New System Question re: heat load

[skeksi]

I am brand-new to the HVAC world. I have a 2.5-story split level end unit TH, about 1550 sqft. The 2-ton heat pump is original, 30yrs old, and the a/c is more than ten years old. I am planning on replacing both.

The service guy who advised me to consider replacement said to be sure to get a heat load calculation. When I asked the estimator for one, he said that replacing the heat pump with a smaller one would require duct replacement and be very expensive, so he advised replacement with the same size system.

is this accurate? I am concerned I might be missing an important step.

Of the four systems he recommended, I am considering going with the Carrier 25HPA524A003, FV4BNF002.

Any advice?

Thanks, Skeksi

[skeksi]

& I forgot to add that the house is generally well-heated now without many fluctuations. The 1/2 story bump-out is always chilly in the winter/warm in the summer, though, but it is a ground-level bump-out that is bricked on three sides with just a narrow doorway to the rest of the house. I kind of expect that the temp there will always be a little off.

[beenthere]

If he didn't check the size, and static pressure of your duct work. Then he can't tell if your duct is even sized right for your current 2 ton system.

Vety doubtful that it would be oversized if you dropped 1/2 ton in size.
Call another contractor.

[skeksi]

Thanks for the advice! I've just put another call in.