Almost bit the bullet to replace our 20+ yr old Lennox split system 3 yrs ago...now we're pretty much at the have-to stage. Located in NE Kansas, would like to go 15-16 seer dual fuel if not too pricey...we'll be above 30 degrees most of the winter, but some stretches below and I like the gas backup. 1900 ft main level, 800 basement, our house load calc'd at 3, maybe 3.5 tons.
I'm impressed by the ARI numbers Waterloo I think posted recently on the Amana ASZ16 4 ton outdoor unit (16.0 SEER, 9.75 HSPF, 34K BTU) when matched with the MBE2000 airhandler. But that's a Goodman airhandler, right? Amana furnaces sound good....stainless steel exchanger seems like a good thing. Can the ASZ16 HP be paired with an AMV8 furnace to create a duel fuel system? Don't know an Amana dealer in this area to ask.
If that's doable, what's a good thermostat to put on the system? Would like if possible to have some control over dehumidification...our elderly system struggles to keep us below 70% on steamy days.
Baldloonie or Doc, would you lean toward Rheem/Ruud instead? I like that equipment too...what outdoor unit and furnace could pair up for a similar system? (15-16 seer, 2-stage heat pump, variable air handler/furnace) which stat?
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So...it really is that simple...split system dual fuel simply means a heat pump condensor outside plus furnace/blower inside? Duh. Thanks for schooling me ComfortDoc.
So, does it take a special stat to put the two parts together? What's a good stat that would offer some sort of humidity control?
I still got my spreadsheet that I downloaded from aridirectory.com.
An ASZ160481A* paired with coil CA*F4860*6A*+TXV and furnace A*V80905C** is listed. 15.5 SEER, 12 EER, 9.5 HSPF, 34K BTU at 17*. Not quite good enough for the tax rebates, but when you're replacing an entire system, $300 isn't much.
Not at all accurate. Goodman Manufacturing manufactures both the Goodman and Amana equipment, which are two distinctly different brands.
All of the Goodman/Amana air handlers and coils are manufactured by Goodman as Corporate pieces of equipment that are rated seperately with both Goodman and Amana products.
Comfortdoc, I am in your area if you want me to show you the differences in the brands.
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Practical Training is a must!
Call when you might be up this way. We can meet for lunch. I'm typically closer to Bensalem than CC.
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Either brand will do you just fine. Of course being a Rheem fan that's how I'd go but Amana (not distinctions) is a fine product as well so wouldn't hesitate in suggesting that way too.
The IAQ is awesome as well. I put mine on a couple months ago.
Closest I can find on the Amana side matched to the Amana furnace A*V80704B**.
34.2K cooling, 11.5 EER, 15.5 SEER
34K heating at 47*, 9.3 HSPF, 21K heating at 17*
Goodman side numbers are slightly better:
SSZ16036 / CAPF3642+TXV / GMV80905C:
34.6K cooling, 12.5 EER, 15.5 SEER
34.6K heating at 47*, 9.5 HSPF, 22K heating at 17*
Hmmm...isn't the airhandling aspect of the GMV80 the same as that of the MBE2000? Ie, put the ASZ16 w/ that furnace, and shouldn't one get the same ARI numbers as you showed w/ the MBE2000?
Hey Waterloo, thanks for your help to this point...feel free to say whoa if you're getting tired of looking stuff up for me!
If you have a sound level concern, such as the unit is close to a living space, then you might want to consider one of the brands of furnaces that have more enclosed burner compartments then the Goodman or Amana brands have.
I only feel the stainless steel heat exchanger has an advantage over the aluminized steel if there is a particular combustion air quality issue (such as installation in damp basement or laundry room) or for units on LP gas which contains more hydrogen and sulphur.
Training is important!
Practical Training is a must!
I would think that the airhandling would be the same in therms of the ARI numbers. But, the #s with a furnace attached are a slight bit lower.
One theory would be that a non-furnace application would have the coil on the upstream side (before the blower). Therefore, the air movement might be spread more evenly over the coil area, increasing heat transfer. Again, only a top of my head theory.
Actually that was my guess too. I found the ratings and will do some comparison browsing to see if that principle seems to hold up...seems like it ought to be true in just about any furnace vs. strip heat or heat pump only setup if it's true in this one.
Hey I saw in another post that you're in St. Louis...I'm in the KC area and apparently similar square footage etc. Did I understand correctly from that other post that you decided to go a bit large on the heat pump (condensor) side -- 4T vs 3 or 3.5T -- so that the unit would stay in first stage longer for both heat and cool? I've heard advice against doing that, but can't remember the reasoning. Why wouldn't that be the way to go if you don't overdo it? Makes intuitive sense to me...did you work this over a bit before deciding?
Also...are you going just heat pump or dual fuel? Goodman furnace prices seem to make the latter not much more expensive, and Robo's got me convinced that we've nothing to fear!!
I'm just going heat pump. There's a gas main on our property line, but not pulled to the house (original owner of 5yo house didn't want it apparently - maybe that's why he moved!) Thought about going gas. Duel fuel is too much $$$ at once.
As for 3T vs 4T - I've got a 3.5T system now that cools fine. It does cycle some above the design temperatures, so I'm sure I could do with a 3 ton system. The 4T two-stage system operates at 3T in low stage. Therefore, it effectively gets rid of my over-sizing problem (as long as it runs in low speed), and provides the extra oomph needed if we have a gathering. Also would provide more output in the winter to avoid the strips.
Can't get the two-stagers in the half sizes.
As for KC - I grew up there. I got the Chiefs hitch cover! Hopefully, a much cheaper heating bill this winter will compensate for the Chiefs woes.
No doubt you're better off with just the heat pump...would take you awhile to recover the cost of pulling a gas line. Might never recover it w/ that unit.
We have gas to the unit but I'm still debating on the heat pump issue...trying to do the math on the cost difference in our area between electric and gas. The HP system's 13 EER is really tempting; $300 at tax time is certainly better than a poke in the eye.
Thanks again for posting the ASZ16 data...that has helped my equipment decision a lot.
After decades of frustration I've given up hoping that the Chiefs will ever field a complete team. Always some great parts; never a great whole.
Lin Elliott. I'm still crying after that.
I was screaming at the TV to have Louie Aguiar try the FG. Marty didn't listen.
I guess I better stop digressing before Benny gets mad!
No joke. Absolutely unbelievable. How about an offense that led the league at nearly 40 points a game backed by a defense that gave up nearly that much? Ridiculous. Playoffs? Embarrassing.