Like most installers they probably didn't bother lowering that air handler's airflow from its factory setting (which is more than likely much higher than what you require). Have them take care of that (all they need to do is read the installation instructions--amazing), and see how it does from there. They will more than likely need to recheck the refrigerant charge after doing this. Right now your system is short cycling. What kind of t-stat do you have?

Ryan,
Thank you. So turning on every 30m-45m and running for 5m or so would be considered short cycling? I wasn't sure.
Forgive my ignorance, but T-Stat is Theromstat correct? I have a Trane XR401 digital Thermostat.

Yes, 5 minutes is not ample time to remove humidity or reach peak efficiency/performance. Correcting the charge (refrigerant) and airflow can likely help this to some extent, but if you're oversized, that's an issue it itself. Have them properly adjust the airflow to approx. 400 cfm/ton (1200 cfm for a 3 ton system). If short cycling persists and humidity is a problem, see about dropping it to 350 cfm/ton (approx. 1050-1100 cfm). Reason I asked about the thermistat is oftentimes there is a setting that controls the cycle rate per hour. If it's running routine intervals as you describe (i.e., always 5 min on/45 off), it could need adjusting as well (I recommend 3 CPH).

dave

the air handler mdl number needs to be rechecked. that does not look like a good number and certainly does not appear in the AHRI HP Directory.

IMO

Tiger I took it to be 4TEE3C08. Dave: if different, please revise it so we can ensure it's a proper match to your outdoor unit to begin with.

Ryan

you may be correct. However the AHRI HP Directory does not even show the 08 as a match. And if he has the 08, that appears to be a mistake.

TD

I came up with one matchup with the 08:

3519757 Active Systems XR15 WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWR5036E1 4TEE3C08A1 36600 12.00 14.75 34600 8.50 22400 1 HRCU-A-CB.

ryan

you are right. I must have had my search set up for the tax credit. and as you can see, this system does not qualify. now that's what I call a big boo boo. totally unnecessary. if this is the 08 air handler, I would be raising xxxx with the dealer!

IMO

Guys,
Thank you so much for assisting me.
You were correct, the correct number is
Trane 4 Ton Heat Pump Air Handler
#4TEE3F48B (i think Trane does it so the last two number digits are tons (12BTU per ton?). This combination would not be acceptable for the Tax Credit??!?

Now, about the on and off time, last night it was staying on for 12m and then off for 8m, it did this almost clock-work until I went to sleep. I called the company's night number and first the guy said that digital t-stats are always a little off and maybe the wall was hot and this and that and the other. I tried to advocate for myself, but he said it wasn't an "emergency" and that he would meet me at my house at 5:00pm to look over.

I'm starting to get very concerned about the whole job. Next week I'm having an energy audit done (door and vent blower test) and I'm hoping to get some more information and ask them about the installation.

DAVE

the 3F48B is a matching three ton XR15 system.

see below.

3519777 Active Systems XR15 WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWR5036E1 4TEE3F48A1 36000 12.50 15.00 36000 9.00 23000

and yes, this does qualify for the tax credit.

what stat was installed with this new system?

from what you describe as a run time cycle last evening, I would not call this as short cycling. some stats' CPH can be adjusted. you might ask installer about this. I would also measure inside humidity.

you may be fretting over nothing.

IMO

Definitely have the airflow checked out by the installing company. The default setting on this air handler is for a 5 TON outdoor unit (almost 1900 cfm), which is way too much for your ductwork or capacity. Many installers have no concern for setting dip switches, so I would call the company to have them look all settings over.

You had me worried, so I checked the Trane website and that Air Handler does not qualify, in fact it looks like the air handler is intended to be matched with the XLi series, of which mine is not. So not only did he appear to sell me one that does not qualify for the Tax Credit, it also seems to be not a recommended match for my outside unit. My concern is now turning into some mild anger, LOL.

See above where tiger pointed out that your setup does indeed qualify for the tax credit. The 08 didn't, but your 48 air handler does.

This setup could work much better for your home, chances are, if the refrigerant charge and airflow are reevaluated.

Tiger,
Thanks for looking that up, but on the Trane website, the 4TEE3F48A is listed but not the 4TEE3F48B (last one is a B not an A).

The emergency air guy came and talk about a professional, patient and informative guy. I was not surprised to hear that he was NATE certified. He answered every question I had and took time to show me everything (even explaining when he was checking the refrigerant charge what each was showing (in terms of pressure and temp and explained how you add 15 degrees etc) He said that the B on my unit was most likely just a newer unit and the Trane website was not updated, so I did "spazz out" for no reason there.

Ryan, hats off you to because as you suggested, they had not changed the default dip switch settings and it was set for the 5 Ton, that explained the air coming out like a jet engine. He was very surprised that the installers didn't do this as he said that was the first thing they typically do.

In regards to my concern about the rapid (in my opinion) cycling, he took off the t-stat panel and found the hole to be larger than he felt needed (with the wires) and he guessed that some heat from the inside the walls was in fact messing with the t-stat, he clearly showed me that when he drew away the thermo a few feet away from the t-stat it was cooler than the t-stat displayed. He blocked up the hole and said that should fix it.

Anyway, thanks again for your suggestions and comments. I really should be a more informed consumer in the future.

Correct, the A and B pertain to different product revisions. Should not be an issue.

Great that he sealed around the t-stat wire cavity, but did he look in the settings to see if there was a CPH setting to be adjusted? See how it does after the changes (which are good and important to have) he made, and let us know if it's better.

If they had installed the stat on an inside wall, that would have alleviated the heat problem.

I don't know about that srercrcr..
sometimes the hole for the t-stat wire is really
big, which in combination with an unsealed wire
penetrtion in the top plate into the attic..
this can contribute to heat gain in the wall
and off readings of t-stat.
when that unit kicks on and creates a negative
pressure all the leakage areas suck air.

op..Let us know how your audit goes.
have them show you leakage areas of house, ductwork
and return air, along with suggestions of how to
seal them.

best of luck.