HEAT PUMP ordered 14/got 13/help
I’M BUILDING NEW. Went to a local company for HVAC insted of taking bids because they’ve been around for a long time and have a good reputation. I asked for a price on a 14 seer heat pump. they quoted a Tappen. They put the model number and the words 14 seer on the quote.
When the outside unit came yesterday the owner commented on how 14 seer units were larger. Imagine my shock when I picked up the owner papers this morning to find I had a 13 seer unit.
I went to the tappan site and found that they call this series 13-14.
I couldn’t find ANY info on the specific model (FT4BD-042K) but I can see what’s coming already – the shop will claim that this model is called 13-14 therefore I got what I paid for even though the energy rating is 13. Before Monday, when I go buy an OUZY (SP?) and take out the place can somebody give me some
info about whether I am really being screwed or not.
Tigger
Damn, I hate being screwed without being kissed!
Replies
First of all, I am no expert . . . . .
Since you are building new, what air handler is going inside the house? The air handler has as much to do with the energy rating as the outside condenser unit.
It could be your unit is rated 13 SEER with air handler X and 14 SEER with Variable Speed air handler Y.
Might I suggest you ask politely first? (before buying the UZI) There may be an explanation other than you getting screwed.
I didn't get any info sheets on the air handler. I did order a variable spped though. I would like someone who is a pro to explain why my SEER would become a 14 based on the handler. I was working VERY hard to keep my electric down for the rest of my retirement since I'm very low on money.Edited 1/10/2009 12:01 pm ET by thetigger
Edited 1/10/2009 12:01 pm ET by thetigger
"I didn't get any info sheets on the air handler. I did order a variable spped though."That's why you hire a pro in the first place instead of ordering on your own. But that's neither here nor there now that you have the equipment. I suspect the VS air handler is a missing part of the equation that will give your system an overall SEER rating of 14 as claimed by the manufacturer.
"I would like someone who is a pro to explain why my SEER would become a 14 based on the handler."If you want an explanation of WHAT was ordered and WHAT was delivered and potentially HOW those two pieces fit together to make a 14 SEER system- you need to ask the people that sold it to you. The people here didn't sell you your unit, although many of them are in the trades and very knowledgeable about heat pumps. The best source of info is still the dealer that sold the equipment to you. People here can help you, but it may take awhile to get answers sometimes. More important that any of this though, is who is installing the system for you once you get this issue figured out? The installation is probably even MORE important than the system itself. A 14 SEER system with poor installation will cost you MORE money to operate than a 12 or 13 with great installation.
That is exactly right!
You need to look for details like sealing ducts with mastic (like a grey latex cake icing), taping seams, using zip straps on flex duct, etc.
Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
First of all the SEER is the measurement for when run in the AC mode.
COP (coefficent of perforance) is used in the heating mode. But that is an instantaneous measurement and I think that was is quote is a seasonal number, but off hand I don't remember what it is called. {Found it. It is called HSPF.]
Anyway the SEER is controlled by the WHOLE SYSTEM AS INSTALLED. So that includes the coils and air handler.
There will be a range of actual SEERS for any compressor and it very possible that one "14" compressor in a system will have a real SEER that is lower than an other system with a "13" compressor.
Here is a list of all of the officially recognized combinations of compressors and coils.
http://www.ahridirectory.org/ahriDirectory/pages/hp/defaultSearch.aspx
I looked up and for that compressor the system SEER is 13.0 to 14.5
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
thanks so much Bill - it really helped.For anyone else, I DIDN"T order the system to install myself. Because
HVAC is a building component I know little about, I ordered the system from a company here, who has always had an outstanding reputation.
HOWEVER, that doesn't mean I'm not going to make sure I'm getting what I ordered. I couldn't call them and ask before posting becuase I discovered this on Sat. , but even if I could have, I always like to have some assurance from my guys on Breaktime when I'm on unsafe grounds.So thanks everybody for the input, and here's hoping my AC bill this summer stays at a reasonable level. ;-]Tigger