Always ask an Expert

[Janeinorlando]

It's warm in Florida so the A/C portion of a new heat pump I'm considering is probably more important than the heating portion. That being said, with all the rebates and tax credits, the HVAC company we've had a good history with has suggested purchasing either a 4 ton YORK Affinity 18 (with a 17 SEER rating) or a Lennox Signature 19 (with a 16.60 SEER rating) The Trane units they sell only have ratings of 15 SEER compared to the other brands.
I've read enough to know that I should consider not only SEER but EER & HSPF as well and can't seem to find these numbers anywhere, nor does anyone mention if they are Energy Star rated . Several website reviews I've read (not on this site) from Lennox owners have scared me off. I've seen nothing bad about York, is no news good news? Is it true nothing can stop a TRANE or am I just listening to advertising? Any other suggestions would help - your expertise is priceless!

[vstech]

equipment is equipment. it's all pretty much the same. proper installation is key to system function and longevity. I've seen tranes fail in the first month, and I've seen builder model knocacheepies last for 20+ years! service, and installation make all the difference.
look online or ask your local city hall for a list of referrals. word of mouth is the best method of finding issues with an installer.
find the best installer, and get a good quote. you will be much happier than choosing a brand of equipment.

[Shophound]

It's been said before but it bears repeating: installation quality can make low end equipment perform either fabulously or horribly; the same applies to high end equipment. Many a wonderful system by many a manufacturer has been driven into the ground by poor installation quality.

The list to assure a quality installation is long and likely foreign language to you, but nevertheless I would want references from anyone proposing to install HVAC in my home, and I would verify those references, asking if each person is happy with the PERFORMANCE of their system. In the end, performance is all that really matters with HVAC.

[gary_g]

I've read enough to know that I should consider not only SEER but EER & HSPF as well and can't seem to find these numbers anywhere, nor does anyone mention if they are Energy Star rated

Post exact model numbers of the condenser (outdoor unit) and matching air handler (indoor unit), and one of us will use the AHRI Directory to provide the SEER / EER / HSPF and btu output.

Take care.

[Janeinorlando]

the model numbers are as follows:

Trane Outdoor unit: XP14049
Trane Indoor Unit: CBX27UH048

York Outdoor:YZH048
York Indoor:MV16CN21YE36960

I'm wary of the Lennox - about 4-6 people wished they had not bought them
and they mentonied ongoing service problems

[ibis1]

What part of Florida do you live in? I live in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale) and we have such little demand for heat that a heat pump is overkill. I have not used "any" heat for several years. All I have are 10kw heat strips which if it does get cold are worthless, but there are a lot of modern space heaters which do well for most rooms. Heat pumps cost more to buy and maintain, use that money for a more efficent unit or with more comfort features. ibis1:patriot:

[gary_g]

Trane Outdoor unit: XP14049
Trane Indoor Unit: CBX27UH048

That is a Lennox, not Trane, and the outdoor unit should be XP14048.
It's also the XP14 Series, not the 19 Series.

AHRI Reference# 1292615
48,500 btu cooling, 12.5 EER, 15 SEER, 47,000 btu heating at 47F, 8.5 HSPF, 29,200 btu heating at 17F.


The XP19 is:
AHRI Reference# 1145196
46,500 btu cooling, 12.6 EER, 16.6 SEER, 44,500 btu heating at 47F, 9 HSPF, 26,400 btu heating at 17F




York Outdoor:YZH048
York Indoor:MV16CN21YE36960


AHRI Reference# 3372049
46,500 btu cooling, 12.5 EER, 17 SEER, 47,000 btu heating at 47F, 9.3 HSPF, 31,600 btu heating at 17F.

That York match-up uses a 3rd party ADP evaporator coil.

All 3 systems qualify for the $1500 Fed Energy Tax Credit (15 SEER and 12.5 EER and 8.5 HSPF).

Good luck.

[Janeinorlando]

HI
I'm in Orlando and the system we have uses the strips which are pretty worthless. Our unit is OLD and we need to replace it -the pressures are off due to age and it has long long run times. It is past it's prime and has really begun to show it's age with increased power bills.
I'd rather not use space heaters and my understanding is a heat pump will provide good cooling and savings.
Do you have a preference in the unit? I'm leaning towards a YORK because I've have not read or heard negative any comments

[Janeinorlando]

That is a Lennox, not Trane, and the outdoor unit should be XP14048.
It's also the XP14 Series, not the 19 Series.

AHRI Reference# 1292615
48,500 btu cooling, 12.5 EER, 15 SEER, 47,000 btu heating at 47F, 8.5 HSPF, 29,200 btu heating at 17F.


The XP19 is:
AHRI Reference# 1145196
46,500 btu cooling, 12.6 EER, 16.6 SEER, 44,500 btu heating at 47F, 9 HSPF, 26,400 btu heating at 17F




AHRI Reference# 3372049
46,500 btu cooling, 12.5 EER, 17 SEER, 47,000 btu heating at 47F, 9.3 HSPF, 31,600 btu heating at 17F.

