Overheating: Life as a Eunuch

[kristoff]

Thanks for the heads-up.

My current system is a Bryant-90 with a/c included. The system also has an April-air humidifier and a Honeywell electro-static air filter.

I am looking to replace the funace and a/c if needed. Now the system works well but since its getting older, much like Uncle Flo (http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/member.php?u=11192) and MacWolfie (http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/member.php?u=11603), thinking about newer systems is a good thing.

If the prices suggested are for both furnace and A/C system, then the prices are reasonable in this market, for installed systems. If it is for A/C only then they are rather high.

I am probably in the next couple of years going to retrofit mine with an A/C unit (probably only a 1-ton unit), doing my own install, and expect to spend about $1500 total. Your house would need a larger unit - I would expect at least 2-tons, but the cost increase on equipment would not be significantly higher for the A/C equipment only. About $3,000 to 3500 for A/C only in this market would be about right

[kristoff]

Considering that you probably only need AC in July and August in Minnesota...

I have seen many times when A/C is quite nice as early as May and as late as September in Minnesota, and with 90 to 100 degree days on occasion and 90% humidity at times, it can be extremely miserable, especially for a eunuch who still suffers from hot flashes and lack of temperature regulation. I am grateful my heat regulation is largely a past issue, and flashes very minimal. OTOH, A/C in Minnesota can be a blessed relief. I use a nice 18000 BTU unit in the window for 900 sf.

[Robby (imported)]

So, I'm already being replaced? --FLO--

Not a chance... There is no replacement for experi

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...Another possibility, if you don't need to have any work done on the ducting, is to do some research and find out what kind of system you need, then see if you can buy the system from one place and have somebody else who knows what he's doing install it as an independent contractor. With air conditioning, plumbing, and some other home services, the people who do an all-in-one job have their prices set at a relatively high level, because there isn't a lot of competition in a specific geographical area, and people will pay more because they think they're paying to get the job done right. The hourly rates they
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bill are sometimes incredible. Somebody who does installation independently will often do a better job than a regular installation crew, but of course you have to be careful and make sure the independent is reliable.Thanks for the info, good to know there are folks here who care for fellow Eunuchs.

The ducting is just fine. It works as good as when new. My requirement for the house is a 2-ton cooling system and 60,000 BTU heating unit. I want a quality high efficient heating and cooling system to replace the 24 year old equipment I currently have in place. My current HVAC system is 90% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) and a 2-ton cooling plant with freon. Today's high efficient systems are rated at 93% AFUE so there is not much difference there but modern heating systems are two-stage variable-speed units and the cooling plant uses newer 410a coolant.

The problem with installation by a third party is knowledge and skill. I need someone who is capable of vacuuming the old freon and knowledgeab

le with the newer 410a coolant. Not to mention knowledge of the new equipment.

Since I am replacing the heating system the A/C should be replaced at the same time. If I fail to upgrade both units together someone would feel Stupid when the A/C fails a short time later...

If the prices suggested are for both furnace and A/C system, then the prices are reasonable in this market, for installed systems. If it is for A/C only then they are rather high.

I am probably in the next couple of years going to retrofit mine with an A/C unit (probably only a 1-ton unit), doing my own install, a

nd expect to spend about $1500 total. Your house would need a larger unit - I would expect at least 2-tons, but the cost increase on equipment would not be significantly higher for the A/C equipment only. About $3,000 to 3500 for A/C only in this market would be about rightThe prices quoted are for both heating and air conditioning units installed.

Since the size of my home requires a 2-ton cooling and 60,000 BTU gas fired heating system the installed price of $6,100 for the quiet and efficient two-stage, variable-speed blower motor TRANE XV90 and 15.00 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) R410A XL14i air conditioner seems reasonable. Or am I just trying to convince myself the price is right?...

One good thing about the Trane equipment I selected is the 10 year parts and labor warranty on both the hea

ting and cooling units.

I guess its a mat

ter of wan

t and desire when it comes to this type of

investment.

http://www.eunuch.org/Public/Images/ea1/E

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[kristoff]

Not a chance... There is no replacement for experi

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Robby (imported)" time=1148871360]

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Thanks for the info, good to know there are folks here who care for fellow Eunuchs.

The ducting is just fine. It works as good as when new. My requirement for the house is a 2-ton cooling system and 60,000 BTU heating unit. I want a quality high efficient heating and cooling system to replace the 24 year old equipment I currently have in place. My current HVAC system is 90% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) and a 2-ton cooling plant with freon. Today's high efficient systems are rated at 93% AFUE so there is not much difference there but modern heating systems are two-stage variable-speed units and the cooling plant uses newer
[/quote]
410a coolant.

The problem with installation by a third party is knowledge and skill. I need someone who is capable of vacuuming the old freon and knowledgeable with the newer 410a coolant. Not to mention knowledge of the new equipment.

Since I am replacing the heating sy

stem the A/C should be replaced at the same time. If I fail to upgrade both units together someone would feel Stupid when the A/C fails a short time later...

The prices quoted are for both heating and air conditioning units installed.

Since the size of my home requires a 2-ton cooling and 60,000 BTU gas fired heating system the installed price of $6,100 for the quiet and efficient two-stage, variable-speed blower motor TRANE XV90 and 15.00 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) R410A XL14i air conditioner seems reasonable. Or am I jus

t trying to convince myself the price is right?...

One good thing about the Trane equipment I selected is the 10 year parts and labor warranty on both the hea

ting and cooling units.

I guess its a mat

ter of wan

t and desire when it comes to this type of

investment.

http://www.eunuch.org/Public/Images/ea1/E

8.gif

If it is something you need (not for investment purposes....), then the quoted prices and equipment specified are, in this market, reasonable - in my opinion. Having rebuilt a few houses, I am more inclined to do this stuff myself (I am knowledgable enough to do it, and be dangerous, I suppose). I wouldn't do it for others. Experience is highly recommended. I can recommend local contractors, but I suspect you have a few good ones on line. Relative to the AFUE rate on the furnaces, the gain isnt significant and the only reason to make a change is age and reliability of equipment.

[Robby (imported)]

If it is something you need (not for investment purposes....), then the quoted prices and equipment specified are, in this market, reasonable - in my opinion. Having rebuilt a few houses, I am more inclined to do this stuff myself (I am knowledgable enough to do it, and be dangerous, I suppose). I wouldn't do it for others. Experience is highly recommended. I can recommend local contractors, but I suspect you have a few good ones on line. Relative to the AFUE rate on the furnaces, the gain isnt significant and the only reason to make a change is age and reliability of equipment.

Thanks for the information Kristoff. The equipment is running fine and in good order. The last check up two weeks ago found nothing wrong, all aspects in good working order but the service technician told me to seek out quotes so I would not be surprised with pricing when the old equipment finally takes a dump.

Its good to know the price quoted is reasonable. I don't think self installation is a good idea for me... I might do a good job and find a new occupation. That would not be good as my next job is retirement.

Take care and

[Kangan (imported)]

Good grief! This thread started out about eunuch hot flashes and ended up all about how to purchase airconditioning!

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

Good grief! This thread started out about eunuch hot flashes and ended up all about how to purchase airconditioning!

In Robby's case they seem to be closely related subjects! --FLO--

[Robby (imported)]

Good grief! This thread started out about eunuch hot flashes and ended up all about how to purchase airconditioning!

Good Grief!

If I am over heating, how in the heck am I going to be cool?... Do ya think an air conditioner will help?..[

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[kristoff]

Good Grief!

If I am over heating, how in the heck am I going to be cool?... Do ya think an air conditioner will help?..

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You ARE cool - what does the thermometer have to do with it?