Trane XL15i - smart purchase?

15 years ago

Hello all

Today I agreed to purchase a new complete Trane system. Do you think this was a smart purchase? Here's what I am getting.

5 TON XL-15i

XL-80 (2 STAGE) FURNANCE

4TXE EVAPORATOR COIL

TOTAL COST = $8,259

I live in Memphis and am replacing an existing unit. It seems like a good price. The company has great service and it will be installed by its own installers.

I also got a price on an Amana complete unit but a 14 SEER unit. The cost was actually $300 more than the Trane. The Amana salesman told me that the "true" SEER rating for the Trane XL-15i was probably less than 15, possibly closer to 13. Is that true? Are some trane units inaccurately rated?

What about the price for the Trane system? Seems good.

Please help. I am having the new system installed Thursday 1/15/08. Please advise even if you read this after that date.

Thanks,

bd

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Comments (14)

rpfingsten
15 years ago
Thebluedog..... First let me say I'm not in the hvac field so my opinion is strictly that, just an opinion. I know that trane has a good reputation.. My next door neighbor has a 5 ton trane heat pump and he says he likes it fine... as for the price your paying, I can't say. I can tell you that 4 months ago I had two complete heat pump systems installed ( 2 condensors, 2 air handlers 2 sets of strip heat, new plenums and "some" new ductwork, and my price for 2 systems was 18K. I personally went with a brand called Air Ease ( a division of Lennox ) because the owner of the local company is a long time friend of a friend and he swears by it, plus the warranty on these particular units are 10 years across the board, condensor, parts and labor... I will tell you this, one thing I've learned in researching hvac equipment is you can go out and spend a ton of money on the best equipment on the market but it it's not installed properly you'll have nothing but trouble. So make sure you're comfortable with whomever is installing the system. In my case the man who owns the company installed my stuff...so far ( only been 4 months ) so good... Good Luck.

Roland
rpfingsten
15 years ago
Thebluedog... one other thing I forgot to mention in my previous post, you said the amana dealer told you that the actual seer value of the trane would not be 15 but maybe closer to 13.. Again I can't speak for Trane but I know that the literature on my equipment boasts of being 18 seer, however the owner of the company that installed my stuff told me it was really closer to 16 or 16.5 seer. Not sure why the depreciation, but apparently its' there.

Roland
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tigerdunes
15 years ago
bluedog

assuming you are sized correctly, there are several things that I don't like about this system configuration.

1.you live in an area/climate that has moderate winters plus relatively cheap electricity. XL15i should be a Heat Pump to leverage electric costs vs nat gas.

2.with today's energy prices, an 80% eff furnace is a dinosaur unless paired with a HP.

3.I don't like a non variable speed furnace like the XL80-it should be a var speed mdl XV80 so you can reach the performance/eff potential of a premium condenser like the XL15i.

I would change the XL80 to the var speed version XV80 model and the XL15i to the HP version. this would make a big difference in comfort,performance, and operating cost.

IMO
TD
garyg
15 years ago
I agree with TD, go with a heat pump. The 80% gas furnace can back up the heat pump (called a dual-fuel set-up). The gas furnace can run when temps are below 35F or so, otherwise the heat pump will provide primary heating. This also gives you an option if one of the utilities (gas or electric) takes a sharp increase.

What is your delivered cost of electricity (cents per kw-hr)? Delivered = generation + distribution + transmission. What is your delivered price for natural gas ($ per therm or $ per ccf)?

Post the exact model numbers of your Trane condenser (outdoor unit), matching indoor coil, and furnace. Once you provide complete model numbers, we'll look up your actual SEER#.

God luck.
jerry_nj
15 years ago
The SEER numbers are stated for a set of specific conditions, temperature and humidity. Thus, the real world conditions are going to produce different results. Comparing one brand to another should be fine, that is I believe all are tested to the same specification, either governmental or trade association, whoever sets the "standards". Trane has a good reputation in my "book". I have a Watefurnace geothermal hp, and can say go HP. In the south and air-to-air hp should be very efficient with a COP over 3 (that is the SEER for heating - if I may draw the analogy) A COP greater than 3 should be a target, could be 4 or better these days.
ryanhughes
15 years ago
"3.I don't like a non variable speed furnace like the XL80-it should be a var speed mdl XV80 so you can reach the performance/eff potential of a premium condenser like the XL15i.

