Replace just Heat Pump Condensor and Evaporator Coil or Condensor and complete Air Handler?

[honcho]

So, we're moving forward with replacing our heat pump. The current system is an 11 year old Trane XL 3 Ton matched system. We've received one quote for replacing the condensor and just the evaporator coil in the air handler with a carrier system. We're going to get a couple more quotes and my question is: Should we replace the complete air handler or is just replacing the evaporator coil with the new condensor sufficient?

Thank you for your help.

 

[walta]

How much longer can the 11-year-old fan motor last?

Can you buy a replacement motor? They are often custom and nothing else will fit.

Is the fan an Electronically Commutated Motor or ECM if so it will be big bucks.

I think it would be a poor choice to keep the old air handler.

If you want a heat pump that can make heat when it is below zero look for a compressor with vapor injection.

This link it to the NEEP list of heat pumps tested and showing how they perform at +45to -5

ASHP

ashp.neep.org

Walta

 

[markdtn]

If you are replacing both the evaporator and condensor why not just get a new system? 11 year old compressor is more than half gone as well as fan motors. Probably cheaper in the long run to just replace everything with new unless you plan to move really soon.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Isn't the evaporator coil inside the air handler? Might as well buy a new system

 

[honcho]

Isn't the evaporator coil inside the air handler? Might as well buy a new system

yes, the coul is inside the air handler. just replacing the coul would be like when the coil is replaced on a gas furnace

 

[Hobby_Man22]

yes, the coul is inside the air handler. just replacing the coul would be like when the coil is replaced on a gas furnace

depends on the price difference. The only other thing to go bad inside the air handler is the blower motor. Make sure you don't have one of those ecm blower motors, they became illegal to sell at the beginning of the year.

 

[honcho]

depends on the price difference. The only other thing to go bad inside the air handler is the blower motor. Make sure you don't have one of those ecm blower motors, they became illegal to sell at the beginning of the year.

Are you sure it's ECM motors? Those are the more efficient ones.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Are you sure it's ECM motors? Those are the more efficient ones.

Maybe my hvac guy explained it wrong. Looks like they're switching to ecm motors. My motor goes out every 2 years in my air handler and it's one of the ecm motors. Although I wonder if the main breaker for the house had something to do with it because that went out shortly after the motor went out for the second time.

 

[rooster59]

Both HVAC companies who have worked on my Trane heat pumps have said they last about 10 years. New air handler comes with a warranty. When is it going to fail? Coldest day or hottest most humid day. Service call will prob be about $700.

 

[fitter30]

Change everything so ahu and condenser are matched. Then there should be any warrantee problems. Be sure that if your reusing lines they need to be flushed with the proper solvent. Check about rebates from the electric company to state and fed taxes.