8 Kw Heat Strip Amp Draw

Lafrance Shearompal · Thursday, November 18, 2021

go with 8kw heat strip or 5 kw heat strip

I live in Tampa, Florida and I just got a new Trane AC system installed in my house. My house is about 2,000 square feet and I got an 4 ton 18 seer system (XV18). The company that installed the system did a great job but it failed the permit inspection. They hooked up an 8kw heat strip (BAYEVAC08LG1AA) to my unit with an 8 gauge aluminum wire. Now the company wants to remove the 8kw hit strip and replace it with a 5kw heat strip so they don't have to change the wire. I suggested to have them instead change out the wire to a larger gauge so I can keep the current 8kw heat strip. They are thinking it over.
I would love to hear some advice to see if I should push to keep the 8kw heat strip instead of have it reduced to a 5kw strip, or does it not matter and a 5kw heat strip will be fine??? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
What size strip heater did the old unit have? If it had one.
Honestly, I don't know. I have been in the house for less than 2 years. The old unit was a 12 seer and I don't know if it even had a heat strip.
5 KW = 17,065 BTUs of heat.
8 KW = 27,304 BTUs of heat.
5 may just barely be enough.
Thanks for the response. So, avoid the 5kw heat strip. So do you think I should push to stay with the 8kw heat strip and have them change out the wire?
Last winter I stayed with cousin in Orlando. Checked out the Choo Choo for her and found no backup had ever been hooked up. House about the same size. Heat pump always kept up. I'd say go with the 5 and if the heat pump was down and it was a cold wave, might be a few degrees below what you set it for. Tell the dealer do throw in a year's maintenance instead of a new wire!
Post Likes - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
Stay with the 8 and upgrade the wiring. You won't be sorry...
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
I'm agreeing with baldloonie ,being you have the xv18 should be fine
If they switch out the 8kw with a 5kw should I request money back? Is there a big price difference between an 8kw and a 5 kw heat strip?
Its about as much as a cup of coffee.
I would be more worried about the aluminum wiring and NOT just to your heating system. Google aluminum wiring......

I wish I had a $1.00 for every response I deleted.....

"Decidedly Superior in a twisted pathetic way".....
Originally Posted by elopomorph

If they switch out the 8kw with a 5kw should I request money back? Is there a big price difference between an 8kw and a 5 kw heat strip?

What does your proposal state in regards to what size electric heating element size they proposed? If it says 8 KW, then yes you can ask for a refund. There is not that much price difference.
Personally what I would have done ( if it says 8 KW in the contract ) is try the 5KW and see how it works ( as it's their mistake for not checking the wire size and type wire ) then ( if they are a reputable company ) have them write up a contract that states they will replace the wire and install the 8 KW heater upwards of a certain time period such as the current year at no cost to you. Again that would be if the contract you signed stated they where going to install a 8 KW heater initially with your Heat Pump.
Its sounding like someone made a mistake and the contractor is doing the right thing by disconnecting the 8kw. Talk to them. Get an extended warranty, a few years free maintenance checks. running new wires can be an expensive job.