Central Air v. Window-unit Air?

Posted by Nehmo on August 5, 2005, 9:17 pm

If a house currently has multiple window air-conditioners, are these
significantly less efficient than central air, if the house were
retrofitted with it?

I realize the comparison is complicated, so assume all other factors
equal, and assume: the vents and their position for central air would be
adequate; about half the rooms are normally in use; nobody's concerned
about the window-view obstruction, etc.; Chicago climate; poorly
insulated house.

A companion question is, does the efficiency of air conditioners
increase significantly with size?

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|||||||||||||||| Nehmo Sergheyev ||||||||||||||||

Posted by nielloeb@hotmail.com on August 5, 2005, 6:43 pm

Installing central air costs a lot of money. Once it's installed, the
cost of running it is less than the cost of what you have now.
However, it would take more than 30 years to make up the cost. It
could even take more than 100 years. In other words, if it costs you
$1000 a year to run window units and $800 a year to run central air
that's a savings of $200. However, if central air costs $6,000 to
install, it will take 30 years times $200 a year for you to get your
money back.
So if you are comfortable now, don't change. If you are hot now,
consider the money.

Posted by TURTLE on August 5, 2005, 11:23 pm

> Installing central air costs a lot of money. Once it's installed, the
> cost of running it is less than the cost of what you have now.
> However, it would take more than 30 years to make up the cost. It
> could even take more than 100 years. In other words, if it costs you
> $1000 a year to run window units and $800 a year to run central air
> that's a savings of $200. However, if central air costs $6,000 to
> install, it will take 30 years times $200 a year for you to get your
> money back.
> So if you are comfortable now, don't change. If you are hot now,
> consider the money.

This is Turtle.

If you think a standard hvac system would cost about $6K. I need to move my
business to your area and open back up for I like the way you think.

TURTLE

Posted by RP on August 5, 2005, 11:37 pm

TURTLE wrote:

>>Installing central air costs a lot of money. Once it's installed, the
>>cost of running it is less than the cost of what you have now.
>>However, it would take more than 30 years to make up the cost. It
>>could even take more than 100 years. In other words, if it costs you
>>$1000 a year to run window units and $800 a year to run central air
>>that's a savings of $200. However, if central air costs $6,000 to
>>install, it will take 30 years times $200 a year for you to get your
>>money back.
>>So if you are comfortable now, don't change. If you are hot now,
>>consider the money.

>
>
> This is Turtle.
>
> If you think a standard hvac system would cost about $6K. I need to move my
> business to your area and open back up for I like the way you think.

Are you still in the business Turtle? 6K is a normal median price. Some
are less, some more. You can't touch an Infinity system for 6K, nor even
just a 13SEER 410-A over 3.5 tons.

hvacrmedic

Posted by on August 5, 2005, 11:18 pm

"Are you still in the business Turtle? 6K is a normal median price.
Some
are less, some more. You can't touch an Infinity system for 6K, nor
even
just a 13SEER 410-A over 3.5 tons. "

And of course it all depends on where you're starting from. If the
house has a modern forced air heating system, it;s one thing. If it
has hot water heat, then it's a different story.

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