Getting a new HP

[TroubleinTN]

Hello folks, recently moved to Tennessee from Florida, bought this house because it was in a good location, and in reasonable shape for one built in 1950. Except the electrical system (sigh, ungrounded 3-prong outlets and exposed splices) and the HVAC, which is a bit old on the outside, and not so good on the inside either. The outside unit is a GE model, with estimates to age being 15-30 years. Label faded so not sure. The inside is an American Standard from 1993 with an electronic air cleaner from White-Rodgers which is at least new enough to have a web address on it. So I'll probably leave that in place.

I figured when buying the house that it'd be tops on my replacement list, and since it broke a couple of times over the winter (covered by warranty, but still cold...brr!), now is the time to get it done. It froze up inside, which the service guy told me something's likely leaking in there, so I'm betting those pipes will need replacement too.

Here's a link to pictures of what I currently have:

img515.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=dscn5920.jpg

Tell me if you see something that needs to be fixed, or just strikes you as something to worry about.

Had a number of people come out, they've all come across as decent enough, and the performance of the systems at least in terms of tonnage is the same as the current unit, whether or not they did a manual J. So I'm not going to worry about that. If it's not enough, well, I'm planning on putting in some insulation improvements as well, hopefully it won't be off by too much.

One of the units offered was a Trane XB14 or something, which I think I'll pass on as it seems to be their entry level unit, another was from a box store, and used re-branded Carriers, good, but I've heard enough to worry about their installs and the one I'm thinking about now which is a Trane XL16i. But one thing that troubles me is that the guy said he was giving me a discount because he had it sitting on his dock and wanted to get rid of it. I can imagine somebody might have a unit come in extra, due to a customer canceling, or heck somebody ordering the wrong model or size, and he wants to get rid of it. Or is this guy just pushing something on me?

But I want to know if that's a decent unit on its own, and if there's anything I should know about it, or just if there's anything odd about my install now that I should worry about getting fixed when a new one is put in.

[REP]

Well the last GE equipment were manufacturered in 1983 so you have gotten very good life from the outside unit.GE is now called Trane/American Standard.
The Trane dealer that you have contacted could very well have a 16 seer in his inventory,,,who knows,but it is a very good unit.
The inside unit is newer than the outside unit for sure but if you want to get the full effenciency you must get a matched system.I would for sure get the 10 yr parts and labor extended warranty.
I would for sure demand a load calc from any contractor that wants your business.
Only the lesser non trained contractors will not provide this service.
What ever contractor you end up with,you will want to know how long he has been in business.You will want a list( with at least 10 names on it) from him of prior customers of up to 4-5-6 years old so that you can find out what kind of service he has provided them.You will want to know if his company has had factory training on the equipment he wants to put in your house ( a TRane dealer with a trane title of "comfort specialist" will definetely have this training).Of course you want to know if he is bonded or insured,in other words will he be around for a while to take care of your needs.Does he have 24/7 service ,does he have an office where you can find him if you need to.This stuff is not cheap so you have every right to ask any and all these questions.
Hope this helps.

[TroubleinTN]

Well the last GE equipment were manufacturered in 1983 so you have gotten very good life from the outside unit.

Well, not me, but the original owners. Me, well, I got a couple of chilly months this winter. Then again the repair guy never went outside, so it probably wasn't the problem anyway.


The inside unit is newer than the outside unit for sure but if you want to get the full effenciency you must get a matched system.

The quote is for a full replacement with everything but the air cleaner, that I'm undecided upon. An electronic unit may not be better than every possible option, but it's not worth replacing the one that is there yet. It is quite new from what I can tell and I can stand to wash it once a month.