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Heating & Air Conditioning

Replacing 3 ton GE packaged heat pump

13 years ago

I have a 19 year old 3 ton GE(exterior) packaged heat pump which still runs adequately but lost 1 1/2 lbs of refigerant last year and 2 this year (very cold winter). I don't know how long it may last, and I don't know how serious that amount of loss of refrigerant is. I've gotten 2 quotes from Trane dealers. This house is 1332 sq. feet, one story. The house has a lot of problems, and I hesitate to put a lot of money in this because of the other problems' costs, and may not stay here too long. I am wondering if there is a difference in quality, durability and repair frequency between the 3-ton XL-13c and the 3-ton XL-14c units? I read that the XL-14C has a variable speed blower motor, and that it is a little more efficient, and a more comfortable blowing, but I can get along pretty well comfortwise with the old one I have, so this factor alone might not matter as much as repair costs and initial costs between the two. Thanks for any thoughts.

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Comments (4)

tigerdunes
13 years ago
tamarinda

what is your location?

3 tons sounds oversized for 1332 sq ft home.

Be aware Am Std, Trane's sister company makes same models and is normally less expensive.

Yes, I would want the var speed mdl because it will allow you to qualify for Fed Govt tax credit of up to $1500.

IMO
tamarinda
Original Author
13 years ago
I live in Kingsport, TN, Tiger. He said something about a lesser size unit being possible, but said that according to TVA guidelines (or something to that effect), a graph of the results of windows, etc. indicated that 3 tons would be better. I didn't exactly understand it. The (brick veneer, crawl space) house is from about 1958. With the old 3-ton I have now, it seems to be ok, but since I have had the more eficient windows put in, bills aren't bad. I asked him about Am. Std. too, can't remember what he said, but he doesn't seem to offer it. The tax credit wouldn't be too big a factor because I'm retired on social security and would probably only qualify for around $300 of it. One of the big reasons I was considering his offer is: The 2 ducts from the heat pump have to come out the back, slant downward at an angle for maybe 6" to a foot, and then go straight thru the hole to connect. The irregular hole knocked out all the way around where it enters the brick and block varies from about 2 to 4 inches wider than the duct, and small unknown critters have torn off and made holes in the insulation and go between the ducts into and all over the house. Maybe chipmunks, probably mice, can't catch any more of them, with either traps or bait. I caught 4 either big mice or small rats (but the critters don't seem to chew much), but can't catch any more of whatever they are now. He said he would put a sheet metal covering all the way around the duct and fasten it to the outside of the wall, tho it doesn't say that on the bid. The other bid said all he could do was put the sheet metal cover over the top and sides, but couldn't fully enclose the exterior ducts and insulation. He said he could put "angle" around the inside wall, but that wouldn't cover the duct or between them and the critters would tear it off again.
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neohioheatpump
13 years ago
2.5 tons sounds more appropriately sized. I would only do 3-tons if your house is badly insulated.
tamarinda
Original Author
13 years ago
Pretty good new double pane (some low-e) windows, only 2 or 3 inches blown in fiberglas insulation in attic, none in crawl space. Probably not much in walls (year 1958 or so.) But I can't find where Trane offers any 2 1/2 ton packaged hp units (with the new refrigerant), next lower seems to be 1.5 tons, then 3 tons. I found one American Std. 14 Seer packaged unit one (found a dealer website in nearby Johnson City) that is 2 tons, but would that be too small? No 2 1/2 there, either, except maybe in the mobile home grade hp. Would a 3 ton cause a problem do you think?

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