The Virtual Repairman's Appliance Help

[Tim]

I have had a couple estimates for replacing my 20-year-old Carrier AC system 3.5 ton 9 SEER) with a new heat pump system. Quotes for a heat pump have come in about $6800. The two systems offered are Trane (13 SEER XR13 2TWR 3042 condenser w/ @TEC 042 handler) and Kenmore (14 SEER w 20KW backup heat, condenser H4H448 w/ FSMAX handler). Any recommendations for brands? The house is a 1700sf ranch with a 1000sf basement (basement is currently unconditioned but at about $4000 will have supply, return, and ductwork installed from attic handler).

One friend suggested looking into mini-duct hi-velocity systems for the house (see www.hi-velocity.com/north_america.html for more info.) Are you familiar with it?

Thanks,
Tim

[Virtual Repairman]

The Trane unit you were quoted is only a 3 and 1/2-ton unit. It will not handle your estimated 2700 feet of cooling.

Sears units are made by several different people, so it's a tossup as to which company makes the one you were quoted. Don't give Sears your business...just my opinion. And stay completely away from foreign products, such as the "Hi-Velocity" systems you mentioned. You'll never get service nor parts when they break.

I was a Rheem & Ruud dealer for many years, and I like the quietness of their condensers, plus the fact that they use copper coils instead of aluminum on the better models. Also a bargain is the line of Goodman products, formerly called Janitrol. 5-Year warranty on all parts & labor. All copper, etc.

You'll need a 48,000 BTU system with 20 Kw. heating for emergency heat only.

[Tim]

Your thoughts are right. The second repairman today was the owner of a business I've worked with in the past, and I had liked (respected) him, as he seemed more about service than about sales. He made a good suggestion in terms of heating/cooling the basement, saying that in our case we'd lose some of the velocity we'd need for a good air flow in the basement due to running the ductwork w too many turns (bends) to go from attic to basement. He said I'd be better off putting in a window unit for the AC and using the electric heat already down there for winter. Thus, I'd only need a system to cover the 1700sf on the main floor of the rancher. Being that it's a fairly well insulated modular (2x6 walls, few windows), maybe a 3 1/2 ton unit would do the trick?

Thanks for the thoughts on Sears. I heard the same about Trane's coils. I'll look into the Rheem, Ruud and Goodman products. I remember seeing these units at AC Direct (http://acdirect.com/heat_pump_goodman_heat_pump_rudd_heat_pump_.php?gclid=CIyOvcCT6oUCFRJ8Hgod0H34xA) but not sure how local contractors would feel about installing a system I didn't buy from them. How do you as a contractor look at that?

Thanks,
Tim

[Virtual Repairman]

Regarding brands, you seem to know how to use the Internet to research things fairly well, so go to each of the brands websites that we discussed and search for local dealers in your area. You'd be surprised how they pop out of the woodwork when they smell a potential job

The window unit downstairs will be the best idea. You'll need a 2-ton for down there. The upstairs area will be adequately covered by a 3 or a 3.5 ton system.


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