petals

nothing special good or bad about the pricing.

I would want another mdl air handler which has better performance/eff numbers. see below.

3495710 Active Systems PERFORMANCE 16 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HPA636A30 FV4CN(B,F)005 35200 13.00 16.00 37200 9.30

what size heat strip was quoted? I would want Carrier's pre wired 9 KW heat strip that operates in 3 KW increments.

what are you doing about an air filter cabinet?

you could save some bucks with the sgl stg Performance 15 system. just as good numbers. see below.

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

IMO

Thanks for the reply -- good to know the pricing wasn't terrible anyway. I have another salesman coming out tomorrow.

Heat strip quoted is 4 kw. Don't know if it's staged but will check. The salesman said since this is Florida I shouldn't need it much -- however, heat strips did come into play this past winter, which was unusually cold.

Air filter cabinet -- not sure what that is? (Still learning hvac terms here.) If you mean the filter -- With my old system, I'm accustomed to changing out a store-bought 3M ultra-allergen filter about every 6 weeks (have dustmite allergies). Am assuming I'll be getting some similar set-up but will ask. In general, my inclination is, the simpler the better -- fewer things to break. :)

As far as single stage systems go, though -- I've been told that my house doesn't need all 3 tons of AC most of the time, though it does sometimes. The variable speed system would operate at 2 tons much of the time and be more efficient, or so I'm told? No major cooling or humidity problems with the 10-year-old single-stage 3-ton we've got currently, but I'm sorry to say we do experience "Dirty Sock Syndrome" every fall for a week or two -- a somewhat common problem in Florida. Was hoping a variable 2 ton to 3 ton handler might even out any humidity issues & help this problem disappear.

Thanks for your input.

petals

what size heat strip do you have now? I question the 4 KW that you say was quoted.

a sgl stg system should cost less and paired with a var speed air handler and a thermidistat that has "dehumidify on demand" feature, the difference in comfort and operating cost would be negligible. make the comparison in cost-what's the harm?

IMO

Ok, I see you're talking about a single-stage outdoor unit? I was thinking about the indoor handler. I've got someone coming out for another bid tomorrow & will ask about this, thanks.

Re/ the current heat strip size -- don't know, I'm afraid. The previous owner installed the system & I don't have much info on it, other than it's a Trane Model TWE036C14FB0 Serial R3941FJ1V, year 2000, 10.3 SEER, 6.9 HSPF.

Thanks again.

petals

as far as heat strip, ask quoting dealer(s) to tell you what size you have.

IMO

Good idea -- will do.

The new salesman (my 4th bid) says my heat strips are 5 kw, and his equipment will match that. Below is his bid. Quite a bit less expensive. This is without the federal tax credit subtracted, as far as I know, but am checking on that to be sure. The condenser, I believe, is 1-stage, the handler, variable. Any opinions welcome.

Carrier
1 - " 3.0 ton 15.0 SEER Puron Heat Pump System
FV4BNF005 - " Variable speed air handler with 5kw heater
25HCB536 - " 15 SEER Heat Pump $ 5,300.00
Carrier Instant Rebate -150.00
Total $ 5,150.00
*This system qualifies for the Federal Tax Credit.

Includes: Wood platform top, concrete condenser pad, enlarging return grill and a digital thermostat.

Warranty: Ten years on compressor, coils and limited parts, one year all parts and labor.
.
Will connect to existing copper, electric and ductwork.

Basically just wondering if there's any major difference between Performance series and Comfort series.

I definitely like the quote you received on the last system. Sounds like nice equipment and the price is good. Variable speed airhandler's are nice. If i'm not mistaken this latest quote is for the basica model carrier. The insides are mostly likely the same since its still the 15 seer model. Its outside cabinet is less expensive but still nice. This is probably the best value you can get with carrier. I actually like the look of the base model carriers. They have a very extensive wire cabinet around the unit.

Find out if you are being sold the 25HCC536 or the 25HBC536 (both Carrier). There is a fair difference between the two models, especially in terms of outdoor cabinet construction. The 25HCC536 is a nice unit (Comfort Series). The 25HBC536 is the base model.

Thanks -- looking at his bid, it appears I misspoke-- looks like the base model. He has written "25HCB536 -" 15 SEER Heat Pump." The appearance doesn't matter much to me, but of course I don't want it to corrode in a way that might affect its performance or anything. I saw on the Carrier website that there may be some sort of spray coating I can pay extra for. Suppose that would be worth it? This is Florida -- I don't know if I need to worry about rust.

Guess I'm going to correct myself again. I just googled 25HCB536 and it came up several places as part of the Comfort Series. Will check back with the salesman to be sure, though. In any case, sounds like a decent bid. Thanks again.

nothing wrong with the base model carrier. I like the wire cabinet personally. It should be quiet enough also according to the website.

Thanks. Tigerdunes made a good argument for a 1-stage compressor. Before I sign on the dotted line, is there any argument to be made for a 2 stage outdoor unit? Currently the bid is for a 3-ton variable speed handler and a 1-stage compressor. This new system will replace a 3-ton single speed handler and 1-stage compressor that has been doing a pretty good job of cooling and dehumidifying (keeping it 35-45% usually).

Am I correct in assuming the new variable speed handler will already be decreasing humidity more than my current system, without a 2-stage compressor? I don't want it to get overly dry, and I don't want any bells and whistles I don't need. So the 1-stage sounds like it will be adequate? I am in Florida.

petals

I do not recommend going to the base model-stick with the Comfort series models.

There is a sgl stg Comfort 15 and a two stg Comfort 16 model. either would be fine with the VS air handler and the Carrier thermidistat. see below numbers.

3676241 Active Systems COMFORT 15 PURON SINGLE STAGE HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HCC536A**30 FV4CN(B,F)005 35000 12.50 15.00 34600 8.60 21600 1

3494194 Active Systems COMFORT 16 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HCB636A30 FV4CN(B,F)005 35200 13.00 16.00 37200 9.20 22200

note you want the 005 air handler not the 003.

IMO

Thanks.

Any chance having both a VS handler and a 2-stage compressor could make things overly dry? If not, I might consider the 2 stage.

And -- his bid is for a FV4BNF005 handler. Is that as good as the ones you've mentioned?