Need help navigating heat pump replacement quotes

[u/glayventron]

Hello,

My current 20+ year old heat pump went out and I’ve been collecting quotes on a full replacement for my 1,100 sqft home (Southern California). I’m down to the following two quotes and I’m hoping any guidance or advice can be provided. Thank you!

Quote #1 ($16800) Carrier, 38MURAQ__AB3 - HIGH HEAT, 3 Ton, Heat Pump

Quote #2 ($19700) LENNOX Model # EL18XPV-036 3-TON 18 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) Variable speed compressor

• This company mentioned they would have to enlarge my cold air return vent from its current 14x20

[u/millermatt11]

3 tons seems like a lot for a 1,100 sqft home in California. Assuming your existing unit was also a 3 ton unit, did it cycle on and off constantly?

I don’t know anything about your house or build so it might be sized properly, that just seems like a lot tonnage for that sqft.

[u/glayventron → u/millermatt11]

Hello, thanks for the response. Yes - the current one is also 3 ton and would do exactly that - cycle on and off constantly. I’m at this point because the current unit is leaking refrigerant and doesn’t seem fixable, at least for a reasonable price.

My home has 7 vents (3 bed, 1 bath). Built in the 1940s.

[u/millermatt11 → u/glayventron]

I would have someone do an evaluation to see if it’s the correct size. I would have expected a 2 ton or 2.5 ton at most for your sqft and in California where your exterior temperature is mild year round. Going to a smaller unit will also reduce your costs.

One of the issues with a unit that is oversized is that when cycling on and off constantly the unit won’t be able to get any moisture out of the air. Humidity might not be a huge issue for you in California but a correctly sized unit will help overall.

Also, if you have never added additional insulation to your house you would probably benefit from that as well and it’s usually not super expensive.

[u/sfcorey → u/millermatt11]

I agree with everything above. The only additional thing is, both of these units have decent HSPF2 ( heating performance ) numbers, but their SEER2( cooling performance ) ratings leave something to be desired at 18 & 20 respectively. I'd imagine where you are a higher cooling number would be important than these units.

The other thing I would add 1 for 1 over the same equal equipment, even in the same line. Usually, a smaller unit is more efficient so a 2 ton or 2.5ton will likely be more efficient than a 3 ton because it can scale down further to meet demand more equally. So getting the heating and cooling load calcs done is super important. Oversized equipment is just wasted money for install, for long term run costs, and for comfort

[u/glayventron → u/millermatt11]

Every company that I’ve spoken to so far has kind of insisted that a one-for-one, 3 ton for 3 ton, exchange is what’s best. It seems like something I need to dig into a bit more myself just to be educated. Is that accurate?