Finally acquired a Concord heat pump and good installation deal
#1
08-23-06, 07:26 PM
Finally acquired a Concord heat pump and good installation deal
I am posting this to perhap give others an idea on costs. I had my home evaluated for a 2.5 ton heat pump but the total costs in two estimates was around the $5,000-$5500 mark for complete installation.
O.K>
Went to Ebay and bought an entire NEW 2.5 ton CONCORD which supposably is a Lennox Company, or a division of Lennox for $1875.00 + $145.00 shipping. ALL went well. I had a slight delay in the thermostat but did finally get it. Included air handler, heat pump, line set, thermostat ANd 5KW heating element (only have 100 amp panel so want to be careful, plus I have backup oil and wood heat anyway) Certified state elecrician said should be fine.
Anyway...I did a sort of dum thing. I set the heat pump up outside and thought I could save money doing the ductwork. Fine. I had an Amish guy do the ductwork for a little under $200.00...well...THEN I found a guy with 21 years experience say that he copuld have done the WHOLE job, ductwork and all, line sets, EVERYTHING, for $500.00!
At any rate...$1875+145+200 (goof)+500 (said he still has to charge the same)=$2720.00
NOt bad even with the goof. So in the end it was 1/2 of the original estimates and I have a Concord (Lennox Company) over a Luxaire (from estimates).
O.K>
Went to Ebay and bought an entire NEW 2.5 ton CONCORD which supposably is a Lennox Company, or a division of Lennox for $1875.00 + $145.00 shipping. ALL went well. I had a slight delay in the thermostat but did finally get it. Included air handler, heat pump, line set, thermostat ANd 5KW heating element (only have 100 amp panel so want to be careful, plus I have backup oil and wood heat anyway) Certified state elecrician said should be fine.
Anyway...I did a sort of dum thing. I set the heat pump up outside and thought I could save money doing the ductwork. Fine. I had an Amish guy do the ductwork for a little under $200.00...well...THEN I found a guy with 21 years experience say that he copuld have done the WHOLE job, ductwork and all, line sets, EVERYTHING, for $500.00!
At any rate...$1875+145+200 (goof)+500 (said he still has to charge the same)=$2720.00
NOt bad even with the goof. So in the end it was 1/2 of the original estimates and I have a Concord (Lennox Company) over a Luxaire (from estimates).
#2
08-24-06, 09:58 AM
Who will warranty the units???
I dont see cost to VAC the lines and charge the system.
I dont know of any home today with a 100 amp panel. I dont think it will cut it if the unit goes into defrost with 5 Kw heat+ blower+ condenser+ just the home.
You dont say what the SEER is or the HSPF here. I ll bet its a SEER 10 unit that dealers are unloading just to get away from them.
ED
I dont see cost to VAC the lines and charge the system.
I dont know of any home today with a 100 amp panel. I dont think it will cut it if the unit goes into defrost with 5 Kw heat+ blower+ condenser+ just the home.
You dont say what the SEER is or the HSPF here. I ll bet its a SEER 10 unit that dealers are unloading just to get away from them.
ED
#3
08-24-06, 05:51 PM
Ed,
It has a 5 year factory warranty. It is a precharged unit and the serviceman will do everything for $500.00 including VAC the lines and extra charging if needed. Said it will be running when he leaves. All ductwork, baffles, wiring, included. Everything. He was quite adament in telling me that heatpumps are very sophisticated and need a qualified person to make sure they run right , then mentioned his 21 years experience. It is a "side job" for him, will be doing it Sunday. I have a Brother-In Law who he did one for and the work was very impressive.
It is a 13 seer Unit with a HSPF of 7.7 (Pretty close to 8) a little light perhaps but I hope O.K.
He also said that the 5KW heater might not cut it (heat my home)when it defrosts but I also have a backup of (wood add-on) and Oil which he seemed pleased with.
When I spoke to the State Certified electrican he said that I should be fine with the 5 KW( but no more) since stove and dryer are only used intermittently.
So, I guess we will see how it goes.
It has a 5 year factory warranty. It is a precharged unit and the serviceman will do everything for $500.00 including VAC the lines and extra charging if needed. Said it will be running when he leaves. All ductwork, baffles, wiring, included. Everything. He was quite adament in telling me that heatpumps are very sophisticated and need a qualified person to make sure they run right , then mentioned his 21 years experience. It is a "side job" for him, will be doing it Sunday. I have a Brother-In Law who he did one for and the work was very impressive.
It is a 13 seer Unit with a HSPF of 7.7 (Pretty close to 8) a little light perhaps but I hope O.K.
He also said that the 5KW heater might not cut it (heat my home)when it defrosts but I also have a backup of (wood add-on) and Oil which he seemed pleased with.
When I spoke to the State Certified electrican he said that I should be fine with the 5 KW( but no more) since stove and dryer are only used intermittently.
So, I guess we will see how it goes.
Last edited by DIYaddict; 08-24-06 at 08:07 PM. Reason: removed quote as it's unnecessary to quote the entire post that's directly above yours
#4
08-24-06, 05:56 PM
Forgot to mention...
He refers to himself as a professional and said that he actually should be charging a $1,000.00 for his work.
He works for a very reputable company that I know of and originally put in my ductwork.
Side money. Said he has 4 kids and needs extra money. I either want his services or I don't is the way he put it.
This is the Unit that I bought albeit mine was a 2.5 ton:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6063492235&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
He refers to himself as a professional and said that he actually should be charging a $1,000.00 for his work.
He works for a very reputable company that I know of and originally put in my ductwork.
Side money. Said he has 4 kids and needs extra money. I either want his services or I don't is the way he put it.
This is the Unit that I bought albeit mine was a 2.5 ton:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6063492235&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
Last edited by JIMMY; 08-24-06 at 06:10 PM.
