A/C guys, I need some help choosing a new a/c unit.

[AdRock]

Since our house is gutted right now from the fire we decided to replace the A/C - furnace while its all easily accessible.

Its a late 50s single story ranch style house. Approx 1500 sq ft. 3 bd 2 bth. Right now it has a RUUD Aciever system that was installed back in the early 90s. Its also a 3 phase system. Id like to keep the 3 phase setup since the parts seem to be more reliable and last longer. However, I havent completely written off going single phase.

So what would you suggest and what do you think a ballpark cost would be?

[War Machine]

reem 2.5 ton 4000 installed using the guy I use. He's the cheapest Ive found

[fordracing19]

Why would your house have 3 phase service?

[AdRock]

Why would your house have 3 phase service?

This house was built in 1957. I think the the people that originally purchased houses in this neighborhood got a choice if they wanted it. Its been 3 phase since my grandparents bought it in 1961. Most of the houses around us also have it

[AdRock]

reem 2.5 ton 4000 installed using the guy I use. He's the cheapest Ive found

im in san antonio so I cant use the services of anyone on here or up there.

[Chuck_Finley]

That's awesome you still have 3 phase service. Yes, they still make a/c condensers that operate on 3 phase and yes, I'd recommend you buy that instead of a typical residential unit.

Here's an example:

http://www.trane.com/commercial/north-america/us/en/products-systems/equipment/unitary/split-systems/split-systems-1-5-to-5-tons.html

Specific models start with 4TTA3 and 2TTA3

[8mpg]

Well, being an older house, without big insulation upgrades, the old school 500' per ton probably will be close. Im not sure if they make a 2 ton or not, but dont go too big. 2.5 is probably enough. With too big of a system, you will cool too fast and short cycle the a/c. It wont have enough time to properly dehumidify the air.

We ended up with a 2.5 ton on my remodel with a sealed attic and spray foam thats 2100sqft. It was recommended off a manual J report. My electric bill has always been under $100 and Im running 74*F during the summer and 70*F winter. Id recommend a heat pump or a variable refrigerant unit. I really wanted a Mitsubishi MultiCity unit but couldnt find a contractor to install it.

[Chuck_Finley]

I had to post more because I got curious thinking about this today. OP, do you know if your existing 3 phase service costs more than other residential customers with just 1 phase? I don't know if you do a lot of your own work around the house, but 3 phase is definitely preferred if you do that sort of stuff, anything from heavy duty motors which won't crap out like consumer products will, to other stuff like welding.

The previous Trane link I posted, the 4TTA3 models will likely be the only ones you can buy since that indicates R410. Use code 4TWA3 if you want a heat pump. The smallest unit they make is a 2.5 ton. The nice thing about a 3 phase condenser is you never have to worry about some capacitor blowing plus the compressor will be built better, and likely last that much longer.

[AdRock]

It doesn't cost any more than anyone else to have the 3 phase setup. I do a lot of work around the house So I definitely plan to have CPS hook it all back up when the house is done. And yeah the 3 phase components will last a lot longer. The RUUD thats there now has been working just fine, so has the furnace, but they're old. My grandmother had them installed in 1991. We keep the A/C set at 73 all summer since my wife is out of school all summer. Our utility bill is usually around $150 - $200 during the summer and drops to between $100 - $150 during the winter because gas is so much cheaper. It's hard for me to replace something like this that still works great but with the entire house gutted down to the framing, this is the time to go ahead and have it done.

I think at 24 years of service the old girl has had a good run but it's just the right time to replace her. I have appointments set up and plan on getting bids on 2.5 ton 3 phase units as well as the a new gas furnace. We can't spend a shit ton of cash so I was planning on staying somewhere in the middle of the price ranges of Trane, RUUD, and Rheem. I've had a few people suggest I go with a Trane unit because they're coils are now aluminum instead of copper like RUUD and Rheem

[Chuck_Finley]

Any update OP? Were you able to get a unit to operate on 3 phase?

[one slow 5.0]

What part of sa are you in? I'm in Lytle about 20 min south on 35. We use mark from stellar ac 2107224913 they are well priced, clean cut, and there guys are all background checked.