High Efficiency Heat Pump Condensing Unit Height

[RoseRx]

It seems like most 4 ton 18SEER heat pump condensing units are 44" tall or even taller, which presents a problem when you are installing below a window, although Amana, Goodman and Rheem are 38" tall or less. I know the new units are pretty quiet, but who wants to look out at a condensing unit?

[BaldLoonie]

Rheem's top unit is 33" tall in a 4 ton. If in a cold climate, add for pump ups. But if you want efficiency you get size!

[catmanacman]

It seems like most 4 ton 18SEER heat pump condensing units are 44" tall or even taller, which presents a problem when you are installing below a window, although Amana, Goodman and Rheem are 38" tall or less. I know the new units are pretty quiet, but who wants to look out at a condensing unit?

after paying good money for it I would:grin2: it does create a problem some times although most times you can move it a couple of feet one way or the other, I have also completely relocated them

[RoseRx]

In my case, relocating or moving a meter L or R may not work out. I guess Goodman's 5mm SmartCoil technology makes for a shorter condensing unit.

[hvacvegas]

In my case, relocating or moving a meter L or R may not work out. I guess Goodman's 5mm SmartCoil technology makes for a shorter condensing unit.

Those units are the same size as before smart coil. It's not in 4 ton 18 seer. Anything in the 18 seer goodman/amana line is freaking fat. especially 4-5 tons.

[tedkidd]

Fix the house, put in a 2 ton. It'll be a lot smaller, quieter, more comfortable and smaller energy bills.

Post pics of air handler, you may be surprised to find you don't really have 4 tons of airflow.

[RoseRx]

I thought the whole Amana/Goodman 18 SEER 3, 4 & 5 ton line are 35" W x 35" D, which is pretty standard amongst all mfrs, except for maybe Rheem?

[hvacvegas]

I thought the whole Amana/Goodman 18 SEER 3, 4 & 5 ton line are 35" W x 35" D, which is pretty standard amongst all mfrs, except for maybe Rheem?

Yeah, their 35x35. Which is freakin huge. I dunno if thats standard across mfgs.

Their not smart coils though.

[RoseRx]

Just from a casual and not a scientific observation, but the Amana/Goodman footprint and skyprint is one of the smallest. Does size matter when it comes to HVAC units?

[Kevin O'Neill]

Just from a casual and not a scientific observation, but the Amana/Goodman footprint and skyprint is one of the smallest. Does size matter when it comes to HVAC units?

Bigger is always better!:grin2::angel:

Actually there are several ways to improve efficiency. A bigger coil is one of them. Or you can make a 2 row outdoor coil, with one coil inside another coil. That makes the outdoor unit smaller again. But the space between the coils can collect dirt, which can be hard to clean out.

[RoseRx]

At what point does aesthetics factor into the equation or does size trump appearance?

[hvacvegas]

At what point does aesthetics factor into the equation or does size trump appearance?

At what point does initial cost outweight efficiency? It all depends on manufacturer.

I'll give you one further. At what point does the cost of manufacturering the equitment outweight the size of the unit?

Imagine cell phones. Condensing all that technology into a smaller phone usually costs more than the big ones.

They could probably make a small 18 seer 5 ton unit, but the cost of making the unit would greatly outweigh what a customer would be will to pay, just for aesthetics.

So, in reality, the driving force to the size, is YOU! Goodman's study groups have probably shown that given their current price structure, a person would accept a unit X by X, at X efficiency, at X tonage.

[rickboggs]

At what point does initial cost outweight efficiency? It all depends on manufacturer.

I'll give you one further. At what point does the cost of manufacturering the equitment outweight the size of the unit?

Imagine cell phones. Condensing all that technology into a smaller phone usually costs more than the big ones.

They could probably make a small 18 seer 5 ton unit, but the cost of making the unit would greatly outweigh what a customer would be will to pay, just for aesthetics.

So, in reality, the driving force to the size, is YOU! Goodman's study groups have probably shown that given their current price structure, a person would accept a unit X by X, at X efficiency, at X tonage.
That was a logical post... just look at the mini splits

[hvacvegas]

That was a logical post... just look at the mini splits

exactly. It is possible to acheive high seer, and have a small unit, but it's all about perception of value. How much is it worth to you, to have a small unit? MFG's could use platinum instead of copper, but the cost greatly outweights the benefit.
With a mini-split, the selling point is maximum aestetics, while still doing the job.

Unfortunetly, fujitsu's 26 seer units only come up to 24k(2 ton) (I believe). Thats for wall mount only. Their ducted units are alot lower.

Also, a good thing to point out, is fujitsu's 26 seer rating is at MAXIUMUM effeciency. It's possible to acheive 26 seer, depending on outdoor/indoor temp, what speed it's running in, and humidity levels. All run time SEER averaged together, probably comes alot lower.

[RoseRx]

I agree, most of you professionals are pretty insightful, providing useful practical and theoretical info to the rest of us in a non-condescending manner, which is what separates this site from some of the others.