re: Any HVAC Professionals?

I’m going to have to replace my 14 year HVAC system in the next year or 2 so I’ve been “researching” this stuff to death. On face value doesn’t seem a 2.5 ton unit would be oversized for a 1,500 ft2 house in Austin. Installers use to use as a rule of thumb 1 ton per 500 ft2 of living area, and apparently many still do, but in today’s construction of tight houses, using spray foam insulation, etc. I understand 1 ton per 800-1,000 ft2 is not uncommon in a very tight, energy efficient home. The manual J load calculation provides the builder/HVAC installer with sizing information they should be using.

As an aside, I’ve seen multiple post from Austin homeowners on the HVAC-TALK forum. Seems like they have worst heat and humidity problems than we do in southern Louisiana.

Anyway, I know it’s not a funny issue for the OP, hope his problem is an easy fix.