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I know this question will come across about the same as “What’s the best new car?” but…
I’m considering replacing my current system before the old one fails during the peak heating or cooling season. Right now is a good time in Tucson, even though, believe it or not we are still cooling, albeit with the evaporative system.
Unfortunately, the system is roof-mounted (I didn’t design the house) and uses the same ducts as the evaporative system. There is an automatic damper that handles change over. Cooling during the low humidity months is via the evap but during the rainy season (yes it rains in Tucson) the A/C works overtime. I have an efficient fireplace (we heated exclusively with it our first year) but I have determined that wood is about as expensive as electricity and a lot more work)
The house has a lot of thermal mass. It is built of 8″ CMU (sand-filled) with 2″ rigid foam on the exterior side, with three coat stucco over that. Floors are slab on grade with 2″ brick pavers as a finish floor.
I won’t say that cost is no object, but I would like a unit that will offer long-term reliability and efficiency, so I will pay a few buck more for these features if the pay back warrants it.
What brands and features should I be looking at?
Thanks.
Replies
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I know this question will come across about the same as "What's the best new car?" but...
I'm considering replacing my current system before the old one fails during the peak heating or cooling season. Right now is a good time in Tucson, even though, believe it or not we are still cooling, albeit with the evaporative system.
Unfortunately, the system is roof-mounted (I didn't design the house) and uses the same ducts as the evaporative system. There is an automatic damper that handles change over. Cooling during the low humidity months is via the evap but during the rainy season (yes it rains in Tucson) the A/C works overtime. I have an efficient fireplace (we heated exclusively with it our first year) but I have determined that wood is about as expensive as electricity and a lot more work)
The house has a lot of thermal mass. It is built of 8" CMU (sand-filled) with 2" rigid foam on the exterior side, with three coat stucco over that. Floors are slab on grade with 2" brick pavers as a finish floor.
I won't say that cost is no object, but I would like a unit that will offer long-term reliability and efficiency, so I will pay a few buck more for these features if the pay back warrants it.
What brands and features should I be looking at?
Thanks.