- Connecting of buyers and sellers since 2002. San Francisco, CA USA Background: Our two-story house is about 3,000 square feet. When we bought it last year, it had two separate AC units, a 2.5 ton and a 4 ton. They were both old and died last month. We had them replaced with a single 5 ton unit, with two zones controlled by dampers (the original ductwork was merged into a single supply). The contractor insisted that 5 tons (versus the original 6.5) would be fine since the new system was much more efficient. It was very hot today (pushing 90) and I noticed that regardless of what I had either thermostat set to, it just kept getting hotter and hotter. I felt cool air blowing out of the vents, but it simply wasn't cooling the house. I got an emergency technician visit and he checked everything and asked me about the previous system. He came back inside and said, "We screwed up." It seems the 5 tons is not adequate for the heat load this house experiences. Although the system is working perfectly, it just can't cool both zones at once.

As a temporary workaround, he suggested running just one zone at a time. The warranty manager is going to call me tomorrow. I want to understand the options. I thought the technician said the 5 ton unit we have is the "largest residential unit available", so replacing it with something bigger might not be possible. What else could be done here? Could a second condenser be added? Is there some other way to beef up this system? Hopefully the company will "make this right" as the technician said. But given that they apparently made a mistake on sizing it, I'm not confident they'll make the best recommendation. I'm not a HVAC expert but a 5 ton unit sounds pretty large for a 3000sqft house. You can probably approach this in one of two ways. One is probably what the previous owner did and just throw more cooling capacity at the problem (two units, larger units, etc.). Alternatively, you can start looking at ways to get more out of your existing unit. Some things that might help:

If your windows are old, consider replacing them with more efficient windows Find and plug sources of air leaks - doors, windows, electrical outlets and other exterior openings Plant trees and shrubs to help shade the houseamericlean air duct cleaning Install ceiling fans to help circulate the airblueair 550e air purifier reviews Add insulation to the exterior of the house (requires replacing siding usually)50250 s true hepa allergen removal air purifier Seal all duct work with proper HVAC tape to prevent leaks Replace your air filter Install an air exchanger The benefit of trying some of the above is that they also help when heating. I have a 3,200 square foot home (2,800 down and 400 up) that has a single 5-ton unit with three dampered zones and one "dump" zone.

I live in South Texas and we have dozens of 100+ degree days every summer. My system is able to hold the house easily at 74 degrees in all zones even when it is 100 degrees outside. A few thoughts: First my home is relatively new (6 years) and has efficient windows, radiant barrier in the attic and is well insulated. Our dump zone that runs any time one of the dampered zones calls for air is in the kitchen - always the hottest room in the house and this helps to keep the busiest area in the house cool. This also helps bleed off supply from the other three zones making sure the unit runs long enough to adequately cool and dehumidify the house. It is a simple but elegant solution to the challenge of too many zones running for short periods of time. I also have the zones set where the dampers don't close all the way - providing a bit of a "leak" to keep air moving in the entire house when one zone is running but the others aren't. I had the builder put in lots of return air. The slower the air moves across the filter the quieter and more effective each return will be.

This also helps to even out the temp in the house since it isn't all going to one large filter. I have three 12X12 filter grills, one 12X24 and one 20X30. Finally - I have a Z type evaporator coil in the air handler rather than the standard V shaped one. This allows my 5 ton unit to maximize efficiency and increase the surface area of the large volume of air moving across the coils. I didn't even know this existed when we built six years ago - but it works great. Like I said - I easily keep our house at 74 even when it is 100 outside - and could keep it cooler - I just don't for budget reasons. Our unit seems to have no trouble at all with intense South Texas Heat. For your install - I would check to make sure your return air is properly sized in addition to all the insulation questions the earlier poster inquired about. My in-laws have a 2,100 square foot house built in 1978 with poor insullation and they have a five tone unit that barely keeps up. So the age and efficiency of the structure will play into how well a 5-ton unit can keep up with the heat.

