HEAT PUMP compare AC outdoor unit/ which gets cooler?

[SlimmerMe]

My AC outdoor unit went nuts and is kaput.

What is better for COLD AC during those days where it is 62-65 outside yet I still want COLD AC since my house stays hot since western exposure.

Which method would allow me to over ride to keep my house cooler during those cool days out but I want cool inside? A Heat pump or an outdoor AC unit?

And is there some other trick I need to know? like an ambien over ride? something like that?

THANKS FOR ANY INPUT!

[jrsyynk]

A heat pump is less expensive to buy than an outdoor unit but its only going to cool a moderate amount of space as a outdoor unit is more expesive but can be vented to cool the whole house. In the long run if the heatpump is constantly running its life will be much shorter than an outside unit. Hope it helps

[SlimmerMe]

This helps since I want to cool the entire house especially the part which is hot as heck even in the winter time.

It could be 55 outside yet 72-75 inside the house where the sun hits the house all day long so I have to run the AC even when it is cool outside to keep the inside cool.

THANKS!

[rockinred]

Slim, wait what exactly are you referring to when you say an AC outdoor unit?

Cause if you have a refrigerated unit all you need to do is set temp and it will cool to that temp on thermostat? The size of area it cools is based on the size of unit.

[SlimmerMe]

^^ Outdoor unit in the yard which would replace the one I have. But the repair guy yesterday mentioned a heat pump instead so now I am confused...

does this help?

[Shol'va]

There are a couple of different heat pump types I think. One is called a ground source heat pump where they drill some wells in your yard and run pipes way down and it heats and cools year round pulling up the air from underground which is a constant 55 degree F. so all the unit has to do is either cool it a little further or heat it a little further, saving you money in the long run. The downside is the initial expense. If I were you slimmer I'd google all three. The high efficiency furnace and A/c combo, the above ground heat pump, and the ground source and see what might be right for your finances and situation. Technology has advanced so much, I'm no longer sure which is the best. However several swear by the overall saving on ground source. with that said I'm unsure of whether the climate where you live will allow for the heat pumps to be viable alternative. so it all may be a moot point and you may have to purchase a high efficiency a/c unit.

[rockinred]

The main difference is a heat pump will allow you to both heat and cool your house. Is that what you need? As long as the unit is spec out correctly it will still be able to cool house as you stated above. It pulls the warm air to make the cool air. Rheem makes nice heater a/c combos as well. I think the heat pumps are a Lil more energy efficient. Are you looking to upgrade heater too?

[rockinred]

Actually sholva seems to be a little more versed on the subject^^^

[SlimmerMe]

THANKS to both of you.

I am looking for the AC more than the heat since I already have a heater system. Does this help to know this?

[rockinred]

Well, if heater is running good, just let them know that you are looking to get a/c working optimal for as low and cost effective as possible. It is always nice to upgrade heat all in one shot if you can afford. Also, you might want to get a few estimates to make sure you save as much coin as possible. You would be surprised how much these prices can vary.

[Shol'va]

Yeah if you only wish to replace out your a/c unit, then just go with another outdoor a/c unit. Did the last one cool well enough when it was working? If so then just replace the same size you now have, getting a higher efficiency unit and since they all will be higher efficiency since the last one you now have that shouldn't be an issue. But if the last one didn't cool well enough you can increase the size by a half ton or ton and increase your cooling coil size as well. The a/c man should be able to explain this procedure. Just remember the higher the efficiency the unit the higher the initial cost of it. But you should see a savings in your electric bill with the higher efficiency units. the units efficiency range usually run from 14 seer all the way to 21. Hope this helps you. One thing to keep in mind is how long are you planning to live there. If a long long time then you might want the better investment of a higher efficiency unit. That way you'll get your moneys worth back.

[SlimmerMe]

Continued thanks to you BOTH!

Here is my question re: higher efficiency.

Do they work as well as something which is 14 yrs old? I wonder.....is a higher efficiency going to tell me how cool? or can i tell it?

the guy is coming any minute....

[Shol'va]

Oh my 14 years old. No matter what he installs should be better as long as it's a major brand unit. And it should save on your utility bills. You can only tell it how cool by the thermostat settings. and get a few estimates. Don't be pressured into anything right out the gate.

[Shol'va]

You've been with some cheating men before, I'm guessing, watch for shifty eyes when he talks to you. lol

[Shol'va]

And ask for warranty details. Has the compressor got a 3 or 5 year warranty on it.

[Shol'va]

You'll do fine.

[Shol'va]

If he gives you any static tell him you have about 100 brothers that will pay him a visit. I'll get gbrice, Haz and many more and we'll come kick some butt...

[SlimmerMe]

LOL! to all above. He is outside right now as I type.....and my dogs are jumping all over him...

GREAT IDEAS!! THANKS!

[SlimmerMe]

Thanks guys.

I decided to go with an AC unit and 1/2 ton bigger than before with new heater since the heater was 16 yrs old with 1/2 ton bigger coil too. And a 10 year warranty and service for a year!

I appreciate your help. I read him some of your comments (with computer out of his site) and he laughed!

and ps: I decided to just stick with this guy since he is about to marry someone I know.....that helps!

