Replacing Ceiling Fan Coil System.

[glenns530]

I'm in the market to replace my 30yo 1464sqft Fox & Jacobs home, in Fort Worth,TX. This home uses a furr down duct with a 3ton First Co HXD ceiling fan coil air handler over the master tub/shower. Electric Furnace. 2.5ton Miller condenser. Attic has 1.5" rockwool and R30 bats on top. The air handler and condenser are 15yr+.

I've had several bids try to convince me to convert to a standard attic installation which requires running new ducts. This is too expensive. I've found that First Co is still in business and has a 3Ton heat pump unit that can run R22 or 410. So I'm leaning towards using them again. My 15yr+ system has never caused me a problem. It just has trouble getting down below 75 during the summer and the electric heat bill this winter was very high for a home cold enough to hang meat.

One of the HVAC companies has given me a quotes for this system with a Lennox or CoAire http://coaire.com 3T 13SEER heat pump. Any opinions on the CoAire?

In addition, I've run several online calculators and they keep coming up with 2.5T. But the HVAC co says the extra 1/2 ton is because of the high static air pressure of the furr down duct system. Is this true?

I would like to be able to cool down to 73 during the summer and efficiently heat to 71 during the winter.

BTW, I'm about to blow in another 3 - 6" of insulation into the attic. This will raise me to R41 - R49.

Thanks,
Glenn

[Kevin O'Neill]

If the load calc says 2.5 ton & you can't cool the house enough with a 3 ton, you are missing something. Maybe high infiltration or leaky ducts.

Adding 1/2 ton for restricted ducts makes no sense if they are installing new ducts.

If you have high electric bills, why bid a 13 SEER system. Go high efficiency to get those bills down.

The extra insulation is a good idea.

[glenns530]

I can't go higher than 13 SEER using the above the shower furr down and First Co ceiling fan coil.

The more efficient system would require new ducts and attic modifications. It would push $8 - $10K. I cannot see doing that in this house.

The high electric bill was cause we got down in the teens and I have only 10K electric heat. No heat pump. The new system will be heat pump.

They're not running new ducts. Except maybe one new one because the living area has only one large register.

BTW - First Company said the Lennox and CoAire aren't compatible. Looks like it will be a Carrier Comfort series.

[bmathews]

Check out the parts warranty on the First Co. fur down. It might only be a 1 year. I can't remember. You also might look into a Goodman fur down as well. They do make very good niche products. Since they make the fur down and condensers, they might have a higher matched seer heat pump system.

[glenns530]

Thanks. You're right, First Co is only a yr. Checked out Goodman and it looks like their ceiling mounted air handlers are only electric heat.

[bmathews]

Thanks. You're right, First Co is only a yr. Checked out Goodman and it looks like their ceiling mounted air handlers are only electric heat.

All air handlers only have electric heat. The air handler does not dictate whether it is a heat pump. The outside unit is the heat pump. Not the inside portion. We've installed several Goodman furdowns with a heat pumps with no issue.

[glenns530]

OK. First Company appears to sell one that is electric heat only and one that supports Heat pump. That is why I thought it was electric only. I'll ask the sales rep if he can get Goodman. If it has a longer warranty that makes sense. Still my First co has run 15 yrs with only and issue with a clogged drain and re-insulate the cold line.

[glenns530]

Forgot to ask, what is the max SEER and EER for Goodman's air handler?

[pstevens]

Does any one know if you can just buy replacement covers (drop down) for the furnace that are above the bathtub? Patti

[glenns530]

I see that both Goodman and First Company sell this as accessories, so I would have to say yes. But you'll have to buy it from and HVAC co. Home Depot and Lowes will never carry it.

[glenns530]

Installation question. When they install above the shower, should there be a return duct connecting to the unit to avoid picking up air directly from the bathroom?