Jeramie Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Currently I'm running a Goodman Heat pump. Its on its last leg and I'm afraid I'm going to have to change it very soon. Currently our house is small. It is around 1486sq ft. After we add on bedrooms for our girls I am looking at roughly 2000sqft and that should happen within the next 2 years so I need to size accordingly. I figure I need a 4-ton unit (is that correct for 2000 sqft roughly)? I hate to jump to a 5 ton because the seer takes a nose dive, prices go WAY up, and it would be grossly over-sized. I personally don't want a heat pump as I have had nothing but trouble with the one I have but I'm not 100% against them. Is there any reason I should reconsider? Also, Goodman seems to be a popular brand (from Texas if I remember correctly). Is Goodman OK? Our heat pump now is Goodman but I cant fault the company for the guy that built the house junking together a unit. Has anyone used the HVAC complete package units? From what Ive read they are very, very easy to install. Basically run 220, hook up air in and out, and run a thermostat. Looking for pointers here as I may very well be replacing the unit this year...... Additional Info.... Needs to be 100% electric (no gas by the house, dont really want to set LP tank) 220v readily available at the old unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Here is a good example of what im thinking about.... with the exception of it being a heat pump and im still on the fence about them. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=hvac+self+contained&hl=en&safe=on&cid=7630142057095799541&ei=eFD-TKDzL5Xk3AS57dDvCA&sa=title&ved=0CCcQ8wIwBDgA#p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Dunno Jeramie, guess I might consider tackling a package system like that if everything was already there. Since the ductwork is already there for the most part would think it would be pretty simple granted that ductwork is the right size and so long as you have good literature and tech support and you are capable. Things can go wrong though even for experienced hvac people, with that in mind guess I would weigh the options and possible expenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 I have a local guy that is good. He makes for a great backup. My thoughts are though if I can get the unit 100% outside I would also free up a very large return air closet and get that noise out of the house. That would be terrific! The all in ones seem to be a glorified window unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 We put a Trane heat pump/propane furnace on our new house. The new house is a touch over 3100sq ft. I'm pretty happy with the heat pump. If you move the thermostat 3 or 4 degrees up when it's in the 30's outside the heat pump struggles and it actually feels like it's blowing cold air instead of warm, but I can switch it over to propane, heat the house in about 10 minutes, then switch it back to the heat pump. Overall, I'd do it again. Last year we spent about $800 on propane for the whole season and our average electric bill was probably around $180. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Would really be best to do a heat load calculation on your house Jeramie. The old adage was 500sq-ft/ton, and that was usually close, but before you write the check, I would have it evaluated, no need to over buy on the btu's. I love my heat pump, would prefer to have propane as the emergency heat, but you seldom see that down here. On those cold nights I hate to see the bill when that 10kw strip kicks in. Propane will serve you well up there, while you enjoy the efficiency of a high seer unit for most of the milder days in the 40's and 50's. Never was crazy about a package unit, just a personal dislike of their appearance though. Adding rooms is no biggie, but you do need a good duct man that can figure it out right to add the right size ducts in the correct place off your trunk line to get the air flow you need. Nothing worse than a whistling register where somebody has undersized the duct and the velocity is too high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 As far as Goodman is concerned, don't get too hung up on names. Goodman is fine, and you'll find many different names put on their products, just like Nordyne does and others. Focus on what compressor warranty the dealer will give you, and who has the best rep for service. The compressor is the heart of the system, and 2-3 makers probably have 90% of the market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Guessing your estimate of needing a 4 ton unit is probably pretty close Jeramie, but think John is right on track with his advice of consulting someone who can pull a load calculation. Might consider getting some bids from reputable hvac guys and see what they suggest for unit size and ask about your existing ducts. Person who sold us our home as well as our contractor said we would only need a 4 ton system, we ended up going with a 5 ton split system heat pump in the new house, American Standard/Trane. House is still not complete but I have been able to test both the heat and ac and looks like it should work out well, we are heating and cooling a main floor of 2100+sq ft, 300+ sq ft of loft and an area of the basement that will later be another bedroom all with one unit. I am actually needing to get our hvac people back out, have some question /concern on a noticeable draw with the thermostat set to off. Glad they are gonna be the ones to figure that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 I'm with Johnny, don't get hung up on names. I work for one of the biggest HVAC distributors in TX and LA. The only difference in the equipment is warranty and maybe a few nonessential parts. If yould would like I can pm you the closest company store to you and they would be more than glad to help you out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 I'm with Johnny, don't get hung up on names. I work for one of the biggest HVAC distributors in TX and LA. The only difference in the equipment is warranty and maybe a few nonessential parts. If yould would like I can pm you the closest company store to you and they would be more than glad to help you out. Bounce it to me!..... Im really wanting the all in one system to free a very large closet for a pantry (my wife will love me). I have some questions and would like a quote on a unit... By the way, I work in Tulsa so im guessing that is the closest facility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 It's Christmas Corey, just give the man a heat pump! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 It's Christmas Corey, just give the man a heat pump! Booyaaaa! Im liking that idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm23494 Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 Air source heat pumps are the way to go in the Southern United States. In the Northern parts they lose their efficiencey when the outdoor temp drops below 30-40 degrees. Hence why they are all provided with back-up heating sources (electric, propane, natural gas or fuel oil). If you are a primary cooling load, which Texas is, this is the way to go. As I am typing this I have my computer chugging on an HVAC simulation for a project that I am working on. If you PM me I can get some info from you about your house and run a block load and give you an idea where you fall out. The rule of thumb of 500 sf/ton is a good starting point but there are a few variables that might effect it up or down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted December 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 Air source heat pumps are the way to go in the Southern United States. In the Northern parts they lose their efficiencey when the outdoor temp drops below 30-40 degrees. Hence why they are all provided with back-up heating sources (electric, propane, natural gas or fuel oil). If you are a primary cooling load, which Texas is, this is the way to go. As I am typing this I have my computer chugging on an HVAC simulation for a project that I am working on. If you PM me I can get some info from you about your house and run a block load and give you an idea where you fall out. The rule of thumb of 500 sf/ton is a good starting point but there are a few variables that might effect it up or down. Ill send you a PM.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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