New recommended system vs old system: looking for your expertise

[Chris99]

Hi guys, i'm replacing my current coil and air handler set up as my current evap coil just went and I require a new one.

Here is the situation: old broken system was all mismatched and a bit of a Frankenstein set up.

3 ton Lennox XP-14 HP with 4 ton York Evap Coil and 3.5 ton York Blower. System is 12 years old. It has leaked 3 times so far and just recently the new contractor says the evap coil is done. (seems premature to be done already)

New recommended set-up: Keep the 3 ton Lennox XP-14 HP (compressor working fine) and replace the rest with a Lennox 3 Ton CBA27UHE Air Handler/new coil with Electric Strips Aux heat.

Contractor says no point in replacing HP since it's working fine. Replace the rest and put in matched system (3 ton condenser, 3 ton evap coil and 3 ton blower). Says it will dehumidify better and will be a quieter blower because other was oversized for house.

1st Question: what would cause my evap coil to go in 12 years ? Seems premature. Just bad luck ?

2nd Question: Do the benefits off this new recommended set-up makes sense to you ? Better dehumidification vs the old mismatched set up ? Old contractor said oversized coil was more efficient and better dehumidification. New contractor agrees with efficiency claims but says complete opposite in terms of dehumidification and comfort. Says matched coil will dehumidify better because colder coil and also lower fan speed of 3 ton blower.

3rd question: Do I need to replace Lennox XP-14 HP as well ? Or no problem keeping it and integrating new coil and AH into system.

Looking for your expertise here. Thanks very much in advance !

[pecmsg]

Replace everything!

[Chris99]

Heat Pump as well ? Can you help me understand ?

[pecmsg]

For peek efficiency all components need to be matched.

[pacnw]

Heat Pump as well ? Can you help me understand ?

Because you will hate it in 3 months when the heat pump dies and need to replace it.

Do it all at once and get a proper matched system with a warranty.

Is the old system R-22 or 410A? If 22 then ABSOLUTELY no question but to do it all now.

[Chris99]

R-410 installed in 2009 - so only 12 years ago. Do you agree with the benefits of the matched system versus the mismatched system ?

[Chris99]

Also, it will be matched because the HP is a Lennox 3 ton - so everything will be 3 ton

[pecmsg]

Lennox Lennox
Goodman Goodman

[Chris99]

Yes I agree but that is what the new system will be after replacing the Air Handler and Coil to a Lennox CBA27UHE - my current HP is a 3 ton Lennox XP-14 with R-410. My main question is do I need to replace HP now as well ? It's 12 years old and was working perfectly before the York mismatched evap coil went (4 ton coil). So now replacing indoor units to Lennox 3 ton matches.

[pecmsg]

Matched system or Frankenstein.
All components need to be matched.

[Chris99]

Am I to understand that the 2009 Lennox XP-14 3 ton HP will not match well with a 2021 3 ton Lennox Quantum Coil ? It that what you are saying ?

[pecmsg]

Am I to understand that the 2009 Lennox XP-14 3 ton HP will not match well with a 2021 3 ton Lennox Quantum Coil ? It that what you are saying ?

Exactly!

[Chris99]

Ok, weird that the Lennox dealer did not recommend a new HP as well ? He seemed to agree with me that it was fine to keep. In terms of the matched system being all 3 ton. Are there real benefits versus a differently sized system within the Lennox family ? Like a 3 ton HP with 3.5 ton coil and blower ? Better dehumidification when all sized the same 3 ton ?

[pacnw]

Questions to ask your dealer:

What is the expected life of a heat pump?

Is the system going to be AHRI matched with the old unit?

What does Lennox list as matched indoor equipment for the old unit?

What warranty does the old/new system have versus a completely new system?

After he answers these questions it should make the decision even more clear/easy(new of course).

[pecmsg]

Your unit is 12 years old. Has run short of refrigerant 3 times, each time taking more life out of it. Average life of a "System" is 10 - 15 years.

[Freezeking2000]

I would think of that compressor has been running with lower refrigerant charge that the compressor is suffered severe oil degradation and has been running very hot. I would dump the compressor it is bound to fail soon. Life expectancy of a heat pump in Connecticut area is 12 to 15 years.

Sent from my motorola razr (2020) using Tapatalk

[Freezeking2000]

Your unit is 12 years old. Has run short of refrigerant 3 times, each time taking more life out of it. Average life of a "System" is 10 - 15 years.

I agree

Sent from my motorola razr (2020) using Tapatalk

[Adlerberts-Protege]

Guys on the internet here won't know. Find someone you trust and look them in the eye. Tired of these posts.

[teddy bear]

Hi guys, i'm replacing my current coil and air handler set up as my current evap coil just went and I require a new one.

Here is the situation: old broken system was all mismatched and a bit of a Frankenstein set up.

3 ton Lennox XP-14 HP with 4 ton York Evap Coil and 3.5 ton York Blower. System is 12 years old. It has leaked 3 times so far and just recently the new contractor says the evap coil is done. (seems premature to be done already)

New recommended set-up: Keep the 3 ton Lennox XP-14 HP (compressor working fine) and replace the rest with a Lennox 3 Ton CBA27UHE Air Handler/new coil with Electric Strips Aux heat.

Contractor says no point in replacing HP since it's working fine. Replace the rest and put in matched system (3 ton condenser, 3 ton evap coil and 3 ton blower). Says it will dehumidify better and will be a quieter blower because other was oversized for house.

1st Question: what would cause my evap coil to go in 12 years ? Could be lack of fresh air ventilation and build-up of indoor pollutants like H2S/Cl2. Seems premature. Just bad luck ?

2nd Question: Do the benefits off this new recommended set-up makes sense to you ? Better dehumidification vs the old mismatched set up ? Old contractor said oversized coil was more efficient and better dehumidification. New contractor agrees with efficiency claims but says complete opposite in terms of dehumidification and comfort. Says matched coil will dehumidify better because colder coil and also lower fan speed of 3 ton blower. -Biggy

3rd question: Do I need to replace Lennox XP-14 HP as well ? Or no problem keeping it and integrating new coil and AH into system.

Looking for your expertise here. Thanks very much in advance !

The only negative about the larger coil is more moisture retention at the end of the cooling cycle. When cooling, by adjust the air flow correctly to get the desired dew point from the coil, (slower air flow removed more moisture while having higher suction pressure).

Incorporate a fresh air change in 4-5 hours and a 4 lbs. of dehumidification by adding a small whole house dehumidifier, like A Santa Fe ULTRA with fresh filtered air option. Mainly for the 3 mild seasons of the year when the winds do not blow.

Your thoughts?

Regards Teddy Bear

[Chris99]

Thanks very much for the great feedback !