Rheem Prestige 16 SEER + 90-Plus Modulating Furnace Package

15 years ago

Hey everyone - Well I have narrowed down the choice to replace my current 1971 (!!!!) Lennox Furnace and 8 SEER Lennox AC (1986) with a Rheem Prestige AC Unit and a 90-Plus Modulating Upflow Furnace. I considered a Carrier Infinity series, but more than one HVAC guy showed that the increased cost of the Carrier system did not really benefit me over the long term (at least as much as the Rheem Prestige which had a greater return financially over the long run--and looked to be a quieter system, too). Is this true?

My question is whether the RGFD-10EZCMS is the best choice for the furance or whether another Rheem Furnace would be more efficient or better to install. The quote also pairs this with the RARL048JEZ 16 SEER Prestige 2-stage scroll AC. Would the 18 SEER be better? I have had quotes for both of these units. The lowest cost I have thus far received for the above furnace and AC is $8,005.41 for all installation, plus inclusion of a humidity control digital thermostat (Big Blue), an Aprilaire humidifier (Model #600), and a 2200 Space Gard Air Filtration system. Does this sound reasonable? The people who quoted the system (who also have serviced my AC since I moved here) also are changing out the lineset as a part of this cost. I live in Wichita, Kansas.

Any thoughts? :)

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Comments (2)

veesubotee
15 years ago
I had the same furnace/a-c installed this spring (furnace was an 09). Your price is fantastic. I got the filter and had some ductwork revision for over a thousand more (after rebates, no humidifier and not your model thermostat). I think labor rates are higher here in the Philadelphia, PA area.

The furnace can't be beat for comfort, as compared to your old single stage unit.

It is important that a heat calc be performed, both for heating and cooling. Also, SEER will depend on which coil is matched to the a-c/furnace. Depending on your particular climate (temperature vs. humidity), a coil that is designed to deliver a higher SEER (larger), may not be optimum for humidity removal.

Another word on heating: The Mod gives 13 stages of heat at 5% intervals. Carrier's MVC model has 3 stages and is not a true modulating unit. York's model has 65 stages @ 1% intervals. When modulating, how long does the unit stay in stage 23 before ramping up to stage 24? Is a change in firing rate of 1% really meaningful?

The most important factor is your confidence that the contractor will deliver a first class installation.

V
jdew1920
15 years ago
Be sure the thermostat will be able to take advantage of the modulating function. You can run any thermostat on that furnace but unless it is the modulating thermostat you'll have only 2 stages of heat.

I have had a rheem mod furnace now for about 4 years and am very happy with it.
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Rheem Prestige 16 SEER + 90-Plus Modulating Furnace Package

Comments (2)

veesubotee

jdew1920

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