Man and beast languish in the heat...

R

richard-in-cincy

Well-known member
Ok, 2 weeks of 100+ temps in the 'Nati.

No electricity after the storm. And then the central A/C died an ignominious death.

The house is currently 95F.

I've spent the last three hours outside watering, frequently hosing the furry dachshunds down so they don't get overheated. I am a dripping pile of sweaty flesh. My stargazer lilies started opening yesterday and they are literally frying in the heat. So sad.

We finally broke down and bought a window AC unit for the bedroom so that we can survive.

We're looking at $12,000 dollars to replace the AC and heating (installed in 1976--while the heating still works (as of last winter). It's a big @$$ed house with 4000 sq. ft and we're looking at replacing a 5 ton AC unit. The furnace will also be dead soon and it is much better to put the complete system in--so we are going to replace everything at the same time).

So, I have quotes for Goodwin, Ammana, and Bryant systems. Has anyone been through this and what are your comments, suggestions, and thoughts?

Need to get this going soon because we are dying in a pool of sweat.

 
I'm so sorry Richard. Nothing worse than losing the A/C

in the heat, not to mention the huge expense. I know you aren't used to it being so hot up there.

 
Oh Melissa, this it now the summer in Cincinnati. We are frequently

treated to weeks of 100F heat. It is oppressive. I cannot believe our AC died this week. But then, I can. When it rains it pours.

 
Oh I am so sorry about the heat/AC throwing in the towel, I went with Lennox

when I replaced the furnace and added AC a few years ago after a neighbor recommended it. I've been very happy with it.

 
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! $12K?!

My parents' house (well, my grandparents' house) has an A/C unit at opposite ends of an enormous ranch-style home. One of the units went out about 10 years ago, and the cost was so high (although I guess I didn't realize how high) to reinstall that now they just use the one nearest the bedrooms. Not a practical takeaway for you, but just wanted to sympathize... I hope the heat wave breaks soon for you. smileys/frown.gif

Edited to add some semblance of clarity.

 
If it's little consolation I replaced my whole HVAC in my condo last fall and

This horrid heat wave here in NC has been just fine indoors. So much better than my old system and my electric bills have dropped considerably. Still no fun on the wallet. I had to pay a crane in addition since our units are on the roof. Sorry you are facing this in this terrible heat.

 
Out here in the desert, Trane has a good reputation. Talk to more than one...

...installer.

Three tips for money-saving:

1. A "split" system allows for a higher 'SEER' rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The higher the SEER rating, the better the efficiency, and the less your monthly bills will be. Try to get a system with part of the hardware on the ground and part on the roof. That is a 'split' system. They have higher SEER ratings than roof top only systems. Again, talk to your installer, and they should know your best route. Beware of installers that have an axe to grind, or have a warehouse full of a brand that they bought at a discount. You want what's best for YOU, not him.

2. Sometimes two smaller units at each end of the house can be more expensive up front, but deliver better monthly savings on your electric bill. Have a competent installer (or two) talk you through the advantages/disadvantages.

3. SERIOUSLY consider having insulated ducts installed, especially if they haven't been touched since the '70's. There is nothing worse than spending the money for a cadillac AC system, and then losing 35% of your cooling in the attic, or under the house.

A good AC system will SAVE you money in the long run. Unfortunately, you have to have it NOW. The off-season is the best time to get a new system installed, but that's not an option for you.

Moral of the story: Check more than one installer, get good advice, and know you will be paying the big bucks but you will be saving money in the long run. Now is no time to scrimp!

Michael

 
What is with the electricity on the east coast?! Our summers are going to get

worse so why aren't your guys preparing? Get with the grid guys.

Honestly, I worry about my 'buyers' of our 36-year old system and if it's still working. DH was a Trane management engineer and actually installed it in our whopping house. The heat is as bad there now and I worry about the new owners (yes, stupid me).

35 years later, the techies kept saying that it would never give up. It was just a problem getting the freon for it. But these bits of equipment come and go along the reliability highway. Definitely, as Michael suggests, a split system if the space warrants it. I specked that in 2 other properties and was so glad I did.

I feel sorry for the heat you're experiencing. I know it's dreadful. At least you have water.

And poor star gazers!

 
My heart goes out to you - we were out for 2 days this week

although Consumers Energy said it would be 5. We were fortune that we have a generator (doesn't run ac but we have a finished basement that was very cool). Could have fried eggs on our main floor and 2nd floor.

Same weather here - and internet/phones were out to which was very difficult since I own an online business.

Take care. will be praying for you and others for the energy to come back on FAST.

 
Richard, just sympathy here, so sorry you lost your ac during this hateful heatwave..

we know our time is short for our system and have been saving up for it. I will be interested to hear what you decide on. I am hoping to do spme sort of split system when the time comes as we have a split level home and should be much more efficient! Good luck and stay cool!

 
What terrible timing, Richard!

We replaced ours with Trane a few years ago, after it flooded our spare room while we were in South Africa. What a mess, and we lost some papers and books that had been stored in boxes under the desk.
We replaced all the duct work as well, and everything works so much better now.

 
That's a shame smileys/frown.gif so sorry to hear that-- hope the heat subsides soon for you

 
4,000 sq.ft.??!! Mansion living is pricey! The heat wave is supposed to break soon...

but not enough to be without air. Wonder if they jacked the price because of the heat. However, 36 years is a long time. Better to get it done before you are in sub-zero temps without heat.

 
(((Richard))) When we built our home 8 years ago, we installed a geothermal heat pump...

here's a link to the Water-Furnace site. I highly recommend the system, for energy savings and environmental considerations. You can add a hot water recovery system (mine was $500 extra) and the hot water created by the heat exchange can be recirculated into your hot water tank, and you will get "free" hot water. I received a $1,200 rebate from my electric cooperative for installing geothermal, and there are Federal Tax Credits, as well.

I checked your area, and there are several dozen dealers near you. It's worth a look-see. Much of the new commercial and residential construction along the Gulf Coast is using geothermal, as the operating savings are so significant. Good luck!

http://www.waterfurnace.com/

 
There is nothing quite like losing A/C once you've gotten used to it. Growing up, we didn't even

have window units. It was summer; ergo, it was hot and muggy. Case closed. Quit complaining and wait for fall to arrive.

In ABQ we had a heat pump on the roof (water circulates over a pad and pushes the cool air down into the house. Cheaper than A/C, but not as cold.) In ABQ, you want to live in an adobe house where the walls are 12" thick and the house stays cool all summer.

In FL, we've always had A/C and didn't realize quite how miserable it was until the 2004 hurricanes. We were fortunate...only 4 days without electricity. But with all the rains that accompany hurricanes, the humidity and mosquitoes were almost as bad. Neighbors were taking in the elderly who didn't have any A/C.

Now my mom in Pittsburgh said it was 105 today. I don't think it was EVER that high in my life.

 
Have you considered zones?

I'm a project manager for a GC here in the desert. There are several systems (our sub uses Mitsubishi) that offer thru the wall hvac that will cool/heat specific zones for much lower costs. They are pretty compact and aren't unsightly.

 
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