HVAC Options to a Trane Gas Furnace/AC - HRV, Humidifier, Filter

Ben H

6 years ago

Home is in Bend, OR. High altitude, Dry Climate (Zone 5). 4250 ft. New Construction.

I need help choosing options to a system composed of Trans S9V2 120k BTU, XV18 5-Ton AC. We of several options.

Modulating XC95M Furnace. It's not an expensive option. One vendor claimed modulating furnaces didn't do well in the high and dry of Bend but didn't say why. Any truth to that ?
Aprilaire 800 Humidifier (Steam). I've also heard caution on Humidifiers causing system and home damage from mildew. Bend can be uncomfortably dry much of the year. The quote was for an extra $1700 which seemed odd as the unit itself was $600. Seems a bit high. Are these difficult to install ?
Trane Clean Effects (base unit was a Honeywell F100). Same as above, it was a $1300 upgrade and some reading reports the units are effective when clean but quickly lose efficacy. The Honeywell electrostatic unit was around $500 (unit only). I'm leaning towards just using the F100.
Lifebreath HRV. I investigated these when we were going to use ductless (I lost the aesthetics battle there). Are these worthwhile ? The 100CFM ECM Motor unit is +2850$. Is this a worthwhile upgrade with a forced air system ? I know these are somewhat complex to install but still it looks like $1650 of that is just installation.
Air Scrubber +800$. I want this. Anyone advise not to ?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

PRO
Austin Air Companie
6 years ago
1. Altitude can effect performance of a furnace. I don't view Bend, Oregon as a really cold climate, so I really don't think this will be a big issue. As long as combustion air is adequate and duct system is designed and installed properly I can't imagine this being much of an issue.

2. Humidifiers are maintenance headaches. If you don't plan to pay to maintain it... it won't work for very long.

3. More maintenance costs. If you fail to do the maintenance on any of these sorts of things it won't work for long.

4. You guessed it, more maintenance costs... more things to break. HRV stands for Heat Recovery Ventilator. I think it can get cold in Bend... but not like Minnesota or Chicago type cold. Really all this is... is a method to take in fresh air from outside and bring it inside without letting a lot of the heat in home escape to the outside.

5. Air scrubber: again if you aren't planning on maintaining it forget about it. You will have to replace UV bulbs annually, even if the bulbs don't burn out in that time. If the model you choose creates ozone in any amount it could give you health problems down the road. It has been determined that ozone in any amount is not good for you.

Air scrubber make claims, but provide no proof. They claim they spent a million dollars on tests but provide no proof as to the results of these tests. "If it sounds too good to be true......"

If you don't maintain all these systems, it doesn't matter what you pay for them. Whatever the sum it is all wasted money. Don't look at just installation costs. Warranty of ANYTHING, does not include maintenance. In fact without proper maintenance you're more likely to void the warranty.
Ben H
Original Author
6 years ago
Awesome ! Exactly what I was looking for. Thumbs up on the modulating option, down on the rest. Thanks.

