Heil HVAC Systems w/ Heat Pump in New York ? - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| Hudson Valley
 |  "Heil HVAC Systems w/ Heat Pump in New York ?"
, posted Sat 14 Jun 18:08  
Can I ask the experienced pros and and interested homeowners for your thoughts about:
1. Heil HVAC residential systems durability, quality, value etc. compared the competition? We are currently looking at the Heil DX 1400, or the DXT+. They range from 15-18 SEER.
2. The efficient use of and known problems on heat pump HVAC systems in downstate New York and similar climates? Is it too cold here to consider a heat pump? Some contractors question the value of a heat pump and see it as "very problematic." Our house has a hot water oil fired system, but we see the heat pump as a great backup since the new A/C is going in anyway.
3. Are Copeland Scroll compressors the best? Or is it just a pitch? If so, do other brands use them?
We have received the first proposals and would now appreciate your objective advice from the field. Many thanks for your
contribution.
Smart clean efficient comfortable and green HVAC
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Replies:
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| Houston204
| "Re(1):Heil HVAC Systems w/ Heat Pump in New Y" , posted Sat 14 Jun 18:43:
Heil is made by ICP. It is a budget brand product that has known issues with there gas furnaces. (Smartvalve. heat exchanger) Their gas furnaces rate mid range on consumer reports lists. This may not reflect the heat pump performance.
I have an ICP 14 SEER cooling my house and have had no problems. I prefer Copeland scrool compressors.
I cannot comment on the ability of this unit to operate in your climate since we are on far sides of the country.
"Tip of the Day" Remember to remove power first.
[this message was edited by Houston204 on Sat 14 Jun 18:49] |
| | allen1980
| "Re(2):Heil HVAC Systems w/ Heat Pump in New Y" , posted Sat 14 Jun 20:32:
houston i find your chart to be a little odd considering that a american standard and a trane are basicly the same thing by the same company.lol and a amana is a goodman with a different label.
[this message was edited by allen1980 on Sat 14 Jun 20:34] |
| | Houston204
| "Re(3):Heil HVAC Systems w/ Heat Pump in New Y" , posted Sat 14 Jun 21:01
I find the chart very odd. I would pick every brand listed over Rheem and Ruud. (although they make an excellent evaporator coil)
Consumer reports also gives Lux thermostats a high ranking. I wouldn't have a Lux stat on my house.
It's not a technicians ranking system or it would turn out differently.
"Tip of the Day" Remember to remove power first.
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| | yuri
| "Re(2):Heil HVAC Systems w/ Heat Pump in New Y" , posted Sat 14 Jun 19:13
It really is a "budget" brand to the point of where they seriously count the # of screws holding the unit together (as told to me by one of their training people). Historically they have been "not great" quality in my 30 yrs of experience. The new ones are getting better but they have a ways to go, so does Goodman. I like Lennox, Carrier, Trane then York for choices. You local electric utility company should have the cost/efficiency info you need. Mine (Mb Hydro) provides that for free.
Yuri
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| | hudson valley
| "Re(3):Heil HVAC Systems w/ Heat Pump in New Y" , posted Mon 16 Jun 10:12
Houston, Allen and Yuri,
Thanks for your prompt posts on my questions. I really appreciate them. As I'm a retired automotive tech, I know that reaching out to those experienced techs like you means a lot!
My contractor is a very methodical guy, so I have no concern on the install, however he states that Heil, as now owned by Carrier (United Technologies) has the advantages, but reduced cost without the high price name and marketing costs, etc. Quality of the new Heil, he says, is not an issue.
However, he is very, very concerned about HVAC w/heat pumps here in New York!!! Snow around the compressor unit, condensation, and function in cold climates.
If you have any more to add, please do. I would appreciate it.
Thanks!
Smart clean efficient comfortable and green HVAC
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| | northernfitter
| "Re(4):Heil HVAC Systems w/ Heat Pump in New Y" , posted Wed 18 Jun 20:28:
Hudson, as a Bryant dealer I have heard this statement from too many contractors stating that now that ICP is owned by Carrier they are the same quality without the brand name price. It's complete and utter BS. They have not changed the construction on these budget units in any way shape or form. Carrier/Bryant bought ICP to get into the low end market nothing more. Heat Pumps are an excellent form of heat even up here in Canada. In areas where natural gas is not accessable a heat pump will save quite a bit of money over oil,propane or pure electric heat up until it gets roughly 10 degrees below freezing at which point there efficieny drops until the unit solely depends on back up heat. Standard install would include raising the unit above the normal level the snow would reach. It can be done a number of different ways the easiest being brackets if it will fit on them. Too many contractors in the northern hemisphere have had bad experiences with the older heat pumps ie; 20+years. The new ones are better geared to work well in colder climates and if you buy a big name brand they tend to be much easier to service and trouble shoot now. Call a few more contractors out and do some of your own research.
edit: just read Yuri's post :P I rambled for nothing
14years as a service tech in Ottawa and the valley.
www.reliableheating.ca.
[this message was edited by northernfitter on Wed 18 Jun 20:31] |
| | yuri
| "Re(4):Heil HVAC Systems w/ Heat Pump in New Y" , posted Mon 16 Jun 18:04:
I would get opinions from 3-4 more contractors. Heat pumps have to be installed on brackets above the ground a couple of feet I believe to allow for drainage. They are designed to run in the Winter down to about -10 deg C or a bit lower before they become in-efficient. If they are being sold in your area they should work okay. Ask for some references from other contractors and go look at a couple. Your guy may not "like" heatpumps or he may be telling you the truth. If he doesn't like them is he any good at repairing them? They are quite complicated and not your average tech is good at them. I would want someone who sells lots of them and is good at maintaining and repairing them. See if you can find someone local who has one and ask them how much it costs to run etc.
Yuri
[this message was edited by yuri on Mon 16 Jun 18:52] |
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