Help! Which HVAC unit should I buy?

15 years ago

Hi Everyone,

I am adding an addition to my home and have been advised to replace my current unit which is 15 years old with a larger 3ton to cool/heat new and current space!! +- 1800 square feet. Have no idea about the systems quoted and would greatly appreciate any advise on these systems.

1. A new Trane 4DCY4036A1075A 14 SEER R-410A dual-fuel variable speed 2-stage gas heat packaged unit and duct for the new room. This system has a 20-year heat exchanger warranty, a 10-year compressor/outdoor coil warranty, a 5-year parts warranty, and a 1-year labor warranty. The price for this system is $7,597.

2. A new Trane 4YCC3036A1075A 13 SEER R-410A gas packaged unit and duct for the new room. This system has a 10-year heat exchanger warranty, a 5-year parts and compressor warranty, and a 1-year labor warranty. The price for this system is $6,652.

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Comments (7)

tigerdunes
15 years ago
jduffie

where do you live?
what is electric rate?
what is nat gas rate?

I will assume for installation reasons, you must have a package unit. how long do you plan to be in home?

post back.

TD
jduffie
Original Author
15 years ago
I live in chapel hill nc, natural gas costs $0.12182 winter-$0.13255 summer - electricity $.1148 per kwh and I plan on living here forever!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! thanks a bunch
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Sizing can be less of an issue when you have multiple units. Because each unit is controlled independently, provided of course the unit itself is not over sized for the area in which it serves resulting in excessive short cycling. In your case 3 ton plus 2 ton isn't necessarily equal to 5 tons of cooling... unless you drive those thermostats really low. By having two systems with total capacity of 5 tons (which, most of the time this would be oversized for a 1700 - 1800 sq ft structure) has a few advantages. 1. You have the ability to use one system only during low heat days or set the opposing unit higher. The unit set higher only runs if load conditions warrant.... meaning if it's not hot, the thermostat controlling the unit does not call... the unit can not run without a call... 2. Utility bills can be much less... because you rarely use both systems at the same time. You run the bedroom system when you sleep, the other when you're awake. If you have a home office in one the bedrooms you may need to rethink things a bit. 3. Extra capacity for when it's hot out. When it's hot you have the capacity to cool the home. (even while entertaining guests --- additional people add heat) Remember heat waves come, heat waves go... a so call 'properly sized' AC system is essentially properly sized roughly 10% of the time... especially if that system is a single speed AC system. Alot of people I come across like to sleep cool. So for that reason I doubt I would change the configuration of the space. Once you realize what you have, the choices you make are mostly budget type concerns. Essentially a set up like this runs like a 2 stage system. This kind of subject is above the pay grade of many... choose your contractor wisely. I service the Katy, Texas area.
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jduffie
Original Author
15 years ago
I also live in Chapel Hill, NC and I also plan on living here forever. Thanks so much!
ryanhughes
15 years ago
Same company quoted both systems? The more expensive one is certainly favorable with its variable speed blower and 2-stage heat, but as seen there is a premium price for it. If you can afford the increase, that's the way I'd go.

How did they size the system? Load calculation? Guess? Previous size? Very important in having a good system--having it sized properly.
tigerdunes
15 years ago
jduffie

#1 is a much better choice with var speed blower, two stg gas heat , and the HP. be aware though that the gas heating is only 80% with a low HSPF of 8 for the HP which is typical for package units. your electric rate and nat gas rate are close so you really can't leverage the electric rate against the nat gas rates.

I would get a quote for the straight gas/electric package unit XL14c for comparison to the dual fuel model. if operating costs are important to you and you think utility rates will widen between gas and electric, then go with dual fuel.

BTW, same units are available from Trane's sister company Am Standard and may be less expensive.

you could also get quotes on the Carrier/Bryant package systems which are nice.

IMO
jduffie
Original Author
15 years ago
thanks so much for the help, I will get some additional quotes for the other models and will come back to get your invaluable opinion!! thanks a bunch
jvilla86
12 years ago
Home owners in Los Ageles visit http://affordableairconditioner.com/
for Low Cost Air Conditioning and Heating equipment.

Help! Which HVAC unit should I buy?

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Help! Which HVAC unit should I buy?

Comments (7)

tigerdunes

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