I would change the XL80 to the var speed version XV80 model and the XL15i to the HP version. this would make a big difference in comfort,performance, and operating cost. "

I completely agree. The XV80 or XV95 really should be used with the XL15i. Otherwise, it's not much more than a 13 SEER unit.
steved56
15 years ago
I am in Memphis and just installed a Trane
XL15i 3ton hybread electic/gas
xr80 heater single stage
comfort link2 communication system
xl9000 touch screen thermostat
Comfort coils (dont have number) a/c 410a refrig.
extra duckwork, enlarging pad for HP
7,800 installed they where listing 10k
ryanhughes
15 years ago
Steved56, I'm confused since neither the XL15i or XR80 are communicating products from Trane. Didn't think the TCONT900 (XL900) could work with those components, and if it did I don't see the benefit. May want to make sure you got what you paid for or thought were getting.
steved56
15 years ago
the xl15i is the heat pump
the xr80 is the dual heat furnace
then there is the air handler
then there is the a/c aluminum coils
the xl900 is the touch screen prog. thermostat
the com system ties the blower/ac/heater unit to the
outside heat pump and the xl900 pad.
the outside heat pump has sensors for temp/humidity

this system configures a dual fuel heating system
the a/c is heatpump with 410a refreigerent

Does this help
ryanhughes
15 years ago
It may work, but from the data I have the XL15i has no such sensors and cannot communicate with the ComfortLink II system; only the XL16i, XL19i and XL20i can now.

You really have 4 components: The XR80 furnace (acts as the air handler), XL15i, Comfort Coil, and XL900 thermostat.

Has the system been installed yet? Does it work in a communicating fashion? This is interesting...
batute
15 years ago
I'm also getting a trane with 3 ton XR14 Heat pump and the XV95 Furnace for $9,000.00 Not sure if this is a good deal. The dealer had me a XV95 Furnace with X15Li heat pump for $9200.00 A $200.00 different. Which one is better. Or an Amana with ACV9 Furnace and ASZ14 heat pump for $9,000.00
tigerdunes
15 years ago
batute

pay the $200 for the XL15i. a much better HP. what evap coil has been quoted? that will make a big difference as to performance/eff numbers for your HP. what size furnace? what size HP?

IMO
key1cc
15 years ago
I purchased the Trane XL15i 4-ton (condenser no heat pump) and the XV95 100k btu furnace with a 5 ton e-coil in NJ for $8800 after a $300 rebate from trane and a $700 rebate from the utility company. Also included was the small Trane bypass humidifier (which was listed as $200) and the TC803 thermostat, a chimney liner, 10 years parts warranty, 2 years labor. My actul SEER for my components is 14.5 for the 15i. From what I can tell all things being equal, even though it is called a 15i, they can be configured to deliver as high as 16 seer (probally for the smallest version)but my unit is one of the higher ton versions (4-ton) and even though I have the furnace with the variable speed blower and the higher 5-ton coil for improved efficiency, My unit still can only get up to 14.5 Seer. I have a pdf of the ARI certificate but I don't know how to attach it.

Key1
bigbuck_gt_yahoo_com
13 years ago
i have just installed a xl15i heat pump in a friends house with a duel fuel system the seer rating on this system is closer to 16 seer very quiet system i have 32 years experance in the field this has become my unit of choice someone made the coment about the airease having the 10 year warenty thay only done this becous there competor Goodman had ben offering a 10 year warenty about 5 years before thay did if you want to compare these brands you have to get out of the xl15i series and look at standerd trane good man is probly the best buy fore the money but if you want to beyound the standerd the Trane xl15i is a great unit Carrier also ahs some good quality units to compare to

Trane XL15i - smart purchase?

Comments (14)

rpfingsten

rpfingsten

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