heat pump for s.c.

8 years ago

In the process of trying to decide on a heat pump unit for a coastal SC home. All three are 2 1/2 ton and have proposals for Rheem (14 SEER split unit) and Heil (split unit 15 SEER) and Bryant (15 SEER).
All are in the same price range by just a couple hundred dollars.
We have a small 1400 SF two story brick townhouse where it is hot a lot longer than it is cold. Current unit has outside condenser and main unit in attic. Have foam insulation in attic rafters and under floor crawl space.
All appear to be good, but I want the most reliable and efficient.
Any advice?

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Austin Air Companie
8 years ago
14 / 15 SEER efficiency are more or less 'Entry Level' systems.

The difference (most likely) between 14/15 SEER of the offerings you mentioned is that the Heil and Bryant systems have a ECM blower motor in indoor airhandler.

An ECM blower is a lower cost (upfront) from the more powerful brother 'Variable Speed Blower'. The PSC motor of the 14 SEER is an even lower end fixed speed blower from the ECM and full Variable Speed blowers mentioned above, these fixed speed blowers tend to last longer than ECM & full variable blowers in the trade for slightly higher operational cost.

The advantage of ECM and full variable speed blower is the ability to dehumidify better than that of a fixed speed blower as well as a slight decrease in operational costs.

Heil and Bryant name badges are very similar equipment. Because they are more or less made by the same company. (There are roughly only 7 real HVAC manufacturers in USA, but a slew of different brands and models.)

Coastal areas pose challenges due to that continual spray of salt. It is in your best interest to chose a brand that was designed for a coastal application.

About the best you could hope for in a entry level system is about 10 to 15 years. That is the norm in any brand at the entry level provided that the installation of such equipment is performed properly and the required maintenance is performed 'properly' and periodically for the climate in which the system is being installed.
mike_home
8 years ago
Did the current outside condenser suffer from exposure to salt water? If it did, then research heat pump built for coastal applications. Carrier and Trane have some options. You may be able to find others.
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tigerdunes
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
follow Mike's advice...and I would want a var speed air handler, 2nd and at a minimum a high eff ECM air handler, 15 SEER and 9 HSPF minimum efficiencies...

IMO
marcaevans
8 years ago
I did a Mitsubishi mini split for heat and cook in ca. 2.5 tons for 1400 sq ft? Sounds oversized and like following the antiquated rule of thumb of ~1 ton per 500 sq ft. I strongly suggest a manual j energy loss calc. Mine came out to 2 ton for almost 3k sq ft. I upsized a bit in an abundance of caution but it is variable speed so no harm. An oversized unit just cycles a lot and is less comfortable.
tigerdunes
8 years ago
above poster does not understand coastal SC...