Condenser Bigger than Evaporator

[ATwistedMax]

Is there a advantage or disadvantage to having a condenser that is bigger than the evaporator? R-22 both 13 SEER

[phbsales]

If anything, you want your evaporator a half ton to a full ton larger than your condenser, not the other way around. The added surface area of the evaporator coil will increase the efficiency of your system.

A larger condenser will add too much strain on the compressor and cause it's failure.

[BaldLoonie]

Only do what is approved by the mfr. There are a few cases I've seen where you can use a .5 ton smaller evap. Increases your sensible-latent split toward the latent side of things. But only if it is rated as a match.

[ATwistedMax]

I live in Houston where we have high humidity. Would a bigger condenser pull out more humidity? This unit is one of two in my house and it serves the upstairs.

[phbsales]

I live in Houston where we have high humidity. Would a bigger condenser pull out more humidity? This unit is one of two in my house and it serves the upstairs.

You will have to have your HVAC service provider do a load calculation on your home to make that sizing determination.

[BaldLoonie]

Look for a member "classical". He's a pro at Houston's humidity removal!

He knows a late member who pushed small evaps to control humidity. But there are other methods too. This guy was a little controversial!

[classical]

If anything, you want your evaporator a half ton to a full ton larger than your condenser, not the other way around. The added surface area of the evaporator coil will increase the efficiency of your system.

A larger condenser will add too much strain on the compressor and cause it's failure.

You should do a little more study before you make statements like that because you are so wrong.

A compressor is a pump it does not care what it is pumping to, as long as the system is setup correctly it will work as long as any other system.

I happen to have a 4-ton coil on my 5-ton condenser and it works perfectly fine and has for almost ten years.

[classical]

To the OP coils do not have SEER ratings they effect the SEER and the EER they also do not have BTU capacities just nominal capacity ratings.

[phbsales]

You should do a little more study before you make statements like that because you are so wrong.



And you should be more considerate to correct me via PM rather than on the open forum. Otherwise nobody learns anything.

[Shophound]

I happen to have a 4-ton coil on my 5-ton condenser and it works perfectly fine and has for almost ten years.

A large part of the SEER game for some time was oversizing condenser coils to lower head pressure. The larger coils also allow greater subcooling of the liquid refrigerant, with a related increase of net refrigerating effect in the evap.

Also, a condenser, in rated heat rejection capacity, would never be sized smaller than the evap's rated heat absorption capacity, because the condenser must not only reject heat picked up from indoors, it must also reject heat of compression plus motor winding heat from the compressor.

[ATwistedMax]

Ok, so there's nothing wrong with me going with a 3.5 ton evap and a 4 ton condenser from what I'm hearing here.

[ATwistedMax]

One more thing, looks to me that new r22 systems only come with 5 year warranties now. True?

[classical]

Ok, so there's nothing wrong with me going with a 3.5 ton evap and a 4 ton condenser from what I'm hearing here.

Not necessarily a good or a bad thing it depends on many factors including quantity and velocity of air across the coil, metering device and the needs of the house. Nothing about this business is cut and dried there are always multiple options that can be explored and considered.

To make an appropriate and rational decision requires a thorough evaluation of your home, your expectations and your budget. When this has been done then you can discuss a practical solution to your needs.

[ATwistedMax]

Thank you for the advice, I will do a load calc and traverse the air handler and then put it all together.

[classical]

Are you a homeowner or a tech. Do you have an idea what you are looking for and what to so with that information once you collect it.

Understand we are not going to nor can we tell you what to do with the information you collect.

If you are a tech get you post count up and apply fro pro status if you are a HO call a pro with the knowledge to address your situation. Depending on your location there are several contractors around Houston that have the skill and knowledge to help you.

[ATwistedMax]

Hey Classic, I'm what you would call a hybrid tech... I work in the energy management industry soo I understand heat load and how it affects system design and response. I am in noo way a refrigerant tech, and I know my limitations. I like to put all of the facts, data and numbers together and analyze and construct a logical solution. I have been in the HVAC industry for over fifteen years and know about HVAC design. I just don't have the qualifications to work or mess... around with freon. Just about everything else I can get a handle on. I mostly work on Air Handling Units from 50 to 250 tons and all of the systems that support it, Chillers, Boilers, Cooling Towers, VFDs, Valves, etc etc. That being said.. I don't deal with DX units on a regular basis. Thank you to everyone for all of their input and advise. I will put it to good use.

[bhahvac]

One more thing, looks to me that new r22 systems only come with 5 year warranties now. True?

For the most part yes. Manufacturers don't want them competing with the R410A systems. And R22 compressors - and other repair parts - days are limited, they really dont want to make them any longer.

A condenser only replacment is a necessary evil in my mind at this point. The efficiency will be pretty poor in general.

[mrushing]

call a pro

[John Markl]

Ok, so there's nothing wrong with me going with a 3.5 ton evap and a 4 ton condenser from what I'm hearing here.

I have seen this done in the last few years...in cases where the evap coil was an older cap tube coil, and the condensing unit was replaced with a new 13 SEER model.

This was done (according to the person doing it) in order to force the head pressure up high enough to feed the cap tube coil at a pressure high enough to function without freezing up.

Not the most efficient operation, but indeed, functional.

[fool4school]

I have heard that "rule of thumb" before about you can go .5 ton bigger on the inside but, You will never get you seer rating with a mis-mached system and will prob. shorten the life on the compresser due to the higher head press. it would run @

[flanders]

Is a full ton larger evaporator out of the question?

[Mr Bill]

And you should be more considerate to correct me via PM rather than on the open forum. Otherwise nobody learns anything.

I think he has been Preached that sermon many times here, but I think he might be sleeping in Church. :grin2:

[naturalglow]

I have a question (a little off topic): What is the effect of using over capacity compressor in refrigeration circuit (apart from higher price). For example, if a 6 HP (58000BTU) capacity compressor is used in a 3HP circuit, what will be the effect on compressor, its performance and its life? Please share your knowledge.