Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - Buying a heat pump - advice needed

Last year my electric bills totalled $2700 for my 1500 sq ft condo. It has split system AC with electric coil in air handler for heat (10 Kw):( Electric is only utility allowed in the condo. Over the year I added insulation, installed humidifier, added IAQ. All this has helped but the electric company raised our rates here in CT 30% this year and is looking for more!

My company is offering to pay 50% of the cost to upgrade to an energy star heat pump. An offer I can't refuse at this point!

The air handler is 2 ton Trane TWE024P about 3 years old (12 SEER). The outdoor AC unit is Carrier 1.5 ton 38CKC. System is R22. I want to get 2 ton heat pump to replace the AC condensor.

So here are my questions....

1) Since the AH is only 3 years old I dont want to replace it at this point for a higher efficiency VS model. But since it is R22 then I am limited to dwindling supply of R22 outdoor matching units. Also from what I see manufacturers haven't put any new designs or improvements into R22 for years already so the R410 systems are sometimes more advanced than their R22 counterparts. Should I stick with R22 and if so are they being discounted at this point?

2) I've been thinking about getting a Trane HP model XR13 (since that is the highest SEER model that will fit in the existing condensor location - anything bigger will block my window :wall: ) I've been OK with my Trane AH but honestly I don't think Trane is a customer-friendly company. There is no way you can call or email them directly (i've tried) - everything has to go thru the installer/dealer (which I don't really like as sometimes they are hard to reach). Also I do not like the fact that Trane is being passed around like a cheap ***** from American Standard now to Ingersoll-Rand. It can't be good for the rank and file employees who are responsible for the products. I'm thinking of looking into a Carrier HP instead. Anyone have any thoughts about if I should stick with Trane or a different vendor?

Thanks...
Gene

NO way!!! If all your doing is going from a 12 seer to a 13 seer! Id say the 6 dollars (Guess) you will save will not help much. 13 seer is a builder grade! Id go with at leat 15 seer. If you don't like that company find another company!

NO way!!! If all your doing is going from a 12 seer to a 13 seer! Id say the 6 dollars (Guess) you will save will not help much. 13 seer is a builder grade! Id go with at leat 15 seer. If you don't like that company find another company!

Guess I wasn't clear.... I'm not replacing a 12 SEER HP with 13 SEER HP.... yes that would be ludicrous. I'm replacing an electric coil heater (read $$$) with a heat pump.

3 Trane dealers quoted me around $3300 for their 13 SEER HP. I'm calling some Carrier dealers tommorrow to see what they want for the 13 SEER Comfort series model 25HCR324C30 (actually ARI certified @ 15 SEER and 8.8 HSPF). It's much better than comparable Trane and in a much smaller package (about 10 inches lower for starters) and comes with superior scroll compressor to Tranes piston based system.

Wow! $2700
1. i'd stick with r22. draws less power
2. i'd put in a 3 ton system; that's what i have last 19 yrs in 1105 sf. Compare the RLA (amps) on any u consider
3. check out ruud for LOW condensors.

You for sure want to go for the seer of 15 or more here. Cause you also have to look at the HSPF of the unit in a heat pump with the seer of 15 you should get a HSPF of 8.05 with that train set up. Also go for it all inside and out . Then you can get a 10 year warranty. You will still have the electric elements in the blower coil unit with the heatpump

Check out this www R22 will be around till about 2030.
http://www.toad.net/~jsmeenen/freon.html

i'd say u could save $800-1000/yr
it helps if it is on the south or west wall in the sun.

Gee hope your right about the savings. I'd be happy to break even in 3 years. Course the way energy prices are going it may be quicker than that :rolleyes: