Amana vs Trane XL14i Heat Pump

[RoBoTeq]

Originally posted by dash
Filter cabinets that match the equipment,meaning in physical size,are the best way to go.No transition from one to the other needed,no excessive pressure drop ,from mismatched sizes ,when no transition is used.

If this is the criteria desired, then yes, Amana has filter systems available to match the Amana air handlers. Personally, I never found a few transitions to be a problem.

[dash]

The space not being available for the transition is usually the problem.

Plus lots of companies just never use them.

[kevinmac]

Don't think any one said longer warranties make one better than the other, but when you spend the higher $$ for the top models which are priced very close of each manufacturer, warranty protection is something that becomes part of the mix.

Trane has just introduced a new air filtration device, one step above the ESD unit.
http://www.trane.com/Residential/Cle...anEffects.aspx

[Edited by kevinmac on 10-19-2005 at 12:43 PM]

[ifucdseeme]

Thank you all for you input. I am just a couple of days away from pulling the trigger. I have talked with both my Trane and Amana contractor and am not thinking that I can pull off either the Trane XL16i or Amana RTG Ultron 16. I will definitly be getting a matched VS Air Handler. But have a couple of questions.

1. Which Honeywell model thermostat would be the best to control the Amana RTG Heat Pump and VS air handler. The Trane dealer is using the XL800 deluxe programmable TS. Do I need a TS that does 3 stage heat and 2 stage cool?

2. It appears the Amana Heat Pump requires the use of an TXV valve, is this the case with the Trane XL16i or is it built in?

3. Any other input on the two systems. Right now its a coin toss?

Thanks again for making this process alot easier for me!!

[mark beiser]

Originally posted by ifucdseeme
Thank you all for you input. I am just a couple of days away from pulling the trigger. I have talked with both my Trane and Amana contractor and am not thinking that I can pull off either the Trane XL16i or Amana RTG Ultron 16. I will definitly be getting a matched VS Air Handler. But have a couple of questions.

1. Which Honeywell model thermostat would be the best to control the Amana RTG Heat Pump and VS air handler. The Trane dealer is using the XL800 deluxe programmable TS. Do I need a TS that does 3 stage heat and 2 stage cool?

Yes, you need a 3 heat 2 cool thermostat. The XL800 part number TCONT802 is the one you would need for the XL16i heat pump system. The XL14i system requires 2 heat 1 cool, but would still use the TCONT802 with different installer setup options selected.

2. It appears the Amana Heat Pump requires the use of an TXV valve, is this the case with the Trane XL16i or is it built in?

All Trane VS air handlers have a built in TXV. I am relativly sure all the Amana ones do too.

3. Any other input on the two systems. Right now its a coin toss?

If you are leaning more twards the 14 SEER units, and a couple of db sound level isn't an issue, ask your contractor about the XR14 heat pump if you want to shave a few bucks off and still have the same 10 year P&L warranty available.
It is brand new product with nearly identical performance, SEER and HSPF as the XL14i.
I really think the XL14i is going to be phased out next year. I just don't see any justification for them continuing now that the XR14 is available.

[Edited by mark beiser on 10-25-2005 at 12:55 AM]

[ifucdseeme]

Originally posted by mark beiser
All Trane VS air handlers have a built in TXV. I am relativly sure all the Amana ones do too.

Thanks Mark!

According to the Product Specifications sheet on Amanas website for the RTG36C2C RTG Line it says:

"Installation of the unit requires that the specified TXV kit be installed on the indoor coil. The
specifi ed TXV kit must match the outdoor unit, not the indoor coil."

So I am not sure that it is installed by the factory. Can anyone verify this one way or another. If it helps I will be using the MBE1600 AH and CAPF042C4* Coil.

[dan sw fl]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mark beiser
[B]

Originally posted by ifucdseeme
Thank you all for you input. I am just a couple of days away from pulling the trigger. I have talked with both my Trane and Amana contractor and am not thinking that I can pull off either the Trane XL16i or Amana RTG Ultron 16. I will definitly be getting a matched VS Air Handler. But have a couple of questions.

...........
If you are leaning more twards the 14 SEER units, and a couple of db sound level isn't an issue, ask your contractor about the XR14 heat pump if you want to shave a few bucks off and still have the same 10 year P&L warranty available.

[Edited by mark beiser on 10-25-2005 at 12:55 AM]

I would definitely select a 2-stage.
Trane XL16i or Lennox HSX16.

[Carnak]

You must have fared okay with the storm dan

[dan sw fl]

Originally posted by Carnak
You must have fared okay with the storm dan

70 MPH for ' an hour'. WILMA eye was ~40 miles South.

NO significant PROBLEM in Estero FL.
Electricity was out for just 12 hours.

3 million without electricity at one point yesterday.

Naples FL has a little bit of a flooding problem.

Back to work.

[RoBoTeq]

Originally posted by dash
The space not being available for the transition is usually the problem.

Plus lots of companies just never use them.

I certainly cannot disagree with this.

[RoBoTeq]

Originally posted by ifucdseeme

Originally posted by mark beiser
All Trane VS air handlers have a built in TXV. I am relativly sure all the Amana ones do too.

Thanks Mark!

According to the Product Specifications sheet on Amanas website for the RTG36C2C RTG Line it says:

"Installation of the unit requires that the specified TXV kit be installed on the indoor coil. The
specifi ed TXV kit must match the outdoor unit, not the indoor coil."

So I am not sure that it is installed by the factory. Can anyone verify this one way or another. If it helps I will be using the MBE1600 AH and CAPF042C4* Coil.

Mark has covered most of this, but since you are looking at using the Amana blower that is seperate from the Amana coil, a specific R410a TXV will need to be installed to that CAPF042 coil. The "F" in the coil nomenclature indicates that it has a "Flowrater" piston in it. The TXV screws right on to the part that holds the piston.

[ifucdseeme]

Originally posted by RoBoTeq
Mark has covered most of this, but since you are looking at using the Amana blower that is seperate from the Amana coil, a specific R410a TXV will need to be installed to that CAPF042 coil. The "F" in the coil nomenclature indicates that it has a "Flowrater" piston in it. The TXV screws right on to the part that holds the piston.

Thank you RoBo.

I guess with the above Amana configuration I would need to make sure my contractor installs the TXV since it is not insatalled from the factory. Now if I can only make up my mind on the Amana or Trane. Anybody got a coin?

[mark beiser]

I'm kinda partial to Trane, but I have no problems with the performance of the Amana products I have looked up the specs for. I do think Trane products are of more rugged construction, but Amana is not 2nd rate in that catagory.

If you live anywhere near salt water, the choice would clearly be Trane, but if not, go with the installation company you feel the most comforterable with.