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Trane Condenser Selection - 3.1 Ton XL16 vs 3.5 Ton XL15

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Trane Condenser Selection - 3.1 Ton XL16 vs 3.5 Ton XL15 jcp 07-15-2006
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Posted by jcp on July 15, 2006, 11:52 am
I'm about to get my central AC replaced and was hoping to get some
opinions on sizing. I currently have a 4-ton unit that feeds 13, 6"
round ducts (appx 1300CFM capacity). My house is very well insulated.
I recently recieved 3 estimates from authorized Trane dealers who
recommened the XL16i and XL15i models. My dilemma lies in determining
the correct size of the XL16 if I were to select it. All contractors
indicated that the 4-ton unit is a little large and that the existing
ductwork dosent support the CFM required for a 4-ton unit. None the
less, 2 of the 3 recommended 4-ton units. One of the 3 recommended a
3.5 ton XL15 or a 3.1 ton XL16 (likely because the 4 ton is not
eligable for the tax credit). I agree that a somewhat smaller unit (<4
tons) is appropriate because of the existing ductwork and the fact that
my existing system could use to run a little longer. Turns out that
the XL15 is available in .5 ton increments, while the XL16 is only
available in 1 ton increments. I'm inclined to go with the XL16i,
knowing that it will switch between 3 tons and 2 tons (70%) as
required, however I'm afraid that if it is slightly undersized it will
be spending most of it's time at 3 ton (losing the real 2-stage
advantage). If I go with the 4-ton, I have the same concern - that it
will may never run at the 4-ton level.

I suspect that the correct sizing is 3.5 tons given my discussions with
the contractors.

One more piece of info - all units will be matched to the appropriate
variable speed air handler.

Any comments or recommendations?

Thanks in advance,
Joe


Posted by Moe Jones on July 15, 2006, 1:22 pm
Think about checking into a 2-speed compressor.


> I'm about to get my central AC replaced and was hoping to get some
> opinions on sizing. I currently have a 4-ton unit that feeds 13, 6"
> round ducts (appx 1300CFM capacity). My house is very well insulated.
> I recently recieved 3 estimates from authorized Trane dealers who
> recommened the XL16i and XL15i models. My dilemma lies in determining
> the correct size of the XL16 if I were to select it. All contractors
> indicated that the 4-ton unit is a little large and that the existing
> ductwork dosent support the CFM required for a 4-ton unit. None the
> less, 2 of the 3 recommended 4-ton units. One of the 3 recommended a
> 3.5 ton XL15 or a 3.1 ton XL16 (likely because the 4 ton is not
> eligable for the tax credit). I agree that a somewhat smaller unit (<4
> tons) is appropriate because of the existing ductwork and the fact that
> my existing system could use to run a little longer. Turns out that
> the XL15 is available in .5 ton increments, while the XL16 is only
> available in 1 ton increments. I'm inclined to go with the XL16i,
> knowing that it will switch between 3 tons and 2 tons (70%) as
> required, however I'm afraid that if it is slightly undersized it will
> be spending most of it's time at 3 ton (losing the real 2-stage
> advantage). If I go with the 4-ton, I have the same concern - that it
> will may never run at the 4-ton level.
>
> I suspect that the correct sizing is 3.5 tons given my discussions with
> the contractors.
>
> One more piece of info - all units will be matched to the appropriate
> variable speed air handler.
>
> Any comments or recommendations?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Joe
>



Posted by Bubba on July 15, 2006, 1:36 pm

>I'm about to get my central AC replaced and was hoping to get some
>opinions on sizing. I currently have a 4-ton unit that feeds 13, 6"
>round ducts (appx 1300CFM capacity). My house is very well insulated.
>I recently recieved 3 estimates from authorized Trane dealers who
>recommened the XL16i and XL15i models. My dilemma lies in determining
>the correct size of the XL16 if I were to select it. All contractors
>indicated that the 4-ton unit is a little large and that the existing
>ductwork dosent support the CFM required for a 4-ton unit. None the
>less, 2 of the 3 recommended 4-ton units. One of the 3 recommended a
>3.5 ton XL15 or a 3.1 ton XL16 (likely because the 4 ton is not
>eligable for the tax credit). I agree that a somewhat smaller unit (<4
>tons) is appropriate because of the existing ductwork and the fact that
>my existing system could use to run a little longer. Turns out that
>the XL15 is available in .5 ton increments, while the XL16 is only
>available in 1 ton increments. I'm inclined to go with the XL16i,
>knowing that it will switch between 3 tons and 2 tons (70%) as
>required, however I'm afraid that if it is slightly undersized it will
>be spending most of it's time at 3 ton (losing the real 2-stage
>advantage). If I go with the 4-ton, I have the same concern - that it
>will may never run at the 4-ton level.
>
>I suspect that the correct sizing is 3.5 tons given my discussions with
>the contractors.
>
>One more piece of info - all units will be matched to the appropriate
>variable speed air handler.
>
>Any comments or recommendations?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Joe

1300 CFM? I doubt it. Tell me what your static is then you can decide
what CFM you are running.You have done a static pressure test, havent
you?
Bubba

Posted by jcp on July 15, 2006, 4:25 pm
Bubba - None of the contractors have performed a test. They just
indicated that each 6" duct is rated at 100 CFM (nominal).

