[crash]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I would get 3 quotes, but I would use Munn's even if they are "slightly" higher than the others. This is because I think they are the most responsive for warranty repairs, especially for a Carrier unit. The system will come with a 10-year parts and a 5-year labor warranty. Before getting the quotes, I would decide if you need to upsize a 3 ton unit. Some will recommend a 2-speed or a variable speed compressor, but, personally, I would buy a single stage compressor. That is the most commonly installed system in The Villages. Good luck.

If comfort is your highest priority I would recommend that variable speed unit. I was one that would buy the least expensive unit which is what The Villages puts in until I bought a house that had the variable speed. With a single speed it blows cold air full blast so you are cold then shuts off so you are warm. The variable speed you usually don’t even know it is blowing you are just comfortable all the time. It also does a good job of dehumidifying without making you cold.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I would get 3 quotes, but I would use Munn's even if they are "slightly" higher than the others. This is because I think they are the most responsive for warranty repairs, especially for a Carrier unit. The system will come with a 10-year parts and a 5-year labor warranty. Before getting the quotes, I would decide if you need to upsize a 3 ton unit. Some will recommend a 2-speed or a variable speed compressor, but, personally, I would buy a single stage compressor. That is the most commonly installed system in The Villages. Good luck.

Good advice but you could always purchase based on lowest price and then use Munns for maintenance (????). All things being equal, why pay more for the same unit with installation?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by crash

If comfort is your highest priority I would recommend that variable speed unit. I was one that would buy the least expensive unit which is what The Villages puts in until I bought a house that had the variable speed. With a single speed it blows cold air full blast so you are cold then shuts off so you are warm. The variable speed you usually don’t even know it is blowing you are just comfortable all the time. It also does a good job of dehumidifying without making you cold.

I have a single stage compressor, and I don't have that experience at all. The supply fan always blows air at the same rate and I can barely hear it or feel it. The temperature is maintained to within one degree of the thermostat setting. I really don't understand how a variable speed compressor could improve anything. The supply fan can be adjusted to low, medium, or high. Mine is set to medium, and my house is always very comfortable. The optional humidity setting, which will overcool your house to reduce humidity, is turned off and I have never had a humidity issue.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Sandy and Ed

Good advice but you could always purchase based on lowest price and then use Munns for maintenance (????). All things being equal, why pay more for the same unit with installation?

Personally, I do my own maintenance, but I do use Munn's for warranty work and repairs. I guess you could use another installer and then switch to Munn's for everything else. But, I would prefer to negotiate a fair price initially with Munn's, if another installer offered a significantly lower price than Munn's.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I have a single stage compressor, and I don't have that experience at all. The supply fan always blows air at the same rate and I can bearly hear it or feel it. The temperature is maintained to within one degree of the thermostat setting. I really don't understand how a variable speed compressor could improve anything. The supply fan can be adjusted to low, medium, or high. Mine is set to medium, and my house is always very comfortable. The optional humidity setting, which will overcool your house to reduce humidity, is turned off and I have never had a humidity issue.

When the unit does dehumidify, it does lower the supply air temperature or increase cooling, but it will bring on the heat in order to maintain room temperature set point if necessary. The variable speed prevents this and usually does not waste energy using reheat.and if you have the compressor by the bedroom it will make less noise overall.
PLUS your motor should last much longer and you won't have that blast of hot air during the summer every time the compressor starts.

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by ithos

Last legs means that is cooling but not at 100%. What was the problem that the tech said it was?

Usually it has to be condemned when the compressor fails. The typical cause is shorted or open windings. Everything else should be repairable.

The best way to extend the life of standard compressor is to install a soft start to limit the inrush current.
Amazon.com

Saw a YouTube video by an A/C guy. Said those soft start devices cause more harm than good.

