[breaktheory]

York LX TM8Y Furnace/YXT060 AC (Condensor/Furnace Option)

Carrier - Performance 16 25HCE436A003 (heat pump option)

Trane - XR16 heat pump

I like the furnace idea as gas is much cheaper than electricity in socal

All 3 offer 5 year labor warranties

 

[breaktheory]

And to sort of hijack my own thread - both carrier and trane proposals are insisting on a fan coil in the attic while the york proposal is telling me I don't need anything in my attic - is this accurate for a zoned system?

 

[breaktheory]

I'm just quoting the proposal I don't know if the model number or product name is incorrect but I can tell you that is the highest quote - but more importantly can you tell me about the upstairs fan coil issue?

I like the york guy but confused as to why he's the only one telling me I don't need any machinery in my attic

 

[breaktheory]

Worry more about the installer then the brand name.
Most use similar brands of components anyway.

I can tell you that the guys proposing both Trane and Carrier had a salesman vibe about them - the guy proposing York felt very honest but comes from a mom and pop type of shop so doesn't have the reputation of the bigger guys.

All three are highly reviewed and recommended in my area.

I just don't know why York guy is telling me I don't need this fan coil in my attic so I'm wondering if he definitely knows his stuff

 

[breaktheory]

What air handler is currently in the attic? How old is it? What refrigerant does it use?

Currently the house is setup for 2 systems - one condensor/furnace for downstairs and a heat pump/fan coil in the attic...the system is completely hacked together and everyone that's come out to see it says it's a mess and needs to be replaced (the units are from the 80s anyway)

 

[breaktheory]

Your other thread says a 5 ton unit is being proposed. How was that size determined?

So since the house is 3162 sq feet - the options are to either do one 5 ton zoned system which would be slightly underpowered or do 2 systems at 3 tons each - I like the idea of 2 systems but that's considerably more expensive

 

[breaktheory]

So the York guy is proposing using the 1980s air handler with a brand new replacement outdoor unit?

No the york guy is proposing removing everything from the attic - the entire system is a furnace, condensor and evaporator coil - I'm confused as to why he's the only one saying nothing needs to live in the attic besides ducting

 

[breaktheory]

Then where will the air handler live?
What modifications will be made to the duct to accommodate zoning?

I do know there is some sort of duct work being done no matter which contractor I pick - no one has ever mentioned anything about an air handler - do I have to have one?

 

[breaktheory]

Furnace/air handler, has to be some sort of indoor unit.

Ok that would make sense because the york guy is the only one proposing a furnace while the two other guys are proposing heat pumps with fans in the attic...

The system would be a condenser outside and a furnace inside on the bottom floor and no equipment upstairs - does this sound like it would work?

 

[breaktheory]

Ok, so the York guy is proposing a heat pump hybrid using a gas furnace? Or just standard gas heating with an air conditioner?
The rest are proposing standard heat pumps?
Does this sound right?

I believe the york guy is proposing a standard condenser (not a heat pump) and a gas furnace - he also lists a condenser coil on his proposal. This is all the gear he's listing.

The other guys are both proposing standard heat pumps with no furnace.

If using the standard condenser and downstairs furnace with zoning equipment, would that eliminate the need for an air handler?

 

[breaktheory]

Got it - so the fan coil that the heat pump guys are proposing, is that only needed for a heat pump or am I totally good for 2 zone control with only the furnace and condensor?

 

[breaktheory]

All three guys are highly recommended but the york guy just seems to me to be the most honest and didn't try to upsell me on anything...

 

[breaktheory]

Ok,
How was sizing determined by the proposals? Will they properly commission the equipment after installation?
Are your utility rates better for gas then electricity?

There was no official measurement taken - they all used square footage at least in explaining it to me.
I can't say if it will be done properly but all three have solid reps on yelp and do say they will ensure everything is correctly working at the end of installation.

In my area, gas is probably half the price of electricity so furnace will save money.

 

[breaktheory]

Guessing you live in the southern states? as the York furnace they propose is 80% I suppose if you wanted to save even more ( higher cost thou ) is to install a 92%> condensing furnace if you actually have cold weather.

Also the other two companies that are offering the Heat Pump, what will you use for heat when the Heat Pump fails and may be down for a few days?

What about when the machine goes into defrost, will you need any back up heat to help temper the discharge air temperature while in defrost, as your basically in A/C mode during that relatively short period. I suppose if you live in the south that may not be to important, as chances your defrost periods will not be that long? A question you can ask them...

BTW the Trane web-site says the XR16 can reach up to 17 SEER depending on indoor selection.

The Carrier web-site say the 25HCE4 can reach up to 14 SEER depending on indoor selection.

The York web-site says the YXT can reach up to 19 SEER depending on indoor selection. Comes with a lifetime compressor warranty to the registered original owner and has a two speed compressor.

Certainly ask for matched AHRI rated systems for the Trane and York as chances the Trane would have a good chance at any rebates your state or local utility company may offer. The York having the highest SEER of the lot, should easily qualify. Didn't those two Contractors mention possible rebates to you?

Hi we haven't really gotten past the first round of simple estimates so haven't discussed rebates...I live in los angeles so we can hit 110 on the hottest day of the summer but I don't think I've ever seen it drop below 40 in 11 years living here (average is 75 yer round)

York seems to have the best warranty but I guess lacks the prestige of the other brands.

Would it benefit me to actually go out and get a manual J calc? the largest unit I can buy is a 5 ton which I'm buying - the alternative is to do a split system for 6 total tons but 8k extra for an extra ton I don't even know that I need.

 

[breaktheory]

I may have missed something here but It sounds to me that the York guy is going to tear out the equipment for upstairs, redo some ducting and adding a trunk to tie the upstairs duct and basement equipment together with a zone package. The other 2 appear to be leaving the main floor system alone and just replacing the upstairs system. If this is the case has he discussed where the duct will run between basement and attic?

BNM - Yes that's what he's doing - there's currently a complete hack job system installed now and he's ripping out everything in the house and proposing a 2 zoned system using a gas furnace and standard condenser with nothing in the attic (the other two guys are insisting that the furnace must be in the attic to control airflow)

 

[breaktheory]

I may have missed something here but It sounds to me that the York guy is going to tear out the equipment for upstairs, redo some ducting and adding a trunk to tie the upstairs duct and basement equipment together with a zone package. The other 2 appear to be leaving the main floor system alone and just replacing the upstairs system. If this is the case has he discussed where the duct will run between basement and attic?

No - all three are ripping out both systems - 2 are insisting the furnace go in the attic and the third guy (who I happen to like the most) is telling me the furnace can go downstairs.