Need new heat pump at lake house

[AmyPCmom]

This is my first post so bear with me!

Background: Back in 2007, my husband and I bought a lake house that was built in 1991. We generally keep the heat very cold (around 55) and the ac very warm (80-85) when we aren't there. The units are original Carrier heat pumps. The upstairs unit is a 2ton and the downstairs is 3 ton.

The problem: Late last summer I noticed that the upstairs unit seemed to take a long time to cool, although eventually it would be OK. We weren't there much in the winter, but when we were, I noticed the same-seemed to take forever to warm. We also noticed the fan was running a lot and our power bill was higher than the chilly winter and increased charges could account for.

The solution debate: In late February, early March I had someone come out to assess the situation. He found the unit upstairs was completely out of freon but couldn't determine exactly where the leak was. He offered to fix a part that he suspected was leaking ($800) and said that if that didn't work he would replace the whole thing with a "builder grade unit" (no specifics) for $6k. Had to talk with DH about it so left it at that. (No written estimate or anything there)

After talking to my husband, my dad, and my father in law, we came to the conclusion that we likely would have to replace the unit regardless within a few years and so this fix would probably be just a short term solution. We also decided to get some second opinions.

Guy #2 comes out, looks at the unit and talks with me to get what our wants/needs are and recommends a Goodman (Janitrol) 13 SEER variable speed unit for $5600.

Guy #3 says Goodman is junk and recommends a Lennox 13 SEER variable speed unit for $5500.

Reviews for both are mixed, either loved or hated. I don't know who or what to believe. I have another appointment scheduled, but it's not until next week (being that it's at a lake house, it's hard to coordinate things.) The unit would literally be run about 25 weekends a year, but I want something that is reliable for those times. I also hate that I'm not very knowledgeable in this area and don't know who might be feeding me a bunch of lies just to sell me something.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?!?!?!?!?! Ack!!!

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm really at a loss.

Amy

[sammy37]

Goodman is not junk! The problem that Goodman has is that they are easy to get ahold of, so alot of inexperienced people install them and most of those installs are improperly done.
You need to make sure that the contractor that you use is a professional and not a hack or you will end up with a junk system also.
Lennox is a very good unit and if you can get one installed for the same price as a Goodman, I say go for it.

[airman.1994]

Let me add!!! First I agree with the last post! 2nd I don't know what part of the state you are in but if you are west of Cville Lennox parts will be harder to get. If you are at lake Anna or Caroline you should be fine. I don't know whats in NC so bugs Island might be a draw. 3rd they must do a heat load on the home to size your equipment. Like said cheaper equipment usually comes with a cheaper install and the install is the only part that counts!!!!!!!

[TigerDunes]

amy

first of all, I don't want to rehash the Goodman brand other than to say it has long been perceived as HVAC equipment sold more on price than quality. They do not have an authorized dealer network, ie they sell to anyone. I would not have their products in my home.

these are the specs one should look for in a new HP system.

15 SEER, 12.5+ EER, 9 HSPF
best rated matching var speed air handler
full BTUs in both cooling and heating for rated size
R-410a refrigerant
new lineset preferred
scroll compressor preferred
electronic demand defrost preferred
thermostat with "dehumidify on demand" feature
staged backup heat strips

The Fed Govt will offer up to a $1500 tax credit for qualifying systems the next two years. It would be a mistake to leave this on the table by not upgrading. see link for details.

my personal favorites are the following:

Trane XL15i or sister mdl Am Std Heritage 15
Carrier Performance 15 "H" mdl or sister mdl Bryant Preferred 15

Let me know if you have any questions.

IMO


Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency : ENERGY STAR

[sammy37]

Goodman does not sell to everyone. You cannot walk into the local Goodman distributor here (las vegas) and buy equipment. You can however buy Goodman off of the internet along with rheem, tempstar, bryant, and so on and so on.
I have installed many Goodman units for several years and am still waiting for my phone to ring with a breakdown, I have had zero issues with their equipment.

[AmyPCmom]

Thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately, because this isn't our primary residence, it doesn't qualify for any additional tax credits.

We are at Lake Anna, so I don't think the Lennox parts will be a problem yet.

The Goodman technician has 6-7 years experience and the company has been around for a long time and appears to be a reputable company. We got the referral from our realtor who just recently had them put in a hybrid unit. They also do a lot with rental properties and have used them for emergency problems and the like. I also forgot to mention that the Goodman unit's price comes with a 10 year parts and labor warranty that covers everything, and has some sort of 'lemon' aspect where if more than 3 things have to be fixed on the unit in 10 years, than they'll replace the unit. (Don't have the exact wording with me, but that's the gist of it.)

I do plan on having him do a load calculation to make sure we are getting the right sized unit.

Anyway, thought I'd give a little bit more information about it.

[Jarredsdad]

Years back between houses we rented a Townhouse with a dead Goodman. Long story, but I ended up putting the new Goodman in myself. Ended up with new exact match outdoor unit, removed and cleaned evap and blower, new drier, evac to 300 microns (which held for 1 1/2 hours) etc.. Almost exactly a year later, dead Goodman. Took a day off work to fix Goodman Junk.

Here I have a 3 year old Luxaire (York) self installed no problems, no worries.

To the problem at hand. 25 weekends a year in the 18 years? Being naturally cheap, I would fix it. Can't find a leak is bunk. More like too lazy and easier to replace than repair. True some are hard to find, I've waited 6 or more months for dye to finally show up to pinpoint a leak. I've even split systems in 4 pieces seal and pressurized with nitrogen to find a leak.

Lennox parts are easy to get. Both in C'ville and H'burg. I order on line rather than sit on hold for hours and listen to Dave Lennox yell at me about how easy on line ordering is.

With the usage of the property in mind, I would repair and not replace. A charge up and dye capsule in not $6000.