Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - heat pump w/ force air electric furnace?
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torque2
03-26-08, 12:28 PM
I'm looking at upgrading my home heating system. It is currently forced air electric using the original furnace from 1978. My friend has offered me his two year old Frigidaire 4 ton heat pump if I want it because he needs a bigger unit, but can this be somehow matched up to my existing furnace for heating and A/C or do I need to buy a separate handler to replace the furnace, or should I just start from scratch with a complete new system? I'm heating and cooling 1,800 sq ft. in southern Oregon.
Thanks for any suggestions,
Tim
Thanks for any suggestions,
Tim
Jay11J
03-26-08, 04:58 PM
I'd say pass on it.. 4 tons in a 1,800 sq ft home is WAY oversized for your area, unless you don't have windows in the house?
I'd would start over fresh with a new system, have a dealer to a Manual-J on the home for a right sized unit.. I am taking a shot in the dark that a 2 tons is more than enough.
I'd would start over fresh with a new system, have a dealer to a Manual-J on the home for a right sized unit.. I am taking a shot in the dark that a 2 tons is more than enough.
Matt Gruber
03-31-08, 06:13 AM
a FREE 4 ton!
i'd take it! even up to $500.
i have 3 tons in 1105 sf and it works great!
sounds fine, 4T-1800
Note: a 4cyl car is adequate by the "book" but i drive a V8.
a 2 ton is like a 4 cyl. sure it works! but is it fast? no way!
i'd take it! even up to $500.
i have 3 tons in 1105 sf and it works great!
sounds fine, 4T-1800
Note: a 4cyl car is adequate by the "book" but i drive a V8.
a 2 ton is like a 4 cyl. sure it works! but is it fast? no way!
mattison
03-31-08, 06:49 AM
Bigger is not always better. Jay said that size was to big for where they live. A 3 ton in your home in Fla probably is about rigt. Oversizing an a/c will cause it to short cycle and will not run long enough to remove humidity properly. Potentially promoting mold growth. A properly sized a/c will run for hours at a time on a hot day.
Jay11J
03-31-08, 06:54 AM
a FREE 4 ton!
i'd take it! even up to $500.
i have 3 tons in 1105 sf and it works great!
sounds fine, 4T-1800
Note: a 4cyl car is adequate by the "book" but i drive a V8.
a 2 ton is like a 4 cyl. sure it works! but is it fast? no way!
Matt, the larger unit may work fine for you down in Fla where it's much hotter, and humid. I'm up in Minnesota, I have 2 tons in my 1,700 sq ft home.
Tim may have the same weather as I would here in MN.. and if I had a 4 ton in my home, it would be super humid in the home since the system don't run long enough to remove the humidity.
Bigger isn't always better.... True, it may cool the house down fast, but it's not doing to be dry.. and you may end up cranking the t-stat down lower to "feel" cooler.. Steady run time is better than the stop and go.
i'd take it! even up to $500.
i have 3 tons in 1105 sf and it works great!
sounds fine, 4T-1800
Note: a 4cyl car is adequate by the "book" but i drive a V8.
a 2 ton is like a 4 cyl. sure it works! but is it fast? no way!
Matt, the larger unit may work fine for you down in Fla where it's much hotter, and humid. I'm up in Minnesota, I have 2 tons in my 1,700 sq ft home.
Tim may have the same weather as I would here in MN.. and if I had a 4 ton in my home, it would be super humid in the home since the system don't run long enough to remove the humidity.
Bigger isn't always better.... True, it may cool the house down fast, but it's not doing to be dry.. and you may end up cranking the t-stat down lower to "feel" cooler.. Steady run time is better than the stop and go.
Matt Gruber
03-31-08, 10:03 AM
Hi Jay
i agree results vary.
But, it is NOT hot here. The seabreeze gives a typical summer high in the 80's. usually 84-86.
It is VERY HUMID outside LOL. NOT inside.
:cheers:
i agree results vary.
But, it is NOT hot here. The seabreeze gives a typical summer high in the 80's. usually 84-86.
It is VERY HUMID outside LOL. NOT inside.
:cheers:
Ed Imeduc
03-31-08, 01:32 PM
It only takes about a 3 ton unit down in Fl for about a 1900 sq ft home. Around West Palm. Any bigger and you get a temp drop with a lot of humidity in the home . Next comes MOLD then. Also a heat pump dont pay down there. Use the elements for the few days you need heat. Also if you dont have a hot water recovery unit on the AC your NUTS. Thats free hot water for you ;)