Update: Before the install, I did wind up modifying the track in the air handler for the 1-inch air filter. I used 2 pieces of steel banding, 2 inches wide, cut to length, and placed them over the manufacturer's track using a few dabs of automobile body putty (Bondo) to keep it secure. It is now a smooth track for the filter to slide on. Goodman used the track as part of the frame of the air handler so it had some crimpings in it and the filter would not easily slide in. I also trimmed away some foil faced insulation that prevented the filter from seating properly. A 20"x24" filter now fits perfectly. I am glad that I did these minor mods as I would have been fighting this monthly when I change filters. The unit was installed Friday, 6/22, after I had it for about 5 weeks waiting on the installers. It took two guys 8 hours. I fed them both breakfast and lunch (I treat my installers well). The old supply air plenum and the plenum after the air handler had to be replaced to match the new unit. The old 5/16" liquid line had to be replaced with a new 3/8" line. 3 holes were cut into the finished ceiling and 1 in the wall so that the new line could be run. I'll repair the holes when I get a chance - no big deal. The TXV sticks out about 8 inches from the air handler. Looks funky and I have to be careful not to hit it while moving things around in that area. The old outside unit had sunk about 4 inches into the ground. I filled the hole with soil that I was saving, packed it down, put a plastic condensor mounting pad on the dirt, and used 3" thick brick to elevate the outside unit (which is huge in size compared to the old 7 SEER unit; 14 SEER = more coils = larger unit). The outside unit is much more quiet as expected but the new mult-speed air handler is also a little more quiet than the old one. The fan is set on low speed and I'm not sure of the setting of the old unit as the lables on the motor had worn away after 21 years. The sheet metal in the new air handler is flimsy and the track for the air filter can be improved by Mr Goodman. The outside unit looks decent. These comments were also noted by the installers. I plan on taking the outside and inside coils to a local scrap facility and sell the copper. Maybe I can get a few $$ for a couple cases cases of my favorite beer. I can now start saving 40% on the cooling and heating part of my energy bill and use this to combat the 65% increase in electric rates in the State of Maryland. All in all, I thought that I got a good value for the money spent (only time will tell if I made the right choice with Goodman). I got a 14 SEER system with Copeland scroll compressor, thermo-expansion valve on the air handler, hard start capacitor, 15 kw heat strip kit, bypass humidifier, and 10 year parts warranty for $2477 from a local HVAC supply shop. I paid $1200 for a pro install (needed the pro install for the warranty). Total cost was $2k less than...

Hi SBG. I don't have much real-life comment on the units, since we're not quite back in the house yet, though they've been running for several months during the renovation. The air handler unit is considerably bigger than I thought it would be, so do take that into account when deciding where to put it. The outdoor unit has been really quiet, which I like. I was initially worried that the system seemed to be always running when I went to the house, but that's what it's supposed to do--it cranks along slowly and quietly, rather than cycling between full blast and off, as the old fan and furnace did. It'll ramp up when I turn up the thermostat, but it's still very gentle. I can't comment on efficiency yet either--our last electric bill was really high, but it was for a period when our solar was disconnected and when the house was just an uninsulated, drafty shell with daylight shining in. I met with the heating company guy again, and he said that they're putting in tons of these (which I hope means they're good and efficient, not just well-marketed and lucrative to sell), and that they've been very efficient and the technology lets them heat effectively in low temps. I wish there were more product literature to tell me how they do it, but I've moved on to worrying about things like a backsplash and faucet placement . . . Good luck, and let us know if you learn more.

OK so the water heater heat pump is a separate system. If there is a gas flue from an old installation, you might want to get a gas water heater and only use the Geospring for when you really do need cooling and dehumidification (see below evaluation suggestion). Be careful about closing off supplies too much, you need sufficient air flow to keep the furnace working properly. Have you taken the filters out of the mini splits for cleaning yet? If so, I suggest that you do and look at the coils and blower cages for soil accumulation. Do yours have remotes or wall-mounted thermostats. I ask because I want to know if there are flashing lights or other error code indications when they are running. If I were you, before you make any modifications to your systems, I'd get an energy rater in to evaluate the whole house for what improvements will increase efficiency and comfort. Often the evaluation cost is met or deferred by state and local gov or utility energy efficiency programs. An energy rater can identify the low-hanging fruit for improvements. For example, adding insulation to the cold bedroom might be your better option than adding air flow to that room. I am assuming at this point that you have a straight furnace with no central cooling. What is the climate like where you live?

The discussion would be completely different if the machine wasn't still running except for an intermittent 'cut out' problem. It's life beyond this year is in question as well as every year beyond the next year after that. If anything this is an example of just how hard my job can be 'sometimes' and yet you guys come in here and fight me for it every day. Everything is a joke to you Ray? I just find it funny what people like to fight over. I view it as getting a customer by actually fixing something. That leads to it breaking again. The same thing can and does happen to new equipment all the time. Being able to fix things is a skill. I mentioned the 8 track tape. Who here has a record collection. Who here knows what a record is? The record went away because of long rewind times? ha, ha, ha.