Post model numbers of condenser and air handler to determine system EER/SEER as well as btu capacity.

There are other mfrs for you to look into - Carrier/Bryant, Rheem, Goodman, Lennox, etc.

Pricing varies from brand to brand as well as between installers of the same brand. The more quotes you get, the better informed you become.

You should also look at 14 SEER. Sometimes there is a difference in btu capacity between a 13 and 14 SEER for the same tonnage (example: a 3 ton, 36,000 btu, may only be 32,000 btu). This is especially true for Trane and for heat pumps. With heat pumps, you want max btus at the rated temps of 47 and 17 degrees outside air temps.

Good luck.

Yea, watch those Trane capacities. One of our suppliers used ARI figures to compare a Trane to his brand. Because of the shortage of heat, the Trane would cost $66 more a year to heat with than the brand whose "3 ton" actually put out 36,000 BTUs of heat at 47 out. The low heat also means cooler air from the vent.

Now watch Armstrong. Their 2SHP13LE heat pumps don't hit 13 SEER with their coil unless you have a variable speed blower.

Check into Nordyne (Tappan, Frigidaire, Westinghouse) as they probably can get you the 15 SEER tax credit for MUCH less $$ than anyone else. The FT4BD heat pump, CE series coils and MB5VM air handlers reach the criteria up to 3 ton. Killer warranties too.

Thanks for the info is the Armstrong a good system looking at that based on price. Would this be a mistake, will it last 15 years. Please advise. The unit I will be replacing is a 9 seer so anyway I will see some savings in cost of heating house is is only 1,000 sq. feet small ranch.

You know buckeyet1, for the size of your house you may want to factor in a blower door test to show you where you house leaks. These tests pinpoint leakage areas & the savings and comfort that these specific leakage areas will provide when sealed is well worth the cost of this test.
In most cases it can be diy if you can work a caulk gun.
3 tons is a lot of capicity for a 1,000 sq ft house.
But most 2 ton systems cost as compared to a 3 ton...about the same dollar, but is it necessary if your house is now tight enough to heat & cool?
At the very least I would install a variable speed system.

BaldLoonie..hiya!
How would you think Tempstar compares against these other same cost units?
I hear good things about the Tempstar brand & its warrenties. What is your opinion?
What about American Standard?

Hope everyone is having a wonderful thanksgiving!

The original post seems to be saying that an existing heat pump installation, installed 15 years ago, is rated at 13 SEER. Were efficiency ratings that high that long ago?

I believe American Standard is Trane. I live in AZ. They know a/c here. Trane is the one everyone wants.

Good question busdriver..the unit efficiency would be downrated to actual performing efficiency.
For that age of unit my calcs put it at
about 6 to 8 seer, depending on different factors.
I missed that!!!

Post model numbers of condenser and air handler to determine system EER/SEER as well as btu capacity.

"The original post seems to be saying that an existing heat pump installation, installed 15 years ago, is rated at 13 SEER. Were efficiency ratings that high that long ago?"

- I think he means that he wants to replace his old system with a 13 SEER.

Yes, you are correct sir. I'm wanting to replace and old system with a 13 seer unit. Baldlonnie gave feed back on Westinghouse and seems very reliable as this system has a 10 year parts warranty and long lasting. Cheapest bid so for is for a Armstrong system $700.00 cheaper than the Westinghouse. Anymore feed back would be great as I don't want to replace with a system that is not going to last aleast 15 more years with some heating snd cooling bills savings. Please advise.

After asking you twice for model numbers of the air handler and condenser so I can provide you performance info as well as SEER/EER, I'm done asking.

Sorry, I didn't under stand what you meant. I have Model# TWD718B100AZ and Serial# E39241406N on my current trane system. Please advise

The model numbers of the NEW air handler and the NEW condenser that are being quoted to you. Each quote should have the model numbers. Don't need serial numbers.

Ok, I got it now. 1st bid of $3700.00 for Armstrong Concord size 2 ton Model# 2HP13L24/EFCO8/EC1P30BG/AEHBCC10C/1F89/34 38 30 13 seer.

2nd bid Westinghouse FS4BD/B5BM $4400.00.

3rd bid Trane 4TWR3018/4TEC3F18 $4700.00

The Trane is an XR13 heat pump, 1.5 tons. The air handler match puts out 19,000 btu cooling (1000 btu more than a full 1.5 tons), 11 EER, 13 SEER, 16,500 btu heating at 47 degrees (1500 btu short of a full 1.5 tons), 7.7 HSPF, 16,500 btu heating at 17 degrees. This is Trane's basic heat pump.

The Westinghouse model#s are bad/incomplete. They make an FT4BD condenser. There are digits missing in the model#s.

I can't make anything out of the Armstrong air handler model#. The condenser is a 2 ton.

You have quotes for a 1.5 ton and a 2 ton system.

I need more info to compare the 3.

Good luck.