Bubba wrote:
>
> >I'm about to get my central AC replaced and was hoping to get some
> >opinions on sizing. I currently have a 4-ton unit that feeds 13, 6"
> >round ducts (appx 1300CFM capacity). My house is very well insulated.
> >I recently recieved 3 estimates from authorized Trane dealers who
> >recommened the XL16i and XL15i models. My dilemma lies in determining
> >the correct size of the XL16 if I were to select it. All contractors
> >indicated that the 4-ton unit is a little large and that the existing
> >ductwork dosent support the CFM required for a 4-ton unit. None the
> >less, 2 of the 3 recommended 4-ton units. One of the 3 recommended a
> >3.5 ton XL15 or a 3.1 ton XL16 (likely because the 4 ton is not
> >eligable for the tax credit). I agree that a somewhat smaller unit (<4
> >tons) is appropriate because of the existing ductwork and the fact that
> >my existing system could use to run a little longer. Turns out that
> >the XL15 is available in .5 ton increments, while the XL16 is only
> >available in 1 ton increments. I'm inclined to go with the XL16i,
> >knowing that it will switch between 3 tons and 2 tons (70%) as
> >required, however I'm afraid that if it is slightly undersized it will
> >be spending most of it's time at 3 ton (losing the real 2-stage
> >advantage). If I go with the 4-ton, I have the same concern - that it
> >will may never run at the 4-ton level.
> >
> >I suspect that the correct sizing is 3.5 tons given my discussions with
> >the contractors.
> >
> >One more piece of info - all units will be matched to the appropriate
> >variable speed air handler.
> >
> >Any comments or recommendations?
> >
> >Thanks in advance,
> >Joe
>
> 1300 CFM? I doubt it. Tell me what your static is then you can decide
> what CFM you are running.You have done a static pressure test, havent
> you?
> Bubba


Posted by Bubba on July 15, 2006, 7:46 pm
Exactly my point. They are guessing and assuming. So are you. I have
many "thumbs" too. Which would you like?
I can blow 40 cfm through a 6" run and I can shove 400 or more CFM
through a 6" pipe. It all depends on how your ductwork was done and
what static it's operating at.
Get someone who has a clue or dont waste your money on a high eff
system. On the other hand, dont be expecting to get all that info for
free.
Bubba


>Bubba - None of the contractors have performed a test. They just
>indicated that each 6" duct is rated at 100 CFM (nominal).
>
>Bubba wrote:
>>
>> >I'm about to get my central AC replaced and was hoping to get some
>> >opinions on sizing. I currently have a 4-ton unit that feeds 13, 6"
>> >round ducts (appx 1300CFM capacity). My house is very well insulated.
>> >I recently recieved 3 estimates from authorized Trane dealers who
>> >recommened the XL16i and XL15i models. My dilemma lies in determining
>> >the correct size of the XL16 if I were to select it. All contractors
>> >indicated that the 4-ton unit is a little large and that the existing
>> >ductwork dosent support the CFM required for a 4-ton unit. None the
>> >less, 2 of the 3 recommended 4-ton units. One of the 3 recommended a
>> >3.5 ton XL15 or a 3.1 ton XL16 (likely because the 4 ton is not
>> >eligable for the tax credit). I agree that a somewhat smaller unit (<4
>> >tons) is appropriate because of the existing ductwork and the fact that
>> >my existing system could use to run a little longer. Turns out that
>> >the XL15 is available in .5 ton increments, while the XL16 is only
>> >available in 1 ton increments. I'm inclined to go with the XL16i,
>> >knowing that it will switch between 3 tons and 2 tons (70%) as
>> >required, however I'm afraid that if it is slightly undersized it will
>> >be spending most of it's time at 3 ton (losing the real 2-stage
>> >advantage). If I go with the 4-ton, I have the same concern - that it
>> >will may never run at the 4-ton level.
>> >
>> >I suspect that the correct sizing is 3.5 tons given my discussions with
>> >the contractors.
>> >
>> >One more piece of info - all units will be matched to the appropriate
>> >variable speed air handler.
>> >
>> >Any comments or recommendations?
>> >
>> >Thanks in advance,
>> >Joe
>>
>> 1300 CFM? I doubt it. Tell me what your static is then you can decide
>> what CFM you are running.You have done a static pressure test, havent
>> you?
>> Bubba

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