re: Variable speed AC worth the $?

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Currently have a 5 ton single stage. It's an old (100+ yr old) wood frame one story home. I'm not going anywhere. Variable is double the price. Seems consensus is more comfortable and more quiet but may take a lifetime to recoup added costs

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You can get increased comfort and quiet with modern single stage equipment too.

If one stage isn't enough, 2-stage equipment is very reliable and the cost increase isn't terrible. 2-stage is a reasonable option.

Variable capacity is just too expensive with very little benefit, if any. The controls are a very common failure requiring a complete control board replacement and those are hard to get these days. That means bigger risks of long downtime.

None of the HVAC contractors in my area are recommending variable capacity systems due to issues they have had. That goes for Lennox, Carrier, Trane, Rheem, etc. I can't find one dealer who will recommend variable capacity.

EDIT: There is also a risk of variable capacity systems running on very low CFMs during low periods such that there is not enough CFMs to get even air distribution throughout a house. This leads to increase temperature variation. They are not perfect systems and still require the right application.

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There is a site called hvac-talk.com. It has a residential forum. Many knowledgeable people there that are actually in the business.

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Great site LINK. Homeowners’ questions answered only by 1/2 dozen or more HVAC Techs or those in ancillary fields to the HVAC industry from all regions of the USA. No DYI information provided by site rules.