Need opinion on correct AC size

[help3]

As mentioned earlier, we have a 1525 sq ft walkout ranch with 1425 sq ft space in the walkout basement. They installed a 2.5 ton Heat Pump. Our builder showed us a Manual J with 23,250 required cooling btu and 28,400 recommended btu. This is a new home and we could not get desired tempature in the summer and froze this winter.
Is there a chance they undersized the unit for cooling, we live in Southern IL? Our builder says everything is fine.

[docholiday]

What was your desired temperature in summer? The heat pump is sized for cooling not heating. The auxilary heat should have kept you warm when it was real cold outside.

btw... 2.5 ton is 30,000 btuh's nominal

Theres a good chance it is not performing due to a charge, airflow, or distribution issue.

[Edited by docholiday on 03-08-2005 at 08:43 PM]

[Irishmist]

unless the builder is also your hvac contractor, demand to speak to the installing contractor. Let HIM tell you there is no problem when you've been uncomfortable both in summer and winter. If the builder can put you off long enough he probably won't have to deal with the possibility that he convinced the hvac contractor to put in as small a system as possible to keep down the costs. Regardless of what size the system is, if it is PROPERLY sized, and the air distribution is correct, you should be comfortable. This is not a problem that will go away just because the builder wants it to. The builder will be long gone, but the hvac contractor should be treating you as a possible life long customer.

[help3]

We can not get below 78 when its above 88 degrees outside. We can not get above 70 with heat pump and it gets worse as the temp drops.

[help3]

We can not get below 78 when its above 88 degrees outside. We can not get above 70 with heat pump and it gets worse as the temp drops.

[Irishmist]

I recommend a meeting between yourself, the builder, and the hvac contractor. What is their respective responses when you relate the same info to them about the lack of adequate heating and cooling?

[bornriding]

Another satisfied 'manual J' customer.