Furnace advice

Amps 13

Amps 13

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So our unit is 15 years old and is starting to have end of life issues. We got a quote from central Carolina Air conditioning and it seems crazy high. Two of the estimates include an added heat pump. I gotta admit that I just don’t know much about this stuff and not sure if a heat pump is a good thing or not.
He suggested that we needed to replace the zone system so that it is more efficient and doesn’t tax the system so more between zones.
My thought is that these furnaces only last 15 years and it lasted 15 years with the zones it has now and the new one wouldn’t last any longer with the zones fixed. Without the zones fixed it would save us over $18,000.
I have a two story house with 2,200 sq feet.
I attached the quote and really would appreciate any feedback from those who know what would be the best move. Anyone I should contact to get another quote?
looks like Santa decided to drop a big lump of coal on my holidays.

7DD52265-0F95-465D-A4C1-3A4355669C0E.jpeg
 
If it were me, I'd put a furnace/heat pump combo downstairs and a heat pump upstairs. 2 separate units.


Screw that $24k.

I can get that hardware for less than $10k if you can find an installer

ETA IMHO a dual fuel system is a cost savings in the long run as far as gas bills.
 
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Question.

Why not just oh idk, replace just the furnace. Why go through the hassle of redesigning the hvac system?

Was it underperforming for you when it was working? Were your bills exponentially high? A 1.5ton heat pump would suffice for your upstairs.

2.5 ton for downstairs and dual fuel.
 
Quick update. We were out of town for the holidays and when We got back we called someone else out. He looked Over my furnace and set up and although he did say the zones were put in weird he saw nothing wrong with the furnace and told me he wouldn’t replace it. Said parts were easy to get and there really wasn’t much that could go wrong with it that wasn’t a semi cheap repair. we will not be buying anything new at the moment.
He also did not charge me a dime.
 
I'm in the same boat, end of life, system wise.
All electric, old type refrigerate is existing.
Air handler inside with heat strips, compressor outside. The heat strips are the only source of heat.
1000 sq ft. Ducted through attic.

I'm trying to learn more about single zone ducted heat pump systems like this one:
I will need a 230 v circuit added.

MRCOOL 24,000 20 SEER Universal Series Unitary Heat Pump Air Conditioner System - MDU18024

The MRCOOL Universal Unitary Heat Pump system is an easy to install, full size air handler with slim condenser, suitable for most 2-3 ton applications. This system is incredibly flexible, combining the ultimate in ducted comfort and easy installation.
hvacdirect.com hvacdirect.com

I see systems that aren't actually a mini split but have a heat pump outside and a small air handler that goes into the attic or wherever.
I assume it's designed to replace systems like mine.

This one comes to approx $3500 shipped.
LG, MITSUBISHI AND FUJITSU all make similar units.

Pro's & cons?
 
Slacker said:
I'm in the same boat, end of life, system wise.
All electric, old type refrigerate is existing.
Air handler inside with heat strips, compressor outside. The heat strips are the only source of heat.
1000 sq ft. Ducted through attic.

I'm trying to learn more about single zone ducted heat pump systems like this one:
I will need a 230 v circuit added.

MRCOOL 24,000 20 SEER Universal Series Unitary Heat Pump Air Conditioner System - MDU18024

The MRCOOL Universal Unitary Heat Pump system is an easy to install, full size air handler with slim condenser, suitable for most 2-3 ton applications. This system is incredibly flexible, combining the ultimate in ducted comfort and easy installation.
hvacdirect.com hvacdirect.com

I see systems that aren't actually a mini split but have a heat pump outside and a small air handler that goes into the attic or wherever.
I assume it's designed to replace systems like mine.

This one comes to approx $3500 shipped.
LG, MITSUBISHI AND FUJITSU all make similar units.

Pro's & cons?
Click to expand...
No experience with the Mr. Cool units but like most things, they're probably cheap for a reason.

Mitsubishi makes a good one. I had Fujitsu splits in my house up north. I was able to get them at a good price and, except for vacuuming the line sets, was able to install them myself.
 
Slacker said:
I'm in the same boat, end of life, system wise.
All electric, old type refrigerate is existing.
Air handler inside with heat strips, compressor outside. The heat strips are the only source of heat.
1000 sq ft. Ducted through attic.

I'm trying to learn more about single zone ducted heat pump systems like this one:
I will need a 230 v circuit added.

MRCOOL 24,000 20 SEER Universal Series Unitary Heat Pump Air Conditioner System - MDU18024

The MRCOOL Universal Unitary Heat Pump system is an easy to install, full size air handler with slim condenser, suitable for most 2-3 ton applications. This system is incredibly flexible, combining the ultimate in ducted comfort and easy installation.
hvacdirect.com hvacdirect.com

I see systems that aren't actually a mini split but have a heat pump outside and a small air handler that goes into the attic or wherever.
I assume it's designed to replace systems like mine.

This one comes to approx $3500 shipped.
LG, MITSUBISHI AND FUJITSU all make similar units.

Pro's & cons?
Click to expand...
When you pay for that, insist they send a jar of Vaseline.

Thats an insane price for China made crap.

Sounds like you have a regular split system.
 
1075tech said:
No experience with the Mr. Cool units but like most things, they're probably cheap for a reason.

Mitsubishi makes a good one. I had Fujitsu splits in my house up north. I was able to get them at a good price and, except for vacuuming the line sets, was able to install them myself.
Click to expand...
That's not cheap. At all !!!!
 
I have a Mitsubishi multizone up in Boone. Three ductless downstairs and a ducted zone for the complete upstairs. It's worked great for 8 or 9 years.

I've heard good things about the Mr Cool brand and plan to add one of the ductless systems to my garage in the near future. They are built for the DIY'er and I know several people with the ductless ones that have worked great.
 
We have a dual zone Trane, one for downstairs, one for up. It was 2 years old when we moved here, so now approaching 19 years old. I'm terrified of what it's going to cost when we have to replace it.
 
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