Heat Pump or Straight AC in South Florida

About to replace an older 3-ton unit in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale-Miami). Going for more efficient unit as my current one if 12 years old. Just installed solar as well. Getting estimates and some include Heat Pump units and just straight up AC ones. Price is pretty similar; very rarely (maybe just twice) have turned the heat on in a couple of years.

With pricing being the same, will I gain any benefit at all over choosing heat pump unit, even if I turn the heat on a few times during the winter. Will it take anything away from the cooling side of things? Looking at two different Carrier units that are “greenspeed”. Thanks!

I recommend an inverter unit. Green speed is an inverter. The benefit is “load matching”. That means the unit will modulate the capacity based on the demand. It provides a good, long run time which dehumidifies well and reduces on-off cycling.

While I recommend heat pumps for those who have a heatings season, if you only use heat once a year, you can probably get by with AC and auxiliary heat.

You should absolutely have a load calculation performed to avoid buying an oversized air conditioner.

Proper sizing is a must!

Ask the contractors how they size the equipment. The only proper way is a manual “J” load loss calculation. If they say anything else show them the door!

Thanks. All the units (3 ton) I am looking at and being quoted are variable speed ones with inverters. Can you recommend a few to consider – not so much worried about price, but the best quality and output.

Thanks. Currently have a 3 ton unit. Does this go by house size as I have been reading? So far all have said 3 ton is still the way to go – anything larger would be a waste (my words, not theirs(

House size is only one of numerous factors. Windows and orientation, insulation, # of occupants, LEAKGE (capitalized because estimating is just a wild guess), manual ventilation (huge range hoods), LEAKAGE (because it’s always assumed instead of measured), and finally LEAKAGE (because you can’t make a leaky house comfortable) are all vital parts of determining BTU loss/gain.

Originally Posted by dkny330

About to replace an older 3-ton unit in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale-Miami). Going for more efficient unit as my current one if 12 years old. Just installed solar as well. Getting estimates and some include Heat Pump units and just straight up AC ones. Price is pretty similar; very rarely (maybe just twice) have turned the heat on in a couple of years.

With pricing being the same, will I gain any benefit at all over choosing heat pump unit, even if I turn the heat on a few times during the winter. Will it take anything away from the cooling side of things? Looking at two different Carrier units that are “greenspeed”. Thanks!

NO ONE in Ft Lauderdale should select a Heat Pump. ..

NO ONE should select a GREENSPEED.!.!!…!!!

2-STAGE A/C + WHOLE HOUSE DEHUMIDIFIER

Originally Posted by dan sw fl

NO ONE in Ft Lauderdale should select a Heat Pump. ..
NO ONE should select a GREENSPEED.!.!!…!!!

2-STAGE A/C + WHOLE HOUSE DEHUMIDIFIER

Thanks. I am not anyhwere close to knowing much of anything on this so can you give me a little more info on why you think no one should ever select a Greenspeed? Or I guess inverter as well?

Originally Posted by dkny330

Thanks. All the units (3 ton) I am looking at and being quoted are variable speed ones with inverters. Can you recommend a few to consider – not so much worried about price, but the best quality and output.

_, _ _ _ SQ FEET / FLOOR
_ _ _ _ BUILT / YEAR
____ # OF WINDOWS
____ NORTH
____ SOUTH
____ EAST
____ WEST
____ N, S , E OR WEST _ ‘ X __ ‘ SLIDING GLASS DOOR ___
____ MANUAL J __ 14 MINUTES WITH A “BALL PARK ‘ ACCURACY = +/- ~ 22%
____ ACCURACY needs to be within ~ 10% to proceed to Manual S calc. __ ____
____
____ Infiltration _ ? ___A.C.H. Natural 0._ _ / ____
____ Latent Load ?? … Dehumidifier sizing = EXTRA EFFORTS
____ Duct Work _ Surface Area _ _ _ Sq. Ft. Location ? R-value ?

Originally Posted by dkny330

Thanks. I am not anyhwere close to knowing much of anything on this so can you give me a little more info on why you think no one should ever select a Greenspeed? Or I guess inverter as well?

