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A/C Heat Pump Design Question

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robertmgarrett
robertmgarrett Member Posts: 1
in A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration

I have an old house that currently has three separate heat pump/AC units because it isn’t possible to run ductwork amongst all the zones (it’s a half stone half frame house and the ductwork would have to fill our only doors). They are all 20 year old Trane XL14s that need replacing. Is it possible to purchase a system that would have three air handlers serviced by a single outdoor compressor unit that provides refrigerant to all three air handlers? Seems like that would be cheaper and more reliable since it’s less machinery to install and service if the required fancy manifold to accomplish it is feasible without calling in the rocket scientists. Is that feasible in the real world or no?

Comments

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,282

    No

    Nothing wrong with 3 systems as long as there properly sized and the ducts can handle the required air flow!

    GGross
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 4,061

    It would be neither cheaper nor more reliable. You'd be looking at a commercial($) VRF($$$) system with three air handlers($$). It's possible that a residential multi-head system would work, but IIRC they top out size-wise at ≈5 tons. Reliability-wise, any outdoor unit fault or lineset leak will park the entire system. A single head failure may—or may not—park the system, depends on the particulars. I personally haven't seen any indication that the large 100k$+ systems I've worked on have any greater life expectancy than more conventional systems—but of course at EOL you're committed to another VRF system, hopefully compatible with the piping & control wiring you've already run.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,216

    It can be done but it probably is not cost effective

    mattmia2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 13,443

    Especially when the refrigerant is going to escape from all of them at some random point in the next 10 years.

    SuperTech
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,854

    Its possible, depending on the load. There are inverter systems that can connect multiple air handlers to one outdoor unit. You won't be saving in installation costs, but maybe in efficiency, depending on the product. And it will be a heat pump. Keep in mind, if there's an issue with one air handler, or the outdoor unit, it effects all three. And if parts need to be ordered. Don't get me started.

    As far as getting ducts to certain areas, Unico or Space Pak is made for situations where ducts are difficult to run.

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