Replacing Packaged Air condtioner with heat pump in mobile home

75harley · 09-09-2009, 10:32 PM

I would like to replace a packaged air conditioner with a packaged heat pump for a mobile home. It has a gas furnace that is very expensive to heat. The model of existing ac is Nordyne P3RA-036K. That is a 3 ton unit. I wonder if that is to much for this old trailer. 12x70.

Plumber101 · 09-09-2009, 10:36 PM

.........and where do you live?

75harley · 09-09-2009, 10:48 PM

It is for my daughters trailer in Elizabeth City, NC. Last winter it cost $100 a week to heat that trailer. I was hopeing to replace the gas unit and run a heat pump.

hvaclover · 09-09-2009, 11:17 PM

Your are limited to the amount of heat produced by the ac out, in this case 36,000 btu. But as the temp drops the so des the heating capacity of the HP.
You'll need electric heat strips added to the pkg unit to make up the difference.

You electric rates are cheaper than your gas rate aren't they?

Plumber101 · 09-09-2009, 11:20 PM

A heat pump alone is not going to solve your problem. As it gets pretty darn cold there in the winter and the effenicy of a HP will drop as it gets colder. You will need either an electric or gas as second stage heat.

Where others won't tell you I will that you need to keep in mind it's a trailer. These type of homes can be a mess to heat and costly.

75harley · 09-09-2009, 11:23 PM

It seems that electric is cheaper. Most homes in this area are heated and cooled with heat pumps. Thats why I was thinking about removing the gas furnace and replacing it with a heat pump. The outside AC unit still works fine. It is a 10 seer, so maybe a new model would also help for the summer as well.

75harley · 09-10-2009, 12:05 AM

What about just replacing the gas furnace with an electric furnace and leave the outside AC unit alone?

hvaclover · 09-10-2009, 12:19 AM

You can't do that with out hacking up the package unit.

**beenthere** · 09-10-2009, 06:05 AM

He can if he has a down flow gas furnace, and just a packaged A/C.

100 bucks a week?
Small LP tank?

To install a packaged heat pump. You will also need to see if the electric service can handle the strip heat.

3 tons may be a bit large for that MH.

Also, what temp does your daughter have her thermostat set for.

hvaclover · 09-10-2009, 07:36 AM

I thought he said GAS package ac. I didn't get that he had a separate furnace

I looked up the mod #: it's straight cool. My bad!

hvaclover · 09-10-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beenthere

He can if he has a down flow gas furnace, and just a packaged A/C.

100 bucks a week?
Small LP tank?

To install a packaged heat pump. You will also need to see if the electric service can handle the strip heat.

3 tons may be a bit large for that MH.

Also, what temp does your daughter have her thermostat set for.

Not in the Carolinas and not for a mobile home...especially if it's an older one.

hvaclover · 09-10-2009, 07:44 AM

You can pull the old furnace and in stall a Electric heat air handler.

75harley · 09-10-2009, 12:30 PM

It is a separate down flow gas furnace and Package AC unit outside. I have 2 options, replace gas furnace with electric or replace both gas furnace and AC unit with a heat pump. The electric furnace would be a cheaper up front cost. She does keep it kinda warm because she has a baby. Another reason why I would like to remove the gas...

**beenthere** · 09-10-2009, 01:07 PM

What is her electric rate, and what is her LP rate.
While an electric furnace could be cheaper up front. It could cost her more to heat with.

75harley · 09-10-2009, 03:55 PM

Last winter they used $100 of gas a week. I just dont see a new electric furnace costing more than that. I will make sure all the duct work is in order.