Mismatch between condenser and evaporator

[dbiberdorf]

I've got a newish house (built in 2005). I had a home inspection done as I approach the end of my bumper-to-bumper warranty. One question the inspector raised, in light of my general dissatisfaction with the a/c system in my house, is the mismatch between condenser and evaporator. The condenser is rated 3.5 tons, evaporator at 5 tons. Both are made by Goodman Manufacturing.

In researching all of this, I've found precious little in the way of hard data on what such a mismatch really implies for the system. I'm currently pressing the a/c contractor (by way of the builder) to show me that Goodman supports and recommends this configuration. In the meantime, I'd like to learn from the great minds here what the real implications of this setup are.

Any insight is appreciated.

[AccApp]

Yes, I've seen a similar combination before. It was a 13 SEER 3.5 ton condensing unit and the inside coil was a 5-ton 10 SEER unit. Ends up that is what Goodman spec'd for this condenser, didn't even need to change the piston in the coil.

[jdob28]

I have a Ultra High Efficiency Tempstar system and they match a 2.5 ton condensor with a 3.5 ton evaporator.  I guess it raises the SEER rating.  Mine is a seer 14 system.

[Rrey199]

 Your mismatch is bad news.

Sometimes the air handler is upsized by 1/2 ton to boost airflow in a system with alot of duct transitions, etc. Your system is limited to the condenser capacity. In other words the evaporator can try to remove 5 tons, but the condenser can only unload 3.5 tons. The rest results in higher pressures and a warmer evaporator coil.

If you can get the builder to straighten it out, you should have him do so.

[applianceman18007260692]

what type of freon is the unit using?