AC Systems/Units (1 Viewer)

[captain_amazing]

As some of you might know, my wife and I moved into a townhouse last fall. We lived in apartments before then, which always had wall AC units built in, so we haven't had to purchase an AC unit. We're looking to for this upcoming summer.

I've been thinking of going two ways with this:

First, and what I think I'm actually going to do, is purchase two of these free standing, mobile AC units: http://m.ebay.com/itm/371102146585?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%253A80%252Frover%252F1%252F711-117182-37290-0%252F2%253Fmtid%253D1588%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D69982082769_324272%2526itemid%253D371102146585%2526targetid%253D124340402649%2526rpc%253D0.12%2526rpc_upld_id%253D47992%2526rlsatarget%253Dkwd-124340402649%2526device%253Dm%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fitm%25252Flike%25252F371102146585%25253Flpid%25253D82%252526chn%25253Dps%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526gclid%253DCjwKEAjwmfKpBRC8tb3Mh5rs23ASJACWy1QPtrizKPRqMYnDtH73Z5ACyMBRp27avJH4_YnD9AiFiRoCVb7w_wcB%2526srcrot%253D711-117182-37290-0%2526rvr_id%253D821114784551&ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%3A80%2Frover%2F1%2F711-117182-37290-0%2F2%3Fmtid%3D1588%26kwid%3D1%26crlp%3D69982082769_324272%26itemid%3D371102146585%26targetid%3D124340402649%26rpc%3D0.12%26rpc_upld_id%3D47992%26rlsatarget%3Dkwd-124340402649%26device%3Dm%26mpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fitm%252Flike%252F371102146585%253Flpid%253D82%2526chn%253Dps%26adtype%3Dpla%26gclid%3DCjwKEAjwmfKpBRC8tb3Mh5rs23ASJACWy1QPtrizKPRqMYnDtH73Z5ACyMBRp27avJH4_YnD9AiFiRoCVb7w_wcB%26srcrot%3D711-117182-37290-0%26rvr_id%3D821114784551. I really don't want window units, as we just had our windows replaced and don't want a massive unit weighing down on the sill all summer. I thought this would be a good alternative - I'm looking at getting one each for our two bedrooms.

Second, I've been looking into ductless AC systems. I know that would be more of an investment, but I'm not sure how much more(haven't gotten a quote or anything). I'm also unsure if our association would permit the install of an outside generator (or whatever it's called). But I feel like that's a better long term investment for climate control at our place.

Just to give you some sense of our space: the townhouse (1300 sq ft) is three floors, first floor has no AC (living room, kitchen) - and we don't plan on putting AC down there as it's always cool and the AC for the upper two floors will flow down. The second floor has two bedrooms, which I'm thinking of buying the free standing units for. The third floor is a loft/den which already has a free standing unit.

Anyone have any experience with the ACs I posted it ductless AC systems?

 

[ghostguy123]

Another question on A/C

The house I bought has an existing A/C unit but it's old. It's not connected to the furnace, because there isn't one. Electric baseboard heat. Bi Level home with the A/C ductwork in the ceiling.

Anyway, when this thing conks out I was just curious as to how much it will cost me for labor to have someone install a new unit for me.

It looks like new units about the size I would need are about $1,000. I am sure there are other parts and whatnot, but just looking for labor only costs if anyone has a good idea on that.

 

[cstu]

Anyone have any experience with the ACs I posted it ductless AC systems?

A ductless system will be about $3000 installed and much more efficient. This is the one I have.

 

[El Floppo]

Anyone have any experience with the ACs I posted it ductless AC systems?

A ductless system will be about $3000 installed and much more efficient. This is the one I have.

The portable ones are not great, but do thw job if there aren't other options.

I agree that ductless is the way to go if you're allowed to put the condensing unit somewhere and have a little extra money. Would also add value to your home. I've had good feedback on Mitsubishi, fwiw.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

We put the Trane ductless into our townhouse. We have 4 indoor units and 2 external condensers. They are super quiet and were about 2200 each to install. They also have the added benefit of heat to supplement our radiant on super cold mornings.

The drawbacks are: they are ugly (but better than blocking a window), the condensers are pretty big, and when the wind is blowing outside and the units aren't running the fan on the condenser squeaks. I'm working on a solution for that last one.

 

[cstu]

Anyone have any experience with the ACs I posted it ductless AC systems?

A ductless system will be about $3000 installed and much more efficient. This is the one I have.

The portable ones are not great, but do thw job if there aren't other options.

I agree that ductless is the way to go if you're allowed to put the condensing unit somewhere and have a little extra money. Would also add value to your home. I've had good feedback on Mitsubishi, fwiw.

If the house isn't easily convertible to central air, it's a good investment. Window units aren't cheap, much less efficient, and add no value to the home.

 

[cstu]

We put the Trane ductless into our townhouse. We have 4 indoor units and 2 external condensers. They are super quiet and were about 2200 each to install. They also have the added benefit of heat to supplement our radiant on super cold mornings.

The drawbacks are: they are ugly (but better than blocking a window), the condensers are pretty big, and when the wind is blowing outside and the units aren't running the fan on the condenser squeaks. I'm working on a solution for that last one.

Biggest drawback IMO. I've heard that you can flush mount them but haven't seen that in practice.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

We put the Trane ductless into our townhouse. We have 4 indoor units and 2 external condensers. They are super quiet and were about 2200 each to install. They also have the added benefit of heat to supplement our radiant on super cold mornings.

The drawbacks are: they are ugly (but better than blocking a window), the condensers are pretty big, and when the wind is blowing outside and the units aren't running the fan on the condenser squeaks. I'm working on a solution for that last one.

Biggest drawback IMO. I've heard that you can flush mount them but haven't seen that in practice.

They have to have a certain amount of clearance for airflow so you are fairly limited. In the bedrooms we put them above the doors so they disappear for the most part.

 

[ghostguy123]

Maybe one of you smart HVAC or general handy guys can help me out here. Probbaly not but ya never know. Here goes.

Just moved into a house with an old central air unit (just AC, it is not connected to a furnace, I have electric baseboard heat).

The old thermostat was ancient. When going to put on a new one the damn labels on the wires fell off (like half of the did). So I did some research and came across this youtube video which is the exact same thermostat I bought, and he wired it for just A/C cause that is all he has.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8xrWz5sOUI

Now, coming out of the wall in my house are two bundles of wires. One bundle had three wires, and happened to be the exact three colors that his guy used. So, I hooked it up that way, and turned the power on. There is a fan in the ceiling (not even sure this fan is connected to anythign eeded for the A/C to push air). Anyway, that fan kicked on, but the condensor outside didnt kick on. I gave it like 3 minutes, didnt kick on. So after deatching one wire at a time, I figured out that when the green and red wires were connected (white disconnected) the fan in the ceiling would still turn on.

So, I (probably idiotically) used the white wire from the OTHER bundle of wires, and hooked that up. When I turned the power on, the fan in teh ceiling turned on but then shut off after like 5 seconds and started making a very low rrrrrrrrr humming noise, then made no noise at all shortly after.

Did I blow some sort of fuse in that fan that I could easily just reset? Did I #### up the whole system? Do I want to shoot myself in the head?? Probably yes to all questions.

I think I am gonna call the home warranty people and see what I can get them to do for me. "Hey, it was working then all of a sudden stopped. I thought it was the thermostat so I put a new one on, and it still doesnt work. Please help me Mr. Waranty guy"