_______ www.mysimplifiedhvac.com ___
i KEEP IT SIMPLE as reasonable. … .:. increase Reliability, decrease Life Time cost

IMO, I’d stick with a straight A/C thinking you have a small KW heater element size now. Florida electric rates seem cheaper than many parts of the USA. You state you only run heat twice in two years.

You can do horizontal units also, they typically have a smaller footprint and can be mounted inches from a wall unlike the typical vertical discharge units. As an example only the Daikin Fit. Best manufacturers warranty out their for a side discharge system. If interested in a extended labor warranty Daikin backs their own warranty. York and Daikin are the only manufacturers that backs their extended labor warranties. They come in .5 ton increments. Mitsubishi is another side discharge brand that comes in .5 ton increments. Many manufacturers make side discharge systems. Just mentioned as an example those two brands.

Might get a small rebate if they install AHRI matched systems meeting Florida minimum threshold for money in your pocket rebates. Did the bidding Contractors mention rebates to you?

Make sure to register your system as manufacturers warranty decreases if never registered.

Originally Posted by dan sw fl

_, _ _ _ SQ FEET / FLOOR
_ _ _ _ BUILT / YEAR
____ # OF WINDOWS
____ NORTH
____ SOUTH
____ EAST
____ WEST
____ N, S , E OR WEST _ ‘ X __ ‘ SLIDING GLASS DOOR ___
____ MANUAL J __ 14 MINUTES WITH A “BALL PARK ‘ ACCURACY = +/- ~ 22%
____ ACCURACY needs to be within ~ 10% to proceed to Manual S calc. __
____ Infiltration _ ? ___A.C.H. Natural 0._ _ / ____ WEST
____ Latent Load ?? … Dehumidifier sizing = EXTRA EFFORTS

I could answer a few of those questions Home is about 1650 square feet on a corner lot about 2miles from ocean, East of I-95 (not in flood zone). Home has all hurricane impact windows; biggest exposure is to East in 2nd bedroom/office where we also have a mini-split as that room does not get as cool as rest of home. Sliding glass door is facing South but there is a covered lanai so no sun comes in to home from that spot.

Bought this home over 3 years ago and it has a York CZH03611CA, 2 stage A/C. We also have a mini-split in Master Bedroom which was an extension from part of the lanai and flat roof so central AC could not be brought into a portion of that room. Another unit recommended was 24VNA936 – don’t think that’s a greenspeed. Thanks!

Stick with AC and small electric element for the few times it gets cool enough to be uncomfortable.

With AC only the system is typically a SEER point or two higher, and has been mentioned it has fewer parts that can fail.

Originally Posted by dkny330

Can you recommend a few to consider – not so much worried about price, but the best quality and output.

The installing contractor determine the life of the system.

Concentrate on the company name more then the equipment name.

Originally Posted by dkny330

I could answer a few of those questions Home is about 1650 square feet on a corner lot about 2miles from ocean, East of I-95 (not in flood zone). Home has all hurricane impact windows; biggest exposure is to East in 2nd bedroom/office where we also have a mini-split as that room does not get as cool as rest of home. Sliding glass door is facing South but there is a covered lanai so no sun comes in to home from that spot.

Bought this home over 3 years ago and it has a York CZH03611CA, 2 stage A/C. We also have a mini-split in Master Bedroom which was an extension from part of the lanai and flat roof so central AC could not be brought into a portion of that room. Another unit recommended was 24VNA936 – don’t think that’s a greenspeed. Thanks!

1st question – 1650 sf – xxx sf for other area [ 2nd bedroom / office ] served by 2nd unit ——————
—- — – 1,380 Sq Feet may only need 2-tons _________ +++++++++++++++++++++++
—2nd thru 9th questions – No reply
7th question Partial reply ………………….. ….. 24VNA936 – 5 speed [/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by dan sw fl

1st question – 1650 sf – xxx sf for other area [ 2nd bedrrom / office ] served by 2nd unit ——————
– 1,380 Sq Feet may only need 2-tons _________ +++++++++++++++++++++++
—2nd thru 9th questions – No reply ….. 24VNA936 – 5 speed

[/QUOTE]

Not sure if I understand question correctly. The central AC is in the 2nd bedroom (160 sq ft) which is relatively small anyway. Mini split is there to add additional comfort but the central AC does work.