HVAC question on used parts

[440roadrunner]

Question concerning line set.

Does the distance from condenser to evaporator have an affect on the efficiency of a unit? What I mean is that if the line runs up the side of your house from the condenser and then thru an attic area to the evaporator a distance of say 60 to 70 ft. The reason for the distance was to put the condenser in the back of the house instead of the side of the house that the evaporator is located in the attic.

YES. Proper insultation of linesets is VERY important, as is proper sizing. However, the manufacturer of the combo should have guidlines for the install


Remember, that in "heating" the "heat" is basically carried by the lineset itself!!! This means that poor/ rotten/ thin/ improperly installed insulation as well as oversized or undersized linesets will CERTAINLY affect efficiency. (If you ever mistakenly touch them in heating mode, you'll know why)

I used to work for a Lennox dealer. They USED to make great products, but they also make "low end" units to try to compete with low end people like, well, Rheam. The point? Make sure you don't get the "low end" of a high end brand. Lennox, for example, at the time I was "in" used copper coils and welded linesets, much, much more durable than the o-ringed, self piercing, "pre charged" lines many others used---the o rings deteriorate after a few years. I've lost count of the lineset fittings I've "welded around" on old green Rheams in this part of the country. THEY LEAK

Don't get too hung up on brands. You want someone who is COMPETENT at ductwork/ line sizing and proper installation AS WELL AS fireup and checkout AND SUPPORT maintenance. ****, in the medium sized town I worked in, I"ve had "Carrier" techs who "had to order" popular draft blowers in the middle of winter!!!! We used to carry that kind of thing for KNOWN popular brands/ models ON MY TRUCK. There were VERY few times that a "no heat" customer had to go overnight without some kind of heat from our outfit.

Geothermal: I'm generally against "opencircuit" systems unless you have GOBS of water "to burn." Seriously reconsider closed loop, ya, ya, I know, it's way more expensive.

INSIST from the installer that they provide a good quality unit WITH ADEQUATE system protection, including overtemp/ overpressure for the high side, and low temp/ low pressure cutouts on the low side. If you go "air" instead of geo, MAKE SURE the installer is willing to monitor and correct any frost/ icing/ cycling problems during warrantee, and INSIST that an air unit has "outdoor controls" (thermostats) to control when and if the heat pump switches to backup heat.

and once again, make SURE these guys do a heat calc and duct calc and get the unit properly sized AND properly sized to the ductwork.

 

[Richard]

Geothermal: I'm generally against "opencircuit" systems unless you have GOBS of water "to burn." Seriously reconsider closed loop, ya, ya, I know, it's way more expensive.

INSIST from the installer that they provide a good quality unit WITH ADEQUATE system protection, including overtemp/ overpressure for the high side, and low temp/ low pressure cutouts on the low side. If you go "air" instead of geo, MAKE SURE the installer is willing to monitor and correct any frost/ icing/ cycling problems during warrantee, and INSIST that an air unit has "outdoor controls" (thermostats) to control when and if the heat pump switches to backup heat.

and once again, make SURE these guys do a heat calc and duct calc and get the unit properly sized AND properly sized to the ductwork.

Thank you for your comments, as for water, I really do have a mother of wells. I'm also now talking to the wife about a closed circuit geo-system (in other thread HVAC II with land picture)

She mentioned we might be able to put it behind the house. Truth be told, I have no clue how large the underground part might need to be for a.. roughly 3,000/3,500 sq/ft house (garage is also heated)

Interestingly, the guy I talked to yesterday with the Amana system was the one bringing up an outdoor thermostat. Something at first, until he explained its use, I thought was kind of stupid... now I know who the stupid one is

 

[Sigarms]

I used to work for a Lennox dealer. They USED to make great products, but they also make "low end" units to try to compete with low end people like, well, Rheam.

First off, it's Rheem

I'm very familiar Lennox International, Lennox Industries, ADP, Heatcraft and a host of other companies under the Lennox "umbrella" and who makes what.

When I had my home inspection done when buying my home, the home inspector didn't know what to say when I asked if my two Lennox Pulse furnaces had a combustion check done, and why this test needed to be done

Carrier has Payne. American Standard has Ameristar and the count goes on.

Sorry, I wouldn't call people who sell junkatrol "low end people", and I wouldn't say that about those who sell Rheem/Ruud.

 

[kenmac]

Sorry, I wouldn't call people who sell junkatrol "low end people", and I wouldn't say that about those who sell Rheem/Ruud.

I guess I fall in there somewhere as I

 

[kenmac]

Sorry, I wouldn't call people who sell junkatrol "low end people", and I wouldn't say that about those who sell Rheem/Ruud.

I guess I fall in there somewhere. as, I have installed my share of both... There are good & bad in all brands... You could install the same brands on the same day at 2 different houses.. The compressor could go out on the 1 house & the other last for 20 yrs... You could buy 2 cars of the same brand on the same day .. Drive them the same way... 1 may have problems,, problems,, the other 1 never a problem... Just the way it happens sometimes


Joe, I'am glad you clarified your statement about the R22... I have been racking my pea brain looking for info. on this & came up with nothing

As far as 410 .. They say It contributes to global warming... What Refrigerant will we using next ??

 

[Sigarms]

I guess I fall in there somewhere. as, I have installed my share of both...

It's not the equipment, but the people. People don't buy from companies, they buy from people. If I'm dealing with someone who wants nothing but the lowest price for a service rendered that requires some skill and knowledge, I won't waste either of our time. Likewise when I'm the one doing the "shopping". God forbid if people are in business to make money.

1 may have problems,, problems,, the other 1 never a problem... Just the way it happens sometimes

Just take your time, make sure you use 15% silver solder, pull a good vacuum, use nitrogen, use good tools, and stand behind your work and everything will work out no matter what you install

That said, July 2009 consumer reports has Rheem/Ruud at number one in A/C reliability, and Goodman falls in next to last place behind Heil
(yes, I know who owns ICP).

 

[kenmac]

Don't know about other areas or cr ratings.. But,, durning the housing boom.. In my area Goodman has /had the largest share of the market. They are still strong in my area...All other manufactures have gone with TXV with the new 410 & the higher seer units... Goodman stayed with piston for metering the gas