Looking for recomendations in Louisiana

[kd5pck]

I think I am finally ready to start looking for a contractor to replace my heat pump. Is it cool to ask here for recommendations? I am not looking to conduct my business here on this forum, I just don't want to waste time calling every flashy ad in the yellow pages.

I would also like to get some input from a contractor located in Louisiana on this forum about my options on a new central air/heat system. Is that allowed? Thanks!

[tigerdunes]

kd

coastal location or inland?

these are my minimum specs for a new HP system. both outside and inside units should be replaced to have a properly matched system.

15 SEER, 12.5+ EER, 9 HSPF
best matching VS air handler
full BTUs in both cooling and heating for your rated size
R-410a refrigerant(same as Puron)
scroll compressor preferred
electronic demand defrost preferred
thermostat with "dehumidify on demand" feature
staged backup heat strips
new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset

you want a thorough inspection of your ductwork system. size, overall condition, supply and return lines, insulation qualities, leak test, etc.

any hot/cold spot issues in your home should be addressed.

I would only use authorized dealers for the various brands that provide quotes. see mfg websites.

I would look at Trane/AmStd,Rheem/Rudd,Carrier/Bryant.

I would not purchase a new HP system that did not have electronic demand defrost.

IMO
Good Luck!

[kd5pck]

I live in Mandeville. If you're familliar with the are, you know the type of weather we get here. This past two weeks have been an exception to the rule. we normally don't get this many days in a row with temps in the 20's.

You've given me some info. to start with. May start lining up estimates next week after doing some more research online.

What do you think about regular electric heat vs. a heat pump?

[kd5pck]

By the way, I figured that replacing the outside unit and the inside air handler together made sense. I'd rather have a system that is made to work together. But do I need to replace the duct work as well? I suppose it wouldn't hurt.

[keeplearnin]

I would def. go with a heat pump with aux. heat strips as a back up. Straight heat strips are expensive to operate and don't produce the heat like heat pump will. Tigerdunes pretty much nailed it.

[tigerdunes]

kd

I personally think Trane/AmStd HP systems hold up better in a coastal environment.

I am not saying to replace ductwork. But quoting dealers should make a thorough inspection. If you have any hot/cold spots in home, these need to be pointed out and addressed for correction/improvement.

with current temps as you describe, I think high eff HP is a much better choice than AC with heat strips. Heat strips by themselves are mighty expensive. Plus there is always re-sale consideration to think about. What do your neighbors have?

are you heating now with just heat strips?

IMO
Good Luck!

[kd5pck]

I've noticed in the neighboorhood that a few houses have Goodman unitsoutside, like I do. I figure they are all heat pumps originally installed by the builder. Some houses have newer units that most likely were replaced since tehy purchased their home.

Right now I am limping along on the emergency heat setting.

I am reading what Rheem has available on their website. I used to work in the plumbing supply business and sold Rheem/Ruud water heaters exclusively. If their reputation for heating/cooling systems is the same as the water heaters, I feel comfortable going with them.

Can you explaing to me what a scroll compressor is vs. any other type available?

Thanks.

[tigerdunes]

kd

why are you on emergency heat now-outside condensor broken?

how old is Goodman system?

Rheem along with sister company Rudd make solid HVAC and HPs depending on model. They are an often overlooked and underated brand.

the industry has made a move toward the scroll compressor vs a reciprocating compressor. I suspect a major reason is pricing as most decisions are made. reliability, less moving parts are other factors. use Google for more info on the subject.

IMO

[kd5pck]

Yes, I had a service tech out yesterday to figure out why the fuses are blowing in the disconnect box. He told me the compressor was bad and woudl need to be replaced along with the dryer and defrost board. I was also having some ice form on the outside of the cabinet before the fuses decided to blow. I'm tired of replacing parts. Just had the heat strip and the contactor changed on Dec.7 and now this. So I am on the search for a new system.

I'm not sure what is the outside unit or the air handler but this is what is from the service ticket:

Model A36-10 serial number 9710077713
Model CPKJ36-1AB serial number 9706130191

[keeplearnin]

Heat strip and contactor changed hmmmm, interesting, I guess no signs of trouble at that time eh?

[keeplearnin]

kd5pck I'm in NOLA if you need some help e-mail your phone #, just look on my public profile.

[kd5pck]

The only problems I were having at that time was no heat. It wasn't two days after that I had to replace teh sequencer as well. It was physically broken. The tech spent about an hour in the attic and never noticed this...or broke it himself and left it like that.

[keeplearnin]

They do get very fragile after so many years and if not careful they will fall apart very easily. Not saying the tech did it but I have had a few fall apart so I carry some extras.

[keeplearnin]

No heat is a big problem in winter but there was probably another problem at the time besides a contactor.

[keeplearnin]

How are the new heat strips working?

[kd5pck]

I'm not saying he broke it eiteher. Who knows what happened to it? But it needed to be replaced. So if I keep this up I will have a whole new system built piece by piece.

The heat strips work, but I'm only getting about 60-65 degrees. I would like it warmer.

[tigerdunes]

kd

It appears your Goodman HP is a three ton.

Considering your location, I suspect you might have a small heat strip. Any idea of its size?

IMO

[kd5pck]

It's a 10kw strip. I think the original was like 8 or 9kw but the supply house didn't have that in stock so he installed the 10kw.

[tigerdunes]

kd

10KW heat strip ought to be doing better than 60-65 degrees inside temp.

or is that your supply register temp?

10 KW strip produces about 35 KBTUs.

what are your outside temps?

IMO

[kd5pck]

10kw is the strip he installed. I got that info. from his invoice. I think the low this morning was 20-21 degrees. I'm getting the inside temperature reading from the thermostat. It's an old mercury thermostat so it's not all that accurate but that's where the needle has been resting, bewtween the 60 and 65 mark.