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Started By
Message
Are today's HVAC units bigger to the same size units of the past?
Posted on 2/26/25 at 3:08 pm
Posted on 2/26/25 at 3:08 pm
My HVAC contractor told me that a 4 ton today is almost equivalent to a 5 ton from 10-15 years ago, a 3 ton is equivalent to a 4 ton from years ago, and so on.
Is there any truth to this? I can't find any real info on the internet to back this up. Having issues right now with a system that's less than a year old and I'm thinking they installed the wrong sized unit without sizing my house properly.
Is there any truth to this? I can't find any real info on the internet to back this up. Having issues right now with a system that's less than a year old and I'm thinking they installed the wrong sized unit without sizing my house properly.
5
Posted on 2/26/25 at 4:08 pm to TDsngumbo
Do you larger in physical size or in their ability to cool down the inside of your house?
I don't have exact measurements, but it is true the the new units are larger in physical size.
I have two units. One is an older 2 ton unit and a new 2.5 ton unit. The new 2.5 ton is much bigger than the old 2 ton unit.
The new units are larger to help with the higher efficiency requirements.
I don't have exact measurements, but it is true the the new units are larger in physical size.
I have two units. One is an older 2 ton unit and a new 2.5 ton unit. The new 2.5 ton is much bigger than the old 2 ton unit.
The new units are larger to help with the higher efficiency requirements.
This post was edited on 2/26/25 at 4:10 pm
Posted on 2/26/25 at 5:37 pm to tdme
I mean in the ability to cool.
Like a home that required a 4 ton unit before would be able to go with a 3 or 3.5 ton now.
Like a home that required a 4 ton unit before would be able to go with a 3 or 3.5 ton now.
Posted on 2/26/25 at 6:06 pm to TDsngumbo
No….a “ton” of cooling capacity is defined as a unit that can remove 12,000 btu/per hour from the structure. I don’t believe this definition has changed.
Units have absolutely become more effecient, however rating is the same as it has always been.
Units have absolutely become more effecient, however rating is the same as it has always been.
Posted on 2/27/25 at 6:46 am to Spankum
Ok so either I misunderstood what he was saying or he’s full of shite.
Posted on 2/27/25 at 8:10 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
My HVAC contractor told me that a 4 ton today is almost equivalent to a 5 ton from 10-15 years ago, a 3 ton is equivalent to a 4 ton from years ago, and so on.
He was likely talking about how efficient they are…meaning how much electricity they use. Not about how much cooling capacity they have. As another poster stated above, a ton of cooling capacity is a ton of cooling capacity, period.
Posted on 2/27/25 at 11:49 pm to TDsngumbo
quote:
I'm thinking they installed the wrong sized unit without sizing my house properly.
How old is the house? How many sq ft?
Posted on 2/28/25 at 7:15 am to TDsngumbo
quote:A ton of cooling capacity is still a ton of cooling capacity. To my knowledge, not a whole lot has changed in the last 10-15 years. Units may have gotten slightly more efficient, but I am not sure about that.
My HVAC contractor told me that a 4 ton today is almost equivalent to a 5 ton from 10-15 years ago
quote:
Having issues right now with a system that's less than a year old and I'm thinking they installed the wrong sized unit without sizing my house properly.
What issues are you having?
Posted on 2/28/25 at 7:15 am to MikeBRLA
quote:
He was likely talking about how efficient they are…
Which realistically means they could potentially cool more space right? If a new unit is 21 seer and an old unit is 14 seer, would the new unit technically not be able to cool more space? It could cool the same space more efficiently, sure. But does that also not mean it could cool a larger space with the same efficiency?
In my unprofessional observation, a lot of new units have larger more powerful blowers to move the air more efficiently. More air in less time, equates to some improved efficiency. This isn’t always more efficient, as units on the lower end of the size needed then run less often and therefore less humidity is removed. Therefore you have to actually change the blower settings to run the unit more often than is optimal to remove the heat in order to remove enough moisture.
This post was edited on 2/28/25 at 7:19 am
Posted on 2/28/25 at 9:11 am to MikeBRLA
quote:
He was likely talking about how efficient they are…
Agreed if this is what he’s referencing. Replaced an R22 reciprocating compressor unit a new R410 scroll compressor unit (Rheem 14 seer) and it pulls 1/2 the current of the old one. The old one regularly pulled around 15-18A depending on temperature outside. The new one usually stays below 10A but typically runs around 8.5A. Amazing leap in efficiency.
I also agree with a previous poster who said new units are larger. I imagine the newer ones have a lot more surface area on the coils to transfer heat better.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 9:40 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
Ok so either I misunderstood what he was saying or he’s full of shite.
It is possible he is referring to houses are much tighter than previous builds, which often leads to people buying too large of an HVAC compared to the past. The old rule of a 1 ton per 500sqFT does not really hold up anymore in a tightly build house.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 10:22 am to TDsngumbo
If hvac prices keep climbing you should be able to live in the hvac system before long.
Posted on 2/28/25 at 11:45 am to baldona
quote:
Which realistically means they could potentially cool more space right? If a new unit is 21 seer and an old unit is 14 seer, would the new unit technically not be able to cool more space?
Nope. SEER rating measures how much electricity is used while the unit is running, not how much cooling capacity the unit has while it’s running.
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