Heating Services in Tanque Verde, AZ

Challenge

2003 Gas Furnace + 2005 AC Replacement - High Bills + Comfort Issues

Solution

Replaced aging 21-year-old 80% AFUE gas furnace and failing 19-year-old 10 SEER air conditioner with integrated Carrier Infinity dual-fuel hybrid system sized for 3,800 sq ft Tanque Verde foothill home. Installed Carrier Infinity 20 heat pump (20 SEER cooling, 10 HSPF heating) handling 95% of annual heating load plus all cooling, backed by Carrier Infinity 96% AFUE gas furnace for coldest mornings below 30°F. Performed Manual J load calculation confirming 3.5-ton heat pump capacity with 80,000 BTU furnace backup. Upgraded to Carrier Infinity smart thermostat with automatic fuel switching optimizing between electric heat pump and gas furnace based on outdoor temperature and real-time energy costs. Installed whole-home Aprilaire humidifier addressing desert winter dryness, sealed ductwork reducing leakage from 28% to under 8%, upgraded electrical service to 200-amp supporting heat pump requirements, and added Carrier Infinity air purifier with MERV 16 filtration for dust control. Commissioned system with refrigerant charge verification, combustion analysis showing 96.2% furnace efficiency, airflow testing confirming 1,400 CFM, and multi-temperature performance testing validating heat pump heating capacity at 47°F, 35°F, and 25°F outdoor conditions.

Equipment Installed

Carrier Infinity 20 Heat Pump (20 SEER, 10 HSPF, 3.5 ton) + Carrier Infinity 96 Gas Furnace (96% AFUE, 80,000 BTU) + Infinity smart thermostat + Aprilaire whole-home humidifier + Infinity air purifier

Measurable Results

Challenge

Furnace Failure Thanksgiving Morning - 28°F Outside Temperature

Solution

Received emergency call at 6:45 AM Thanksgiving morning when homeowner's 12-year-old Trane XR80 furnace failed to start with outdoor temperature at 28°F and family arriving for holiday dinner. Dispatched lead technician arriving at 7:52 AM (67-minute response time). Diagnostic testing revealed failed hot surface igniter (cracked from 12 years of thermal cycling), dirty flame sensor preventing ignition cycle completion, and 82% clogged air filter restricting airflow. Replaced hot surface igniter with premium silicon nitride unit ($320 installed), cleaned flame sensor restoring proper flame detection, installed new MERV 11 filter, performed complete safety inspection including heat exchanger camera scope revealing early-stage crack formation in section 3, gas pressure testing showing proper 3.5 inch W.C. manifold pressure, and combustion analysis measuring 79.8% efficiency (within spec for 80% AFUE furnace but showing age-related degradation). Advised homeowner that heat exchanger cracks would require furnace replacement within 6-12 months (potential carbon monoxide safety issue), but current repairs safe for immediate use. Restored heat by 9:15 AM allowing family Thanksgiving to proceed normally. Scheduled follow-up consultation for December furnace replacement, ultimately installing Lennox SLP98V 98% AFUE variable-speed furnace ($6,200 installed after $2,600 in combined rebates and tax credits).

Equipment Installed

Emergency repair: Hot surface igniter replacement, flame sensor cleaning, filter replacement on existing Trane XR80

Measurable Results

Challenge

Replace Failing AC + Add Efficient Heating for 100% Electric Home

Solution

Homeowner's 18-year-old 9 SEER AC failed during September, coinciding with need to replace aging electric resistance furnace (100% efficient but expensive to operate) in all-electric Sabino Mountain luxury home. Recommended premium Lennox XP25 heat pump (23.5 SEER cooling, 10.2 HSPF heating) providing both exceptional cooling and highly efficient heating in single integrated system. Performed detailed Manual J load calculation for 4,200 sq ft multi-level foothill home confirming 4-ton capacity requirement, energy modeling showing heat pump delivering 300% heating efficiency vs. 100% efficiency of electric resistance, and 15-year lifecycle cost analysis proving heat pump saves $52,400 over electric furnace despite higher initial investment. Installation included Lennox XP25 variable-speed heat pump with two-stage compressor and fully modulating air handler, Lennox iComfort S30 ultra-smart thermostat with remote sensors in all 5 bedrooms optimizing comfort, whole-home Aprilaire 600 humidifier adding moisture during dry desert winters, Aprilaire 2410 air cleaner with MERV 16 filtration removing dust and allergens, complete ductwork inspection and Aeroseal sealing reducing leakage from 32% to under 7%, attic duct insulation upgrade to R-8 reducing heat loss, electrical service verification confirming adequate 200-amp capacity, and emergency heat backup using existing electric resistance elements (rarely needed in Tucson climate). Commissioned system with refrigerant charge verification using superheat and subcooling measurements, airflow testing confirming 1,600 CFM, static pressure optimization at 0.48 inch W.C., and performance testing validating 23.8 SEER cooling efficiency and 10.4 HSPF heating efficiency exceeding rated specifications.

Equipment Installed

Lennox XP25 Heat Pump (23.5 SEER, 10.2 HSPF, 4 ton) + Lennox iComfort S30 smart thermostat + Aprilaire 600 humidifier + Aprilaire 2410 air cleaner + Aeroseal duct sealing

Measurable Results