Converting Heat Pump Setup

[JohnBurns]

I presently have a Trane Over and Under Package Heat Pump which is 20 years old and starting to cause me problems. It is a 2 1/2 ton Trane and has serviced the area (1000 square feet) adequately. This is a patio home and has limited space for locating the unit. Replacement of the unit with another over and under by Trane or American Standard is going to cost about $6,000 per estimates obtained from local companies.

My question is whether there is a way to adapt the present set up with over and under ducting so I could install a side by side unit, which would be more readily available and considerable less expensive. I would appreciate any suggestions which might give me a clue about how to go about this the most economical and workable way. Thanks.

[gevans]

If you have enough clearance, you can reconfigure the ductwork to side by side. If you don't have the clearance, you can use a "twister" joint. Any GOOD sheet metal shop can spit one out.

[sammy37]

I dont know if you have alot of roof top units where you live, but here in Vegas and Phoenix there are tons of over under setups that have been converted to side by side by simply using a single changeover thransition that goes between the new unit and your existing elbow.

[beenthere]

Still could cost about the same.

[JohnBurns]

I dont know if you have alot of roof top units where you live, but here in Vegas and Phoenix there are tons of over under setups that have been converted to side by side by simply using a single changeover thransition that goes between the new unit and your existing elbow.
Thanks for responses - I'm not sure what you mean by "a single changeover transition that goes between the new unit and my existing elbow". Is this a ready made type item, or do you have to have it made especially for the unit? I don't have roof-top, but I do have concrete slab with limited space in a fence enclosed area where the unit must go. It could be increased larger than it presently is, but not a huge amount.

[sammy37]

Your contracter will measure your old supply and return opening and then whether he makes the transition himself or submits it to a sheet metal shop, they will have the specs on the new unit to make the transition match up to both. I dont know how much space you have to lose, but some transitions can take up to a couple of feet or more in space, maybe less, depends on the size of the openings on the new unit. Bard is another company that makes a good over/under unit, just something else to consider.

[Kevin O'Neill]

2.5 tons seems big for 1000 sq ft. You may be able to use a 2 ton. Did you have a Manual J load calculation done??

[JohnBurns]

Did you have a Manual J load calculation done??

No, Kevin, I didn't - I don't even know what it is - none of the companies who came out offered such a calculation.

[dash]

Man. J is the industry standard to determine the correct system size.

If you have added insulation,changed windows out,etc.,you may need a smaller system,or your system may have been oversized all along.

The fitting that you need to convert to a side by side ,is restrictive to air flow,so if you can use a smaller system,there would be less air flow ,which would help compensate for the adde fitting.

The fitting will require some extra space between the existing oevr/under ducts and the new unit.Not sure ,but could be two feet,to give you an idea of the space needed.The side by side will likely by much wider the the existing unit as well.

[JohnBurns]

Thanks for the input, dash. After researching firms locally, I think I will just stick with the over and under unit ( both American Standard and Trane make them) and there would be no space problem, etc. etc.

If that unit lasts another 20 years, I shouldn't have to worry about replacing it - I will be 93 years old and either dead or in a nursing home - lol. Appreciate all the input - I'm always trying to make things difficult, I guess. Anyway, thanks.