Carrier Heat Pump Quote Help

12 years ago

I'm in the Washington DC area, 2 story 1900 square foot house plus 900 square foot finished basement. Replacing 14 year old 2.5ton heat pump. 2 16x16 return air vents; one on ground floor and the other on the 2nd floor.

Quote A:

Carrier Performance 16 25HPA636 3 ton unit

Carrier Infinity FE4ANF003 air handler

15kw staged heat strips

Carrier Infinity Thermostat

Really liked this contractor a lot- ran a manual j; took the time to inspect the existing setup; has a very good reputation for high quality installs.

$8500 after rebates

Quote B:

Carrier Performance 16 25HPA636 3 ton unit

Carrier Infinity FE4ANF002 air handler

15 kw heat strips (not sure if these are staged or not)

Carrier Infinity Thermostat

Contractor did not run a manual j; just eyeballed it but also thought existing 2.5 ton unit was undersized and that a 3ton unit would be better. Contractor has fairly good reputation although I doubt the installs are as meticulous as the first contractor.

$6100 after rebates.

I prefer the first contractor but it's a huge difference in price. The only difference in equipment is the 003 handler vs the 002 handler. Is the smaller air handler acceptable with the 3 ton heat pump? Any other feedback on the proposed equipment?

Thanks in advance,

Tom

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Comments (3)

tigerdunes
12 years ago
Tom

just on the pricing alone, one has to lean toward Qut#2.

However the 002 Infinity air handler is not an approved match.

The 005 would be the air handler I would want whether Qut #1 or #2. And I would insist on a staged heat strip.

4384581 Active Systems PERFORMANCE 16 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HPA636A**31 FE4AN(B,F)005+UI 34800 12.70 16.00 36600 9.00 22200

Obviously you will require a new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset. Is this included?

a very nice system except for the absence of demand defrost.

IMO
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Pete_Honor
12 years ago
I'm in Northern Virginia, 2 story split level 1800 square foot house plus 600 square foot finished basement. Replacing 13 year old 2.5ton heat pump. 2 16x16 return air vents; one on ground floor and the other on the 2nd floor.

Quote A:
Carrier Performance 16 25HPA636 3 ton unit
Carrier Infinity FE4ANF003T air handler
15kw I don't know if staged?
Carrier Infinity Thermostat # SYSTXCCUIDO1
Really liked this contractor
$6800 after rebates

Quote states 'Use existing refrigerant piping'
Is this bad?

Is this a reasonable quote?

Tom - Can i ask where the $6100 came from?

Quote B:
Trane XL15i 16 SEER 2.5 ton unit
Trane Variable Speed 4TEE-C air handler
15kw I don't know if staged?
Trane Programmable XL900 Thermostat
liked this contractor
$7100 after rebates

Any Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

-Pete
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Never a bad idea to replace the copper lineset, but oftentimes it is very difficult if not impossible (think about condo complexes where the lineset often runs between walls of other condo units). If reused properly (i.e., blown out with nitrogen with a deep vacuum) and the proper size, they don't always have to be. The leak is most likely not within the lineset because it is one solid piece throughout. 2 stage units provide an advantage in terms of humidity control; however the 16i and Carrier models (and any brand using an unloading Copeland scroll compressor) run at around 80% capacity on low, so there isn't a huge turndown for the price premium. While I prefer Trane equipment over Carrier myself, both manufacturers make excellent equipment with comparable warranties, and both should do a fine job if installed properly. I think in this case, if looking at 2-stage units, the Carrier system with the Infinity control is the better system simply because the Infinity control does a much better job controlling the system than does a standard 2-stage thermostat such as the 802. Looks like the Carrier dealer finds that your home needs a 3.5 ton system (or 4 ton if 2-stage) while the Trane dealer is quoting slightly larger equipment. Something to bring up to the Carrier dealer. However if 3.5 tons is indeed the proper size, and a 4 ton is installed -- while it would not be a major issue in terms of comfort or efficiency -- the 3.5 ton would certainly be better in terms of humidity control and efficiency because it would not be short cycling as much on milder days. The single stage Comfort 15 with v/s air handler and the TP-PRH control will also do a good job with dehumidification without the added cost of 2-stage, but with the rebates and the Infinity control I think the Performance 16 is the better choice if going the Carrier route. I realize I haven't exactly convinced you to go with either system, but know that either one should do a fine job if sized and installed properly. The installer is key. All in all, I think you'll get the most out of the Infinity system.
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tom_dorn
Original Author
12 years ago
Just realized I had a typo on my original post- the price difference was large but not that large! Quote #2 was $7100, not $6100. Contractor #1 came down another $400 from original quote. Combine that with the $600 in federal/ VA DMME tax credits/rebate that only quote #1 qualifies for and the price difference was down to $400. Enough for me to justify going with #1 for the slightly larger air handler and better contractor reputation.

Both contractors inspected the refrigerant lines during the quote and said they were properly sized and could be reused. Contractor #1 flushed and pressure tested the lines during the install. (not sure exactly what they use to flush them with but the lines were looped back inside and then hooked up to some sort of machine outside for hours.)

The difference is comfort is quite noticeable- I didn't expect that. We now have the thermostat set at 77 and it feels just as comfortable as when we kept the old system at 75. I'm assuming this is due to improved dehumidification.

Tigerdunes- Thanks for the feedback; much appreciated.

Pete- Why the difference in unit size between the two quotes? Are your price quotes just with the Carrier rebate or did you already factor in the federal/state rebates? If that price is before federal/state rebates it seems like a great deal compared to my quote.

-Tom
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Carrier Heat Pump Quote Help

Comments (3)

tigerdunes

Pete_Honor

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