Benchmark Coils?

[ampulman]

Got quotes from two contractors for replacement a/c. I had specified coils based on my heat calc.

Quotes came back with Benchmark #'s. Tried to get data from BM website; came back "site under construction". I thought this strange, assuming that the company has been in business for some time.

Also, tried submitting model #'s on an ARI form. Apparently, not doing something right, as wasn't recognized. Preliminary Google searching didn't yield any hits.

Need input from PROs regarding BM coils. Hadn't seen them discussed on this forum. Are they as good as other brands?

[ampulman]

I went to ARI site, but couldn't find link to search database.

On Google, was directed to this site: http://www.ceehvacdirectory.org/ac.php

Supposedly, this is to determine if the combo is elegible for a rebate. Was trying to determine Rheem condenser with Benchmark coil. Could only get first 10 records.

Can anyone please advise how to use either site to find out if condenser and coil will provide proposed SEER rating?

Thanks.

AM

[teeoff]

By putting Rheem in the condensing unit brand and Benchmark in the evaporator coil brand, i get 84 combinations. There is a button on the bottom of the page to select the next or previous 10 records. You can input the first few characters of each unit to narrow the search.

[ampulman]

By putting Rheem in the condensing unit brand and Benchmark in the evaporator coil brand, i get 84 combinations. There is a button on the bottom of the page to select the next or previous 10 records. You can input the first few characters of each unit to narrow the search.

Yes, I have tried that. Get the first page. Clicking on next 10 gives a failed message.

AM

[teeoff]

The next 10 button was working for me, but try this link. http://aridirectory.org/ari/ac.php
From there you can search only active combinations under 'Model Status', and Mix-Match only under 'OEM vs. Indep. Coils' .

[RoBoTeq]

I just put a Benchmark coil in my home with a Goodman heat pump. The combination is ARI rated and the system is working very well. Benchmark and other after market coils get better efficiency ratings then many same manufacturer coils do. I went with the Benchmark due to size restrictions and the metal drain pan for my oil furnace application.

Post what the model of your outdoor unit is along with the Benchmark model number.

[ampulman]

I just put a Benchmark coil in my home with a Goodman heat pump. The combination is ARI rated and the system is working very well. Benchmark and other after market coils get better efficiency ratings then many same manufacturer coils do. I went with the Benchmark due to size restrictions and the metal drain pan for my oil furnace application.

Post what the model of your outdoor unit is along with the Benchmark model number.

Thanks Robo. Condenser is Rheem RANL042JAZ. Coil is Benchmark B66A48+X421HV & B72A60+X5/24 (2 contractors).

Related question: I was not looking to oversize my coil at the expense of dehumidification, but rather to match my sensible requirements (30,000). Is either coil oversized?

Teeoff: Tried your link. Got better result, but still can only get first 10 records (shows only one 042 combo).

AM

[BaldLoonie]

Benchmark and other after market coils get better efficiency ratings then many same manufacturer coils do.

Why is that? Better coil or because they aren't actually tested, just computer simulated?

I did notice with some Aspen & ADP ratings with Trane that capacity was very light and sensible heat ratio particularly high though.

[teeoff]

Try putting RANL-042J*Z in the condenser field and select Benchmark for the coil. It only showed 1 combination, the first coil on your list. ARI reference number 1270285.

[RoBoTeq]

Thanks Robo. Condenser is Rheem RANL042JAZ. Coil is Benchmark B66A48+X421HV & B72A60+X5/24 (2 contractors).

Related question: I was not looking to oversize my coil at the expense of dehumidification, but rather to match my sensible requirements (30,000). Is either coil oversized?

Teeoff: Tried your link. Got better result, but still can only get first 10 records (shows only one 042 combo).

AM

Do yourself a favor and call Rheem manufacturing and ask if they will condone an aftermarket coil used with a Rheem outdoor unit. When I repped Rheem/Ruud equipment, Rheem did not allow aftermarket components to be used.

Also, Rheem is one company that does go to market a little differently. Most aftermarket coils simply have too much capacity for Rheem systems due to the use of 3/8" copper in the coils which is larger then what Rheem uses.

[RoBoTeq]

Why is that? Better coil or because they aren't actually tested, just computer simulated?

I did notice with some Aspen & ADP ratings with Trane that capacity was very light and sensible heat ratio particularly high though.

As best I can tell the higher ARI ratings are due to the lax requirements for testing for aftermarket coils. As you state, aftermarket coil manufacturers do not have to physically test their coils with systems, only run a computer simulator. Also, aftermarket coil manufacturers can be up to 10% off while manufactures of matched components running actual physical tests are only allowed a 5% variation.

[ampulman]

As best I can tell the higher ARI ratings are due to the lax requirements for testing for aftermarket coils. As you state, aftermarket coil manufacturers do not have to physically test their coils with systems, only run a computer simulator. Also, aftermarket coil manufacturers can be up to 10% off while manufactures of matched components running actual physical tests are only allowed a 5% variation.

Are you saying that I should stick with the Rheem coil?

AM

[RoBoTeq]

Are you saying that I should stick with the Rheem coil?

AM

I take efficiency ratings with a grain of salt and only really pay attention to efficiency alone when there is some rebate requiring a certain SEER rating, so I would not steer clear of Benchmark due to the ratings.

I would however stay away from any aftermarket coil with a Rheem/Ruud outdoor unit and stay with the Rheem/Ruud matched coil. There is nothing wrong with components from either brand mentioned here. I have just found that just because they are rated does not make aftermarket coils used with Rheem/Ruud equipment a good match.