mpetopo

why are you going up in size?

Lennox 13HPX is low end builder grade heat pump.

has poor performance/eff numbers.

you would be leaving the Fed Govt HVAC tax credit lying on the table. I would not have it for my home and doubtful for rental property.

IMO

Thanks so much for your comments. Obviously, I am not knowledgeable regarding ACs, and just trying to educate myself online.

My home is 1610 sq ft. The increase was recommended --probably because I said the current unit really doesn't cool that well. :-) Starting to question the installer.

Do you have any suggestions regarding good quality ACs that I might consider? I was not aware of the Tax credit---thanks for that info. Evidently, there are only certain units that qualify.

mpetropo

what is your general location?

these are my minimum specs for a new HP system. both outside and inside units should be replaced to have a properly matched system.

15 SEER, 12.5+ EER, 9 HSPF
best matching VS air handler
full BTUs in both cooling and heating for your rated size
R-410a refrigerant(same as Puron)
scroll compressor preferred
electronic demand defrost preferred
thermostat with "dehumidify on demand" feature
staged backup heat strips
new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset

you want a thorough inspection of your ductwork system. size, overall condition, supply and return lines, insulation qualities, leak test, etc.

any hot/cold spot issues in your home should be addressed.

I would only use authorized dealers for the various brands that provide quotes. see mfg websites.

I would look at Trane/AmStd,Rheem,Carrier/Bryant. You want a tax credit qualifying system that meets the qualifying standard of 15 SEER, 12.5 EER, 8.5 HSPF.

If you go up in size, you may need modifications to your ductwork system and definitely new lineset.

IMO

Tigerdunes, Again thanks. I am in Orange County, California. If you are nearby or can provide contacts, I would love it.

mpetropo

sorry, I am on East Coast.

I can make some equipment suggestions if you like.

IMO

I would love it, Tigerdunes. I live in a condominium and there is a unit on the roof and in my home. Typically, the installer uses a crane to place the rooftop unit, however, some smaller units can fit in the roof access door.

Let me know what other info you need. I REALLY appreciate your help.

mpetro

here are several different systems-all three ton and they qualify for tax credit.

On your condo, is this an interior unit or exterior unit?

Carrier Performance 15
3405849 Active Systems PERFORMANCE 15 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HPA536H31 FV4CN(B,F)005 36000 13.00 15.50 36000 9.00 21800

Trane XR15
3519775 Active Systems XR15 WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWR5036E1 4TEE3F39A1 36000 13.00 15.00 34000 9.00 23600

Lennox XP14
1292429 Active Systems XP14 SERIES LENNOX INDUSTRIES, INC. XP14-036-230* CBX32MV-048*+TDR 35800 13.00 15.00 35200 8.75 21200

Rheem RPQL
3245538 Active Systems RHEEM RPQL SERIES RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY RPQL-036JEZ RHKL-HM3617+RCSL-H*3617A* 36800 13.00 15.50 37200 10.00 24200

check any warranty differences between these systems.

all of these high eff condensers are rather large because of the higher efficiency.

IMO

If I understand you correctly, there is an exterior unit (ac/heat) on the roof of a 3 story building, and an ac/heat unit in my interior. Or are you asking the location of my unit--- if so, it's an exterior unit on the first floor. Please forgive my ignorance. :-))

As I mentioned prior, my current unit is 2 1/2 ton. Will a 3 ton make a difference?

You have already helped me so much.

Thank you.

Tigerdunes, If you haven't completely given up on me, the AC installer used in our community, gave me the following:

Carrier Comfort System FX4DNF03100 high efficiency fan coil coupled with a 25HcC530A003 15 Seer heat pump condensing unit for the roof. 10 yr warranty part and fan coil 10 yr warranty of its components other than the indoor coil - 5 year warranty on it.

Price - $6115.00 - 2 1/2 ton

His second option (no tax credit) was a Standard 13 Seer System called
Day and Night 2 1/2 ton fan with R410A freon heat pump

Price - $4999.00 2 1/2 ton

Any thoughts?

mpetropo

two issues first.

1.you want to take advantage of tax credit.
2.you want correct sizing. The Carrier Comfort quoted above is 2 1/2 ton. Do you need a 2 1/2 ton or three ton? Only a professionally performed load calc will determine and answer that question.

