HVAC specs in VM Classics

You might remember a while back I was asking about upstairs A/C in others' Van Metre homes. Well, after we had the unit checked out to make sure it was working right, and did some calculations, we've decided the 2-ton A/C in our upstairs is under-powered. It should be able to keep it cooler than 75 when it is running ALL DAY.

I have noticed that the Fitzgerald models (and others) have 3-ton A/C units for the upstairs. Does anybody know the model numbers for the 3-ton versions of the evaporator coil (ours is U-29 rev A) and furnace/air handler (Goodman GMTXXXXXX) in their house? We could climb up into your attic if you are willing.

BTW - I had to keep myself from making snide comments to the builders' HVAC contractor who told me that I should be glad that the temp was 75 (I am - I just think we can do better) and that a bigger unit would cycle on and off too quickly (the Fitz's don't have that much bigger upstairs, and our 4-ton cools the downstairs--no finished basement--just fine.)

We are hoping to upgrade the A/C efficiency from the lowest possible 10 SEER to a 14, and the furnace from 80% to 93% efficiency. If this weather keeps up, we could recoup the costs in no time!

Pam D.

 

As much as I aggree with you, most A/C units can only maintain a 20-25 degree differential from outside ambient temps. With the current heat and humidity, 75 degrees is probably not bad, you could upgrade and get a more effecient A/C system, but you still may only get a few more degrees (less than 5). It's not all about the A/C capacitiy, its also the ability to maintain that lower tempreture. Maybe check to see if you have enough insulation, make sure all the doors are closed tight, no air leaks. Thing like that will make your A/C less effcient. Good luck and keep us informed as to what you find out

 

My first question is why you have a bigger coil downstairs?
When you have a 2 zone system, the bigger cooler goes upstairs because heat rises and you need more cooling upstairs. Conversly, the bigger heater goes downstairs because coll air fals and you need more heating downstairs in the winter.
So, did the installer hook your coils up backward?

 

At least you have 2 - we only have one and our upstairs is HOT! I can't believe they built our house with just 1 A/C/ unit. All the other houses in the neighborhood look to have 2 or 3 units. Our neighbor with the same model home (Fitz II I believe is our model) has 3 and the only significant differences, bedroom above garage and the sunroom bump-out.

I am searching for an HVAC vendor to add a second unit, hopefully it won't cost an arm & a leg to add.

 

That was my thought, too, but other houses have the same. The coils and compressors match, so they would have had to do the whole install wrong. I think it is because the 4-ton would be big enough to do the basement, too, if it were finished.

Wow! There's something wrong there!

We decided to buy a new unit from www.alpinehomeair.com. Now we have to find someone to install it.

Pam D.

 

Actually ... the only thing wrong is the builder thinking that one unit without a ZONED system, would actually cool a house. I would assume that they have a good HVAC engineer plan out what they would need. But then I suspect their bean-counters would nix the second unit as lowering profit. [xx(]

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Was this bought 'new' ?? The basic Fitzgerald, when we were buying in 1999, came with 2 units. Shoot, even the VM Parkside models, one of which I own, came with 2 units standard.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

I would have to believe that a house the size of a Fitzgerald would require at least 2 zones. I think you need to call Van Metre.

 

I'm wondering if this was a 'previously owned' house, that the original owner only had them put one in !!



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

I don't think that Volvonut was indicating that he lived in a Fitz model. Just that his house was very simliar to his neighbor's Fitz except for the bedroom above the garage and the sunroom.

 

yes, we are the 2nd owner. Thinking about it, the basement wasn't finished when it was built in '98 so one unit may have been acceptable -- but the top floor would still have been hot.

The assessment has the house:
2470 sq/ft total living space without a finished basement
- 1 A/C unit

Our neighbor's house is:
3,730 total living space with finished basement
- 3 units (2 original, 3rd added when they finished the basement)

Our house looks like the Fitz II without the room above the garage:
http://www.vanmetrehomes.com/pages/phototour.asp?hdid=173&ptidx=0?=3

 

When was it built?? '98 - '99 ??

At one time they were offering Carrier A/C with a zoned system. Does your's have it ?



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

It was built in 1998 -- we don't have zones, something we would like to add.

 

UPDATE: We replaced the upstairs unit yesterday with a more efficient (and quieter!) 3-ton unit. Sure enough, it keeps it about five degrees cooler than with the 2-ton unit.

It was a bit of $$ and somewhat difficult to get the work done, but now I can go to sleep without sweating.

We caught some flak from installers who were upset that we had bought the units on our own from an online retailer. They were concerned that we got the wrong equipment, and probably upset that they wouldn't be making money by selling it to us. I did learn that 93% efficient furnaces have much more difficult exhaust hook-ups than 80% ones. And also that 22" units won't fit in 21" holes. [:I]

Stay cool!




Pam D.