Heat Pump Recommendations?

[bwringer]

We have a Trane heat pump that was installed in 1995, and by all accounts its days are numbered. It's working fine at the moment, but we've had a few component failures and service calls in the last few years, and each time they've told us the end is nigh... next time they might not be able to patch it up.

We live in Indianapolis, house is about 1,400 SF, and the whole neighborhood is all electric -- no gas lines. It's your regular heat pump with auxiliary resistance heat that kicks on when needed.

Most people in this area have gas furnaces, but to be honest we've never been cold (or hot, except that one time when a capacitor crapped out) and our total energy bill is $150/month on budget billing. Can't complain one bit about that. And yes, the house is very well insulated and sealed.

So what's the hot poop on heat pumps in 2017? Is Trane still the big cheese, or is there a challenger? Any brands or models to avoid?

Smack me upside the head with some heat pump wisdom, O Brainy Ones of GJ.

 

[PWC Repair]

The latest major news has been the inverter driven compressors and electronic expansion valves. Like what is used in the mini-splits. Now you can go 17-20 SEER and get these features in a standard split system and still get nice heat down to about 15 degrees (without using strip heat) and also variable cooling BTUs to dehumidify AND save money on the power bill.

 

[hobie1dog]

Serving 27 years in the commercial hvac business, I would buy another Trane. Just my worthless 2cents worth

 

[sms1974]

Trane and American Standard are one in the same, best heat pumps on the market. get a quote from an AS dealer some times there is a good price difference in the same equipment. Trane pays for a lot more national advertising...

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Go goodman!
That should get the party started.

 

[shawhite]

I would second American standard but if it still works I wouldn't replace it . My ac guy keeps telling me mine is on it's last leg for at least 8 years now. My unit is 23 years old now and still works.

 

[justinjoyal]

The latest major news has been the inverter driven compressors and electronic expansion valves. Like what is used in the mini-splits. Now you can go 17-20 SEER and get these features in a standard split system and still get nice heat down to about 15 degrees (without using strip heat) and also variable cooling BTUs to dehumidify AND save money on the power bill.

Heat pumps have been heating well at +15F for quite a while now.

Some brands are advertising -10F heating now (reduced performance of course).

 

[larry4406]

Go goodman!
That should get the party started.

I have a Goodman heat pump in my house now for almost 4 years and have been quite pleased. 16 Seer I believe with variable speed fan. We have a 2000 square foot main floor ranch with basement. It has performed exceptionally.

 

[Notgrownup]

I have a 15 year old Goodman 3.5 ton unit, it has served me well.

 

[bwringer]

Thanks for all the info!

I would second American standard but if it still works I wouldn't replace it . My ac guy keeps telling me mine is on it's last leg for at least 8 years now. My unit is 23 years old now and still works.

Yeah, we honestly don't know how much longer we have, and it's still working beautifully. But we'd like to get ahead of things at some point in the next few years.

The first time our heat pump pooped out, we were still pretty new in town, so I called the number on the sticker on the side of the unit.

They sent, I **** thee not, a tanned, muscular, cologne-drenched gent in a spotless white shirt and a bow tie. In his manicured hands was a clipboard, and there was no tool belt to avert the gaze from his taut loins and tight black pants.

In less than ten minutes, without the use of a screwdriver or instrumentation of any kind, he pronounced the entire system beyond salvage and produced an estimate somewhere north of $9,000. "Sign here, please."

Not being a bored, ***** housewife, I sent Mr. Chippendale to try his luck at the next stop, did a little asking around and called a different company.

This one sent an enthusiastic young man with no bow tie, but a bit of honest dirt on his hands (and, more importantly, a screwdriver and meter) who soon found and replaced an expired relay.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Thanks for all the info!




Yeah, we honestly don't know how much longer we have, and it's still working beautifully. But we'd like to get ahead of things at some point in the next few years.

The first time our heat pump pooped out, we were still pretty new in town, so I called the number on the sticker on the side of the unit.

They sent, I **** thee not, a tanned, muscular, cologne-drenched gent in a spotless white shirt and a bow tie. In his manicured hands was a clipboard, and there was no tool belt to avert the gaze from his taut loins and tight black pants.

