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QUESTION:Quick question for the pros. I am in the process of obtaining bids to
swap out my old (30 year old) Sears gas furnace and Janitrol central
3.5 ton AC unit (22 years old).
The last bid I have gotten is from one of our well established outfits
here in Lexington,KY. They are quoting me a price of 4900.00 to install
a Goodman 115,000 93% gas furnace and a 12 Seer Goodman 4 ton heat
pump. They are installing it as a "dual fuel" system so supposedly the
heat pump will run until it gets around 35 deg and then switch over to
the gas furnace. They are also going to install another cold air return
in my living room since I do not have one upstairs.
I think that the electric heat pump is a smart way to go here in
Kentucky as we have some of the lowest electric rates in the country
but our natural gas is skyrocketing as is most places.
Does 5 grand sound about right for this type of install with Goodman
equipment or should I continue to shop around.
ANSWER: Heat pumps do not heat well below 40 F. We use them a lot here in the
desert.
Were "manual calculations" done for load and air volume. They are the only
true method of sizing equipment. With out the calculations being done your
4 ton may be to big. If it is to big then it will cycle to fast and not
remove the humidity as well.
The installer makes or breaks the performance of the job, not the expense of
the equipment. Personally I would not use Goodman but that is just me.
Check the link provided for "what ifs' and the system being quoted.
http://198.147.238.24/ac_calc/default.asp
If your staying in the home for some time you might want to consider an
higher efficiency rating on both units. DEFINITELY a scroll compressor.
As for the extra return, sure can not see the job from here. A second return
installed correctly in the upstairs can make a substantial difference in the
heat upstairs.
I can not comment on the pricing as I do not work in your market. Kentucky
is a pretty big back yard to ask such a general question.
I would get at least 5 bids from licensed contractors with good reputations.
Never know someone might have a better deal.
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