That York match-up uses a 3rd party ADP evaporator coil.

All 3 systems qualify for the $1500 Fed Energy Tax Credit (15 SEER and 12.5 EER and 8.5 HSPF).

Good luck.
Thank you for the help!
The fist set of numbers were provided by the our HVAC company and they've got them listed under Trane - that's not good!

The numbers you provided for the YORK mentioned a 3rd party ADP evaporator coil, is a 3rd party evaporator coil a strike against the system?

[Janeinorlando]

What part of Florida do you live in? I live in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale) and we have such little demand for heat that a heat pump is overkill. I have not used "any" heat for several years. All I have are 10kw heat strips which if it does get cold are worthless, but there are a lot of modern space heaters which do well for most rooms. Heat pumps cost more to buy and maintain, use that money for a more efficent unit or with more comfort features. ibis1:patriot:
You said "Heat pumps cost more to buy and maintain, use that money for a more efficent unit or with more comfort features"
What should one look for if everyone I talk with only pushes heatpumps?

[gary_g]

Thank you for the help!
The fist set of numbers were provided by the our HVAC company and they've got them listed under Trane - that's not good!

And it's an XP14, not an XP19. The XP14 should be significantly less expensive than the XP19.



The numbers you provided for the YORK mentioned a 3rd party ADP evaporator coil, is a 3rd party evaporator coil a strike against the system?

It's not a strike against the system, it's just something that you should be aware of. Make sure that the same warranty applies to the ADP coil (10 years or whatever is York's standard warranty).

Take care.

[gary_g]

What should one look for if everyone I talk with only pushes heatpumps?

The other choice would be a straight a/c condenser (instead of a heat pump condenser) with electric resistance strips in the air handler (for heat).

[Janeinorlando]

Would any of those qualify for the tax credit?
the heat strip in the unit we have now (about 12 years old) are ineffective - do the new units work better?
Are these units as energy effcient as heat pumps?

[bmathews]

The other choice would be a straight a/c condenser (instead of a heat pump condenser) with electric resistance strips in the air handler (for heat).

This is the logical and most economical answer if you live in an area that you use little or no heat. But you need to make sure you can qualify for any rebates and tax breaks as well as it doesn't violate any codes where you live. If you install this in my area, no matter how high a seer rating you can get, you can kiss rebates goodbye. Depending on which town you put it in, you probably won't pass inspection, if you pass inspection somewhere else and you try to sell your house, you might run into hassles.

[gary_g]

Would any of those qualify for the tax credit?
the heat strip in the unit we have now (about 12 years old) are ineffective - do the new units work better?
Are these units as energy effcient as heat pumps?

Straight a/c systems have higher efficiency requirements for the Fed Tax Credit. They must meet 16 SEER and 13 EER (both must be met). Heat pumps are 15 SEER and 12.5 EER and 8.5 HSPF (all 3 must be met).

If your current heat strips are "inneffective", they are probably broken. Think of the heat strips as the heating elements in a hair dryer. They work the same way.

Electric heat strips are expensive to run, but you are in Florida, so you probably won't use them much.

Do you use any heat in the winter? Do you have a winter?

Take care.

[ibis1]

You said "Heat pumps cost more to buy and maintain, use that money for a more efficent unit or with more comfort features"
What should one look for if everyone I talk with only pushes heatpumps?

If you really require that much heat, a heat pump would be the way to go. My point was that you need A/C 12 months of the year and should require a unit that will control humidity well. With rebates (manufacturer and utility co.) and the gov. tax "credit" you should be able to get a high line, high seer unit at a 30% to 50% cost reduction and your comfort and IAQ should make you very happy. Of course all that is avalible with a heat pump as well, but with additional cost, for may be 3 weeks worth of heat. Good luck which ever way you decide to go. ibis1:patriot:

[dash]

Depends on what temps you like in your home.We are due west of Orlando,and for most people a heat pump is the better choice,without it their electric bill for strip heaters would be more for November thru February than the summer bills.


Now if you like indoor temps of 60°F overnight,then strip heat might be a good choice.We have likely sold one or two a year for the last 30 years.

[Huntmastr1]

I live on the Gulf Coast of Texas and a little more north than you. Even so I have a high effeciency heat pump in my personal residence. I am very please with the operation of the heat pump which provides good heat in this climate and definately reduces my monthly bill during the colder months.
My system is even one of the "less expensive" lines.
York would be good.


Just my opinion, good luck
Jeff

[beenthere]

On the York.
Ask them for a price on the YZH04811, using a MC48D coil (Thats a York coil), and a MV20D blower.
16.3 SEER, 12.5 EER, 9.3 HSPF.

AHRI#1416398