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I have a single stage compressor, and I don't have that experience at all. The supply fan always blows air at the same rate and I can barely hear it or feel it. The temperature is maintained to within one degree of the thermostat setting. I really don't understand how a variable speed compressor could improve anything. The supply fan can be adjusted to low, medium, or high. Mine is set to medium, and my house is always very comfortable. The optional humidity setting, which will overcool your house to reduce humidity, is turned off and I have never had a humidity issue.

We stayed several days in a villa, and hated the AC single speed system. Which led me to upgrade our home purchase to a 2 speed system, for several thousand more, of course. The third option variable speed unit was again double the price of our upgrade. LMO not worth what TV was asking.
I personally would upgrade to a 2-speed unit in any home, at a minimum. The variable unit if the cost, and the rest of the system can handle it. HVAC systems need to be balanced. The air handler to the outdoor unit.

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Personally, I do my own maintenance, but I do use Munn's for warranty work and repairs. I guess you could use another installer and then switch to Munn's for everything else. But, I would prefer to negotiate a fair price initially with Munn's, if another installer offered a significantly lower price than Munn's.

IF one knows what they are doing, you can also purchase the outdoor unit online, delivered to your house. But that leaves the quest of finding an installer that will hook it up. Factory warranty intact.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ithos

When the unit does dehumidify, it does lower the supply air temperature or increase cooling, but it will bring on the heat in order to maintain room temperature set point if necessary. The variable speed prevents this and usually does not waste energy using reheat.and if you have the compressor by the bedroom it will make less noise overall.
PLUS your motor should last much longer and you won't have that blast of hot air during the summer every time the compressor starts.

Most systems installed by the builder do not have a true dehumidifier setting, so there is no reheat function. They are designed to lower the temperature by about 3 degrees to reduce the humidity, but the compromise is that your house gets colder than the thermostat setting. There is no reheat. That is why I do not use the humidity setting.

The humidity setting can be used by snowbirds to save electricity by setting the thermostat a few degrees higher, and still keep the humidity down when it is needed.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by Rocksnap

Saw a YouTube video by an A/C guy. Said those soft start devices cause more harm than good.

Well, there are a lot of other "a/c" guys that say otherwise on YT.

https://youtu.be/7Gim96oyczw?si=vGdoJw3fdt0IV2C8

[dolphin]

Originally Posted by Don Chi

Looks like my air conditioning unit is on it's last legs. Any recommendations on how to proceed in replacing my HVAC unit. Make, model, installation professional, etc. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Sunshine. Excellent

[RICH1]

Originally Posted by Don Chi

Thanks for your reply.

The unit is the original (12 years old) and was installed and serviced annually by SunKool. It is a Carrier unit 2.5 ton capacity for a 1641 sq. ft. villa (perhaps a little small). I'm a little disappointed that it did not last longer since our place was only occupied an average of 3 months a year.

you are correct a 2.5 unit for 1600 is a little small..

[ithos]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Most systems installed by the builder do not have a true dehumidifier setting, so there is no reheat function. They are designed to lower the temperature by about 3 degrees to reduce the humidity, but the compromise is that your house gets colder than the thermostat setting. There is no reheat. That is why I do not use the humidity setting.

The humidity setting can be used by snowbirds to save electricity by setting the thermostat a few degrees higher, and still keep the humidity down when it is needed.

That probably works OK but there are 2 main factors that increase RH. Lower ambient temperature and increase moisture.

[birdawg]

Originally Posted by Don Chi

Looks like my air conditioning unit is on it's last legs. Any recommendations on how to proceed in replacing my HVAC unit. Make, model, installation professional, etc. Thanks in advance for your replies.

I had sunkool do my yearly service the last time the technician was here he told me they No longer clean the compressor because of possible damage to the blades on the fan. Which is BS so proceed with caution if this is who is giving you advice.

[Nancy Rodriguez]

Our unit died last week and we called SunKool. They came within two hours with a portable unit and installed a brand new air conditioner within two days. The guys are great, clean up after themselves, and were very communicative about how to operator newly installed thermostat.