bpsilva

XR14 3.5 ton heat pump (4TWR4042C)
4TEE 3 ton air handler (4TEE3F39)

First off, according to the AHRI HP Directory, this is not a matching system. I am specifically referring to the "C" mdl condenser and F39 VS air handler. Your dealer is wrong suggesting this configuration.

This is the only 3 1/2 ton XR14 HP system with air handler that qualifies for the fed govt tax credit.

1382142 Active Systems XR14 WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWR4042C1 4TEE3F65B1 42000 12.50 15.00 38500 8.50 27200

Now to pricing. There are two factors at work.

1.the competitive nature of different geographic markets
2.the competitive nature between various brands/models

I am not a Trane basher as I have a four yr old Trane Dual Fuel system.It has performed without any real problems thus far. No doubt it is quality HVAC. However, Trane is clearly falling behind in performance/efficiency numbers as evidenced by systems that qualify for the tax credit. And Trane along with some of their dealer network think more highly of this brand than perhaps they should. They know they have real problems meeting the qualifying standards of HP systems with the tax credit. Furnaces are not the issue, AC and HP condensers are the problem especially in sizes three ton and above. This is not opinion. This is a fact.

Now to the $7K price. That's about right for a good 3 1/2 HP system that qualifies for the tax credit. Not really a high price, but definitely not what you would call a steal either. There are certainly brands that probably are less expensive that don't have the high profile/brand recognition like Trane does. Heil and Rheem are names that come to mind as well as Amana and Nordyne family. You do want to compare warranties both dealer and manufacturer.

I suggest you look at Carrier's Performance 15 "H" model or sister company Bryant Preferred 15 "H" model with best matching var speed air handler. These systems should be more competitive than Trane, have better performance/eff numbers, and qualify for the tax credit.

IMO

Tiger is right. The 4TWR4042A is a match with the 39 air handler, NOT the 4TWR4042C. I see no problem using the 5 ton air handler--the airflow can be set to 3.5 tons. And in Arizona, it probably won't hurt to have a larger coil (in some areas the indoor coil size matters more because of more or less humidity removal).

Thanks, guys. What is the difference between the 4TWR4042A and the 4TWR4042C? Looking at the Trane site, it looked as though they had the same specifications. I simply assumed that the 'C' was just a newer version of the 'A'. From what you are saying, it seems that I was not correct to make that assumption.

Tiger, you mentioned that the hardware quoted me is not a matched system. If I were to put the 5 ton air handler up there, would that be considered a matched system? What is it that makes a system 'matched'?

bpsilva

I believe your question was answered in another forum.

the fact remains that the XR14 is not even considered a mid range condenser in Trane's lineup of HPs and ACs.

There are better quality choices.

IMO