Advice on Heating & Air System Replacement

13 years ago

Looking to replace the heating and air system in my 2700 square foot, 1964 split level home. I've narrowed it down to three options. It;s my understanding that each option qualifies for the $1,500 tax credit. The quoted price for each option is pretty much the same. Each installer seems to be equal as well.

I am leaning toward the Amana, but wasn't able to find much info about the quality and reputation of these units. Would love to hear your thoughts about this Amana setup or which option you think is the best?

Option 1: Carrier (ARI # 3686050)

Furnace: Carrier 58PHA110-1-20

Condenser: Carrier 24ACC648A003

Evaporator Coil: ADP C60A210C539W

Option 2: Trane (ARI #??)

Furnace: XT80 (TUD1C080A9H4)

Condenser: XR15 (4TTR5042E)

Coil: 4TXCD050BC

Option 3: Amana (AHRI #3610534)

Furnance: AMVC951155DXA

Condensor: ASXC180481A

Coil: CAPF4961D6A

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Comments (6)

tigerdunes
13 years ago
your location if you don't mind...

sizing on furnaces and condensers are all over the place.

what size furnace and AC are u replacing?

post back.

IMO
SpaldingKid
Original Author
13 years ago
Located in Atlanta, GA.

Current equipment was installed by previous homeowner back in 1996. Furnace is Lennox 3.5 ton, 100,000 BTU 80MGF 3/4 100A-5(I came across notes that it replaced a 120,000 BTU furnace). AC is Bryant 3.5 ton model 561CJ042-A. Duct work is sized for 4 ton.
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Quote 1: Does not qualify for the tax credit, if that's what they're leading you to believe. Good outdoor unit, but it bothers me they are not including a variable speed air handler. Quote 2: This company may just have a lower overhead and overall lower prices. If your realtor has had good experience in the past, I wouldn't have a problem. But I would suggest stepping the outdoor unit up to the Amana line (subsidiary of Goodman), which is a more premium product to compare to the other units you've been quoted. In general I would avoid Goodman/Amana because I think there's better out there, but if it's what fits the space and qualifies for the tax credit, then it would be worth considering. The Carrier units that would qualify are huge physically outside. Quote 4: Sounds like they're oversizing the equipment--not a good thing. I would avoid. 800 sqft. in our area shouldn't require 2 tons, and if the old 1.5 ton did the job in the past, that's what I'd install. Also they are not informing you that if you register the units with Trane within 60 days of install, warranty should be 10 years on all parts. And yes, a humidifier should give an added sense of warmth to the air and hence allow you to set your thermostat lower.
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OK, heres the info that I was given on both units: Goodman: 1-MBE1600-Air Blower 1-CAPF3743C6-Evaporator Coil 1-ASZ14036-3.0 Ton Heat Pump Condenser 1-Digital Heat Pump Therostat RUDD: 1. Untra Series Heat Pump UPQL-JEZ 1. UHKA Air Handler Digital thermostat It says install 15 seer HP 3ton R-410-A split system. Now whether or not my house needs a 3 ton or not I left that up to the dealer/installers. But my house was built in 1940, is about 1500 square feet, with NON-insulated windows, with non insulated exterior concrete walls. I do have quite a bit of insullation in the attic. This is probably the reason for the higher ton heat pump. That and trying to get to the tax credit. Both dealers claim that their units qualify for the $1500.00 tax credit. If not then I'm makin me a trip to Sears and just replace my 24,500but window unit with another and call it a day.
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I would bet the ductwork is no where near set up for a 5 ton system so it would need to be replaced. I would steer clear of Goodman unless you were comparing the top of the line Goodman to at least middle of the road Carrier, Ruud, Trane or other brand. Goodman Tempstar and Heil tend to be noisier and just kind of 'klunky' than some other brands and it seems easier to get a fly by night installer. I bought a home with a Tempstar and the installer was a moron. I spent probably 40 hours opening up return holes in the floor/wall cavaties, adding a return duct and sealing every connection with mastic and still had a system that you had to turn the tv up every time the blower came on. I found out later my 'installer' took a class in HVAC online!! My first winter in 2006 I had 400-500.00 electric bills in a 1,700sq ft home and after the duct fixes I dropped it to 250-300 of course part of that was adding a good outdoor sensing thermostat. I think my bills with this new RUUD system will stay in the low 200.00 range. The new system draws half the amperage of the old one in heat pump mode. I am also getting by with 10kw of heat strips instead of 20 just sealing everything up and getting the ducts right. I don't think there would be anything wrong with a top of the line GOodman but you better be VERY cautious of the installer. The installer is the most important key to the equation. I do not think anyone in here is 'tranewashed' its just speaking the truth overall a Rheem Ruud Carrier Trane American Std Bryant and many others are just overall better systems. I would not personally get a bid for a tempstar or the like even if it was a rental house. I thought the same thing before this experience 'who cares as long as it blows hot and cold when its supposed to' but after my experience with a system that was louder than my old mobile home with the furnace in a hallway instead of in my basement. No Thanks!!
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neohioheatpump
13 years ago
in your climate, you should definitely upgrade your outdoor condensor to a heatpump. It doesn't cost more and then you will have dual-fuel. These systems are very efficient, cost-effective, and comfy.

