What are your thoughts on whether higher seer rated systems are worth the extra money. Looking at a 14 SEER single speed system and wondering if dual speed higher seer is worth the extra thousands.

feel free to call me to discuss if you like...I don't know where you are located but I can at least answer some questions for you. I own Wise Guys Heating & Cooling and have helped a ton of Ags on here. 346-482-2691 is my office number...Jim Wolf class of 88

My 2-cents
Priorities for us would be for a 20+ year investment, expecting energy costs paybacks, comfort, EZ-to-get parts & hopefully "fewer repairs"
Variable speed
Duel
Single - never again
THEN
Newest model
Highest seer
Next highest seer

1200 sf single story home!


20+ years


First bid quoted a Armstrong 16 seer 80% AFUE single speed horizontal, but I've never heard of the brand.

I think the dual speeds shine during the Texas shoulder months of March and October. I understand they make less noise.

I went with single speed for reduced cost, better reliability and cheaper repairs. My in-laws had a circuit board fail on a fancy ac system and it was very expensive to replace. The single speed was so much more efficient than my old unit that I can crank it down and keep the humidity down and still be ahead over the old unit kWh or the price to upgrade to multi speed.

Armstrong offers affordability and reliability, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious homeowners. Lennox, on the other hand, stands out for its advanced technology and superior efficiency, ideal for those prioritizing long-term savings and environmental impact.

https://americancoolingandheating.com/2015/10/23/heat-pumps/trane-hvac-equipment-rated-by-consumer-reports-as-a-standout-ac-product

I had a variable in my last house and think it was worth it and definitely miss it. Yes it ran at 100% at 5 pm in the summer.

Where I really liked it was at night. No more wild temp swings between cycles and throwing off and on the covers. Just ran at 30-50% all night maintaining a constant temp.

Energy bill definitely went down. But it was a townhouse that was pretty efficient as is so it wouldn't have ever paid back the difference just in energy savings.

My AC guy said the same thing about the multi stage units. Quoted me a single stage 14 seer Trane. He said he never recommends the higher efficiency units because of the difficulty in getting the payback and the higher maintenance costs.

jpd301 said:

---

I am replacing my 25 year old systems right now. My regular a/c guy has been pumping them full of r-22 every may for the last few years since I have coil leaks. He finally said dude its time for a new unit as r-22 as just gotten so ridiculously expensive.

---

R-22 is expensive, but still not priced like unobtanium.

For example, I was at the HVAC supply house about 3 weeks ago buying a condenser fan and some other parts. While I was there, I got current pricing on refrigerants:

R-410A -- $317 per 25 pounds
R-407C - $310 per 25 pounds (407C is a R-22 replacement that's almost as good)
R-22 -- no quote; no longer stocking

Since I still run a couple of R-22 systems myself, I went to the internet and got this quote:

R-22 - $799 per 30 pounds


So, R-22 is roughly twice as much as R-410A, but most residential systems are only using 10 - 14 pounds if they are completely empty. Sure, the refrigerant cost would be a few hundred more, but you're not spending $15K for a system, too.

{And yes, I've been EPA certified and able to buy and work with refrigerants since 1998}.

Quote:

---

The thing that worries me long term is that the R410a phase out has seemingly begun so I fear getting a coil leak 7-10 years from now and having the inflating refrigerant costs like has happened with R22.

---

Exactly. I can already hear some of the 'techs' saying, "Sir. R410A is not used anymore. You'd be better off just replacing the whole system." And, it may happen before 7-10 years. New systems not only run at higher pressures than older ones, the coils tend to be made thinner in the name of achieving energy efficiency.

Good luck whichever route you take. I like that manufacturers' are giving 10 year parts warranties on new systems, but we both know that the labor charge to replace a sealed system component is, as they say, "How they get you."

If it's a heat pump, one value of bumping up a seer rating or two might be for a tax credit. I just got a new system upstairs. Because of the tax credit a two stage system will end up cheaper than a single. Without that or if it had been equal I probably would have gone single stage for simplicity. I like it so far.