I assumed that as central air conditioning units have become more efficient, they were becoming smaller. But what happened yesterday is causing me to question that.

I had an old (unknown age but at least 10 years old) central A/C unit removed yesterday and replaced with a new 2 ton (40,000 BTU) Carrier unit w/ a 13.0 SEER rating. The beast is much larger than my old unit! It is more squat in shape, but it takes up at least 50% more space than my old one - it is so large that it looks out of place in my small back yard.

Of course it is too late to complain now - I should have checked out the physical size of the unit before I bought it, but I was wondering if i would have had a choice for a smaller unit or are all new airconditioners larger?

The installer said that it had to be large because it is an efficient and extra quiet unit - hmmmmm.... to me efficient and quiet would equal small. Can anyone enlighten me here? I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

 

Good logic but incorrect. Larger means more air flow naturally without having to be fan forced. Natural convection means smaller fan motor. Smaller fan motor means less electricity used & thus more efficient. If you want to see some monsters look at the 19 SEER Trane equipment. You almost need a step ladder to look down inside of them.

 

hehe. Yeah Grady is right bout the higher SEER units being bigger..


2 tons is not 40,000 BTU, it's 24,000.

Furnace is smaller than the old units now days. A/C is the other way around.


FYI, DO NOT put plant/srub around the outdoor unit if you are going to try hide the unit.

 

I feel your pain. A few years ago I arrived home to find that a huge chunk of my wife's favorite lilacs were sawzall victims, replaced by a 3-ton Trane condenser. They told me they'd have to cut some out but I wasn't thinking it would take up that much space. I got that sinking feeling and it only got worse after my wife got home and looked in the backyard.

So by now I've gotten used to people saying "That's the biggest air conditioning unit I've ever seen behind someone's house." One nice thing is that the top is solid sheet metal, so the air blows out the sides and we can use the top for a storage table during parties. Another plus is that it's pretty quiet. A third is that leaves do not get stuck in it.