I'm in Montgomery county. Our electric bills (neighbors included) have been outrageous. The tilting, if major, may have been a contributing factor, but Goodmans from that era were not very reliable and cheaply made.

You definitely do not want to do a partial replacement. 8 year old coils are no match for a new outdoor unit, and you would likely run into poor performance and efficiency. Regardless, that Goodman coil really doesn't have much life left in it if you ask me.

Don't be afraid to get a few quotes. You need 15 SEER, 8.5 HSPF, and 12.5 EER for the $1500 stimulus credit. (Heat Pumps)

By the way, I am assuming this is a heat pump based on what you've said. If that's the case, my recommendation would be to look at Trane's XL15i, 4TWX5024A1000A, with variable speed air handler, 4TEE3F31B1000A, yielding 13 EER, 16 SEER, and 9 HSPF--very efficient and quiet system.

Let me know if you have any more questions or if I got anything wrong.

Thanks so much, that's what I wanted to know. I was guessing that maybe it would better to replace it, but of course I have to assume that perhaps my serviceman was recommended replacement for his own interests.

I'll have a couple more businesses come out to give me estimates.

At least I have fairly nice weather right now so I don't feel like I have to rush this decision!

Update the thread once you get more estimates. Ask the next dealers to ensure you have the right equipment sizing and adequate ductwork--this is more important than the equipment itself. Are you in Montgomery County? I have a good company I can refer you to if need be. And this is a heat pump? Yes, I think Spring is finally headed our way... about time.

With the tax rebates in affect. Go for the gold, I urge my customers all the time to make that extra step in saving more money on their electricity bill and take advantage of what the government and energy star has put together. www.advantageairtucson.com has a comparable energy savings table such as what is on energy stars website. You can also go to www.hvacopcost.com to see the benefits of going to a higher SEER. In my experience in the industry, avoid installing another Goodman and stay away from Trane. Rheem and Ruud are the same pieces of equipment and so are carrier and Bryant- if you did not already know that. Make sure the contractor tells you that they will take care of your ARI certificate so that you can have it for next tax season. Some companies leave their customers with out a place to go and with no formal piece of paperwork of the tax rebate and come April 15th of next year you do not want to be with out it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Advantage Air Mechanical

TucsonACMan,

Just curious as to why you'd stay away from Trane? Trane's coils in particular are very durable (especially coils), and I have heard from other dealers that they have very minimal warranty callbacks compared to Goodman, Carrier, etc. Hard to question Trane's reliability and durability proven for many years if you ask me, although their efficiency of the higher efficiency units leaves quite a bit to be desired.

Yes, this is a heat pump. I'm located in Queen Anne's County, Montgomery is a bit far away unfortunately.

I will collect some more estimates and update the thread when I get them.

I join the others in recommending replacing the system. Yours is near the end of it's expected life cycle. Check with your contractors about any "early bird" rebates or discounts too, this is the time of year contractors offer them. Ah yes, it is getting spring like here!!

The compressor itself is mounted on springs inside the hermetic seal that will compensate for some lean of the outside unit. If your units leaned more than the allowed lean (average of 3 degrees) you may have heard a clunk every time the unit came on or went off. This would certainly shorten the life of the compressor. So make sure you check the new units periodically to make sure they stay as level as practical.

Yes, that outside unit is leaning quite a bit and I do remember hearing clunks out when it when on and off, I just figured that was normal. Oops.

I'm still getting some quotes, and really appreciate the input I've recieved here. It makes me feel a lot more comfortable with going with a new system.

So far here's what I have for estimates, there are just 2:

1) Rheem 13 SEER 2 ton heatpump model RHSL indoors and 13PJL24A01 outdoors. 10kw back up heater on the indoor unit, Honeywell Digital pro 5000 thermostat. 5 year parts warranty, 1 year labor. $3962

This would NOT qualify for a federal tax credit. I asked about the tax credit, he'd never heard of it, but gave me a price for an RHSL 15 SEER of $5200, and according the Rheem website that one doesn't qualify for the tax credit either. His lack of knowledge of the tax credit makes me nervous (nice guy though).

2) Trane 4TWXS024 2 ton 15 SEER heat pump (XL15i) and 4TEE3F31 2.5 ton variable speed air handler. BACHTR1410 10kw heater, Trane 7 day touch screen programmable thermostat. 10 year parts and labor warranty. $100 rebate from Trane. Total cost with the rebate $5625.

#2 offers 6 months financing at 0%, but I'm don't think I'd use that. He was familiar with the tax credit and said he provides all the certification and ARI number that I need for it.

I'm tempted to just go with #2. Do you think that sounds good, or should I get another estimate?

pl71

first it is very clear that the fed govt's tax credit will be the driving force in HVAC sales for the next two years and dealer's sales force better be informed and responsive in this area plus know their product line.

Rheem is solid HVAC and probably both underated and overlooked in the area of heat pumps. here is a suggestion worthy of consideration. this configuration qualifies and most likely will be less expensive than the Trane.

RPQL JEZ series with var speed air handler.

3245449 Active Systems RHEEM RPQL SERIES RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY RPQL-024JEZ RHKL-HM2417+RCSL-H*2417A* 24200 13.00 15.00 23000 9.00 13900

Your Trane configuration. The 39A1 air handler is a better choice than the 31B1 mdl.

1383391 Active Systems XL15I WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWX5024A1 4TEE3F31B1 25200 13.00 15.25 24000 8.60 13900 1
1382158 Active Systems XL15I WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWX5024A1 4TEE3F39A1 25000 13.00 16.00 24000 9.00 13800

you do want HW Vision Pro IAQ stat for either Rheem or Trane plus new refrigerant lineset. No Trane stat please.

IMO
Good Luck!

Number 2 is a much better setup, in my opinion. Rheem makes good equipment, but not the setup recommended to you. I agree with tiger above, ask about the other 39A1 air handler. It is quite a bit taller, so height may be an issue, but many times it isn't if it's an attic install. Sounds like an informed dealer, may have a reason for quoting the 31B1.