As far as the Comfort 15 system quoted above and while it does qualify for tax credit, it is not the equal of any of my suggestions. Not a bad system though. I would add the VS air handler with Carrier thermidistat. see below.

3676240 Active Systems COMFORT 15 PURON SINGLE STAGE HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HCC530A**30 FV4CN(B,F)005 28800 13.00 15.50 28000 9.00 16700

you asked, I answered.

IMO

Just received the following proposal. There is some variation in the model numbers YOU gave me, Tigerdunes. I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Base Price: $6140.00

Lennox CBX32MV-036 R410A Vari Speed Air Handler
Lennox XP14-030 15 SEER/12.5 EER/8.5 HSPF Heat Pump
Lennox 34W87 5kW Strip Heat for Air Handler
EZ Filter 20" x 25" Furnace Filter Rack w/filter
2 Diversitech 30 AMP Electrical Disconnects
1 Honeywell Focus Pro 6000 Digital Thermostat
1 Crane Service to Roof

Remove & dispose of existing system, insulate platform, clear condensates, condensate safety switch, add filter driers, thermostat, crane service to roof, new electrical disconnects, start up & run test new system

System Warranty: Parts: 10 yrs Labor: 2 yrs Compressor 10 yrs
Heat Exchanger --

The above also includes the following:

Freon recovery
Copper Puron lines
Prmary condensate drain
220 volt circuit w/disconnect

Qualifies for 2010 Tax credit up to $1500

Is this a good system?

mpetropo

I have to say I am just not a fan of Lennox HPs.

you have decided on the 2 1/2 ton over the 3 ton size?

However, this is a much better system than the one listed in your original post.

Yes, it qualifies for the tax credit. Let's look at the numbers.

1292347 Active Systems XP14 SERIES LENNOX INDUSTRIES, INC. XP14-030-230* CBX32MV-036*+TDR 28400 12.50 15.00 27000 8.50 16000

short on cooling BTUs, short on heating BTUs, mediocre HSPF heating efficiency.

I will assume cooling is more important than heating. Correct?

IMO

Thanks Tigerdunes. I have decided to go with the 2 1/2 ton.

I live near the ocean and my cooling and heating needs are really minimal as temperatures are rarely below 39 or above 85. The current unit is a GE 2 1/2 ton that has served me well for 28 years.

So, why don't you come out to California and install the right one? :-)
I misunderstood --thought you liked the Lennox XP 14.

Is the price of $6140 reasonable?

In your 7/31 response you mentioned 4 different units but all were 3 ton.

So, given all the above, what 2 1/2 ton unit would you put in my home?

mpetropo

the XP14 HP is a better choice than the 13HPX model.

Those old mdl GEs were workhorses-they don't make them like that anymore.

$6140 is reasonable for Cali.

I know parts of California have tiered expensive electric rate but if heating is rare, then heating efficiency(HSPF) is of small concern.

How far from the coast? Trane and AmStd HPs hold up better if you truly live in a harsh coastal environment. If you don't, then go for the Lennox XP14. It will be more efficient than what you have.

IMO
Good Luck!

I am a block from the beach-not really a "harsh" environment.

You have no idea how much I appreciate your help. I could not have done it without your advice.

Last comment: My old GE is still working ok--just figure one of these days it will die. Am I crazy to replace now?

mpetropo

28 yrs is a long life for a HP system. You won't get that kind of life from today's models. IN fact there is alot of junk out in the HVAC marketplace today especially for HPs.

the HVAC tax credit is scheduled to expire end of this year and I have seen nothing to indicate that it will be extended.

you have a plan in place. it would be foolish to spend any serious money on a repair for a 28 yr old system.

my advice is to select the best time for most likely a one to two day install and pull the trigger.

I will say this however. Lennox is not my favorite HP brand and since there is no urgency as in a breakdown, I wish you would get a competitive quote on Trane's XL15i or XR15 and AmStd Heritage 15 mdl. I personally think these are superior systems to the XP14 and would have a longer life.

BTW, what size heat strip was quoted-probably a 5KW?

IMO
Good Luck!

Thanks so much, Tigerdunes. Yes the heat strip was a 5KW . I will follow your suggestion and get a quote on the Trane and AmSTd Heritage and let you know.

Really appreciate your help.