In less than ten minutes, without the use of a screwdriver or instrumentation of any kind, he pronounced the entire system beyond salvage and produced an estimate somewhere north of $9,000. "Sign here, please."

Not being a bored, ***** housewife, I sent Mr. Chippendale to try his luck at the next stop, did a little asking around and called a different company.

This one sent an enthusiastic young man with no bow tie, but a bit of honest dirt on his hands (and, more importantly, a screwdriver and meter) who soon found and replaced an expired relay.

What can I say,I was putting myself through plumbing school!

 

[man-a-fre]

I have a rheem heatpump with electric backup,it i s 7 yrs old 2.5 ton had to replace the A coil (evaporator) 3 times because the copper corrodes and leaks the 410a out. i was told that the copper the A coil is made with is inferior .The next unit i buy will have an aluminum A coil not picky on brand.If i had a choice i would buy a brand new r22 unit because they all seem to last longer and in my opinion are just as efficient as the so called energy saving 410a units.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I just bought a Goodman 2.5 package unit and 10k heat strip for my house from theacoutlet.com for $1875 shipped to the house with liftgate delivery included. I also have one on my shop.

 

[Ohmthis]

I would not replace it until its DEAD. All of the manufacturers have had an issue here or there that has been spread throughout their intire line. The installation is as or more important than the equipment. Do your research on the installing company and choose. Depending on what you want to spend, you can have a serviceable system or one with lots of bells and whistles. It usually comes down to ROI (return on investment). I haven't seen a high dollar/high tech one yet (there will be those to argue) that over its life span will pay for its upgraded self.

 

[sms1974]

I have a rheem heatpump with electric backup,it i s 7 yrs old 2.5 ton had to replace the A coil (evaporator) 3 times because the copper corrodes and leaks the 410a out. i was told that the copper the A coil is made with is inferior .The next unit i buy will have an aluminum A coil not picky on brand.If i had a choice i would buy a brand new r22 unit because they all seem to last longer and in my opinion are just as efficient as the so called energy saving 410a units.

Rheem evaporator coils are the worst for this, its called formicary corrosion. There condenser coils of that era are horrible also... while all manufactures had problems with formicary corrosion it was always a guarantee with the Rheem \ Rudd junk...

this is also the reason almost all new coils are all aluminum...

this link will give anyone interested more info...

http://www.americancoolingandheatin...s/2012/01/What-Causes-Formicary-Corrosion.pdf

 

[Gila Monster]

I just remember having like a 25+ year old ac and replacing it before I needed to so I could head off a problem down the road. Replacement was a Trane, installer had been in business forever.

First summer it went out, had to stay somewhere else for a week until they could warranty it out. Bad board somehow fried the compressor. Another issue than happened down the line not too much later.

My advice is keep it running until something major like the compressor needs replacement, then replace the whole thing. The utility cost savings of a new unit are not going to offset the price over the life of the unit. You're probably looking at like $20 a month in electric savings during the months its used. And most places are going to make the case "it's on its last legs" because they want to sell you a new unit.

I genuinely don't think they are as well made as they used to be and you could be swapping a reliable workhorse for something that needs more service.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I would not replace it until its DEAD. All of the manufacturers have had an issue here or there that has been spread throughout their intire line. The installation is as or more important than the equipment. Do your research on the installing company and choose. Depending on what you want to spend, you can have a serviceable system or one with lots of bells and whistles. It usually comes down to ROI (return on investment). I haven't seen a high dollar/high tech one yet (there will be those to argue) that over its life span will pay for its upgraded self.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Rheem evaporator coils are the worst for this, its called formicary corrosion. There condenser coils of that era are horrible also... while all manufactures had problems with formicary corrosion it was always a guarantee with the Rheem \ Rudd junk...

this is also the reason almost all new coils are all aluminum...

this link will give anyone interested more info...

http://www.americancoolingandheatin...s/2012/01/What-Causes-Formicary-Corrosion.pdf

Ive seen a lot more junk carrier/Bryant coils than any other over the years.

 

[Ohmthis]

Ive seen a lot more junk carrier/Bryant coils than any other over the years.

I'll second this, most only lasted a year or two before leaking. *****!!!

 

[PWC Repair]

I'll third that.