HON IAQ or VisionPro? New refrig. line??

[CottyGee]

Two questions...


Just learned the thermostats will be Honeywell VisionPro 8000s.

I'll be running: Honeywell ERV on one system Honeywell HEPAs on both systems. No humidifier Here in Phoenix, latent heat isn't an issue ("it's a DRY 115ºF heat!")

- Should I consider popping for the IAQ?



Salesman quoted for reusing the existing 15 yr. old R22 refrigerant line from my 5 ton split system Trane builder model heatpump condenser unit. The new heatpump on that pad will be a 3 ton Amana ASZ16 R410a system.

- Should the R22 line be replaced since the new system is R410a, or is it reasonable to reuse it?
- Would the size right going from a 5T R22 to 3T R410a system?

[mark beiser]

Umm, replace the refrigerant lines!

Not only does it remove any doubt about contamination, or possible kinks in the lines in areas that can't be seen, but the lines for your existing 5 ton system, likely 7/8 suction and 3/8 liquid, are considerably oversized for a 3 ton R-410a system.
It will work with 7/8x3/8 lines if the lines just can't be changed, but will cause the system to hold significantly more refrigerant than with the correctly sized lines, and have potential for compressor reliability issues.

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

CG,
Why don't you just make one thread with all of your questions in it?
Do you ask your contractor these questions or don't you trust him.

Maybe you can purchase this job in less posts than it takes you to buy a simple wrist watch. (400)

[hvaclogic]

CG,
Why don't you just make one thread with all of your questions in it?
Do you ask your contractor these questions or don't you trust him.

Maybe you can purchase this job in less posts than it takes you to buy a simple wrist watch. (400)

I've been thinking the same thing for a couple of days now.

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

haha! Do a google search on CottyGee for a little insight...

You'll find 10 million posts before he buys a new car, 500 posts about what oil to put in it when its time for maintenence, and then on another forum over 400 posts about what wrist watch to buy.

he'll have 1000 posts here before his job is complete and his contractor slits his wrists!:D

[smokin68]

Per CottyGee:

I have no doubt the situation is exactly as you describe. The 15 yr. relationship MIGHT carry weight with the A/C contractor and he MIGHT be willing to cut a tempting deal.

I agree with you this would be the riskiest possible thing I could do. Of that I have no doubt! The deal would have to be "smokin'" enuf for me to hire people to ensure that it's done right - like a lawyer and an HVAC pro of some variety. It likely wouldn't be pretty. And I'm not likely to do that direction. Besides, I'm probably going to be offered something like $1,000 off, and that's not NEAR enough to make it a worthwhile gamble... But it's it's ten times that amount (HA!)...



You'll be lucky if they don't re-use your airfilter,let alone your lineset. New t-stat??? Sure. Time to come out of Never-Never Land.

[hvaclogic]

Per CottyGee:

I have no doubt the situation is exactly as you describe. The 15 yr. relationship MIGHT carry weight with the A/C contractor and he MIGHT be willing to cut a tempting deal.

I agree with you this would be the riskiest possible thing I could do. Of that I have no doubt! The deal would have to be "smokin'" enuf for me to hire people to ensure that it's done right - like a lawyer and an HVAC pro of some variety. It likely wouldn't be pretty. And I'm not likely to do that direction. Besides, I'm probably going to be offered something like $1,000 off, and that's not NEAR enough to make it a worthwhile gamble... But it's it's ten times that amount (HA!)...



You'll be lucky if they don't re-use your airfilter,let alone your lineset. New t-stat??? Sure. Time to come out of Never-Never Land.


:D :D

[CottyGee]

CG,
Why don't you just make one thread with all of your questions in it?
Because I haven't thought of the questions. I post 'em as they come up.


Do you ask your contractor these questions or don't you trust him.
No. My "contractor" is a salesman. No, I don't trust him. Salesmen aren't meant to be trusted, are they?:D I trust the company, their reputation, their process - specifically that they did a ManJ and ManD.

Add to that, when I call my salesman, he never answers - it ALWAYS goes to voicemail. And it might be two days before I get an answer, and then the answer isn't from someone with technical knowledge.

[CottyGee]

Per CottyGee:

I have no doubt the situation is exactly as you describe. The 15 yr. relationship MIGHT carry weight with the A/C contractor and he MIGHT be willing to cut a tempting deal.

I agree with you this would be the riskiest possible thing I could do. Of that I have no doubt! The deal would have to be "smokin'" enuf for me to hire people to ensure that it's done right - like a lawyer and an HVAC pro of some variety. It likely wouldn't be pretty. And I'm not likely to do that direction. Besides, I'm probably going to be offered something like $1,000 off, and that's not NEAR enough to make it a worthwhile gamble... But it's it's ten times that amount (HA!)...



You'll be lucky if they don't re-use your airfilter,let alone your lineset. New t-stat??? Sure. Time to come out of Never-Never Land.
I'm not going with that company. They've dropped the ball. It seems obvious that they're dragging their feet. They don't want the job, so I'm going with a company that has a much better reputation.

This company with a good reputation is talking about reusing the 5T R22 refrig line for the 3T 410a unit.

[Shophound]

This company with a good reputation is talking about reusing the 5T R22 refrig line for the 3T 410a unit.

As Mark said, don't let them do this. Replace the lineset and be done with it. Size should match what Amana specifies. It'll add a little cost up front but save you possible headaches down the road. Spend a little now, live a lot better long term.

Are you going two stage cooling for each system? Refresh my mind...are both heat pump systems? Variable speed blowers indoors? Is your house infiltration rate low enough to justify an ERV? HEPA filters require no power. Dehumidification is not a concern...not sure an IAQ would give you an edge over a standard 8321 VisionPro. That stat alone has a lot of capability. IAQ has a bit more but is especially handy if only three or four wires are going to old thermostat location and system would require more for staging and other add-on goodies.

[CottyGee]

As Mark said, don't let them do this. Replace the lineset and be done with it. Size should match what Amana specifies. It'll add a little cost up front but save you possible headaches down the road. Spend a little now, live a lot better long term.

Are you going two stage cooling for each system? Refresh my mind...are both heat pump systems? Variable speed blowers indoors? Is your house infiltration rate low enough to justify an ERV? HEPA filters require no power. Dehumidification is not a concern...not sure an IAQ would give you an edge over a standard 8321 VisionPro. That stat alone has a lot of capability. IAQ has a bit more but is especially handy if only three or four wires are going to old thermostat location and system would require more for staging and other add-on goodies.
2-stage cooling for each system - yes.
Both heatpumps w/ variable speed air handlers.
Infiltration was 0.2, w/ 0.35 recommended. Wife w/ asthsma & allergies, so IAQ is important.

Thanks, Shophound. I'll make 'em do the new line and be done with it.


I'm still trying to figure out the Indoor Coil Freeze Protection Kit. My salesguy sez it's not needed in Az.