Looking for last minute advice

daveincincy · 04-17-2006, 10:14 AM

A/C finally went out after putting a bandaid on it for the last 3-4 years. With rising temps, small kids in the house, and a referal from family, I picked a company to do the work without much shopping around. The unit that's scheduled to be installed is a Westinghouse, 3-ton, 10 SEER unit. The outside unit, as well as the coil is getting replaced for just under $2200 (tax, labor, parts, etc).

Any opinions on Westinghouse? It carries an 8 year warranty, and a 5 year full replacement warranty if the compressor goes out within that 5 years (hope that wouldn't happen).

My concern is the 10 SEER rating. As I understand it, 10 SEER units are no longer manufactured (effective early 2006), but there are still a bunch out there in stock that can be sold/installed. Will this be a problem with parts availability down the road? My father-in-law just replaced his whole a/c and furnace, and went on about how I may have made a bad decision. I think he may have been taken on a bit of a sales ride myself....he went and bought all the bells and whistles for a tiny ranch....a 13 SEER unit (which goes to a 14 SEER with the purchase of variable fan, which he did purchase), humidifier, UV light to kill mold, germs, etc, and whatever else was available.

didn'tdoit · 04-17-2006, 06:21 PM

Where do you live? How long do you plan on staying in the house? Will be harder to sell with an obsolete 10 SEER unit. I would get a13 SEER min. I am not familiar with Westinghouse units, but the installer is the most important thing.

lxdollarsxl · 04-22-2006, 01:09 AM

I disagree the A/C will not make any difference to house value. You will be able to get parts for 10 seer for many years to come. It will also be just as reliable as the now 13 seer just not as efficient (really theres not a lot in it), but the cost of the units is a difference of about $400, as for the brand well several brands belong to one company, like trane, lennox and arco are made by same company. I take it this is also a heat pump not just ac.

didn'tdoit · 04-22-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lxdollarsxl

I disagree the A/C will not make any difference to house value. You will be able to get parts for 10 seer for many years to come. It will also be just as reliable as the now 13 seer just not as efficient (really theres not a lot in it), but the cost of the units is a difference of about $400, as for the brand well several brands belong to one company, like trane, lennox and arco are made by same company. I take it this is also a heat pump not just ac.

I am looking to a 10 seer replacement coil now and can not find one, the new coils are all taller and do not fit in the old case.... there are a lot of reasons to buy at least a 13 SEER. But it is your choice.

lxdollarsxl · 04-22-2006, 07:15 PM

you can order a coil to fit through your supplier - they just dont stop making parts because they changed units. The makers of these units will confirm this is you ask - having already contacted the makers of mine i know this is correct.

04-17-2006, 10:14 AM	#1
daveincincy Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 30	Looking for last minute advice A/C finally went out after putting a bandaid on it for the last 3-4 years. With rising temps, small kids in the house, and a referal from family, I picked a company to do the work without much shopping around. The unit that's scheduled to be installed is a Westinghouse, 3-ton, 10 SEER unit. The outside unit, as well as the coil is getting replaced for just under $2200 (tax, labor, parts, etc). Any opinions on Westinghouse? It carries an 8 year warranty, and a 5 year full replacement warranty if the compressor goes out within that 5 years (hope that wouldn't happen). My concern is the 10 SEER rating. As I understand it, 10 SEER units are no longer manufactured (effective early 2006), but there are still a bunch out there in stock that can be sold/installed. Will this be a problem with parts availability down the road? My father-in-law just replaced his whole a/c and furnace, and went on about how I may have made a bad decision. I think he may have been taken on a bit of a sales ride myself....he went and bought all the bells and whistles for a tiny ranch....a 13 SEER unit (which goes to a 14 SEER with the purchase of variable fan, which he did purchase), humidifier, UV light to kill mold, germs, etc, and whatever else was available.

04-17-2006, 06:21 PM	#2
didn'tdoit Newbie Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 28	Looking for last minute advice Where do you live? How long do you plan on staying in the house? Will be harder to sell with an obsolete 10 SEER unit. I would get a13 SEER min. I am not familiar with Westinghouse units, but the installer is the most important thing.

04-22-2006, 01:09 AM	#3
lxdollarsxl Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 73	Looking for last minute advice I disagree the A/C will not make any difference to house value. You will be able to get parts for 10 seer for many years to come. It will also be just as reliable as the now 13 seer just not as efficient (really theres not a lot in it), but the cost of the units is a difference of about $400, as for the brand well several brands belong to one company, like trane, lennox and arco are made by same company. I take it this is also a heat pump not just ac. Last edited by lxdollarsxl; 04-22-2006 at 01:17 AM.

04-22-2006, 07:15 PM	#5
lxdollarsxl Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 73	Looking for last minute advice you can order a coil to fit through your supplier - they just dont stop making parts because they changed units. The makers of these units will confirm this is you ask - having already contacted the makers of mine i know this is correct.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Looking for last minute advice