trala
07-02-2012, 01:02 PM
Hi All,
We currently have a struggling 4 ton system. It used to be a 4 ton Trane XB-1000 unit that we've tried to replace with a similar 4 ton Goodman (old but unused). It runs but it can't handle cooling down the house and uses a ton of electricity. (See here (http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=1121591).) So we are having to consider getting a new system installed.
We are in East-Texas, which means hot and humid, so we would like to know what our best options are. We have a reputable Trane specialist in town that we are considering using for the new system.
Our house is 2100 square feet, had wooden siding (lap and gap), both outside and inside. Inside the walls it's mostly regular R-13 insulation, but since the house is older (1978) I'm sure the walls aren't the most energy efficient walls. However, I am in the process of replacing some of the siding (wainscot) and caulking and painting the same. Also, I have the materials to put in ridge vents on the roof to add ventilation for the attic. Further, the house is on a concrete slab that stays pretty cool, considering.
Since our house is all electric, we will have to go with a heat pump system. What we aren't sure about is what type of system would be best for our particular situation. Cost is a consideration, yes, but since we have to consider the high humidity levels of this area we were wondering if we need a 2 stage system or if a 1 stage will be fine.
I've read quite a few posts here on the forum, and since we are considering the local Trane specialist we were interested in both the XL15i and XL20i as these appear to be favored by many here on the forum. Are these good units for our climate and home (generally speaking), or would you recommend different units?
Also, since our old unit was old technology, we don't know if we would still need a 4 ton system for this house, or if you think a smaller tonnage would be preferable? We don't have very harsh winters here, but it can get cold enough to freeze our plumbing from time to time, so we would also like to know what type of heating strip would be a good option in relation to the rest of the system.
We will of course have the AC guys come out and do an estimate, but we would like to have some information going into this that we might ask the AC company about (models, combinations, etc.).
Thanks so much :)
We currently have a struggling 4 ton system. It used to be a 4 ton Trane XB-1000 unit that we've tried to replace with a similar 4 ton Goodman (old but unused). It runs but it can't handle cooling down the house and uses a ton of electricity. (See here (http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=1121591).) So we are having to consider getting a new system installed.
We are in East-Texas, which means hot and humid, so we would like to know what our best options are. We have a reputable Trane specialist in town that we are considering using for the new system.
Our house is 2100 square feet, had wooden siding (lap and gap), both outside and inside. Inside the walls it's mostly regular R-13 insulation, but since the house is older (1978) I'm sure the walls aren't the most energy efficient walls. However, I am in the process of replacing some of the siding (wainscot) and caulking and painting the same. Also, I have the materials to put in ridge vents on the roof to add ventilation for the attic. Further, the house is on a concrete slab that stays pretty cool, considering.
Since our house is all electric, we will have to go with a heat pump system. What we aren't sure about is what type of system would be best for our particular situation. Cost is a consideration, yes, but since we have to consider the high humidity levels of this area we were wondering if we need a 2 stage system or if a 1 stage will be fine.
I've read quite a few posts here on the forum, and since we are considering the local Trane specialist we were interested in both the XL15i and XL20i as these appear to be favored by many here on the forum. Are these good units for our climate and home (generally speaking), or would you recommend different units?
Also, since our old unit was old technology, we don't know if we would still need a 4 ton system for this house, or if you think a smaller tonnage would be preferable? We don't have very harsh winters here, but it can get cold enough to freeze our plumbing from time to time, so we would also like to know what type of heating strip would be a good option in relation to the rest of the system.
We will of course have the AC guys come out and do an estimate, but we would like to have some information going into this that we might ask the AC company about (models, combinations, etc.).
Thanks so much :)