Heat Pump Wiring

[Axinar]

Hi there ...

Say ...

I had yet another estimate on replacing my A/C and furnance with a unit that has a variable speed air handler in order to attempt to achieve better humidity control.

One option that has been mentioned by a few of these contractors is to upgrade to a heat pump. Now the contractor who was out yesterday said I wouldn't be able to go to a heat pump because "there aren't enough wires" running outside to the existing exchanger.

I have no reason to doubt him but I am curious if any of you could tell me what the heck he is talking about.

Thanks!

Ax

[Dr. Hardcrab]

"Axinar" wrote

With a heatpump, you need more than a 2-wire low voltage wire running to the outside unit AND you need additional wires for the air handler AND the thermostat. In fact, you would need a different thermostat, too.

If he can't put a heatpump in because he won't run new low voltage wiring, I would run away from him FAST!!! Get at least 3 REPUTABLE contractors to give you quotes (not estimates!).

[PrecisionMachinisT]

He should be planning on a new lineset out to the condenser anyways........no big deal in running a new control cable at the same time unless he is planning otherwise.

[TURTLE]

This is Turtle.

Regular type hvac systems and not heat pump type , when installed , only run

2 -- # 18 or # 20 control wire to the out side unit. The Heat pump requires from 5 to 8 wires to be going to the outside unit from the furnace. So it's a not enough wire with 2 wires going there and he feels that running another set of wires out to the condenser would be too hard of a job for him. Now running another set of wire out to the condenser is some trouble but it can be done. I must be gifted for I know how to run another set of wires to the outside unit. There is no such thing as can't but is called Difficult to do.

TURTLE

[Axinar]

Forgot to mention that this is a condo unit so it might be VERY difficult to run additional wiring outside.

Okay ... no big deal ... we'll run with straight electric ...

Ax

[RWorcester817]

What about the cable guy? Did he refuse to run the wire too because it was too difficult?

RW