You currently have one system for townhouse? What size is it? The problem you are experiencing with top floor is typical and the cause is usually poor ductwork sizing/design. Simply put not enough CFMs. Ask dealer for suggestions to improve.

Post back.

I will then comment on equipment choices/selection.

IMO

I have the townhome's original 1986 Trane unit (incredible). I believe it is a 1.5 ton. Attached is a pic of the specs. Thank you!!!

Is there an attic above the third floor? If yes, do you know how much insulation is installed? Adding more insulation will help the cooling problem. Some town houses have no attics and keeping the top floor cool is always a problem.

The model number has an 18 which would suggest a 1.5 ton unit. Are you attached on either side?

There is a small space up there (honestly, have never checked it out. I peeked when I was buying it). This is a middle unit (2 on one slide... 3 in the other). Thanks!

Without more information, I would say you are undersized. Unless you have deep pockets, I see no reason to purchase option #3 which I believe is overkill. I don't care for option #2. If this was my decision, I would get a price on Trane's XR15 2 ton with either best rated TAM7 or GAM5 or TEM6 air handler. Same is available from Trane's sister company Am Standard.

7.5 KW heat strip should be plenty large enough for a 2 ton.

I prefer HPs with demand defrost feature. Trane/AmStd has this feature, Carrier does not.

IMO

Thank you!!!

It the house was detached on both sides, then I agree the AC is undersized. But since it is attached on both sides it is hard to tell. Find a contractor who will do a load calculation to verify the size.

See if the more insulation can be added above the third floor.

The Carrier 25VNA heat pump is overkill for your area in my opinion. The Carrier Comfort series is OK, get a quote on the Performance series. A 2-stage variable speed will help with some of the air flow issues. Trane has several very good heat pumps. It would be worthwhile getting a quote from a Trane dealer.

Upper floor-how many sq ft? Has both a supply and a return?

Insulation improvement opportunities?

Post back.

IMO

The upper flow is about about 385 sq.ft. (excluding closets). It has two floor vents (one in each bedroom) and 2 wall vents (one in each bathroom).

In terms of insulation, that's unlikely.

Thank you!

Hi,

I had a Trane vendor today give me a quote of $5842 for a 4TWB3024 heat pump, a TEM3Aob24 air handler (10kw), and a TCONT602 thermostat. He said that's what he recommended.

Is this a good system? Is it really loud?

Thank you!!!!

Do not like the XB series. I believe it is being phased out by Trane and is noisy compared to the XR models. Go back and look at my recommendation. It will serve you well. And consider getting a quote from a AmStd dealer, same as Trane.

IMO

I tried getting quotes for the XR15 model but was told it is being phased out, so I got quotes for the XR 14 and XR 16 instead.

• New Quote #1: $6950 for a Trane XR16 (2 ton) up to 16 SEER Single Stage R410A Heat Pump (Model# 4TWR6024D1000A), Hyperion XL (2.5 ton) variable speed blower motor air handler (Model# TAM7A0B30H21SD), Trane 10K Supplementary Electric heater for air handler installation (Model# BAYEVAC10BK1BA), and Sen-si Wifi Programable thermostat (Model# 1F86U-42WF -https://sensicomfort.com)
• New Quote #2: $6150 for a Trane XR14 (2 ton) up to 14.5 SEER Single Stage R410A Heat Pump, Hyperion XL (2.5 ton) variable speed blower motor air handler (Model# TAM7A0B30H21SD), Trane 10K Supplementary Electric heater for air handler installation (Model# BAYEVAC10BK1BA), and Sen-si Wifi Programable thermostat (Model# 1F86U-42WF - https://sensicomfort.com)

Is there a big difference between the XR14 and XR16?

Also, for $300 more, I can upgrade the thermostat from the Sensi to Trane's ComfortLinkTM XL850 model. Is it worth it? The digital display looks cool. (http://www.trane.com/content/dam/Trane/residential/downloads/brochure/thermostats/62_7163-01_Web.pdf)

Thank you SOOOO much for all your advice. I really appreciate it.

I would go for the Carrier
Infinity VNA8 that is hands down the best system and perfect for a condo. The
HP is a very small unit and very quiet with a reliable Toshiba
variable speed compressor (25% to 100%). 17.5 SEER & 10.5 HSPF are very impressive numbers; nothing wrong with this unit’s defrost
mode! I’d also choose the FE4ANF003L00 if it would fit.

I would want this system
with the crazy extreme weather we’ve been having lately, very efficient to run too, good controls and humidity control too.
This installer offered you a premium system that won’t be beat.

There should also be Carrier
rebates available that would reduce the price of the system.

IMPO

SR

I can't let one part of above post go unchallenged. While the defrost function of the high end Carrier and Bryant HPs is better than their lower end models, it is not the same or as good as true electronic demand defrost.

I do agree that VNA8 is a nice system but it does come with a nice price tag. If OP has deep pockets, then go for it. I doubt though one could justify that system with any type of reasonable dollar payback. You are buying comfort.

IMO

Thanks. I really can't justify spending $8K for a new HVAC so I'm definitely going for a Trane.

Is there a big diff between the XR16 and XR14? Is spending more for the ComfortLink XL850 thermostat over the Sensi thermostat a wise choice?

Thanks!

This would be my choice. 2 Ton XR 16 with TAM7AOB30 air handler

7561946 ActiveSystems TRANE XR16 TRANE 4TWR6024H1 TAM7A0B30H 21 770 24400 13.00 16.00 22400 9.50 14300 1 HRCU-A-CB 185 408 Yes

7.5 KW heat strip

Prestige HW 2.0 thermostat with dehumidify on demand. 2nd choice on stat HW Mdl 8321.

IMO

Thank you!!!

Just 2 quick questions to
satisfy my own curiosity, if I may.

How much would Tiger’s above
proposed Trane system cost?

Was the above Carrier
Infinity VNA8 proposal at $8125 with or without the Carrier rebates still
presently available?

SR

Hi. All the estimates are after rebate. Not sure how much Tiger's proposed system costs yet.