KK,

I am in a similar situation. Need a new unit soon (1-2 weeks). Where are you located? We live in Florida on the SW Coast. Anyway, are you getting the complete system meaning outside unit AND airhandler unit (blower and filter box)? By the way how many SF is your house (to compare unit size, as I don't know the tonnage of our current or future systems)?

We also looked at the x19, but did not like the 'old' refrigerant, but the option is not dead yet? We have only gotten a price for the x14 (no tonnage) @$7,215 - do not know if rebate was included? Did your prices include the $1,200 rebate for the x19, and $1,000 (I think ) for the other Trane unit?

Thanks and Good Luck!

Brian

Hi Brian,

Yes, complete system including new copper line. My prices include the rebate (800 on XL16i) and are for a 2900 sq foot, one story house. We're in Tampa.

Have you investigated the Clean Effects? If it would really cut down on dust it might be worth it.

mama

several questions...

I see youy live in Tampa. Is your residence close to the water?

Is this a straight AC or a heat pump? Pricing includes var speed air handler?

What size system are u replacing?

Have you had a load calculation performed? If so, did you receive a written copy?

Have dealers surveyed your ductwork system? Are there any hot/cold spots in any rooms that need to be addressed?

What stats are quoted?
Post back.

Thank-you, tigerdunes! We are not close to water. This is for both a/c and heat - so I guess that is a heat pump (?) Model numbers are 4twx6060 for the condenser and 4tee3f65 for air handler on the Trane XL16i system that I am thinking is my best choice, quoted as 14.65/9.0 energy rating.

House is 8 years old, this will replace Bryant builder grade system, including the new compressor that was replaced three years ago (under warranty) and the new thermostat I put in myself ( I was so proud!) last month. Dealers have not surveyed ducts or done a load calculation, but I think both are okay (?). No hot/cold spots in the house, it is a very open floor plan so that wouldn't really be possible.

A tech spent several hours trying to seal system, welded inside, looked at valves outside, finally said it could be the underground pipe (new pipe included with new system, 600 by itself). I'm told that in this area A/Cs really don't last, especially builder models. This tech has come out before and I think he knows what he is doing, though I'm not really happy with the results of this company's service and now wonder if there were installation problems on the warrantied compressor. This is the company that is offering the Amana.

More (relevant?) info: We A/C for nine months, heat very little. Home with children so the A/C has to work 24/7 but we keep it around 79/77 and use ceiling fans. Our KW usage peaks at 77, I think....but if that sounds way off then I'm remembering something wrong. Our electric bill last month was 370, I think it gets as low as 180 during winter.

mama

I would not buy an HVAC system through a big box store-especially Sears. That's my prejudice.

I don't believe the 5 ton Amana,the Trane XL19i, or XL16i qualify for the Fed Energy tax credit.

I prefer the XL19i over the XL16i because of the area/climate you live since the efficiency rating is skewed toward SEER- AC cooling over heating.

I would ask both the Amana dealer and the Trane dealer to give me the SEER and HSPF rating for the 5 ton model they are quoting. Also ask for the cooling BTUs produced for each model(heating really does not matter as much due to your area). Get this in writing-you may be surprised at the results. For some reason unknown, I did not find the 5 ton Trane XL19i or the 5 ton ASZ18 listed in the CEE refrigeration directory.

What thermostats are being quoted?

As far as the Clean Effects, I don't believe they are worth the cost unless you have allergies or some other specific medical condition. The Clean Effects is expensive, produces a small amt of ozone, burns a small amt of electricity, and of course there are maintenance/cleaning to these air filter cabinets. Consider a good 4-5" media filter cabinet where you don't have the issues of an EAC.

If you have time, you could get a quote on a Lennox XP19 and a Carrier Infinity HP system.

I have always felt that Trane outside condensers hold up better than any other brand.

IMO

Thanks very much for sharing your expertise, tigerdunes. After reading extensively on the forum, I understand the importance of the installation. And your comment about the outside condenser holding up is valuable, as ours sits on the SE side of the house which is wonderful for our solar pool heater, maybe not so wonderful for electronic/mechanical equipment. I don't feel I have time for more quotes, in fact I canceled the Sears appt because I agree with your comments there.

Thermostats weren't specified, except that they include temp and humidity and are programmable. What should I be looking for?