Most of the time in your climate the heatpump would run, your gas furnace would only come on say below 30 or 35 and when in defrost.

I would go with the carrier or trane. I wouldn't do the amana. Thats just me though.
tigerdunes
13 years ago
spaldingkid

first off, do you have any comfort issues with existing HVAC?

while a load calc is always preferred, it would seem that a 100K BTU 80% eff or 80K 95% eff var speed furnace would be the right size.

any hot/cold spots within home should be addressed by dealer. split level homes of your vintage were very popular but are notorious for problematic heating and cooling. I always recommend that quoting dealers make a thorough inspection of ductwork system both supply and return.

I like HPs as well-for the right application. HPs are not for everyone or every application. There are many factors to consider for HPs and those include location/winter climate, comfort, home's envelope/insulation properties, and electric rate vs other alternative heating fuels.The statement above that HPs in a dual fuel system do not cost more is factually not correct.

I saw some recent electric rates and nat gas rates recently for Atlanta location and in fact it would be difficult to justify a HP with the very cheap(at this time) nat gas rates.

at the very least, I would insist on a two stg var speed furnace whether 80% or 95% efficient. I am not a fan of Amana or Goodman but except for the furnace size(too large) the Amana is the best quote of the three.

let me know if you have questions.

IMO
Good Luck!
PLL20
13 years ago
1) We need advice on repair or replace of our Central Heating and Cooling equipment ( 4 units ) that were installed in the summer of 2001:
upstairs : 2 1/2 ton Amana heat pump 13 seer ( RHA30B2A, CCF20FCC, BBA36A2A)
Downstairs : 5 ton Amana AC 13 seer and 115,000 BTU furnace ( GUVA115AX50, CCF60FCC, RCE60A2A ) ; Both systems have 10 year warranty on compressor & a/c coils; 5 years on all parts and lifetime on heat exchanger in furnace.

The units are 9-year and 5- month old; Repair cost $2,750
with one year labor and part warrant Repair ? or Replace ? Please advise.
2)Here are the quotes I received from a local Carrier Dealer. Please advise ASAP :
______1-CarrierÃ¯Â¿Â½, 3 ton, 13 SEER, PuronÃ¯Â¿Â½ Refrigerant, Packaged Unit, Heat Pump, Programmable (Digital with Auto-Changeover) thermostat, ----SPID-22-1 Model Number(s)-50EZ-A36---3-TP, CECP085A00, TB-PHP, PAD50X50X3>> 10 year limited parts transferrable warranty. $4,000
1-- CarrierÃ¯Â¿Â½, 2.5 ton, 16 SEER, PuronÃ¯Â¿Â½ Refrigerant, Split System, Heat Pump, Hi-Efficiency Variable Speed Blower, for Enhanced Humidity Control, ThermidistatÃ¯Â¿Â½(Programmable Digital with Humidity Control and Auto-Changeover) thermostat,----SPID-709-2 Model Number(s)-25HPA530A003, FV4CNF003T00, CE0801N08, TP-PRH01-A, PAD36X36X3>> This unit is a humidity control variable speed air handler
$5957
______1-CarrierÃ¯Â¿Â½, 5 ton, 16 SEER, PuronÃ¯Â¿Â½ Refrigerant, Split System, Gas Heat & Electric A/C, with 120000btu's heating capacity, 96.6% AFUE, Hi-Efficiency Variable Speed Blower, for Enhanced Humidity Control, CarrierÃ¯Â¿Â½ ThermidistatÃ¯Â¿Â½(Programmable Digital with Humidity Control and Auto-Changeover) thermostat, ----SPID-135-2 Model Number(s)-24ABC660A003, 58MVC120---1--20, CNPHP6024ATA, TP-PRHA, PAD36X36X3, PANSECONDARY 10 year limited parts warranty. $6958.00
______1-CarrierÃ¯Â¿Â½, 5 ton, 16 SEER, PuronÃ¯Â¿Â½ Refrigerant, Split System, Gas Heat & Electric A/C, with 120000btu's heating capacity, 80% AFUE, Hi-Efficiency Variable Speed Blower, for Enhanced Humidity Control, CarrierÃ¯Â¿Â½ ThermidistatÃ¯Â¿Â½(Programmable Digital with Humidity Control and Auto-Changeover) thermostat,
----SPID-135-2 Model Number(s)-24ABC660A003, 58CVA155---1--20, CNPHP6024ATA, TP-PRHA, PAD36X36X3, PANSECONDARY $6459.00
'Parts Warranty' indicates First Year Labor & Parts are covered, and 'parts only' thereafter. After the first year, Labor is the responsibility of the consumer.
neohioheatpump
13 years ago
so did you end up doing dual-fuel?

Advice on Heating & Air System Replacement

Comments (6)

tigerdunes

SpaldingKid
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Advice on Heating & Air System Replacement

Comments (6)

tigerdunes

SpaldingKidOriginal Author

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