as the board goes, are you in a very Rural area? Voltage drops and/or spikes will destroy a board in a heartbeat. A surge protector will help. You have an oil furnace, I have put a ton of the lennox "O" series units in, O 20's, O 23's etc. Not that many problems. You could have a lemon, believe me I have, not necessarily with that model, but others. Any brand unit, voltage spikes and/or low voltage will kill the board. IMHO, go with who/what you get the best service with/for. Lennox is a good product, but trust me, I'm not trying to defend it, don't have a nickel invested in your situation. Once again, JMHO, Coogs.

 

[Wheelgunner]

wheel, First of all been a Lennox dealer for 30+ years. Know exactly what your talking about those heat exchanger/cleanout caps. One 1/4 screw holds them in place, unless you HAVE TAKEN them off before, you can almost destroy them trying to get them off for the first time. Remove the screw, a large pair of channel locks around the edge and twist back and forth, the come off with very little if any damage. As far as the board goes, are you in a very Rural area? Voltage drops and/or spikes will destroy a board in a heartbeat. A surge protector will help. You have an oil furnace, I have put a ton of the lennox "O" series units in, O 20's, O 23's etc. Not that many problems. You could have a lemon, believe me I have, not necessarily with that model, but others. Any brand unit, voltage spikes and/or low voltage will kill the board. IMHO, go with who/what you get the best service with/for. Lennox is a good product, but trust me, I'm not trying to defend it, don't have a nickel invested in your situation. Once again, JMHO, Coogs.

Coogs,

The thing that irks me the most is the air filters. Instead of being able to get replacements and slip them right in, I have to make/modify other filters to make them work.

I do live in a rural area (but not that rural ), but voltage drops and/or spikes have not been a problem with other equipment in the house. Would the board in the furnace be more sensitive? My power is hard wired in. How would I add a surge protector?

As for the cleanout caps, it is a good thing that I own large channellock piers. The service guys ALWAYS show up with pliers that will open to a maximum of about one inch. They pry and mangle things until I say stop. I then hand them the right tool.

My original furnace was a Beach oil furnace (I don't think they make them anymore). I loved that old furnace. I was built like a tank. I got talked into replacing it because of its age.

There is now gas in my area and I'll probably go that way next. I have no idea as to whose furnace I will use.

Take Care

Wheelgunner

 

[Coogs]

Wheel, some boards are, compared to other boards in a microwave or even a T.V. A surge protector may be installed on your main panel, not real complicated, any good electrical supply house will have them. As far as the filters, I know what you mean. Lennox always shipped an oddball sized washable aluminum filter with their "O" series furnaces. I actually have found pleated throw away filter that replace a couple of the sizes. Sometimes they just don't build things like they used to...........Coogs.

 

[Wheelgunner]

Wheel, some boards are, compared to other boards in a microwave or even a T.V. A surge protector may be installed on your main panel, not real complicated, any good electrical supply house will have them. As far as the filters, I know what you mean. Lennox always shipped an oddball sized washable aluminum filter with their "O" series furnaces. I actually have found pleated throw away filter that replace a couple of the sizes. Sometimes they just don't build things like they used to...........Coogs.

Coogs,

Thanks, I'll look into more surge protection.

As for the filters, I plan to deal with that today if I can find something to cut them from (like the woven fibreglass ones).

Take Care

Wheelgunner

 

[Coogs]

There is a rather heavy filter material, woven fiberglass of some type, it is one inch thick, called "Hogs Hair" At least that's what it's called in my neck of the woods. It is long lasting and very washable. Comes new with a lite oil type film coating to help catch the dust particles. Unfortunately after it's washed, the oil base goes away. So, look into a product called "Filter Coat" after you wash and let air dry the material, a lite coating of this returns it to as new, hope this helps, good luck in your quest, Coogs.

 

[Wheelgunner]

There is a rather heavy filter material, woven fiberglass of some type, it is one inch thick, called "Hogs Hair" At least that's what it's called in my neck of the woods. It is long lasting and very washable. Comes new with a lite oil type film coating to help catch the dust particles. Unfortunately after it's washed, the oil base goes away. So, look into a product called "Filter Coat" after you wash and let air dry the material, a lite coating of this returns it to as new, hope this helps, good luck in your quest, Coogs.

Coogs,

Thanks!

Wheelgunner

 

[Chief 101]

The old rule-of-thumb was 1 ton per 500 sq.ft. of living area here in east TN.

How are they taking into account the ceiling height? There is no normal wall size these days in my neck of the woods.

 

[Kevin]

Ceiling height is an interesting factor. Not just square feet of living space but the volume of the house. In our case we have a valuted ceiling in the living room. It must be at least 20 feet high at the top.

We did go with the Trane 2 stage. This company is going to install the air conditioner on Friday 10/31 and then not bill our credit card until Saturday 11/01. Because that is the new month for us. I don't know that showed some great goodwill on their part. 10/31 happens to be my birthday. I will never have such an expensive birthday present again. (I hope)

Total Air and Heat if anyone in DFW needs a contact. So far a great company. I'll post an update after it gets installed.

 

[Number9]

The old rule-of-thumb was 1 ton per 500 sq.ft. of living area here in east TN.

How are they taking into account the ceiling height? There is no normal wall size these days in my neck of the woods.

Chief..

As I said before.. the 1 ton per 500 sq.ft. was to get an idea if the estimate given by a contractor
is close. If you get a bid that seems to be way below the "rule-of-thumb" this maybe an indication that a contractor is placing a low bid based on a smaller size just to get the job?
This "rule-of-thumb" IS NOT used to calculate a heat load for installation!

I would like to know the size unit Kevin had installed and the square foot it will condition?