[BronzeHD]

I live in central Ohio and I am currently scrapping my old Central Air unit for a new heat pump. I currently have an American Standard Standard Freedom 80 furnace that is in good shape and that I plan on keeping. I have had two contractors come out and I am currently trying to decide between the American Standard Heritage 16 which is two stage or the Lennox XP 15 which is single stage. I believe both contractors are capable of doing the job right. There is about $500.00 difference in cost with the American Standard being more expensive. I'm not sure which way to go?

 

[dash]

If the furnace has a variable speed fan motor and the new stat can control it,to deliver the correct air flow for each stage then I'd go 2 stage cooling/heat pump.

Without a variable speed motor,I'd be learly that the air flow for two stage will not be correct for both stages,so I'd go single stage.Not saying it can't be done ,but with an existing duct system ,it would be difficult.

 

[Texas Arrow]

I would also have to say the A.S. two stage 16 would greatly benefit from the variable speed blower. Depending on the condition of your furnace it may be a good time to upgrade.

 

[BronzeHD]

The furnace thats in there now is only about five years old. We bought the house about three years ago and it was here when we move in. I really did not want to have to replace the furnace just yet as there is nothing wrong with it. Don't know if it makes much difference but the house is about 1900 square feet with a crawl space. The American Standard contractor also priced me the Heritage 15 for about $125.00 less than the lennox. I'm not sure which is better way to go if I do go with the single stage.

 

[mayguy]

Do you know if your furnace is a two stage variable speed? If yes, then look at the A/s 16. Otherwise, back off on to the 15 if you are not variable speed as other guys said the two stage a/c may not work well on a standard blower.

 

[BronzeHD]

I believe it is just a standard blower. Any thoughts on which single stage may be better?

 

[Texas Arrow]

american standard is a great unit with a wonderful compressor. As everyone on hvac-talk preaches though, installation is key. A sub 500 micron vacuum should be pulled on the lineset and the unit should be charged accurately. Take static readings at furnace...so on so forth.

 

[tigerdunes]

Bronze

You can not use a 2 stg HP with a furnace that does not have a var spd blower. My suggestion is a properly sized sgl stg heat pump. These are my choices not in any particular order.

1.Am Std Heritage 14

2.Am Std Heritage 13

3.Trane XR14

Trane products can easily be paired with Am Std furnaces since they are sister products. You will also require a matching evap coil and probably a new Trane/AmStd thermostat.

http://www.americanstandardair.com/HomeOwner/Products/Furnaces/#gasfurnaces

http://www.americanstandardair.com/HomeOwner/Products/HeatPumps/Compare.aspx

 

[Texas Arrow]

Trane XL14i for that nice weatherguard top and the warranty. If you plan on staying 10+ years get an aluminum indoor coil for durability.

 

[BronzeHD]

So you reccommend going with a 14 instead of a 15?

 

[Texas Arrow]

Anything under 16 seer should be worth your money without changing the furnace.

 

[heatpumpguru]

You have to ask for ARI rating most do not hit the numbers without variable speed blower heater.You could buy a 15 SEER and end up with a 13 SEER!!

 

[tigerdunes]

Brz

Trane's Xl14i and AmStd Heritage 14 are great sgl stg HPs but you will never receive the high eff numbers without a var speed blower. Because of that fact, I suggested the XR14 and Heritage 13 which are solid HPs not quite as expensive. HPGuru is absolutely correct.

IMO

 

[wormy]

I'm of the opinion that the 2 stage heat pump has a chance of being set up with your current furnace.

The reason folks would prefer a variable speed is more accurate control over
air flow during 1st stage and 2nd stage.

Most newer furnaces with standard blowers have 4 speed selections to choose from. The furnace typically has a control that picks out one speed during heat and another speed during cool. (two speeds are left un-used)

Set up the furnace to provide the correct amount of air for 1st stage (which will end up being a lower fan speed.... i.e. 1st gear on a car)
[technically speaking. During a call for 1st stage heat pump or first stage cool DO NOT apply 24 volts to Y on furnace board.]
When 2nd stage is being called for, then tell the furnace to go into a higher fan speed to provide the correct air for the 2nd stage heat pump/cool
[technically speaking. 2nd stage heat pump or 2nd stage cool APPLY 24 volts to the Y on the furnace board.]

 

[mayguy]

I
[technically speaking. During a call for 1st stage heat pump or first stage cool DO NOT apply 24 volts to Y on furnace board.]
When 2nd stage is being called for, then tell the furnace to go into a higher fan speed to provide the correct air for the 2nd stage heat pump/cool
[technically speaking. 2nd stage heat pump or 2nd stage cool APPLY 24 volts to the Y on the furnace board.]

Most standard furnace with Y has no control of the blower speed. G is usely powered by the t-stat to turn on the blower. Y is just a meeting point of wire from the t-stat and outdoor unit.

I know there are some better furnace out there that allows you to do this, but most of them don't have this type of set up.

 

[wormy]

Mayguy...
If the furnace does not use Y to control fan speed,
then a relay could be used.
You are right though, there are a lot of furnaces that don't use the Y terminal
to crank up to high speed blower.

Easy way to check would be look at the board and see if it has the blower wires
connected to a terminal labeled 'Cool' and 'Heat'