low SEER on trane xv80 furnace

montgwh · Jan 31, 2014

I had a local Trane dealer out today to quote me a new system, 3 Ton a/c and gas furnace. I was hoping to get two stage cooling around 16 SEER with the 2 stage furnace. After measuring everything and going through the AHRI matches, he said that matched with the xr16(which is now called xr18 he said??) that the seer would only be 14.5 and I would have to have either the 80K or 100K(can't remember) btu furnace to get this because of blower. Obviously he steered me away from this match as a waste of money for the purchase price of the high seer condenser versus the seer rating I would get, and the furnace would be massively over-sized. He said the only way to get the higher seer is to go with the new variable speed condenser and a communicating furnace.

What we settled on quoting me was the 60,000 btu xv80 with the xr15 single stage condenser. this would give me seer of 14.25.

He will also quote me a higher seer heat pump system, but wiring will have to be pulled to make that work.

I guess my questions are does this sound legit? Why won't the two stage condenser work properly at rated efficiency with the smaller furnace? All the specs I've read say that the blower will handle 3 ton cooling.

Also, I can't seem to make the AHRI website work at all for Trane equipment. No problem finding Rheem or Goodman matches, but I can't get any results for Trane. Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance for your help.

2old2rock · Jan 31, 2014

Don't know all the specs on Trane, but for your location, I would look further into 2 stage cooling, with a variable speed blower.
I wouldn't worry so much about seer.
I would also look at a heat pump. No real reason to go with gas in your climate.
And I would ask for a manual "J".
And don't let them oversize it.

montgwh · Jan 31, 2014

Thanks for the reply. Manual J has been done, and blower door testing. I've sold myself on 2 stage cooling, and thats what i'm looking for. I found this contractor from this site, so hopefully they can give me a system that will work for my needs.

The reason i'm getting quotes on a gas furnace is because I already have a furnace, and gas in plumbed to location. There is no wiring located at furnace location that could handle electric heat backup on heat pump, but that could be done, with some work, might need to change panel. Also, I just like gas heat, and wanted a properly sized furnace, mine now is 90k and will blow you out of the house. The quoted furnace has a variable speed blower that, as I understand it, can be slowed to help dehum.

second opinion · Feb 1, 2014

There is no reason not to use a 2 stage condenser with the XV80 it has a 3 ton VS blower

BaldLoonie · Feb 1, 2014

For a lot less you could likely get a XR13 and get 14 SEER!

montgwh · Feb 1, 2014

Well that is what the installer told me, and that is my point here. I can't figure it out. I don't really want super high SEER, but I do want 2 stages. I just think that Trane only makes 2 Stages on 18 SEER units. Any Trane experts lurking that can help me understand?

duckman06 · Feb 1, 2014

Ask your installer about Trane XR17 (2) stage unit. It a very cost effective system and when paired with XV80 furance and good t-stat is a good system.

The models changed on XR15 to XR 16!!! And the XR17 is Trane's mid range (2) stage system. There is know XR18 that I am aware of. Just XL18 or XV18-20.

You need to talk with home about the options and chose the system that fits your budget.

XR 17 = (2) stage 1 compressor

XR 16 = single stage

XL 18= singe stage

XV 18-20 = variable speed outdoor a/c...

Any of the above can be installed with XV 80 furnace (2) stage variable speed. From what you said you want (2) stage outdoor and variable (2) stage furnace. So the XR17 (2) stage in my opion is the best choose for being cost effective and offering you what you are looking for.

low SEER on trane xv80 furnace

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