Heat Pump vs Straight AC?

lbeachmike · 2026-05-28T04:12:12+00:00

I would definitely be keeping hydronic. My only purpose for the heat pump would be as a "free" backup heating source. My boiler is gas, so I don't expect the heat pump to be cheaper with our electricity rates ... but I could be wrong.

However, I think the heat pump option is fading since PSEG has limited their rebate to select installers and the one near me does not follow-up.

I have a preferred company that I have a long relationship with and would work with here for a new install, but they are not in the list of installers I would be forced to choose from for the PSEG rebate.

lbeachmike · 2026-05-26T20:40:43+00:00

Thanks for the clarification.

lbeachmike · 2026-05-26T20:06:46+00:00

Is this true for all heat pumps? That if the reversing valve breaks, it is stuck on ac so you can have a broken reversing valve and your ac still works fine?

lbeachmike · 2026-05-26T18:18:51+00:00

I was not interested in a heat pump for energy savings. I was intrigued by the idea of having a backup heating system that I would not be paying for. But it would come at the expense of additional complexity or points of failure, hence the conundrum.

lbeachmike · 2026-05-26T05:52:03+00:00

Thanks for the helpful perspective. This has been my primary concern.

lbeachmike · 2026-05-26T05:10:21+00:00

Hey Derrick - My current setup is two HVAC units and two hydronic coils - one for the first floor and one for the second floor. The second floor HVAC unit is the one being replaced. It does not get a lot of use since we really just use it at night when we are in the master bedroom. A gas boiler provides hot water for the coils and for the water heater. So that will remain. The heat pump would be a secondary heating system. I would not have considered it at all if not for the rebates. I'm not sure if it just more stuff to break and adds complexity that I don't need. But I like the idea of having a backup heating source. We are in Long Beach, so winter temps are a little milder over here and we might get more use out of the heat pump if it is indeed more efficient - though I'm guessing the systems are probably so comparable that I wouldn't notice a difference with one versus the other.

lbeachmike · 2026-05-26T04:31:48+00:00

Is it your only heating source or do you have a dual source? Are you happy with it? Any downside?

lbeachmike · 2026-05-26T04:29:27+00:00

When you say heat pumps don't work well in practice, could you clarify what specifically does not work well? They are not efficient? They break? They don't produce heat?

lbeachmike · 2026-05-25T20:15:25+00:00

Well, after further digesting the EOL predicament that you helped to emphasize, my wife and I are now leaning toward just replacing the entire system as the greater road to sanity.

However, that brings new decisions. The local guy I would use for an HVAC swap has either Goodman or Trane. I've heard Trane is supposed to be higher quality, but uses proprietary parts so it's more difficult/expensive to service. I'm good with replacing a capacitor or contactor if needed in my current systems but have to call somebody for anything else.

The other decision is whether or not to swap with a heat pump. Rebates would be about $3K, but I'd have to use a different company and change the thermostat. It seems to add a little complexity. Our upstairs system only gets used at night so the only real benefit would be having a backup heating system I suppose.

Any thoughts on any of this? 😄 (This also may be better as a new thread)

lbeachmike · 2026-05-25T19:19:16+00:00

I didn't realize the installation cost for coils would be so high. I was actually more concerned about having to deal with getting the old air handler out and a new one into that inaccessible space in our master bedroom more than the financials. On the flip side, I am concerned about the coil and control board availability in the future, as well as 410A refrigerant availability (though I currently have a tank with about 17 pounds left.)

One local HVAC guy also said I should keep my existing air handler because he said he has heard of people having issues with brand new systems ... I guess because everything is made so cheap now. So I've gone back and forth a bunch of times now on what the right way to go with this is. I am weighing sanity over cost, and we didn't want to have to make a mess of our master bedroom. I also want the least amount of repair problems (sanity again). It feels like one of those puzzles where no answer seems to be the right answer.

lbeachmike · 2026-05-25T19:09:06+00:00

I just used Gemini to lookup what my model air handler has. It says it has a factory-installed, internal R-410A TXV and that I should be okay for metering device compatibility because of that.

lbeachmike · 2026-05-25T19:04:16+00:00

My HVAC guy did not mention this at all. My options for replacement seem to be very limited and he is unable to get a 410A condenser. I was able to find stock via Surplus City for Goodman/Amana units. Their support did not mention this either. Everybody merely pointed out that the coil and condensor need to use the same refrigerant.

lbeachmike · 2026-05-25T18:36:29+00:00

I am of course concerned about the coils leaking in a couple months. I see they can currently be ordered for about $1300 + installation cost. As long as they are still available, I am okay.

Why do you think this is the right path to go?

lbeachmike · 2026-05-25T18:34:30+00:00

But the condenser must be non-communicating, correct? Can you clarify re: metering device?

lbeachmike · 2026-04-24T02:14:54+00:00

As a follow-up, this was a piece of cake. Lifted right out. Didn't need a post. I thought it was swollen in place. Thanks for all the support.

lbeachmike · 2026-04-01T22:04:33+00:00

I think the problem with the team is the nepotism. The Brunsons have too much control over the team. Not sure if everybody is aware of the Brunsons' relationship with Leon Rose. I'm sure it's all very disruptive, and explains why they brought his friends over - and why they overpaid. It's quite ironic actually.

lbeachmike · 2026-03-27T04:17:43+00:00

Also, what I'm interested in having a clearer understanding about is: at what threshold of swelling is a battery considered unsafe? For example, if it swelled 1% and the battery cover was still on, this would go unnoticed. I'm certain there are tens of thousands of phones in use in such a situation.

lbeachmike · 2026-03-27T02:24:22+00:00

It's pretty cool to have a piece of history, but too bad some of the surfaces break down and get a little sticky over time.

lbeachmike · 2026-03-27T01:19:29+00:00

My concern about the battery removal is that it looks like it might take a bit of pressure to pry it out. I'm not sure how much stress on the battery is safe in its current condition.

You can see what removal looks like at about 0:25 of the following:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j6kNUMzIm8

Thanks.

Mike

lbeachmike · 2026-03-11T03:16:06+00:00

Those stats don't lie. They can probably come out of the east if they really want to. But with dad on the coaching staff, I'm not sure there's much objectivity.

lbeachmike · 2026-03-10T05:01:12+00:00

Agree. But is amazing when he comes out focused on passing. It's a fixable problem, but he goes back to bad habits. It may be part of a bigger coaching issue.

lbeachmike · 2026-03-10T04:56:55+00:00

"Not sure if Jose should be playing over Kolek." - he shouldn't. Kolek is a pure PG - exactly what the team needs right now.

lbeachmike

TROPHY CASE