need advice on replacing hvac system

13 years ago

I live in a 3 story home built in 1910. Currently we have a 2 zone system. The

zone for the upper 2 floors i.e.bedrooms is 22 years old and needs to be replaced. The current system is a 2 ton carrier heat pump outside on the roof w/airhandler in the attic. I've gotten quotes from 3 contracters for 6 systems. The house is located in Baltimore County. All quotes are for removal of old equ.

contracter #1 quote #1 is for 2 ton Lennox Elite XC air conditioning system outdoor unit # XC14-024230 rated 16 seer using R410A refridgerant with a air handler #CBX27UH-024-230 for $5,675 includes cost of crane. warranty

10 years on compressor 5 yrs remaining parts 2 yrs workmanship & materials

1 yr free service.

quote #2 is for 2 ton Lennox Signature Series A/C system w/outdoor unit #XC17-024-230 rated 17 seer R410A Refridgerant Air handler #CBX27UH-024-230 w/Honeywell 5000 dig. thermostat. War. 10 yrs compressor 10 yrs parts 2 & 1 like the other. $6,495.

contracter #2 quote #1 is for 15.5 seer Carrier 2 ton cooling cap. heat pump

Fan Coil model #FV4ANF002 Heat pump condenser #25HCC524A30 Fan Coil Heater 3/9 staged model #CE2901N09 w/Thermidistat #TP-PRH-A. $6,667.

quote #2 is for 16 seer Carrier 2 ton system Fan Coil FV4ANF002 Heat pump condenser #25HPA624A32 Fan Coil 3/9 stage model #CE2901N09 same thermostat $7,588. Both systems have Carrier Rebates # 1 $175 #2 $600 plus BGE rebate of $400 & tax credit.

Contracter #3 quotes are for Goodman A/C systems

Quote #! 15 SEER 2 Ton Goodman heat pump system with 15 KW auxiliary heat. W/Dig Thermostat

Outdoor model #SSZ140241 Air handler #AEPF313716+TXV Heat KIt #HKR15C ARI# 330554 factory warranty lifetime on compressor 10 yrs all parts 1 yr labor by contractor. $5,324 or 10 yr labor $5,513.

Quote #2 16 SEER 2 ton heat pump system w/ 15 kw auxiliary heat dig therm.

Outdoor model #SSZ160241 Air handler #AEPF313716+TXV Heat Kit #HKR15C ARI# 3305562 for $5903 or $6,092 (10yrs labor)

Do you recommend the higher SEER and is the higher price warranted? Which system do recommend? Are prices in line?

Homeowner Shelley

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Comments (5)

tigerdunes
13 years ago
shelley

just to clarify, how do you heat the upstairs?

the reason I ask, both Lennox quotes are for ACs not HPs.

I never recommend anything that I would not have for my home. That excludes Goodman.

Post back with clarification and I'll offer my advice.