Many builders and HVAC specialists default to "add capacity" for their answer - because that is easier. Building in intelligence into the system and efficiency into the house is better long term. Browse other questions tagged hvac or ask your own question.Before you purchase items and accessories for your bed, the first thing you need to determine is the type of mattress you have. From there you can choose everything that will properly fit your bed. Check the reference chart below to help determine your bed type. The smallest of all the mattresses; it’s meant for one person Found most commonly in college dorm rooms, the “Twin XL” as it’s affectionately known, is just that - longer than the standard Twin; the width is the same. Also referred to as a Double Bed. Can sleep two and is shorter in length than its larger cousin, the Queen size. Sleeps two and is both wider and longer than a Full sized mattress. The largest, most luxurious sized mattress. May be referred to as the Eastern King.

The California King mattress is a large luxury size like the Eastern King, however it is narrower and longer. And yes, it is found most commonly in the State of California. The measurements below are for fitted sheets and will help ensure a proper fit. Do not be concerned with the top or flat sheet dimension, as it will be tucked under the mattress anyway and is not meant to be sized to the exact specifications of your mattress: You can use these dimensions as a guide for mattress pads as well. No need to look for Cal-King or Twin X-Long in the top sheet - it’s not made... use the King and Twin sizes accordingly. Pillow Top and Extra Deep mattresses have become very common. Before selecting your sheets and mattress pads, it is important to know the depth of your mattress. Here are some dimensions to use as a guide: 15 inches to as high as 22 inches Once you determine the depth of your mattress you’ll need to select the proper depth mattress pad. Here are some approximate depths to follow:

7 to 14 1/2 inches Here are the dimensions for most comforters. Keep in mind that these are approximate sizes. Some vendors may run slightly smaller or produce "oversized" comforters. Regardless, these dimensions can serve as a basic guide: Don’t make yourself crazy looking for California King Comforters or Twin X-Long - they don't make them. Just get a King or Twin size accordingly. In addition, when looking for Full or Queen sizes, some manufacturers make comforters in both Full and Queen sizes, while others will offer a Full/Queen size, which fits both mattresses. Here are the dimensions for most down comforters. Some vendors may run slightly smaller, but these dimensions can serve as a basic guide: All blankets are not created equal! In fact, sizing can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Rest assured that if you buy a Queen size blanket it will fit your Queen size bed. Here are the dimensions; most should fall close to these sizes: You have probably noticed a trend here… anything that is laid across the top of the bed does not come in Cal-King or Twin X-Long.

In the case of most blankets, you also will not find a specific size for Full and Queen, it will be a Full/Queen, which fits both. For those of you enjoying a down comforter, or even just looking for a change for your bedroom, a duvet could be the perfect answer. Since you will be placing your comforter inside the duvet, it is important that the appropriate size be selected. Like blankets, duvet sizes can vary and some manufacturers even offer an “oversized” duvet. Regardless, just match your comforter's size to the appropriate duvet. Here are some sizes to keep in mind, and remember, they might vary slightly by vendor: Nothing can improve a night’s sleep like a quality pillow… and nothing can spruce up your bed more than the right sized pillows. Here is a guide to the common sizes: 20 x 26 inches. Uses a Standard size pillowcase. Use one on a Twin bed, two on a Full or Queen, and three on a King bed. 20 x 30 inches. Uses the same pillow combination as the Standard.

Since there is no Queen size pillowcase, use a Standard pillowcase with a Queen size pillow. It fills up a Standard pillowcase more completely, and it is also a perfect fit across the top of your Queen size bed. 20 x 36 inches. You guessed it, use these on your King size bed. These extra long pillows are perfectly paired across the top of both an Eastern and Cal-King bed, and use a King pillowcase. 26 x 26 inches. These large, square pillows are great to prop yourself up in bed with. They also add a decorative accent when covered with a decorative pillow sham in place of a Euro pillowcase. 12 x 16 inches. Small and easy to travel with and especially good to have for long trips. Take a Travel pillow whenever you need some added comfort and support. Uses a Travel size pillowcase. Since all daybeds are outfitted with a twin mattress, selecting the sheets and mattress pads for them is a no-brainer. Choosing what to put on top of the daybed can be a bit more challenging, as sizes and styles can range.