Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - To replace or not to replace
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acethebathound
03-14-06, 07:09 AM
Howdy -
2300 sq ft. house, built in 1987, Richmond, VA, dual-zone heat pumps installed 1995 and 1996.
Current heat pumps are Trane XE1000, 2 ton, 10 SEER units. Units are working fine.
Issue is air handler in attic. Although working fine, tray underneath is rusted (not all the way through yet). I know that the air handlers are original to the house (coming up on 20 years old).
During regular maintenance, my HVAC guy suggested I consider replacing both units and both air handlers (other is under house in crawl space, condition unknown at the moment) because of the age of the units and the rusted tray.
Should I replace now, while units are still working fine or try to wait a bit longer? Don't most heat pumps last 12-15 years? If so, I should have about 3-5 years left on my heat pumps. Anyone have a suggestion/work around about that air handler tray? I'm guessing it would cost about $10grand to replace both units and both air handlers - am I way off?
Thanks everyone!
2300 sq ft. house, built in 1987, Richmond, VA, dual-zone heat pumps installed 1995 and 1996.
Current heat pumps are Trane XE1000, 2 ton, 10 SEER units. Units are working fine.
Issue is air handler in attic. Although working fine, tray underneath is rusted (not all the way through yet). I know that the air handlers are original to the house (coming up on 20 years old).
During regular maintenance, my HVAC guy suggested I consider replacing both units and both air handlers (other is under house in crawl space, condition unknown at the moment) because of the age of the units and the rusted tray.
Should I replace now, while units are still working fine or try to wait a bit longer? Don't most heat pumps last 12-15 years? If so, I should have about 3-5 years left on my heat pumps. Anyone have a suggestion/work around about that air handler tray? I'm guessing it would cost about $10grand to replace both units and both air handlers - am I way off?
Thanks everyone!
TigerDunes
03-14-06, 07:30 AM
acethebathound
First, I would be hesitant about replacing a system this age that is working properly.
If this is just a tray/basin that has rusted, then weigh the cost of having this repaired/replaced against the cost of a new system. I do not like the idea of replacing just an air handler as this system then becomes mismatched.
It is true that the av life of a heat pump system is in the 15 yr range but there are many units that last much longer if properly maintained. As long as electric bills are reasonable, I would look at replacing pan and also have system for first floor thoroughly checked. Keep in mind these units were great equipment at the time of purchase.
My opinion.
Good LucK!
First, I would be hesitant about replacing a system this age that is working properly.
If this is just a tray/basin that has rusted, then weigh the cost of having this repaired/replaced against the cost of a new system. I do not like the idea of replacing just an air handler as this system then becomes mismatched.
It is true that the av life of a heat pump system is in the 15 yr range but there are many units that last much longer if properly maintained. As long as electric bills are reasonable, I would look at replacing pan and also have system for first floor thoroughly checked. Keep in mind these units were great equipment at the time of purchase.
My opinion.
Good LucK!
acethebathound
03-14-06, 07:46 AM
Our lines of thinking are the same here. I have been very happy with these units. They have been regularly serviced and are working just fine. It seems to me we would be throwing the baby out with the bath water.
We have a great HVAC company we use, so I was surprised at this suggestion. It was a new fellow, though.
I've read conflicting reports about replacing air handler trays. Some say it can be done, others say you can't replace the tray without removing/destroying the airhandler. Before we found our current servicing company, I had an HVAC guy tell me straight out that I'd have to replace the whole air handler because of the tray.
Obviously it has been rusting for while now, just getting a little worse each year.
Incidentally, I have no idea what units the house was built with so the existing units and handlers may be mismatched, but they seem to be working together just fine, so maybe not.
I have everything serviced regularly, so the air handler in the crawl space is checked often. I just haven't been under there myself lately. I'll ask my husband - he might know. At any rate, no one has said anything about it, so I suspect it is fine.
Guess I'll try to patch the attic handler tray up and help it limp along for a few more years then replace everything in one fell swoop.
We have a great HVAC company we use, so I was surprised at this suggestion. It was a new fellow, though.
I've read conflicting reports about replacing air handler trays. Some say it can be done, others say you can't replace the tray without removing/destroying the airhandler. Before we found our current servicing company, I had an HVAC guy tell me straight out that I'd have to replace the whole air handler because of the tray.
Obviously it has been rusting for while now, just getting a little worse each year.
Incidentally, I have no idea what units the house was built with so the existing units and handlers may be mismatched, but they seem to be working together just fine, so maybe not.
I have everything serviced regularly, so the air handler in the crawl space is checked often. I just haven't been under there myself lately. I'll ask my husband - he might know. At any rate, no one has said anything about it, so I suspect it is fine.
Guess I'll try to patch the attic handler tray up and help it limp along for a few more years then replace everything in one fell swoop.
ckr74
03-14-06, 05:32 PM
I had an old pro tell me this trick years ago. Don't know if it will work but it might be worth a shot. Try using some heavy aluminum foil and line the upper side of pan. No seams of course. Might hold you over for a while. :)
Grady
03-19-06, 06:23 PM
Any half decent sheet metal shop can make you a new pan. I pay about $60-80 for a STAINLESS pan. I know that price is dirt cheap but that's what the guy charges. Galvanized is only $10-20 less & for the difference, I know I'll never have to replace it again.
thermofridge
03-19-06, 10:18 PM
Give the new guy a break. He just got the lecture from the boss. " We are in the business of selling parts and equipment not fixing junk" He just misjudged your equipment, its not junk. Call and ask for one of the guys you know and have him give you his opinion. Dont put down the new guy he has enough pressure on him.
Ed Imeduc
03-20-06, 02:26 PM
Issue is air handler in attic. Although working fine, tray underneath is rusted (not all the way through yet).
"Cost" for now Id just put a new tray under the unit and let it run for now. I would keep and eye on it this summer. Find out why or how the pan got water in it to rust this way. Is filter clean?? Can the coil have dirt in it?? Is inside coil drain pan ok????
ED;)
"Cost" for now Id just put a new tray under the unit and let it run for now. I would keep and eye on it this summer. Find out why or how the pan got water in it to rust this way. Is filter clean?? Can the coil have dirt in it?? Is inside coil drain pan ok????
ED;)