Replace entire system???


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Old 02-13-09, 02:50 AM
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Arrow Replace entire system???

I live in a two story house with a 95% efficient nat gas furnace and AC unit for 1st floor and 80% efficient nat gas furnace and AC unit for the 2nd floor. The AC compressor blew last fall so I need to replace it before summer. My question is would it be cost effective to replace just the AC unit and coil or also include the gas furnace? Have had no problems with the 2nd floor furnace, but one tech told me it would be better to replace it all so it would be a "matched set". The house and systems are 9 years old. Also if you recommend replacing the furnace too, should I go back with the 80% or higher efficiency units? Since alot of heat rises form the first floor, the upstairs furnace doesn't seem to run that much.

Thanks
 
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Old 02-13-09, 04:04 AM
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What do you mean by the A/C comp "blew" ? whats wrong with it, also what are the model and serial #'s of the cond unit.
 
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Old 02-13-09, 07:06 AM
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By "blew" I mean that a hole blew through the compressor casing around the area that the wires enter the compressor resulting in a loss of all freon and oil. There was a loud bang when it happened! It's a Goodman unit model # CK24-18, Serial # 9909573794.
 
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Old 02-13-09, 07:19 AM
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Yah that "blew" all right. It is more cost effective to replace a furnace at the same time you are replacing an A/C system. However, in your case I would not replace a 9 yr old furnace that is working fine. If you are looking at $ only get a quote on just replacing the outdoor unit.
 
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Old 02-13-09, 10:17 AM
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I think that's good advice. I had thought about just replacing the compressor, but not really knowing what caused it to blow plus only a one year warranty vs 10 on a new unit, I think the new unit is the best choice.
 
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Old 02-13-09, 10:43 AM
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Another option would be to go back with a heat pump on the second floor.
 
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Old 02-13-09, 01:55 PM
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I had thought about a Heat Pump, but since we allow the thermostat to drop the heat temp down during the day from 70 to 62 and also back 4 degrees at nite I knew the Heat pump would have to recover a lot. I'm not that familiar with todays Heat Pumps. Could todays models recover these types of temp recoverys without going into "emergency heat mode"?
 
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Old 02-13-09, 02:09 PM
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No they could not! 4 degree would be my max recomendation for a heat pump. But the savings you would have might be worth it. Were are you located?
 
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Old 02-13-09, 05:11 PM
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I live in piedmont North Carolina near the VA border.
 
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Old 02-15-09, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by airman.1994
No they could not! 4 degree would be my max recomendation for a heat pump. But the savings you would have might be worth it. Were are you located?
yep................
 
 

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