3-Ton Heat Pump Replacement

[mrinva]

I have to replace my 2nd zone heat pump system which is in my attic. I live in the washington, DC metro area and have gotten quotes from five reputable firms that have had positive experiences in the past. All of the firms use certified installers. Each of the firms have proposed different brands of equipment and I'm trying to find out the pros and cons of the various brands. Money is not the important driver as much as reliability. Below are the various equipment that have been quoted:

1. Trane XL15
2. Amana ASZ14
3. Bryant 225B
4. Lennox XP14

All have been paired with a variable speed air handler.

Each of the various firms have their preferences for equipment and justification for why their's is better than others. I'm trying to find out if all is equal which is the most reliable system. I know there is differences in the SEERs in the various systems, but I'm more worried about quality than cost.

Each of the firms have done good work in the past for me or others I know including family members. So, i believe that the install will be done properly.

Thanks for any recommendations you can make.

[superd77]

Go with the Trane. You will have less problems and it will last a lot longer for you too.

[BaldLoonie]

Look at all the numbers, capacity, SEER, EER, HSPF. I've seen some high end units with 17 SEER and a lousy 8 HSPF. So look at the exact heat pump & air handler match for each model and see how they compare. Any utility rebates that help if you meet certain efficiency?

[dan sw fl]

I agree, as always, with BaldLoonie.

Also, I would look at the 10 year Warranty and OPERATING Cost as additional significant factors to be considered in the Equipment selection.
I believe WASH DC electric rates may be close to or a little ABOVE the national average of ~$0.13 / kW-hr.
http://www.bls.gov/ro3/apwb.htm

Warranty may give you some Peace of Mind.
Annual Service Agreements ( w 2 tune-ups/ year) should be contracted so that you get 15+ years of excellent performance.

http://literature.cwgoodguys.com/225B-Spec.pdf
Check page 11 for your balance point.
i.e. 4 ton provides 36,000 BTU /Hr heating at 35'F.

TRANE or Bryant would be my preferences.

[dan sw fl]

Economic balance point appears to be ~40'F.
$0.135 $/ kW

100,000 BTU/ therm
3,412 BTU/kW
29.308 KW/ Therm
$3.957 $/ Therm ELECTRIC
$1.200 $/ Therm Nat Gas
_______ Economic Balance Point
3.29 COP

[dan sw fl]

Economic balance point appears to be ~40'F.
$0.135 $/ kW

100,000 BTU/ therm
3,412 BTU/kW
29.308 KW/ Therm
$3.957 $/ Therm ELECTRIC
$1.200 $/ Therm Nat Gas
_______ Economic Balance Point
3.29 COP

More specific to a typical model 225B COP curve, 37'F is the economic balance point.
Temp COP
47 3.73
46 3.69
45 3.64
44 3.60
43 3.55
42 3.51
41 3.47
40 3.42
39 3.38
38 3.33
37 3.30
36 3.26
35 3.23
34 3.19
33 3.16
32 3.12
31 3.09
30 3.05
29 3.02
28 2.98
27 2.95
26 2.91
25 2.88
24 2.84
23 2.81
22 2.77
21 2.74
20 2.70
19 2.67
18 2.63
17 2.60

[promos]

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[creed]

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[beenthere]

promos, this is the Ask Our Pro's forum, and only Pro members that have been vetted by the AOPC may post advise, commentary or ask questions of the OP here.

You can find the rules for posting and qualifications here.

Your post has been deleted.
Further infractions may result in loss of posting privileges.

[tigerdunes]

Because of your DC location/climate, I want electronic demand defrost. This eliminates/reduces unnecessary, nuisance, and expensive defrost calls not to mention wear and tear on the condenser itself.

That narrows the possibilities from your list. Go with the Trane.

IMO