Westinghouse heat pump?

mar0isa

My HVAC guy is recommending a Westinghouse 2.5 ton 13 deer unit with 10 year system replacement warranty if the compressor fails. Is this a good brand/warranty? My current 2.5 unit is a 10 SEER Goodman. What is your thoughts?

mar0isa

Um..that was 13 SEER...not deer

gregzoll

I would go at least 16 SEER, or even look at a heat pump. 13 SEER is more of a budget end of a/c units. I only went with a 13 SEER for our house, because it was a good deal that I could not pass up at the time, due to had window units that we were using to cool the house during summer. Look at what you can afford, and any rebates that you may get with the purchase. Most utilities are offering great rebates for Heat Pumps.

mar0isa

This is a heat pump and not just an A/C unit. I have also heard that the difference between S13 and S15+ is not worth the extra money and will most likely require duct improvements. I am wondering if this is true.

zootjeff

The larger the SEER, the larger the indoor coil typically. If you go above 13 to 16 you may need a coil that doesn't fit in your old space and you'll need to re-do the plenum. Depends on the mfg. In my case, I put a 3 ton indoor coil to support my 2.5ton outdoor unit (HP or AC) to achieve 14SEER. I could not fit any larger of a coil in the space allotted in my garage. So my options were go with a 3 ton 13SEER unit or stick with a 2.5ton 14SEER unit. I went with 2.5ton because my load calc was on the borderline anyway and you get a better more quite compressor with the 14SEER.. They don't cut as many corners on the quality because they are not making an "Entry Level" unit when you get above the 13 SEER.. I think the difference from 13 to 14 was well worth it in my case..

Just for reference, the 13SEER Goodman HP costs 1065 shipped if you buy just the outdoor unit. The coil costs 300 and is as small as 14x21x22. The 14SEER heatpump costs 1259 and the coil costs 300 and is also as small as 14x21x22. If you add a TXV and a the right air handler, you can make it a 15SEER unit. Above that you need a coil that is 30 inches tall instead of 22..

Once you get above 15 SEER, they put more stuff in the HP and the indoor coil gets bigger.

So if you go from 13-14 you get a lifetime warranty, higher quality compressor that is more quite and it costs 200 bucks in material (plus 65 for the TXV). If they turn around and charge you 500 for that, OK.. If they charge you 1000, then tell them to take a flying leap.

beenthere

Westinghouse is made by Nordyne.

Nicely protected coils. Generally easily available parts when service is needed.

Nordyne stands behind their warrant without fuss.