I do have a son with lots of allergies, thus the air filter/scrubber option. Does it make any sense to oversize the paper air filter footprint so it has minimal effect on static pressure.
Related Discussions
Trane vs Goodman HVAC Unit
Q
Comments (6)
happs I will assume you are sized correctly but that is alot of firepower on the AC side and of course that furnace is only 80% efficient. I would prefer an upgrade price to the XR13, a nicer condenser than the XB series. And you might want to look at the XR15 in a 5 ton model. I believe the 5 ton comes with two stg and certainly would be a less expensive alternative to the XL20i condenser.Verify with dealer. The thermostat will work but it will not give you full two stg functionality. I would want a true two stg thermostat for that furnace. You get all kind of opinions of Goodman Brand. Better than they use to be in the higher end mdls. Low end stay away from. I personally would not have it for my home unless strictly budget driving my decision. I would want to know how long you intend to be in home. IMO
...See More
HVAC Upgrade Options
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks for the quick responses! The existing furnace is an oil-fired York, 125 KBTU, which is at least 30 years old. I have been told it's horribly inefficient, but I don't know the number. The AC condenser is 3 tons and 25 years old (also not efficient). The house should probably have 2 zones (especially to deal with better cooling the second floor in the heat of summer), but I have been told that's not possible (at least not for a reasonable price). Otherwise, there are no noticeable issues with the current system, other than those endemic to scorched air heat. Each room has at least one supply vent and one return. The basement is below grade and is used as living area. There are two supply vents and one return in the basement area. There is no insulation between floors, but the basement walls are insulated (R-7.5). Beefing up the attic insulation is on the near-term to do list. The house currently does not have a humidifier, and while no one is suffering nose bleeds, the air is dry. So, I thought a humidifier would be helpful. I would definitely like to tighten the house (and new windows may be on the radar in the near future), but given that it is an older home, I think there is only so much that can be done. The Carrier dealer said the furnace would be no more than 100 KBTU, with the final determination after the house is measured and a load calculation performed. Both companies will also do a whole house energy audit prior to commencing work. So I would assume (and hope) the Lennox dealer will modify his numbers accordingly after the load calculation and energy audit. Our natural gas marginal price/therm is $0.83 Our electricity marginal price/kWh is $0.22 for on peak, and $0.07 for off peak. With regard to the Carrier condenser, what makes the 24ANB6 superior to the 24ACC6? I know a lot of people on this forum prefer Carrier over Lennox. All else equal, I have no problem going with Carrier (I know the Infinity controls are fantastic), but there is a $1,500 price difference... Thanks again for your help.
...See More
Replacing HVAC - is Carrier better than Trane?
Q
Comments (12)
I am not sure if other work is being performed. Here is what the quote says: We are pleased to submit to you an estimate and specifications for the installation of a Carrier 59TN6 Infinity two stage variable speed gas furnace with a Carrier 25HCB6 Performance 16SEER two stage heat pump Hybrid system to be installed in your home. Recover refrigerant as required by law. Remove and junk existing gas furnace, air conditioner and thermostat. Furnish and install one #59TN6A100E21-22 Carrier high efficiency Infinity series two stage/variable speed furnace with one #KGANP5201VSP Natural to Propane conversion kit and one #25HBC648 Carrier Puron high efficiency Performance series two stage heat pump with one #CNPVP4821ATA Carrier tin plated cased evaporator coil. The furnace has a 96.0% AFUE efficiency rating and a 100,000 Btuh input capacity. The heat pump has a 47,500 Btuh nominal cooling capacity high stage and 39,000 in low and a 16.0 SEER rating. New furnace to sit in same location as that of existing with a new return air drop, filter rack with hinged door, plenum and necessary sheet metal fittings to reconnect to the existing supply and return ductwork. Reconnect to the existing electric furnace circuit with a new switch and box. Reconnect to the existing gas line. PVC venting to be reconnected to existing. New condensate drain line to the floor drain with a new trap and clean out. New heat pump to be installed in same location as that of the existing. Furnish and install new outside fused disconnect as per Carrier and code requirements. Purge with nitrogen and reconnect to the existing refrigerant lines from the new indoor coil to the new outdoor unit. Furnish and install one #STAT-TP-PRH Performance programmable Thermidistat. Complete with necessary taxes, labor, wiring, and materials. COST Furnish and install the complete Infinity/Performance Hybrid HVAC system as described for Ten Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety ($11,765.00) Dollars. This system qualifies for $200.00 Duke Energy rebate and a $150.00 Carrier rebate. OPTIONS Add one Carrier #GAPAAX1625 Infinity air purifier for an additional $1,550.00. This also qualifies for a $150.00 Carrier rebate. Net $1,400.00. I don't mind paying a fair price, but I don't want to be taken advantage of.
...See More
HVAC/Trane Estimate Need your assistance
Q
Comments (3)
1. Those are Lennox model numbers, not Trane. They are also for R-22 systems, if that matters to you. Some people prefer the new refrigerant, R-410A, as R-22 is being 'phased out.' I personally like R-22 better as a refrigerant, but at this point I would go with R-410a systems. 2. Lots of tonnage. Many times new systems are oversized. If they are, you will pay for it in the long run with repairs and higher utility bills. Ensure they did a load calculation 'Manual J' to determine sizing. Don't accept any 'rule of thumb' sizing. 3. What is the Unico system for? Can you describe the type of system you are getting in more detail (i.e., conventional A/C and furnaces, separate duct systems for heating and cooling, etc.)? 4. I don't like the idea of zoning a single-stage 5-ton system unless done very carefully. That's a lot of airflow you're dealing with, and it has to be done correctly. Just some ideas to get you started. I can advise further once I get some feedback.
...See More
PRO
Austin Air Companie
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I do have a son with lots of allergies, thus the air filter/scrubber option. Does it make any sense to oversize the paper air filter footprint so it has minimal effect on static pressure.

Realize allergies are complicated, what works for some may not work for others. What ever you decide in form of treatment will be an on going affair, those costs will never go away with whatever you choose to help with this problem so as long as you go into this knowing that base your decision on a solution that you know what the maintenance costs will be of a particular product. You will need your service provider... so make sure that relationship is a good one.

Either oversize the air filter or install additional returns. Additional returns in my opinion are the better option, because return air is important and the structure comfort is typically better with additional strategic placed returns. Obviously if the structure is small, this would probably be over kill. (so it depends)

HVAC Options to a Trane Gas Furnace/AC - HRV, Humidifier, Filter

Comments (3)

Austin Air Companie

Ben H
Original Author

Related Discussions

Austin Air Companie

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

HVAC Options to a Trane Gas Furnace/AC - HRV, Humidifier, Filter

Comments (3)

Austin Air Companie

Ben HOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Austin Air Companie

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Ben H
Original Author