American Standard A/C question

first- thanks to all who responded to my question on HARD START KIT. for now, i am staying with what i got- i.e. no additional kit (on 3 ton)

as the units were being installed, a new fact surfaced that these units have NO CRANKCASE HEATERS (available as optional accessory)- my older units did. searched the forum- it says needed only in very cold areas. so the question is - is NJ considered very cold?

here is what i have-
2-ton AS, silver 14 (regular A/C, not a heatpump)
3-ton - as above
location- MORRIS, NJ

so...to heat or not?

thanks

 

Located just slightly east of you..... also in Morris County.

I haven't seen too many crankcase heaters in this area. My units don't have them.
With a heat pump..... you'd need it. With split A/C......you'll be fine.

My main Rheem condensor is over 20 years old and still going strong.

 

Crankcase heaters are a basically a bandaid for poor engineering. Not sure on American Standard maybe those guys have been able to design out the need? I have added several crankcase heaters on (elcheapo goodman / rheem / nordyne) units in my area middle TN due to startup slugging. They are inexpensive and easily installed and do fix the poor engineering problem. It is very rare to see one slug nowadays but typically this happens in consistently very cold weather when the unit has run in backup heat for several days and the compressor has been idle in really cold temps. First time the heat pump compressor kicks back on after days of cold the compressor can slug (thumps like an out of balance washing machine) can damage the compressor if not caught i would for sure listen for that and be ready to shut it down if needed.

 

FM.... this is a split system.... not a heat pump. Big difference.

 

thanks ..pjmax and former...