I'm very impressed by the Trane salesman, and only hope the installation crew is as professional. I'll report back.

mama

One final thought. You want a thermostat or controller that can control humidity by running the var speed blower on a low setting. Trane does not offer this. If you do elect the Trane HP, then get the cheapest Trane stat that qualifies you for the rebate. Then sell it on Ebay and purchase the Honeywell VisionPro IAQ. This is important considering Tampa humidity. I suggest you discuss this with your dealer.

IMO

Wow. I think the new system is installed and running correctly. I can see it, feel it, touch it....but I can't HEAR it! The Trane thermostat is TCONT800 and allows me to select the humidity level, is there something else the Honeywell would do? It also allows me to select auto fan, on fan, or circ fan which keeps it on about 35% of the time. We're finally getting a little cooler weather, so I may run the fan on circ for Clean Effects benefits.

I'm really very happy with the decision and results, and grateful for your quick responses, tigerdunes, and for the wealth of info posted on other threads.

Best to you,

kksmama

mama

Congrats.

Did you get the XL19i? A better choice over the XL16i for your area/climate.

The TCONT800 is the wrong stat-it is strictly for sgl stage equipment. You have two stg cooling and three stg heating. You want either the 802 or 803. The Trane stats are very disappointing for humidity control. That is why I mentioned the HW Vision Pro IAQ which can control the blower speed for superior humidity control. None of the Trane stats have this feature.

When your installing dealer changes stat out, ask them to recheck the dip switches for correct settings.

Good Luck!
TD

Here is a link that might be useful: Trane Programmable Stats

I chose the XL16i - I wanted the new refrigerant.

You're right about the stat - it is the 803, I was just looking at the book and not the actual model number.

During installation they sent a quality control guy out, he double checked behind the installers to be sure they had it all right. A county inspector will also be out this week as a permit was required. I'll keep the stat info in mind, but I think I'll leave well enough alone, for now. I'm still amazed at how quiet this is.

Thanks again for all the helpful info!

TD:

That stat looks like a Honeywell VisionPro. Wonder if it is repackaged with the Trane logo?

Mama,

So you got the xl16i (w/heat pump), the clean effects, the air handler, and the thermostat, right? What was the total cost of that system installed? Looks like a $800 rebate I think as well. Did you get an FPL rebate as well?

I am finally in negotiations with two of the larger Trane dealers here in the Bradenton area. We'll see. We are probably going to go with the XL19i straight cool (no heat pump), and electric heat, as well as air handler, clean effects, etc.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Brian

Installed, after both $100 Teco rebate (instant from dealer) and $800 Trane rebate (mail-in) my cost is $8300. Another person in our area, Flessan, seems to have gotten a better deal on a Carrier system. Both of you are smart to do major shopping BEFORE the need is dire, congrats!

Here is something else to consider: I chose the XL16i because I didn't want to use r22, having been responsible for the venting of at least 18lbs into the atmosphere this summer. I thought I understood that the 10 year warranties I was looking at included "parts and labor" - which is everything, right? But during a conversation with an employee the other day she said that "Freon is not a part" and it made me wonder if that would be covered under the warranties. Might be worth asking about.

The Trane TCONT800 series t'stat is a Honeywell VisionPro IAQ branded with a Trane logo.

More specifically, the Trane TCONT802 thermostat is a re-branded Honeywell VisionPro TH8320 with a Trane logo.

I just received a quote for a XV95100, 3 ton XL16i, clean effect and TCON803 for $9,000 with 12 months same as cash. how does this compare to your system?

Sorry, caylos, I don't have the knowledge to compare systems. My price was for a 5 ton XL 16i, clean effects and TCON803, 16 months same as cash, $8300 after rebate. If you have time, get another quote or three.

My HVAC story ends more sadly than it began! The drain line was clogged, the emergency shutoff didn't work, and so condensate from a "weep hole" slowly seeped into the drywall box and through the walls under my wood floors. By the time this nightmare is over I'll have moved out of my house for a couple weeks, and the HVAC company's insurance will have paid three times what my system cost in damages. So much for the "quality control" guy. My advice to the forum: check your drain lines and emergency shut off yourself, OFTEN.

Right now there is putty blocking the weep hole, so we presume that if the drain were blocked again the water would rise to the level of the emergency shut-off. I'm rather concerned that a piece of putty is the only thing keeping my $8300 A/C system from ruining my house, again. I can't imagine this is a Trane-approved solution.