Looking at a new house that's nearly 3k sf and it has one 5 ton Rheem heat pump unit for the whole house.

Anybody have any insight on if this is enough for the whole house or the quality of Rheem products?

TIA!

You'll get better & more updated answers than this but from my archives and without so many factors that influence an answer ... might NOT be!
1. Before foam insulation, the genesis of calculations was ONE TON serves 475LivSF if a vented attic above it, 525LivSF if an insulated floor above it
2. HVAC brands area always being bought/sold/made this country, others, etc. Some quality on the rise, others not. In-the-day the very best HVAC guy in Aggieland would only use Rudd. That changed to Trane and now that's changing "they say". Consumer Reports is not the gospel but continues to rate Trane & Am.Std as tops.

Some assumption math sans details with a 2-story giving the most hope for this to work for all:
1500sf @ 525/ton = 2.9ton
1500sf @ 475/ton = 3.2ton
Interpolate foam R-value improvements and a cool non vented attic in a very ideal-OPENcell foam & cavalier way, i.e. 3.5/2.2R (closed cell $$$$$ is even better and might make all this work hands down, even if rarely used in spec.houses)
= 1.8ton
= 2.0ton

3/3.8= 79% comfort

Other important factors
20 guests = one ton extra
Middle of August, even 4th of July parties
Manual J - Residential Load Calculation that includes, windows/details, shading/trees, etc.

What type of insulation ?

Spray foam ?


The Rheem heat pumps I have seen in the field usually last ~15-17 years

JP76 said:

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What type of insulation ?

Spray foam ?


The Rheem heat pumps I have seen in the field usually last ~15-17 years

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Doubtful but possible. I forgot to go in the attic when I did the walk through.

I believe it was built in 2014 o4 2015, probably a semi custom job.

One story?

ABATTBQ11 said:

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One story?

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Yes

I have Rheem - a 3 ton for upstairs and 3 ton for downstairs. Have had no issues with them or comfort in the house.

We also have Rheem. No issues or regrets. It's been reliable through both hot summers and cold snaps. For a 3k sf house, a 5-ton unit should be okay, but efficiency can depend on layout and insulation. You might want to contact rheem directly. They're helpful with sizing and product support.

My air handler had to be replaced after 10 years or so but it was under parts warranty I think. The rest of the system has been very good. I did replace the start capacitor but not a big deal. I would buy another.