#5
08-24-06, 07:42 PM
Ed,
I also am concerned with the 5KW and 100 amp panel to be honest even though the electrician said it should be fine. I still worry...BUT, if it doesn't work then I still; have the oil and wood backup. I think the 30 amp breaker on the Air Handler has a one sided switch, so I think I can actually shut the 5 KW heater off and the blower would remain in operation., (I think). I am sure he will fill me in and I will keep you informed as to how it goes.
If I could use the heat pump wihout the 5 KW let's say down to the Middle of December and then use wood from then until Mid February all would be well. I should save about 16 ricks of wood and at about now $50.00 per rick that is quite a bit.
Also...I have the heatpump and airhandler on two separate circuits. Each has it's own 30 amp breaker for safety. Plus the air handler has it's own built in 30 amp breaker.
I also am concerned with the 5KW and 100 amp panel to be honest even though the electrician said it should be fine. I still worry...BUT, if it doesn't work then I still; have the oil and wood backup. I think the 30 amp breaker on the Air Handler has a one sided switch, so I think I can actually shut the 5 KW heater off and the blower would remain in operation., (I think). I am sure he will fill me in and I will keep you informed as to how it goes.
If I could use the heat pump wihout the 5 KW let's say down to the Middle of December and then use wood from then until Mid February all would be well. I should save about 16 ricks of wood and at about now $50.00 per rick that is quite a bit.
Also...I have the heatpump and airhandler on two separate circuits. Each has it's own 30 amp breaker for safety. Plus the air handler has it's own built in 30 amp breaker.
#6
08-24-06, 09:14 PM
Also...I have the heatpump and airhandler on two separate circuits. Each has it's own 30 amp breaker for safety. Plus the air handler has it's own built in 30 amp breaker.
They have to be.
Thats 60amps so you have 40 amp left for the whole home. Stove dryer fridge lights + what all if its all on. Now you cant kill that 5KW in the unit. You have to let it work if the unit goes into defrost. If you disconnect the heater you will get AC the whole time it is in defrost.
They have to be.
Thats 60amps so you have 40 amp left for the whole home. Stove dryer fridge lights + what all if its all on. Now you cant kill that 5KW in the unit. You have to let it work if the unit goes into defrost. If you disconnect the heater you will get AC the whole time it is in defrost.
#7
08-25-06, 04:41 AM
Ed,
If I kill the 5 KW I believe I can have the oil kick in IF its set up right. That might be what I may have to do.
The air handler acts as an "add on" unit. I kept the old "A coil" in the oil furnace plenum because I may one day want to run hot water through it and fiddle with it. For now it is back-up AC. They (service men I spoke with) thought it was a good idea.
Also the use of the dryer may have to be curtailed at certain times or the heat pump shut off and the oil used. I already have all lights in the house on those bulbs that draw only 7 watts so that would be a big help. So, some management (using dryer or stove at different times)could be a real help at this point.
Also, I did notice that my Main panel is set up for 150 amps maximum.
So I have other options if the 100 amp panel doesn't cut it. But in the end I do realize, sadly, that a 200 amp panel may become a reality.
I won't freeze...THAT I can promise !
If I kill the 5 KW I believe I can have the oil kick in IF its set up right. That might be what I may have to do.
The air handler acts as an "add on" unit. I kept the old "A coil" in the oil furnace plenum because I may one day want to run hot water through it and fiddle with it. For now it is back-up AC. They (service men I spoke with) thought it was a good idea.
Also the use of the dryer may have to be curtailed at certain times or the heat pump shut off and the oil used. I already have all lights in the house on those bulbs that draw only 7 watts so that would be a big help. So, some management (using dryer or stove at different times)could be a real help at this point.
Also, I did notice that my Main panel is set up for 150 amps maximum.
So I have other options if the 100 amp panel doesn't cut it. But in the end I do realize, sadly, that a 200 amp panel may become a reality.
I won't freeze...THAT I can promise !
Last edited by JIMMY; 08-25-06 at 12:29 PM.
#8
08-27-06, 05:56 PM
Ed,
I am very pleased with my system! All hooked up and running !
This thing works FFAAAARRR better than my old one (Luxaire AC) in cooling. It dropped my homes (2400sq. ft.)temerature 7 degrees in under 2 hours! (77 to 70)
AND it looks like it draws LESS amps than my old one. I can tell when it kicks on. In the process I turned on my 5KW dryer to mimic my 5 KW heating element and it worked flawless. Didn't notice one thing.
The serviceman said my unit was a very good unit the equivalent of Lennox. He said it should give me many years of troublefree service.
Still should be careful to operate stove and dryer separately but I see no problem.
I may even consider lowering the wattage on my water heater elements. (Changing)
Took him 4-5 hours to complete.
He said to run the hilt out of it. Said that if it starts to fall short then use my wood backup which goes through my cold air return and air handler. Said not to even use the oil.
I am very pleased with my system!
All hooked up and running !This thing works FFAAAARRR better than my old one (Luxaire AC) in cooling. It dropped my homes (2400sq. ft.)temerature 7 degrees in under 2 hours! (77 to 70)
AND it looks like it draws LESS amps than my old one. I can tell when it kicks on. In the process I turned on my 5KW dryer to mimic my 5 KW heating element and it worked flawless. Didn't notice one thing.
The serviceman said my unit was a very good unit the equivalent of Lennox. He said it should give me many years of troublefree service.
Still should be careful to operate stove and dryer separately but I see no problem.
I may even consider lowering the wattage on my water heater elements. (Changing)
Took him 4-5 hours to complete.
He said to run the hilt out of it. Said that if it starts to fall short then use my wood backup which goes through my cold air return and air handler. Said not to even use the oil.
