Need some advice on new heating and A/C unit.

[Dan208 23]

I'm not sure if anyone here knows anything about this type of thing, but I'm needing some advice. I had a company come out today and give me an estimate for a new heating and cooling unit, as ours is over 20 years old and needs replaced. He gave me 8 different options ranging from $5000 to a little over $6000 (everything included, labor, mileage, etc).

Anyway, he brought up the subject of air conditioner vs heat pump. I've been doing some research on them all morning, but still can't decide which would be the best route to go. The difference between the two range anywhere from about $450 to almost $1000.

We live in Kansas, so there's everything from very cold winters to extremely hot and humid summers (this past summer was HORRIBLE). From what I've read, heat pumps are efficient down to around 30-32 degrees outside, so we'd have a separate gas furnace for when it gets really cold (then we need to decide between single stage and 2 stage furnace).

I'd appreciate any help or advice with this. I know next to nothing about these things and don't want to make the wrong decision with a purchase this big.

Dan

[klee7013 10]

Okay to decide if you a heat pump would be advantageous to you or not how many days do you have that you would use your heat. when the outside temperature is above or right around 32 degrees.

Heat pump is believe 10-11 more efficient than electric heat which is around 100% efficient which means 100% btus(British thermal unit) it gets from energy it turn 100% in to heat.

Heat pump transfers heat and uses 10-11 times less energy than just straight electric heat does.

This is how an a/c works.

the compressor pumps vapor refrigerant not liquid

it the outdoor coil gets air blow across it and gets rid of the heat and cools the vapor to a liquid

then the expansion valve changes the pressure to a lower pressure when it comes out of the expansion valve it is aprox 80% liq 20% vapor and alot lower temperature 40-50 degree range - air is blown across the coil and when the liquid evaporates transferring the most heat then continuing to gain heat till it comes out 100% vapor--

in the heat cycle a heat pump works in a very similar way but backwards- taking heat from out side and transferring in

i am not much in to gas heat- not alot of days under 30 here

also if he didnt mention anything about the federal tax credit i would defiantly ask that is 30% of the bill up $1,500.00 you can get credit towards on your taxes and that ends this year. still have to pay the contractor the full amount but when you file for taxes you can get a credit back(talk with your accountant on that at least thats what i tell homeowners just to make sure they do qualify some people dont)

any questions about the equipment he bid you on or theory or personal/professional opinion give me a pm-

also if you need more info about the 2 stage furnace and the benefit of it ask your contractor im sure he can fill you in- but if they work like 2 stage compressor- it will probaly work at 50-80% capacity for so long then if the temperature doesn't catch up after a certain time period it will ramp up to full capacity

sorry if i sound rambled or bad grammar long day and about to heat the microeconomics book got a test that is 30% of the grad tomorrow

Edited September 24, 2010 by klee7013

[Dan208 23]

Thanks for all the info. I've talked to a few other people in the area that have or have had a heat pump, and they've said that they work just fine around here. The furnace qualifies for the tax rebate, but not the heat pump or A/C. He did explain the 2 stage furnace, and I do understand it. I just don't know if it is worth the extra $500 or so.

On a side note, we only plan on staying in this house for another five years at the most.

[klee7013 10]

well how many days do you have that the outside temperature would be above 32 degrees that you would need heat-- then you can find out if the extra is worth while if you will get it back with lower utility bills.

might want to check if you have 4-5 months i know if you had electric heat it would save alot not sure how much LP or NG you use for gas and cost in your area but there is formulas that can give approximate savings.

but what brand name of equipment did he bid you on-- there is a couple brands out there that have had a few problems lately that you may want to steer away from for a few months till they sell there old stock

----

did they get just a heat pump with no b or did they get a heat pump with a gas furnace??????

if i knew more about gas i would defiantly chime in- but when the lowest it gets around here is about 20 and that may be 1 day out of the year normally the low is around 35 -- a heat pump does just fine with aux heat strips -- may have a few night where the temp dips down in the house but you can always put more clothes on but only take so much off

well sorry about the ramble again- if any other questions you got just post back here or shoot me a pm

Edited September 24, 2010 by klee7013