Charlie:
Craig in Willowbend is replacing a 10 SEER 18 year old unit later this fall, his AC unit. He says he wants to know is a 2-stage 14 SEER any better than a single stage and would going with sheet metal duct be better than flex? Also, this is a 3-parter for you Tom, he wants to know if replacing … If he can just leave the furnace because it’s working fine, to save some money.
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Tom:
Okay, let’s start with the duct work. Metal ductwork is the best, there’s no doubt about. It has a long life. It stays cleaner. It lets the air flow better because there’s no restrictions. But, it costs a lot of money to put in after the fact. It costs a lot of money to put in during the fact. Now, I will tell you my house is all sheet metal duct, but I had to pay extra for that. Most people don’t want to. Flex duct today, if installed right, is very good also. That’s going to be a monetary thing.
Charlie:
So, flex is fine is what you’re saying?
Tom:
If it’s put in right, yes. Secondly, as far as the 2 stage as opposed to a single stage, it’s going to be more efficient. It’s going to have some bells and whistles where it will run half speed when it needs to and then full speed when it needs to depending on the load. Here’s the down side and I can do this first hand because we just had to do this over at our training lab. When a part goes out, it’s a lot more expensive to fix. The fan motor on a 2 stage can be $600 – $700 just for the part. If you get a single speed unit, that fan motor could be $50 or $60. I mean it’s that much different. You have to have that in the back of your head when you go to buy these bells and whistles, because bells and whistles cost money down the long run when you have to repair the unit and you will have to repair the unit once in a while. You have to decide that because any unit you buy today is going to be so much more efficient than that 18 year old 10 SEER. Either way you’re going to win. I don’t think personally I would spend … I know I wouldn’t spend it in my house and get a 2 speed unit or a 2 stage unit.
Charlie:
What about that furnace? Should he keep it?
Tom:
The furnace … You’re replacing the whole system. I probably would replace the furnace just to make it all brand new. But, do you have to if it matches? You do not have to.