Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Repair, Replace and/or Resize???
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tranquilacres
10-14-06, 11:05 AM
I've got a house (built in 1994) with 2875 sq. ft. of living space, with an additional 750 sq.ft. unfinished bonus room (NOT presently heated) in the Vancouver, WA area (98685). I plan on selling this property within 2-3 years.
It has R-38 insulation in the ceiling, 6" wall cavities (Interior & Exterior) are insulated ("R" value unknown) and both the 1st & 2nd floors have 10" insulation bats throughout.
The house has 428 sq. ft. of low-E window glass (includes 2 each 2'x4' [South-facing]skylights).
It's ducting consists of 6" I.D. insulated flex at each of the ducts...10/upstairs and 10/downstairs. There is a 1 large air return, on each floor, to the air handler.
The PRESENT SYSTEM is:
.TRANE XE1000 heat pump...(model# TWR048C 100A1).
.TRANE Air Handler....(model# TWE048C 140[8/B]2).
.HONEYWELL Electronic Air Cleaner.
.HONEYWELL "Fuel Saver" Thermostat (T8611G.R/
Chronotherm III).
The PROBLEM is that the 12 year old heat pump compressor is "burnt out" and must be replaced for system to work. This equipment has never been adequate during the hottest and/or coldest times of the year. There has been a persistent problem of R22 leakage since it was installed. The actual leak was finally located by the last technician, who has suggested that the system is undersized and because of its age (and present "condition") should be replaced with new and more efficient system. He is a service-only technician who doesn't sell new equipment. However, he , if "ordered to", could repair the existing setup for approx $1500.
The QUESTION(s) are...should I:
. replace the same-sized compressor, misc. parts, and
fix the leak (to keep costs @ a minimum)?
.replace the compressor w/ a 5-ton unit and 5-ton coil, misc.
parts and fix the leak?
.replace with a NEW 5-ton energy-efficient TRANE heat pump
and matching coil for the 2875 sq. ft. living space?
.replace with a NEW 5-ton TRANE heat pump AND a new air
handler (perhaps, with 2-speed motor that could be used to
help with the to-be-finished-in-the-distant-future "bonus
room" [750 sq.ft.]???
Because of a family member's health condition, I need to keep any intrusion into the living space by "outsiders" to an absolute minimum. Therefore, I presented as much information, as I have at hand, so that your recommendations would be as accurate as possible.
Thanks, for taking the time to read this narrative and for any expert suggestions that you may have. What should I do???
.
It has R-38 insulation in the ceiling, 6" wall cavities (Interior & Exterior) are insulated ("R" value unknown) and both the 1st & 2nd floors have 10" insulation bats throughout.
The house has 428 sq. ft. of low-E window glass (includes 2 each 2'x4' [South-facing]skylights).
It's ducting consists of 6" I.D. insulated flex at each of the ducts...10/upstairs and 10/downstairs. There is a 1 large air return, on each floor, to the air handler.
The PRESENT SYSTEM is:
.TRANE XE1000 heat pump...(model# TWR048C 100A1).
.TRANE Air Handler....(model# TWE048C 140[8/B]2).
.HONEYWELL Electronic Air Cleaner.
.HONEYWELL "Fuel Saver" Thermostat (T8611G.R/
Chronotherm III).
The PROBLEM is that the 12 year old heat pump compressor is "burnt out" and must be replaced for system to work. This equipment has never been adequate during the hottest and/or coldest times of the year. There has been a persistent problem of R22 leakage since it was installed. The actual leak was finally located by the last technician, who has suggested that the system is undersized and because of its age (and present "condition") should be replaced with new and more efficient system. He is a service-only technician who doesn't sell new equipment. However, he , if "ordered to", could repair the existing setup for approx $1500.
The QUESTION(s) are...should I:
. replace the same-sized compressor, misc. parts, and
fix the leak (to keep costs @ a minimum)?
.replace the compressor w/ a 5-ton unit and 5-ton coil, misc.
parts and fix the leak?
.replace with a NEW 5-ton energy-efficient TRANE heat pump
and matching coil for the 2875 sq. ft. living space?
.replace with a NEW 5-ton TRANE heat pump AND a new air
handler (perhaps, with 2-speed motor that could be used to
help with the to-be-finished-in-the-distant-future "bonus
room" [750 sq.ft.]???
Because of a family member's health condition, I need to keep any intrusion into the living space by "outsiders" to an absolute minimum. Therefore, I presented as much information, as I have at hand, so that your recommendations would be as accurate as possible.
Thanks, for taking the time to read this narrative and for any expert suggestions that you may have. What should I do???
.
Ed Imeduc
10-19-06, 09:56 AM
That 2 to 3 years to stay in the home tells you what to do. Just fix it.
If you where to stay for 10 years. Id say a XL19i 5 ton with the 2 compressor set up in it and the newTrane filter.
Or you say up and down Id put a unit for up and another unit for down. Gives you much better control over the temp in the home.
ED;)
If you where to stay for 10 years. Id say a XL19i 5 ton with the 2 compressor set up in it and the newTrane filter.
Or you say up and down Id put a unit for up and another unit for down. Gives you much better control over the temp in the home.
ED;)
tranquilacres
10-20-06, 10:16 AM
Many thanks for responding to my lengthy and (at least to me) involved heat pump question(s). Your reply to my thread makes a lot of sense to me and I'm going to take it.
You're like having a brother or a neighbor, "in the business", whose opinion you can believe in.
13427+ posts, on YOUR part, without any apparent personal gain...simply AMAZING!!! Please, keep up your great work. It is very much appreciated.
TranquilAcres
You're like having a brother or a neighbor, "in the business", whose opinion you can believe in.
13427+ posts, on YOUR part, without any apparent personal gain...simply AMAZING!!! Please, keep up your great work. It is very much appreciated.
TranquilAcres