I am considering purchasing two heat pumps from the Garrison GX line. My understanding is that they are a house brand made by Nordyne. Does anyone have any experience or comments on them? I am in a two-zone single family 2200 sq ft well insulated house in ZIP code 20194 (northern VA suburbs of Washington DC) with a 3-ton and a 2-ton York heat pump. Both were installed in 1991. The smaller unit is working fine, but the larger one has a leaking condensation pan. The larger unit is connected to a hottap desuperheater which, in winter, can provide most of our hot water: http://ecuheatrecovery.com/ The york units have been very trouble free over the years. Proposed new systems: Basic specs: condenser/outdoor unit: The JT4BF-KA/B series now offers the choice of a heat pump that uses a more efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant designated R-410A. The JT4BF-KA/B Series of heat pumps offers exceptional performance as well as environmental protection. These models, when matched with our variable speed air handlers or variable speed equipped gas furnaces, offer a line of high quality heat pump systems rated up to 16 SEER and 9 HSPF. detailed f/b listing: � R-410A Refrigerant: Earth friendly non-ozone depleting refrigerant. � Copeland Scroll UltraTechTM Compressor: The Ultra Tech Compressor operates with 2 stages of heating and cooling capacities to provide superior comfort and efficiency. Copeland's proven and simple design equates to years of comfort and reliability for the homeowner with virtually silent operation. � Durable, Attractive Cabinet: Designed using galvanized steel with a polyester urethane finish. The 950 hour salt spray finish is 1.5 mil thick and resists corrosion 50% better than comparable units. � Composite Base Pan: Absorbs sound and is corrosion resistant. Composite is also stronger and lighter than steel. � Demand Defrost: Provides additional energy savings in heating by defrosting only when necessary. � Copper Tube / Aluminum Fin Coils: Both indoor and outdoor coils are designed to optimize heat transfer, minimize size and cost, and increase durability and reliability. � Complete Metal Wrapper: Durable metal guard protects the coil from yard hazards and extreme weather. � Removable Top Grille Assembly: Allows ease of service from the top without disconnecting fan motor leads. � Low Pressure Switch: Loss of charge protection ensures long compressor life. Auto-reset feature prevents nuisance service visits. � High Pressure Switch: Protects against abnormally high system pressures. Auto-reset feature prevents nuisance service visits. � Liquid Line Filter Drier: Included with unit, field installed. � One Piece Top/Orifice: Designed for maximum airflow and quiet operation. � Common Suction Service Port: This port allows the contractor to read the suction pressure in all modes of operation without removing any panels, saving time and increasing serviceability. � Three Minute Restart Time Delay: When the unit shuts down, a three minute delay keeps the unit from restarting, eliminating the highest cause for compressor failure. � Suction Accumulator: Protection from liquid flood back and future compressor failures. � Hot Gas Muffler: Reduces compressor noise and vibration. � Easy Compressor and Control Access: Designed to make servicing easier for the contractor, access panels are provided to all controls and the compressor from the side of the unit. basic specs air handler: B6VMAX Series Air Handler with TXV 13-19 SEER Residential System 18,000 - 60,000 Btuh (Heat Pump & Air Conditioner) R-410A Refrigerant The B6VMAX Series of air handlers, when combined with our heat pump or air conditioner, offers a full line of quality, split system heating and cooling equipment. detailed f/b listing: Energy Efficient Variable Speed ECM Motor: Advanced technology provides 16 field-selectable cooling airflows and automatically sets heating airflows based on the amount of installed heat. � Quiet Blower Operation: Extra quiet and smooth blower on and off cycles. � Constant airflow: Motor automatically adjusts to different static loads. � Reduced air stratification: This results in improved air quality by optimizing humidity removal and filtration capabilities. � Multi-poised: Can be used in horizontal, upflow, downflow and vertical applications. � Built in Filter Rack: makes the air handler easy to service. � Plug-in Heater Kit: Available in 5 kw through 30 kw (Not for use in 115 Volt units) � Circuit Board: Incorporating blower time delay relay, low voltage terminal strip, and heat-strip sequencing. � Breaker Accessibility: Breaker accessible from the front of the unit when heater is applied. � Plastic Drain Pan: Provides corrosion resistance. � Durable Cabinet: Galvanized steel with a polyurethane finish. The finish will endure 950 hours of salt spray and resist corrosion 50% better than comparable units. � Designed to meet the requirements 610.2.A.2: Meets Florida building code requirements for air leakage. � Thermal Expansion Valve: Factory installed externally equalized thermal expansion valve provides precise refrigerant control under varying load conditions. � Cabinet Insulation: 1" insulation with an R-value of 4.2 contributes to quiet operation and prevents cabinet sweating in difficult applications. � AnteaterTM Coil Technology: Copper alloy with zinc additives to stop formicary corrosion.

The gurgling and buzzing is normal and really exists in all units (i.e. it is likely you have nothing wrong but an irritating noise). I even listen for this noise when I first approach a unit because it gives me sign of it's "health" so to speak. There is an explanation and several solutions which use a lot of technical terms and even some elaborate devices which can be added to the system but, I won't go into all that right now. I'll explain as simply as I can and hope you understand (and also hope I explain it simple enough!!!)If the noise is noticable but not irritating or disturbing, I think the following is most likely the problem. It is associated with the refrigerant as it cycles through the line sets. If the lines touch the structure anywhere along the hollow wall, the noise can be transmitted more noticeably. It may be that where the lines enters the attic space, they are affixted to a joist or just laying against it. If they are affixed without a vibration dampening means, the noise will be more pronounced. A rubber grommet inside a fastening clamp usually minimizes the noise. The air handling unit where the evaporator coil is mounted should also be dampenedor the gurgling and buzzing will be heard also. Although there is not much noise associated with it in the way of gurgling, there is a condensate drain to drain off the evaporator coil. The buzzing is usually associated with the refrigerant leaving the metering device and the gurgling is associated with the liquid refrigerant going up the line to the metering device and some can be heard as the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. When the unit shuts off, you may hear this noise more clearly for 30 seconds or so. I hope this helps you understand and if you should call a technician to remedy the problem, you'll have a better idea of what he'll be doing. Good luck and feel free to email me if you need more info!!

Thanks for the quick replies. I don't have TXV installed. In regards to the installation, I don't know the details, I simply trust them as I found the company from Trane web site, they are Trane authorized dealer in my area. I can confirm my coil is 5 ton, as I questioned them if the 5-ton coil can match my 3-ton unit, they told me the 5-ton coil can improve the efficiency of my 3-ton unit, it should work well. I am not supposed to replace my 3-ton unit as it's only 5-year old and works as expected with my old system. Can I still trust the company ? or find a tech from another company?

The sizing of the AC is my main concern. The LA Summer Design is 89 dry bulb, 70 wet bulb for around a mere 39% Relative Humidity. A thorough manual J might have provided a heat-gain load that a smaller Btuh AC could have handled. If you get a lot of high humidity weather the 4-Ton may not provide enough run-time even with a low blower CFM setting. Buy a percent of Relative Humidity gauge & set the blower speed with the longer cycle method below, to achieve 50 to 60% RH. I believe the larger unit will have too short a run-time cycles to get the 12-SEER Rating. One solution for a somewhat oversized AC: Get a RM TH with a wide temperature differential setting, and go for as wide a temp differential that is withn your comfort zone, this will improve he SEER efficiency rating. That could make a lot of difference in operating efficiency of your 4-Ton unit. The link has a normal "Comfort Zone Chart." udarrell - 2007 Here is a link that might be useful: udarrell.com