Any one had any luck dealing with www.alpinehomeair.com ?
My home needs /will need a few things a new heat pump, also what I would really like is a system mounted humidifier.
It looks like they sell goodman heat pumps anybody know any thing about the brand?
They have some units requiring r22 and some requiring r410A. I can’t remember what they are phasing out can anyone give me any info on this?
Just curious hoping I found a good site. They have a ton of good comments from many people.
Thanks
Webby
Replies
R22 equipment will cease to be produced on 01/01/2010. There is a 10 year "sunset" period where R22 will be made to service existing equipment, but after this the only R22 available will be from Junkhound's stockpile.
http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/phaseout/22phaseout.html
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Actually, the next HP I build from scratch (for my barn) will use propane in an outdoor package type unit (using scroll compressor for R22).
There should be some good deals on R22 compressors next year, a new 3T copeland scroll just sold on ebay for $205 (my bid was 200, sigh)
Back to answering the OP's query:
I've installed 2 Goodman units (mother's house, son's house), all functioning well after 10 years cumulative time. The Goodman cabinets are flimsy, needed to beef up the air handler on one. Actually did buy 2 Goodman units mail order from Desco, cheaper than Alpine. Only buy a unit with a scroll compressor (IMO). There are about 15 different folks on ebay will sell to you, drives the HVAC residential pros up the wall.
410A is more expensive than R22 at this point in time. 410A runs 400 psi+, while R22 is at 250 psi or so. 410 A needs POE oil.
You do not need an EPA license to purchase 410A.
You can buy R22 off ebay (e.g. for resale, to stockpile to 'sell' to a technician in the future) but it is illegal for you to crack the cylinder valve without an EPA license.
Some prices SHOULD drop soon with the economy and copper/aluminum futures dropping, dont be too anxious to buy right now without a little dickering with the seller.
EDIT PS to OP: If you plan on DIY a 410 split system, READ A LOT! Braze a must. Slopes and piping critical. Built first HP nearly 40 years ago did not know enough about oil flow, got an oil slug to the compressor head after a few months of operation and drove a connecting rod right thru the cylinder head! (before the days of scroll compressors, they are more forgiving of dumb novice mistakes)
Edit 2: IMO MINIMUM equipment needed for DIY split system install are oxy-acetylene brazing torch and tanks, Nitrogen tank, pressure gauges and regulators, micron gauge, < 500 micron vacuum pump. Plus all the misc. hand tools and elec. inst tools. It is not as simple as hooking it up and plugging it in - see busted compressor above.
Edited 11/21/2008 7:12 am ET by junkhound
Edited 11/21/2008 7:18 am ET by junkhound
Hey thanks for the info. I wasn't to keen on doing the heat pump myself. I need a new one and was interested in the pricing on the web.
Maybe the humidifier. If I can work out a place to put it in my tiny utility room. door swings into the airhandler, opens about 100 degrees and there is a foot and a half between the door knob and the washer. The humidifier almost has to go on the c. a. return. Otherwise I can't get the door open enough to get in the room. I can't move the machines anywhere else. Split levels suck.Webby