[RaginCajun]

i just this thread! i did some a/c work while in college. sholva knows what he is talking about. with the extra tonnage, it should help cool your house faster, it is designed to move more air. 10 year warranty, better read it, may just be the compressor that is warranted. i don't think a heat pump would even be worth it in your neck of the woods. hope you stay chilly

[Shol'va]

Thanks guys.

I decided to go with an AC unit and 1/2 ton bigger than before with new heater since the heater was 16 yrs old with 1/2 ton bigger coil too. And a 10 year warranty and service for a year!

I appreciate your help. I read him some of your comments (with computer out of his site) and he laughed!

and ps: I decided to just stick with this guy since he is about to marry someone I know.....that helps!

There you go connections. That's what it's about. Sounds like all is well for you. Great! I don't mean to knock the fact of you being a woman so don't take what I'm about to say that way. But. usually unscrupulous, companies see a woman at the door and will try to take full on advantage of her lack of knowledge on these things and sham them for much more than most folks. So I'm glad to hear it's close to the family situation.

[SlimmerMe]

A heat pump is less expensive to buy than an outdoor unit but its only going to cool a moderate amount of space as a outdoor unit is more expesive but can be vented to cool the whole house. In the long run if the heatpump is constantly running its life will be much shorter than an outside unit. Hope it helps

THANKS jrsyynk. Appreciate it.

The main difference is a heat pump will allow you to both heat and cool your house. Is that what you need? As long as the unit is spec out correctly it will still be able to cool house as you stated above. It pulls the warm air to make the cool air. Rheem makes nice heater a/c combos as well. I think the heat pumps are a Lil more energy efficient. Are you looking to upgrade heater too?

THANKS RockinRed. Appreciate all your input on this too.

Yeah if you only wish to replace out your a/c unit, then just go with another outdoor a/c unit. Did the last one cool well enough when it was working? If so then just replace the same size you now have, getting a higher efficiency unit and since they all will be higher efficiency since the last one you now have that shouldn't be an issue. But if the last one didn't cool well enough you can increase the size by a half ton or ton and increase your cooling coil size as well. The a/c man should be able to explain this procedure. Just remember the higher the efficiency the unit the higher the initial cost of it. But you should see a savings in your electric bill with the higher efficiency units. the units efficiency range usually run from 14 seer all the way to 21. Hope this helps you. One thing to keep in mind is how long are you planning to live there. If a long long time then you might want the better investment of a higher efficiency unit. That way you'll get your moneys worth back.

And Thanks to you Sholva for this info and help too.

i just this thread! i did some a/c work while in college. sholva knows what he is talking about. with the extra tonnage, it should help cool your house faster, it is designed to move more air. 10 year warranty, better read it, may just be the compressor that is warranted. i don't think a heat pump would even be worth it in your neck of the woods. hope you stay chilly

And thanks to you OOCajun. Happy Birthday Buddy!

There you go connections. That's what it's about. Sounds like all is well for you. Great! I don't mean to knock the fact of you being a woman so don't take what I'm about to say that way. But. usually unscrupulous, companies see a woman at the door and will try to take full on advantage of her lack of knowledge on these things and sham them for much more than most folks. So I'm glad to hear it's close to the family situation.

And I agree completely hence why I am so happy he knows who I know! Sure helps. THANKS! Appreciate it a lot.

[lovbyts]

If it's 62-65 outside whats wrong with opening the windows?

New is not always better but it sounds like you got it covered. I understand what you were saying about the heat pump and newer technology maybe not letting you set it to cool if it's already cool outside.

I hope I dont jinx myself but I cant believe how well the swamp cooler I have (large window mount) works as a whole house cooler and it is not humid at all. Ive had it 12+ years with zero problems (knock on wood).

Do you have an attic fan? That is something I put in at the beginning of summer and set it to auto turn on at 98 deg. That alone kept my house a LOT cooler this year. I only ran my swamp cooler a couple of times were as before I would run it all the time. I was impressed on how much cooler it kept my house during the day.

Do you keep your shades pulled on the side exposed to the sun? This of course makes a HUGE difference and if you have sky lights either get shades for them or tint them also making a big difference.

My mom never had AC or skylights and the only time her house got warm or hot was when it got above 90.

[SlimmerMe]

If it's 62-65 outside whats wrong with opening the windows?

New is not always better but it sounds like you got it covered. I understand what you were saying about the heat pump and newer technology maybe not letting you set it to cool if it's already cool outside.

I hope I dont jinx myself but I cant believe how well the swamp cooler I have (large window mount) works as a whole house cooler and it is not humid at all. Ive had it 12+ years with zero problems (knock on wood).

Do you have an attic fan? That is something I put in at the beginning of summer and set it to auto turn on at 98 deg. That alone kept my house a LOT cooler this year. I only ran my swamp cooler a couple of times were as before I would run it all the time. I was impressed on how much cooler it kept my house during the day.

Do you keep your shades pulled on the side exposed to the sun? This of course makes a HUGE difference and if you have sky lights either get shades for them or tint them also making a big difference.

My mom never had AC or skylights and the only time her house got warm or hot was when it got above 90.

LOL! I do open the windows a lot! But I want a consistent cool. Plus I do keep my shutters closed all day on the hot side.

The guys are here now installing and my dogs are truly driving them and me crazy! After all of this dog training they still know how to push my buttons jumping all over the place darting like lightening and barking and starring me down as I try to wrangle them.

Thanks Lovbyts!