I am considering purchasing two heat pumps from the Garrison GX line. My understanding is that they are a house brand made by Nordyne.

Does anyone have any experience or comments on them?

I am in a two-zone single family 2200 sq ft well insulated house in ZIP code 20194 (northern VA suburbs of Washington DC) with a 3-ton and a 2-ton York heat pump. Both were installed in 1991. The smaller unit is working fine, but the larger one has a leaking condensation pan.

The larger unit is connected to a hottap desuperheater which, in winter, can provide most of our hot water:

http://ecuheatrecovery.com/

The york units have been very trouble free over the years.

Proposed new systems:

Basic specs: condenser/outdoor unit:

The JT4BF-KA/B series now offers the choice of a heat pump
that uses a more efficient and environmentally friendly
refrigerant designated R-410A. The JT4BF-KA/B Series
of heat pumps offers exceptional performance as well as
environmental protection. These models, when matched
with our variable speed air handlers or variable speed
equipped gas furnaces, offer a line of high quality heat
pump systems rated up to 16 SEER and 9 HSPF.

detailed f/b listing:

� R-410A Refrigerant: Earth friendly non-ozone depleting
refrigerant.
� Copeland Scroll UltraTechTM Compressor: The Ultra
Tech Compressor operates with 2 stages of heating
and cooling capacities to provide superior comfort and
efficiency. Copeland's proven and simple design equates
to years of comfort and reliability for the homeowner with
virtually silent operation.
� Durable, Attractive Cabinet: Designed using galvanized
steel with a polyester urethane finish. The 950 hour salt
spray finish is 1.5 mil thick and resists corrosion 50%
better than comparable units.
� Composite Base Pan: Absorbs sound and is corrosion
resistant. Composite is also stronger and lighter than
steel.
� Demand Defrost: Provides additional energy savings in
heating by defrosting only when necessary.
� Copper Tube / Aluminum Fin Coils: Both indoor and
outdoor coils are designed to optimize heat transfer,
minimize size and cost, and increase durability and
reliability.
� Complete Metal Wrapper: Durable metal guard protects
the coil from yard hazards and extreme weather.
� Removable Top Grille Assembly: Allows ease of service
from the top without disconnecting fan motor leads.
� Low Pressure Switch: Loss of charge protection ensures
long compressor life. Auto-reset feature prevents nuisance
service visits.
� High Pressure Switch: Protects against abnormally high
system pressures. Auto-reset feature prevents nuisance
service visits.
� Liquid Line Filter Drier: Included with unit, field installed.
� One Piece Top/Orifice: Designed for maximum airflow
and quiet operation.
� Common Suction Service Port: This port allows the
contractor to read the suction pressure in all modes of
operation without removing any panels, saving time and
increasing serviceability.
� Three Minute Restart Time Delay: When the unit shuts
down, a three minute delay keeps the unit from restarting,
eliminating the highest cause for compressor failure.
� Suction Accumulator: Protection from liquid flood back
and future compressor failures.
� Hot Gas Muffler: Reduces compressor noise and
vibration.
� Easy Compressor and Control Access: Designed to
make servicing easier for the contractor, access panels
are provided to all controls and the compressor from the
side of the unit.

basic specs air handler:

B6VMAX Series
Air Handler with TXV
13-19 SEER Residential System
18,000 - 60,000 Btuh (Heat Pump
& Air Conditioner)
R-410A Refrigerant
The B6VMAX Series of air handlers, when combined with
our heat pump or air conditioner, offers a full line of quality,
split system heating and cooling equipment.

detailed f/b listing:

Energy Efficient Variable Speed ECM Motor: Advanced
technology provides 16 field-selectable cooling airflows
and automatically sets heating airflows based on the
amount of installed heat.
� Quiet Blower Operation: Extra quiet and smooth blower
on and off cycles.
� Constant airflow: Motor automatically adjusts to
different static loads.
� Reduced air stratification: This results in improved
air quality by optimizing humidity removal and filtration
capabilities.
� Multi-poised: Can be used in horizontal, upflow, downflow
and vertical applications.
� Built in Filter Rack: makes the air handler easy to service.
� Plug-in Heater Kit: Available in 5 kw through 30 kw (Not
for use in 115 Volt units)
� Circuit Board: Incorporating blower time delay relay, low
voltage terminal strip, and heat-strip sequencing.
� Breaker Accessibility: Breaker accessible from the front
of the unit when heater is applied.
� Plastic Drain Pan: Provides corrosion resistance.
� Durable Cabinet: Galvanized steel with a polyurethane
finish. The finish will endure 950 hours of salt spray and
resist corrosion 50% better than comparable units.
� Designed to meet the requirements 610.2.A.2: Meets
Florida building code requirements for air leakage.
� Thermal Expansion Valve: Factory installed externally
equalized thermal expansion valve provides precise
refrigerant control under varying load conditions.
� Cabinet Insulation: 1" insulation with an R-value of
4.2 contributes to quiet operation and prevents cabinet
sweating in difficult applications.
� AnteaterTM Coil Technology: Copper alloy with zinc
additives to stop formicary corrosion.