I want to replace a 5 ton gas package unit with a heat pump package. American Standard/Trane is my choice in 13 or 15 SEER. Can this be done for about 4-5 grand? The 13 SEER Goodman is 2200 for unit only. I called a dealer from their website today and got a ballpark figure of $7,000 for the 15 SEER. I can't write a check that big 'cause my hand shakes too bad! Any thoughts? Thanks (Neat website-spent the day reading and learning)
Was also told the 15 SEER (WCZ) discontinued, but a few left so buy now. I put the gas pack in, but does warranty require pro install?

 

panhandler,

just a heads-up of what is going on in the wonderful world of HVAC.
as of 01/23/06 there will be no more 10 seer units produced (does'nt apply to you but, hey, others read this stuff too), only 13 seer or above will be made. in the year 2010 (4 years from now) the production of R-22 will stop ( they are working on a replacement gas for existing equiptment), remember how the price of R-12 shot up from $2.00 a 12 oz can to outlandish prices? ( my dad has ten cases as part of his retirement program). they will also stop production of anything that uses R-22, switching to R-410a or as some companies like to promote as Puron. this means that all techs will basically need to be recertified in it's use and recovery and new equiptment upgrades ( way higher pressures of refridgerant in the systems). i could go on and on, but the bottom line is, and believe me i don't even know the color of the bottle of R-410a looks like, do you want to go with a system that may cost you more in the future, or since you seem to want to upgrade your system go with something that everybody will have to goto if their stuff fails later.
something to think about.
p.s. sorry for the long post guys, but i thought that anyone that is thinking about a upgrade to their system should consider all the options.



barry

 

Thank you, Barry. It looks to me that ALL the Trane package units use R-22.
I could do a split heat pump Heritage 16 / Trane XL 16i with R-410, but I don't have the technical background to install it, charge up the lines, etc. I suspect the basic equipment cost is less though. Carrier makes a R-410 package heat pump 50DT, 50CR, 50XZ in 13-14 SEER, but have no idea of costs yet. I guess Carrier is good stuff too. Thank you!

 

Mr. Panhandle,

i was trying to bring people (as well as you) up to date as to what the near future holds, and instead of , since i felt that you were wanting to upgrade anyway, might as well upgrade to something that can last for more than ten years, before they (government, epa, tree huggers etc.) change into something again, next thing you know we will be keeping cool with ice blocks like they did in the old days. on the Question about carrier, i know i'll catch heck about this
from some of the guys, everbody seems to have their favorite system, but in my travels across at least 7500 heatpump in used apartment units (which on some they had a few tranes, lennox, rheemes/rudd installed when the apts. where brand spanking new) that i have had to go and try to fix (no heat, no air) . in
my opinion, they are, as we call, it in computer words, not very user friendly.
i don't know much about the new systems that carrier is pumping out, but i do know that the older stuff the they have has been by far the easiest stuff to work on for the last 10 years. i have had a very high degree of sucess with goodman units. just a story, if you want to read it, one 256 apt. complex, 33 of the complex has rheem/rudd or tranes, i have been replacing at least two a month for the last four years. this is on the newest phase of the property. phase 1 and 2 uses goodman or carrier units, the worst thing i had to replace is a contactor, or a capacitor, these phases are well over the age of the phase three part of the property. and to answer your ability to install any of the new stuff; no. half of us have yet gone and re-certified in the use of R410a, and the upgrade of our tools to use it.(this stuff is expensive).
sorry about the rambling and of course of some misspelled words, but i thought that you (as well as others ) should be aware of some of the changes
that we guy's are going face as well as the customer
barry

 

Brentwood, I couldnt agree more with the service friendliness of the brands you mentioned. Goodman for some reason has always surprised me for its longevity as well as carrier. Good news, the new goodman furnace is exactly the same as the new Amana except the material used for the heat exchanger. Also they offer a 10 year full replacement warranty and a lifetime warranty on the exchanger.

 

need we say more?
barry

 

No one will honor the warranty if it's bought off the internet or installed by a non-contractor.

 

panhandle,

i would never, ever ,recommend that you buy anything that could not be warranted. you must understand that most (if not all) online sellers of hvac equiptment, the companies bearing the name of said sold equiptment, will not honor anything sold online, not even down to the lugs that hold the wires in place. i hope that i did'nt misdirect you. i was simply telling you of the options that are afforded to you and looking toward the future. and yes to make sure that any warranty that is offered it must be installed by a authorized company.
so listen to mattison, listen to thermofridge, listen to us, ask a few neighbors, friends or co-workers,
check with the bbb in your area to find the most reputible hvac guy in the area to install your new system. and to be a real DIY guy, let us know how it turns out. the info could help somebody else, and thats what we are all here for.

barry