AboutHoward Livingston Expertise Can answer questions on electrical control circuits, power supply,airflow & distribution, electrical components,refrigerant problems,gas, electric & propane furnaces.No boiler or refrigerator or oil fired furnaces experience.Just HVAC questions please.
Experience 35 years experience in residential & light commercial repair & installation.
Question Our air handler is (Friedrich) over 22 years old and the compressor is dated 1991, very few problems over the years. We just had refrigerant added when it wasn't cooling very well in this current heat wave (Florida). It seems to be cooling better now. However, the AC tech talked about replacing the system because the pressure wasn't good in the compressor. He said that to replace the current system with a heat pump would require pulling a new control wire to the outside which he didn't want to do (work in the attic) and wasn't sure it could be done (the attic doesn't go straight thru from the handler to outside). He said that it would be better to replace the system with another straight cool and after we sign a contract and he finds he can't run the wire he would install a straight cool instead of a heat pump. What do you think - heat pump or straight cool? My priority is high energy efficiency and the energy efficient tax credit. Also, what factors do we use to choose a heat pump manufacturer? This tech is offering Frigidaire (2.5 ton system for 1650 sq ft with 5 kw electric heat)...for $4,500. Sound okay to you?
Answer Florida is the best place in the country for heat pumps. You hardly EVER use the electric heaat. Its about a 2.5 advantage over electric heat. Frigidaire is pretty good stuff but a bit over priced for what it is. If you compare run amps between the higher SEER ratings you will find pretty small differences between a 13 SEER & 14. So check the amps up to a 16 SEER, no higher. This wire thing should not control such a big difference between efficiency. A new wire is needed for heat pumps but there gotta be a way. I would get another bid on maybe Coleman, Tempstar, Rheem. Like an Oldsmobile kind. Stay away from Lennox, Carrier or Trane. Not worth it. 2.5 ton sorta close for a 16560 house. Got cathedral ceilings,good insulation ?. Go for a 3 ton for Florida. More air flow. Thats really good to have a 22 yr old system. Maybe consider using it till it dies. Prices don't change that much.Oh yea, don't forget to get a R 410 new system. R 22 phasing out soon.
