Recommendations for A/C install in townhouse condo in Edmonton?

[V45 sabre]

Hi wondering if there's any companies or outfits that I should look to for getting ac installed?
Thanks
Rob

[ÜberFly]

Just make sure your condo agreement (condo board) allows for it!

P

[V45 sabre]

Yep I'm on the board and our bylaws allow air conditioners.

[MyAlberta]

They must certainly have some rules that apply, that may dictate equipment choice

[dewalt18]

Don’t have a company up there to suggest, but be sure to get 3 separate companies to quote on it, and ensure they give you several options to choose from. Also note that Amy non commercial construction after 2016 will require at least a 14.5 SEER condensing unit. When you compare quotes, make sure they’re apples to apples. Be mindful of exclusions to quotes as well.

[Ebrand]

Treated me very well.

Customer service since the install has been great.

I am a fussy bastard.

[-JR-]

If its just a small place ,go buy a small window mount A /C unit

Its what most hotels use .

[omega50]

MIL was in a adult condo in Calgary where their bylaws did not allow the operation of AC units between 10pm to 8am
Because some board members liked to sleep with their windows open

[dewalt18]

Originally Posted by -JR-

If its just a small place ,go buy a small window mount A /C unit

Its what most hotels use .

Hotels typically use what is called a PTAC (packaged terminal air conditioner) which also generally have a heat system (electric, or possibly heat pump) built into them. They mount into a framed opening in the exterior wall, and I don’t believe they’re a window mount ac unit on the market that can compare to their cooling ability. They are designed to a much higher standard and built to withstand prolonged use over many years. Also, they aren’t cheap.

For ac sizing, you’re looking for one ton of cooling for every 4-600 sq feet of floor space (basement excluded) so for say a thousand sq foot condo, you would be looking at either a 2 or 2.5 ton unit. The decision between the two sizes would depend on things like type and age of construction, exposure, etc. typically condo type buildings will only have one or two wall exposed to our doors, so that need to be factored. Another factor in sizing condos is what floor the unit is on. You have to remember that residual heat from lower units will have an impact on your cooling load.

P.S. One ton of cooling equals 12,000 btu/h

[ATF]

I wouldn't use any company that guesses AC size by calculating square footage. Find someone that does the actual AC calculations based on window number and sizes, ducts etc...
You don't want an oversized unit or an undersized one and you can end up with that if the contractor strictly looks at square footage.

You can probably google the formula used for this calculation.

[dewalt18]

Originally Posted by ATF

I wouldn't use any company that guesses AC size by calculating square footage. Find someone that does the actual AC calculations based on window number and sizes, ducts etc...
You don't want an oversized unit or an undersized one and you can end up with that if the contractor strictly looks at square footage.

You can probably google the formula used for this calculation.

Thanks for the follow up. That’s along where I was going with mine. Rough guidelines get you close, but the property really does need to be viewed, as there are many contributing factors.

I had a customer several years ago that had us come out cause his fairly new system kept freezing up, and the installing company wouldn’t honour their warranty. Unit was grossly oversized even from a sq footage standpoint (4 ton unit on an 1100sq ft bungalow). Add to that that home had all new upgraded windows and doors, extremely deep new blown in attic insulation, and heavy tree cover to the south and west. And the furnace only had a blower designed for 3 tons of cooling