in my milder heating climate we often
have gas heat for first floor & heat pump
for second floor. heat from first floor
rises & suppliments second floor.

is there an issue with heating the second
floor?
3 tons for 1500 sq ft?
was a load calc performed when house
was built?

best of luck

For OP

What size HP system are you replacing?

And if you are unhappy with the HP for upstairs, have you even discussed with dealer a small gas furnace for upstairs?

IMO

I'm replacing a 2.5ton carrier unit, which was installed in 2002. The current unit has a leak and has been filled with feron 5 or 6 times now in the past 2 yrs. They think the leak is in the coils, but are uncertain, but said it would cost $1000 bucks to replace the coils. My current system sucks in the summer when it's over 95degs outside, the upstairs is 80degs.... when the temp outside fall below 25degs, the aux heat comes on occasionally and can't get above 72. I set the thermostat at 75 in summer and 68 in winter.

Tigerdunes.... what do u mean by "The 005 size Infinity air handler is the preferred selection. Accept no increase. "... what does accept no INCREASE mean exactly??

converting to gas was gonna cost a several thousand more... I plan on staying in the house another 5-7 yrs... but u know how fast time flies.

For rough year

Look at the performance/efficiency numbers I provided from the AHRI HP directory. They speak for themselves.

No price increase....

Come on now.

IMO

How exactly do the 003 and 005 differ?? meaning, where is the extra efficiency derived from?

Larger evap coil in air handler. That's the difference.

Did you notice the additional BTUs along with higher efficiency?

New lineset to be installed?

IMO

This post was edited by tigerdunes on Mon, Feb 3, 14 at 6:01

Spoke with the contractor.

The -005 air handler is an extra $450, when compared to the -003 unit.

Efficiencies would go from: 16.2 / 12.7 / 9 to 17 / 13 / 9

is it worth the extra bucks... any ideas on ROI (Return on Investment) if I go with the -005 unit?

Thanks

Dealer is gouging you on that.

His cost difference is a fraction of that.

Offer him $150 to close the deal.

What about new lineset?

IMO

Said they were gonna reuse the existing lines, as long as they pass the pressure test...otherwise another $400 to replace them.

Let me say something about linesets.

I am not opposed to reusing as long as they are in good condition and are the correct size to manufacturer specs. If not you will shortchange a new system as far as Performance/efficiency numbers. A cheap shortcut that will save you short term and will cost you dearly in the long term.

IMO

Tigerdunes... thanks for your replies, patience and professionalism.

Regarding the LineSets, what percentage of existing lines are ever swapped out?? As I'm replacing a Carrier with a Carrier unit and the lines are 11yrs old (age of the house-new build).

Really, just ask your dealer what size is your existing lineset and what size is Carrier's manufacturer spec.

Come back to this forum to verify his comments.

I don't like to say rule of thumb but if old condenser is a different size to new condenser, then lineset should be replaced. Always verify specs though from old to new.

IMO

I believe Carrier is now offering air handlers with all-aluminum indoor coils, but I'm not certain as to their availability across the states. This may be something to look into with your dealer. Recently much of the industry has been going away from copper coils and toward all-aluminum coils to combat the issue of formicary corrosion (and the resultant evaporator coil leaks).

He Only budged about 70bucks to upgrade to the -005 AirHandler from the -003. Thus an extra $380 buckeroos. Is it even worth it to upgrade.... how long would it take for a ROI if going to the -005 from the -003??

Efficiencies would go from: [-003 unit] 16.2 / 12.7 / 9 to [-005 unit] 17 / 13 / 9

5477864 Active Systems CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING INFINITY SERIES PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HNB636A**31 FE4AN(B,F)003+UI 1050 840 35200 12.50 16.00 34800 9.00 22400 1 HRCU-A-CB 263 754 Yes

5477866 Active Systems CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING INFINITY SERIES PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HNB636A**31 FE4AN(B,F)005+UI 1050 840 36400 13.00 17.00 35400 9.00 22600 1 HRCU-A-CB 259 754 Yes

These are the AHRI numbers.

Is the 005 worth the added cost? Not what dealer wants to charge. I can say his cost for the upgrade is inconsequential. The upgrade charge he wants to pass along to you is absurd.

What about the lineset? Is existing the correct size? Not a detail to disregard or overlook.

IMO

He says the lineset is the same.

I am in northern VA and considering the same Carrier combo you described. What company quoted you $8k? The quotes I am getting a considerably higher. I would like to contact them.

Thanks.