Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Heat Pump Cost?

I have a two-story house (~3,500 sq. ft.) in the mid-Atlantic states. The existing A/C cools the downstairs great, but upstairs stays uncomfortably warmer. Licensed installer came out and suggests a heat pump for the upstairs. Currently all systems are in basement, so this will be a new install of air handler, air fliter, ductwork, etc. in the attic He did the J-Load and recommends a 2-ton Trane xL14 heat pump. He is estimating around $12K total cost. I've had a second estimate done and (while the second guy seemed less knowledgable and I'd be less willing to use him) his estimate was within $500 of the first. Does this amount sound about right? Any advice on other things I should think about?

JG24

Without knowing a great deal more information, I would say this quote is outrageously high. Good equipment though. What are specs quoted for 2nd floor?

Here are the questions.

What are the specs on your existing system or systems-size, age, manufacturer,model...

What is size of your home-1st floor, 2nd floor......

What is location of area you live?

Have you had a Manual J heat/cool load calculation performed for each floor to correctly size HVAC equipment?

TigerDunes

Manual J Load Calc was done. We're in NC. Currently we have 5 ton system for whole house (3,500 sq ft equally divided between 1 and 2 floor). Since the upstairs stas pretty warm in Summer (and cool in Winter), our plan was to put entire new system in attic for the upstairs - the 2 ton Trane (per the Manual J). There is currently nothing up there, so it would involve new compressor, air handler, filter, ductwork, cutting vents, etc. over a 1750 sq ft living space. Ultimately when the downstairs systems dies (hopefully not in the near future), we'll replace that with a smaller ~3 ton system.

Both estimates (both for Trane) came in about the same. Any additional thoughts?

JG24

From a comfort point of view, you will be happier with two separate systems for a 2 story home.

Here are my thoughts.

1.You state that both dealers have speced out a 2 ton heat pump system for the 2nd floor-apprx 1750 sq ft. It is difficult for me to believe that a 2 ton is large enough particularly when you say you will replace old system with a 3 ton at a later date that will serve apprx same amt of living space for first floor. I would get another opinion on the size of the 2nd floor system. Did you get the Manual J heat/cool in writing? I would definitely want to review this in detail. This bothers me a great deal.

2.What kind of modifications has dealer suggested for ductwork and old system(5 ton) that will now serve only first floor of apprx 1750 sq ft? Has dealer indicated any special problems you will encounter using such a large system for apprx 1/2 the space it was originally designed for? Obviously your old ductwork will probably have to be replaced when you do decide to put in new system. Ductwork is sized to tonnage of conditioned air it is designed to carry.

3.Generally, I don't like to comment on prices. Without knowing more details, I still say $12k is outrageous. Are you getting a var speed air handler for your heat pump? Dealer has included returns for each room or a central return? Individual returns in each room are preferred. I would get another quote from a Trane authorized comfort specialist dealer.

My opinion.

TigerDunes
Thanks again for the thoughts. I'll review with written manual J calc for the 2 ton vs. 3 ton downstairs. (The 3 ton downsairs also covers the basement, which is currently unfinished, but that may change.)

Also, the dealer did say that the downstairs ductwork would have to be modified when the new downstairs system would be installed. Right now that system does work, so I'd rather not replace a working system - hopefully with the new upstairs system, the downstairs one will be running much less. When it breaks (it's about a 10-12 year old system that both dealers commented was rather cheap - I don't even recognize the brand name), I'll replace it and the ductwork.

Thanks again and feel free to post any other thoughts. They are helpful

Generally, I don't like to comment on prices. Without knowing more details, I still say $12k is outrageous. Are you getting a var speed air handler for your heat pump? Dealer has included returns for each room or a central return? Individual returns in each room are preferred. I would get another quote from a Trane authorized comfort specialist dealer.

JG24

Have any of your quoting dealers indicated what you can expect as far as operating problems from old system? I would think that old system would short cycle a good bit-probably cooling and dehumidification would be more of a problem than heating. You might want to ask dealers what if anything can be done to help this issue.

I know my pricing for this type system as I recently installed same model in a Southeast location and it was significantly less expensive-and the system was larger and also included new ductwork.

Good Luck!