Heat pump

[ladyremodeler]

I am bulding a 900 square foot cabin. I only has electricity, no gas available. I have gotten three quotes. One for Goodman equipment, one for Tempstar and one for Fedders. Does anyone have an opinion as to which is best?

[BaldLoonie]

The deluxe Tempstar is the nicest unit. More bells & whistles, Copeland scroll compressor, quietest. Then comes the Goodman then the builder T*. I'd avoid the Chinese Fedders personally.

Key is best possible install!

[dash]

Did they provide you with a copy of their Manul J,S,and D,that they did to size it,select the equipment and design the duct system??

All are from http://www.acca.org and are the industry standards for residential condtruction.

[ladyremodeler]

What should I ask to make sure I am getting the deluxe Tempstar and not the builder grade. If it's between the goodman and the builder tempstar, which do you recommend. They are all quoting a 2 ton unit, does that seem appropriate? One company is making a big deal about a medal board rather than one with fibers for around the main trunk. Is that anything to consider? He says it has already been outlawed in California. Is he just blowing smoke. Also, what about an upgraded filter system. That's another selling point he's pushing.

[hvaclover]

Tempstar has no builder model, just the best.

[too tall terry]

Originally posted by hvaclover
Tempstar has no builder model, just the best. since when?

[heattech]

Metal Duct is better than the fibre(Ductboard)for longevity as well as not breathing as much fiberglass when the system runs.As far as gmc over tempstar both are basic machines. No matter who makes the equipment its still only as good as the installation allows it to be!! Most of the time your highend airfilters are better for your allergies and your equipment.
SUGGESTION: Have annual maintainance done on your system and you should be ok with either machine.

[ladyremodeler]

Thanks for the input, everyone has been very helpful... I definately feel more capable of making a decision. One last question, with 900 square feet and 2 bedrooms/1 bath, the kitchen and den are open, is one return enough??

[indian]

Send me the blue prints, you are tougher than the job.

[dan sw fl]

Originally posted by ladyremodeler
... , with 900 square feet and 2 bedrooms/1 bath, the kitchen and den are open, is one return enough??

THREE Returns are required!
One in each bedroom and one for open areas.

[frigetater]

Originally posted by dan sw fl

Originally posted by ladyremodeler
... , with 900 square feet and 2 bedrooms/1 bath, the kitchen and den are open, is one return enough??

THREE Returns are required!
One in each bedroom and one for open areas.


Dan...why do you say 3 returns are required in this 900 sq. ft. without seeing it?...maybe the structure needs only 1 central return.....

[dan sw fl]

Originally posted by frigetater

Originally posted by dan sw fl

Originally posted by ladyremodeler
... , with 900 square feet and 2 bedrooms/1 bath, the kitchen and den are open, is one return enough??

THREE Returns are required!
One in each bedroom and one for open areas.


Dan...why do you say 3 returns are required in this 900 sq. ft. without seeing it?...maybe the structure needs only 1 central return.....

Bedrooms + Central = Total
________ 2 + 1 = 3

[comfortdoc]

Originally posted by frigetater

Originally posted by dan sw fl

Originally posted by ladyremodeler
... , with 900 square feet and 2 bedrooms/1 bath, the kitchen and den are open, is one return enough??

THREE Returns are required!
One in each bedroom and one for open areas.


Dan...why do you say 3 returns are required in this 900 sq. ft. without seeing it?...maybe the structure needs only 1 central return.....

If you close the bedroom doors without a return air path airflow balance will be affected. Ducted returns are best for balancing. Jumper ducts would work also.

Pass through grilles or undercut doors are an option, but IMO not the ideal solution since this is new construction. In remodeling one or the other are sometimes the only choice.

[dan sw fl]

Originally posted by ladyremodeler
... , with 900 square feet and 2 bedrooms/1 bath, the kitchen and den are open, is one return enough??

Florida Mechanical code
which is basically derived from ICC.

" 601.4 Balanced return air.

Restricted return air occurs in buildings when returns are located in central zones and closed interior doors impede air flow to the return grill or when ceiling spaces are used as return plenums and fire walls restrict air movement from one portion of the return plenum to another.

Provisions shall be made in both residential and commercial buildings to avoid unbalanced air flows and pressure differentials caused by restricted return air.

Pressure differentials across closed doors where returns are centrally located shall be limited to 0.01 inch WC (2.5 pascals) or less.

Pressure differentials across fire walls in ceiling space plenums shall be limited to 0.01 inch WC (2.5 pascals) by providing air duct pathways or air transfer pathways from the high pressure zone to the low zone.

Exceptions:

1. Transfer ducts may achieve this by increasing the return transfer one and one-half times the cross-sectional area (square inches) of the supply duct entering the room or space it is serving and the door having at least an unrestricted 1-inch (25 mm) undercut to achieve proper return air balance.

2. Transfer grilles shall use 50 square inches (.03 m 2 ) (of grille area) to 100 cfm (.05 m 3 /s) (of supply air) for sizing through-the-wall transfer grilles and using an unrestricted 1-inch (25 mm) undercutting of doors to achieve proper return air balance.

3. Habitable rooms only shall be required to meet these requirements for proper balanced return air excluding bathrooms, closets, storage rooms and laundry rooms, except that
all supply air into the master suite shall be included. "


I understand that
most states should have this requirement by now.

[dan sw fl]

http://www.iccsafe.org/news/about/#pubs

http://www.iccsafe.org/e/prodcat.html?catid=C-A&pcats=ICCSafe


[Edited by dan sw fl on 11-23-2006 at 06:34 AM]

[coolguysfl]

If you were building in Fl. - it would'nt pass code w/o a return in each bed room.

[ladyremodeler]

Is a 2 ton unit appropriate? GA

[too tall terry]

Originally posted by ladyremodeler
Is a 2 ton unit appropriate? GA yes,for the square footage you gave,a 2 ton unit should do fine.......of the three you had to choose from,i would pick the Tempstar