Maybe we can repost this with a note NOT to reply that way it stays at the top? Is there a way we can sticky this?

That's right, it's not Salem, the model is right next to the motel. I guess I thought all builders were affiliated with one manufacturer in an exclusive relationship. That seemed to be the case when we were looking (got quotes from 5 builders, 2 of them with Westchester, 1 might have been Excel but literally called and said "I've got numbers" the day we put deposit down with one of the Westchester builders - we had a deadline and he missed it). We didn't look with Ricon - not sure he was in business in late 2006 when we started looking? And we built outside of his "territory" anyway. I'll have to get together a list of tips (had emailed some to my cousin who was thinking modular last year) and email them to you. Can I do that by clicking on your page? I'm sure other people with more experience than my one house can give you better tips. My one big tip is to take a fine toothed comb to the plans, look at *everything* - something as simple as placement of a switch can turn into a major hassle/expense if you want to change it later. And COMMUNICATION is key - I was living in RI, trying to build 100 miles away, communicating via email and phone and there were some misunderstandings, and some questions I had that never got answered about window sizes, vanity lighting placement, door swing, etc. that resulted in unpleasant surprises and remodeling (my expense). Does Ricon do GC? My builder didn't have GC license, I hired my own subs, and while most of it turned out OK (and saved a lot of $$$ over what a GC would have charged) I have had major problems with my tile installation and will probably have to move all my appliances out and rip up/replace 400 sf of discontinued tile. I've been fighting with installer for a year now, he came out once last summer to replace loose sections and now I've got more, whole floor will probably have to come up but he's saying it's structural, or we walked on it too soon, and I think (confirmed with real pros) that it's b/c he didn't follow manufacturer's instructions and use thinset b/t the subfloor and the backerboard. BTW, if you want tile over 8" square, you will have to do it onsite b/c they won't ship a modular with larger tile installed since it'll crack. Do all your flooring onsite - it's cheaper and will look better if you have seams spanning front-to-back across modules, since they have to do those seams (or half of installation) onsite anyway. What are Excel's standards? I think we might have looked at them, I forget which builder used them, but if I recall correctly, they were 24 OC 2x4? We thought about "upgrading" too, but then decided that if someone was used to working a certain way, even if they said they'd change it for us, we might end up with "standard" construction and not find out til after delivery, and that would be a huge hassle.

Perhaps this question has been answered on this site or another but as I have not found it I thought I would ask. I have a home with all electric heat and have a Bryant Evol Extreme Heat Pump with back up heat strip professionally installed. I am happy with this heat pump as it has never not performed as advertised. My question is this: The heat pump only setting easily maintains 72 or above inside temperature at 15 degrees outside temp and starts to struggle on heat pump only at below that point. For example, right now in Columbus Ohio on Feb 13, 2015 the outside temp is 7 degrees and my heat pump only setting is maintaining 68 inside temp even though I have setting at 72. I don't mind the temperature. Am I wasting money by not using "system control" at this temperature? Of course "system control would cause heating strip to engage but would lessen some of "stress" on heat pump or if I don't mind the inside temp am I saving money by using heat pump only? FYI, my KWH is .072. I am assuming the compressor running non stop is yet a large savings over engaging heating strips? If any pro can respond to this much obliged.

Thanks Tiger and Mike Do you mean that this: 3 ton,up to 16 SEER, Puron, Performance Series, Condenser Model # 24ABC636A003 Is not a Performance model but actually a Comfort one? Do you recommend the performance over the comfort? I see your listed models above are for the comfort series. As for the second part: 3 ton, Deluxe Fixed Fan Coil with Puron, Comfort Series, Model # FX4DNF037000 Is this where I should be looking at getting a variable speed to decrease noise? This will be the unit in the attic - correct? As for returns, there will be a single return at the top of the stairs on the second floor. The layout is very open downstairs and the expectation is that warm moist air would easily rise up there and be returned. Haven't heard anything on the filtration. Good point on labor warranty. Plan to be here 20+ years. Will inquire. Thanks again. Really appreciate it (as you can tell, totally clueless on this). E