IMO
homeownershelley
Original Author
13 years ago
heat pump
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I do not know what size our existing heat strips are. I am assuming the lowest possible, it is the same unit the builder placed in the home and it doesn't appear the original home buyers upgraded much. No idea about heating the place yet, we just moved into the home in March and our winter months here last year were very mild so I think we already had the a/c on. As far as cooling goes, we do not spend a lot of time up there yet. Our master is downstairs and the loft area is in under construction. It does not ever feel very cool to me but I really think this more impacted by the large windows in the great room and high 20 ft ceilings that open up to the loft as well as the age and capacity of the unit. I received another quote from another company here in town and the gentleman recommended the XR15 as a cost effective alternative to the XL15i. The quote he provided included replacing our downstairs system as well (both up and down with XR15's, 2.5 ton for upper and 3.5 for lower with variable speed handlers and Honeywell thermo) and didn't break up the prices in two. The total cost was $10k. I cannot get to the estimate right now to provide part numbers. However, I am now completely confused as he did not include a separate line item for the heat strips? We also discussed upgrading the insulation in the attic space because of the cooling issue etc. He confirmed what I origianlly thought and that is the insulation is the minimal for the standard back in 1999. He oprovided a quote to upgrade with R-38 of around $1800.00. I feel like the more I try to learn about the HVAC system the more confusing it gets. What exactly is the function of the heat strips? Is there any reason his quote wouldn't include a line item for same? Thanks for your help.
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Sizing can be less of an issue when you have multiple units. Because each unit is controlled independently, provided of course the unit itself is not over sized for the area in which it serves resulting in excessive short cycling. In your case 3 ton plus 2 ton isn't necessarily equal to 5 tons of cooling... unless you drive those thermostats really low. By having two systems with total capacity of 5 tons (which, most of the time this would be oversized for a 1700 - 1800 sq ft structure) has a few advantages. 1. You have the ability to use one system only during low heat days or set the opposing unit higher. The unit set higher only runs if load conditions warrant.... meaning if it's not hot, the thermostat controlling the unit does not call... the unit can not run without a call... 2. Utility bills can be much less... because you rarely use both systems at the same time. You run the bedroom system when you sleep, the other when you're awake. If you have a home office in one the bedrooms you may need to rethink things a bit. 3. Extra capacity for when it's hot out. When it's hot you have the capacity to cool the home. (even while entertaining guests --- additional people add heat) Remember heat waves come, heat waves go... a so call 'properly sized' AC system is essentially properly sized roughly 10% of the time... especially if that system is a single speed AC system. Alot of people I come across like to sleep cool. So for that reason I doubt I would change the configuration of the space. Once you realize what you have, the choices you make are mostly budget type concerns. Essentially a set up like this runs like a 2 stage system. This kind of subject is above the pay grade of many... choose your contractor wisely. I service the Katy, Texas area.
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tigerdunes
13 years ago
shelley

perhaps the Lennox dealer did not understand or wrote the incorrect mdl numbers down. Lennox heat pump mdls are identified with an XP prefix, ACs with XC prefix. Please verify with dealer.

The Carrier quotes are fine and good equipment. The second quote though is for just a two ton Performance 16 HP so that may be undersized.

as said, I would not have Goodman.

post back when you hear from the Lennox dealer.

what size is existing heat strip?

IMO
homeownershelley
Original Author
13 years ago
the lennox dealer corrected their quote as follows; 2 ton Lennox Elite Series heat
pump system incliding outdoor unit model XP14-024-230 rated 15 seer, 13 eer
& 9 HSPF W/A410A refridgerant. Air handler model #CBX27UH-024-230. System is equipped with 10 KW back up heat. Install a new drain pan & moisture switch. Will remove all old equipment via crane taking out existing electostatic filter and replace with new filter grilles in the existing returns which will be easier to replace on a monthly basis. Cost is now $5,975 before rebate from BGE
of $400 & Feds. $1500 which also apllies to the Carrier units except Carrier has rebate of $175 for the first quote & $400 for the second if still applicable.

The Carrier system comes with a 10 year warranty on all parts 1 year labor
with a option to upgrade to 10 years labor for and additional $975
Lennox comes with 10 yrs compressor & 5 yrs other parts 2 yrs workmanship & matrials 1 yr free service.
Which one is the better system for the money. Carrier is about $500 more
if their rebate is still in effect. I didn't address the other Lennox quote because of the the higher cost.
tigerdunes
13 years ago
shelley

I like Carrier HPs better than Lennox.

However, I probably would not pay the difference.

Here are the AHRI HP directory numbers on the Lennox.

1292338 Active Systems XP14 SERIES LENNOX INDUSTRIES, INC. XP14-024-230* CBX27UH-024-230*+TDR 23600 13.00 15.00 22400 9.00 14400

I would want a new refrigerant lineset included.

Ext warranty for the labor should not cost more than 10% of system cost-don't pay more than $600.

new stat included? what mdl?

IMO
Good Luck!

need advice on replacing hvac system

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tigerdunes

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need advice on replacing hvac system

Comments (5)

tigerdunes

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homeownershelley
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