A question for the pros... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

JPF · 03-03-2007, 01:12 PM

Hey fellas...( and ladies )
I have finally reached the point where i am considering having central AC installed on my home. I have been living with wall units for far to long, but just havn't ever been in the position to consider it in the past. I just wanted to see how you all felt about the different brands, the +'s and -'s, any generic info would be appreciated. It is a 60's ranch style house typical of S. Florida ( 2/12 pitched roof, basic) I have about 2590 sq ft. that would be under air. Also, two bedrooms, a bath & kitchen are under flat roof. Is it possible to run the ducting on the outside, boxed in under the soffit ( has a very large 20" soffit) ??? I would really hate to duct down through the roof. Seems it would be ideal to run under the soffits and duct into the rooms through the walls.

Hvacman4god · 03-04-2007, 10:21 AM

JPF,

A picture of your home would help us get a better feel as the best way to help you decide upon what equipment you want in your home is to be on site with you looking at your home. Do you have any attic space?

Their are two basic types of systems you could possibly put into your home first being a packaged heatpump/ gas system, packaged meaning that your ac and heating system will be in one part outside of your home; second split heatpump/ gas system, meaning the air handler/furnace would be in a closet or attic and your condenser would be outside your home.

Most contractors install the units that is outlined in the contractor by the builder and or home owner. Houses this size I have seen have units ranging in size from 4 tons all the way to 5 tons with both packaged and split system designs.

When you talk in terms of equipment its like comparing apples and oranges. Some people like trane some like carrier, goodman, etc. etc.
I would start with comparing warranties and availability of parts.

Diesel65 · 03-04-2007, 10:49 AM

The preffered way to air condition flat roof portion's of the home is with side wall grills, or ceiling mounted directional grills if you can get the throw of air required.
Second would be Sheetmetal internally insulated duct on the roof, you would penetrate the existing roof in one spot then use smaller branch runs off of the main to the grill locations.

There may also be a possibility of installing a small 1 ton split in a closet space in the flat roof area and building interia soffits to enclose the duct.
What you propose is possible but where do you bring the duct out of the house to run it along the exterior soffit's and at what height will the grills end up at.

You would need to have someone come to your home and investigate all possibilities for you, that would be the best for you I think.

As far as residential equipment you cannot go wrong with Ruud or Rheem equipment, Trane and Carrier are (in my opinion) top of the line, but not necessary for residential (unless you insist on having a major name brand)

JPF · 03-04-2007, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the replies guy's....Hvacman.. I really don't need any heat for the most part, being here in S. FLA, only have 1 or 2 weeks where the temps get below 60, so we just turn the A/C off LOL!! And Deisel, it's really not an option to duct internally, unless i build internal soffits to accommodate the duct work, which i would like to try and avoid, unless absolutely nesessary...and through the roof...well...i've seen so many probs with leaking around the penetrations and such, not to mention my roof is brand new, i really don't want to compromise it's integrity at all. I was of a mind that, if in fact you can run ducting along the roof, and penetrate, why not along under the exterior soffit of the house, then penetrate through the walls at each room location. All of the rooms back up along the same wall (the ones under flat roof), so i thought it could be a possible option. But anyway, if i can get a couple shots of the outside soffit, as well as the overall house, i'll get them up so you all can see what i'm talking about. Thanks for the replies!!

FemaleAstarCO · 03-05-2007, 11:27 PM

oK So we can understand. Do you have forced air first of all? I get the impression you do not

FemaleAstarCO · 03-05-2007, 11:29 PM

sorry after reading some of the other posts it became clear you did not have any heat. Ok I would suggest a mini split. Most can hold up to 5 rooms.

A.D. Const · 07-17-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel65

There may also be a possibility of installing a small 1 ton split in a closet space

Can you get one ton split? I was under the impression that the smaller splits was 1 1/2 ton. I may be wrong

aldematt57 · 07-26-2007, 08:25 PM

If you have adequate attic space, a split system air conditioner with ceiling supply registers and return air filter grilles is likely best suited for you.
The labor costs for a system designed to run ductwork along a soffitt and into the wall at several locations is not usually a feasible option.
I would also be careful about buying into the "product dumping" that many contractors will heap on you.
One poster indicated that he thinks that comparing today's equipment is like comparing apples and oranges.
I couldn't disagree more.
Any type of equipment will meets it's requirements if it is installed properly and commissioned correctly.
Warranties are also overrated.
What good does a 10 year factory warranty do for you if you have to use it repeatedly and pay the high costs associated with the labor needed to perform a warranty replacement??

Quality of service considerations far exceed any equipment choices you might make.