Trane ComfortLink II Communication System

[GlobalEx]

I'm about to purchase a new Trane XL20i a/c system and the only question I have is regarding the new ComfortLink II Communication System.

All the built in bells and whistles sound great. It monitors the components and gives system status feedback. It will also halt the system when a major problem is detected. I'm not a big fan of lots of bells and whistles, since it is just more items to break and render the system inoperative. My understanding is that the new ComfortLink II Communication System has only been out for 1 to 1-1/2 years.

At this point, I can still have them leave out the ComfortLink II Communication System. It is not a matter of money because the dollar amount is insignificant compared to the entire replacement cost of my split system.

Does anyone have any experience with the ComfortLink II Communication System? Have there been problems with it or horror stories? Would you recommend it?



Thanks for your knowledge and experience,

GlobalEx

[BaldLoonie]

Way too expensive, no interest in them up our way.

What is your indoor unit? The XC95 requires it. I think on air handlers you can use conventional stat.

[GlobalEx]

Baldloonie:

I forgot to mention I'm in Dallas, Tx. The unit they will install is a XC80 natural gas fuel. You are correct it contains the control board and sensors for the air flow, etc. If I choose not to have the ComfortLink system, the company said it would be basically the same furnace just minus the ComfortLink parts, another 80% unit.

It is a difference of less than $, which is no big deal. I just don't want it if there have been bugs in the new ComfortLink System. I guess I'm still old school.

Thanks. GlobalEx

[BaldLoonie]

So you'd be going XV80 instead? Haven't seen 80% prices but in the 95% line, very large premium going to 3 stage and the control

The XV80 is a good furnace. Had one for 16 years and all I did was pull a bird out of the inducer. Of course it was built with American components back then, not 3rd world countries you never heard of

[GlobalEx]

Thanks Baldloonie. You must stay busy. I appreciate your reply. I guess without the Comfortlink it would be an XV80. You know how it is with brand new technology. It does not always work out so well. I may have to roll the dice on this one.

[push]

We've sold ~12 of them and had zero problems as of yet. Everyone who has purchased one has been pleased. The 900 series thermostat has some features that are not available in the Honeywell IAQ stat.

[motoguy128]

I believe with a VisionPro IAQ thermostst, you can still use the reduced fan speed to help dehumidify with theXL20i outdoor unit. Beause of that, the communicating systme losses above 1/3 of it's benefit over a convetional control system. It should reduce airflow is 1st or 2nd stage cooling by 20% when there is a call for dehumidification. So you're taking the long run times of the 2 stage unit and taking it even further to maximize comfort without giving up efficincy, as you would just running 350CFM/ton all the time.

Loonie can confirm if the 2 compressor 2 stage unit will work with on-demand dehumidification.

In Texas, the XV80 with XL20i A/C or even heat pump will be a good system. I however, would give the heat pump some serious consideration as well.

[GlobalEx]

I did consider the heat pump option as well. I'm just afraid of how high electricity prices will rise in the future, so I decided to stick with the natural gas furnace and conventional A/C unit.

[motoguy128]

Originally Posted by GlobalEx

I did consider the heat pump option as well. I'm just afraid of how high electricity prices will rise in the future, so I decided to stick with the natural gas furnace and conventional A/C unit.

The balance point can always be adjusted upward. Electric rates could double and you'd still be more efficient in mild temps over 55F. Although you won't get much run time out of it. You will also have a back-up heating soruce if you have a problem with the furnace.

Besides, if electric rates jump, you'll see other energy rise as well, as end users change their mix of enery sources. For example, if CO2 penalties are plced on coal, it may becomes economical to operate gas fired power generation station that were prevously only used for peak capacity. With an 80% furnace, the decision gets a little easier.

In Iowa, almost half the added cost of the heat pump was paid for by a rebate from the utility company. So it made the decision easier that way as well.

[GlobalEx]

Thanks for the feedback motoguy. I talked with the rep about a heat pump system and he did say that the heat pump does work well in our specific climate. He even said that if he were building a new home in this area, he would install the HP. We discussed going to the heat pump, but looking at all factors he did not think it would save too much in the long run.

[mark beiser]

We've installed a few XL20c and XL16ic systems and haven't had a single issue.

With the communicating system there is some fine tuning of the airflow for each stage of cooling, dehumidification and continuous fan that is not available in the standard system using the IAQ thermostat.

As for the dual fuel heat pump vs straight gas heat debate, in our area it is pretty close, even with an 80% furnace vs a super efficient heat pump.
Because close to 50% of our electricity here in north Texas comes from gas fired plants, our electric rates fluctuate directly with natural gas.
You can insulate yourself somewhat by being at a locked in rate though.

As for what the future holds, who knows...

I personally prefer to stick with straight gas heat, and let the outdoor unit have a rest for a few months after working hard all summer.

[jdhl]

Not sure if this is the right location for this question.
Had Trane XC95s installed upstairs and down along with XL16i condensers and the communicating thermostats a couple of weeks ago. The contractor was working the punch list, had to temporarily move the water tank. When replaced he set the tank on the comm line to the downstairs unit, pinching it pretty severely. That very evening the unit started short cycling (at least relative to how it use to run). it now cycles at 15-20 min on and 5-6 min off non-stop if the stat set point is within a couple degrees of room ambient. If I set the stat 5 degrees below room ambient, the unit will run what I consider normally or continuously until it reaches the 2 degrees delta to room ambient. Is this short cycling? Will a pinched comm cable cause this problem? Do I need to have the hvac vendor review the comm cable?
Prior to the cable being pinched the unit would run long cycles, 30-90 minutes (depending on the stat set temp and room ambient delta) at various fan speeds. Now it just cycles at 15-20 min on and 5 min off although the fan speed will change to a lower speed prior to it cycling off for 5 min.
Is this normal or do I need to the hvac installer back at the house to review/repair?
Thx.

[beenthere]

jdhl:

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