Trane Condenser Selection - 3.1 Ton XL16 vs 3.5 Ton XL15

Jul 15, 2006 10 Replies

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jcp 20 years ago

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 (

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Information here may be outdated?

Moe Jones 20 years ago

Think about checking into a 2-speed compressor.

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Bubba 20 years ago

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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jcp 20 years ago

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Noon-Air 20 years ago

So you want to run 4 tons of A/C through ductwork that will only support 3 tons..... Who spec'ed 4 tons?? How did they arrive at that size?? Maybe you should have a complete room-by-room Manual J heat load and loss calculation done to determine just exactly what you need, then go from there.

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Bubba 20 years ago

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esquimeauxpie 20 years ago

The information you have: Three contractors say 4 tons is too large. You agree. But only one contractor recommended a smaller unit. He sounds like the best of the three. A Manual J calc would give you more info if you can find a competent person to do it. But keep in mind the results can be fudged to get the answer desired. If it were my choice with only the info you gave, I would get the 3.1 ton unit recommended by the best of the three contractors. I like my unit to run and do not mind taking some time to cool down to 75F.

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udarrell 20 years ago

Your 4-ton system with that ductwork may have only been delivery 3-ton of cooling. Did it cool okay? None the less, 2 of the 3 recommended 4-ton units, wow!

We don't know what climate you live in, but I am still betting a 3-ton unit with a scroll compressor and a TXV refrigerant control, and 4-ton airhandler will do the job! \\ Do a thorough manual J individual room calc and then do everything you can to reduce the heat-gain, and then refigure the equipment sizing. No one knows what equipment size you will end up with.

Unless you live in Florida or southern Texas I wouldn't go any higher than 14-SEER. Click the link below and read everything you can on the subject before spending your money!

- udarrell - Darrell

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