Trane Condenser Selection - 3.1 Ton XL16 vs 3.5 Ton XL15

Think about checking into a 2-speed compressor.

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.

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.

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

Proof positive that when you are snowed nicely, you accept it.

There is NO such thing as a 3.1 ton unit.

LOL