York, ARI 3135414. 11.75 EER, 16.75 SEER

Carrier, ARI 1408841. 12.20 EER, 15.80 SEER

The systems you're comparing should both be good if installed properly and are both great setups.

I myself would most likely choose the York. York makes a good upper-end product with their Affinity system, and the York modulating furnace is very efficiency and should provide a great deal of comfort. Hopefully the ductwork for either system has been thoroughly looked at to ensure adequate sizing/return/supply/etc.

Carrier's Infinity system gets a lot of hype, but personally I would not be expecting much more comfort out of the Infinity system compared to the York system on the IAQ control, provided the IAQ is setup to do dehumidify on demand. Many will disagree, but I think Carrier products are a bit overrated, although their lower-end equipment has improved (compared to the old 38CKC and 38YCC days). I'll take a good York system with a 10 year parts warranty and lifetime heat exchanger warranty, no question about it. You did not mention warranty, but that's what the York system should have from the factory.

I better add one more comment to the above. I would not turn you away from the Infinity system or any Carrier product if that's the direction you're leaning. Many happy customers with Carrier's line of equipment. I simply do not view them as having a significant edge over other brands as many believe just due to the name. In fact one of my friends owns a plumbing, heating, and air conditioning company. They dealt with Lennox until recently they switched to Carrier. When I asked why, he told me the name recognition is just better, and that parts are actually a bit harder to find for Carrier than Lennox. I think Carrier is riding off their reputation in many respects. If you found a good Carrier dealer, as above, I would not discourage you from using their services. I would try to get a 10 year warranty on anything these days.

Thanks Ryan. I was leaning towards the York actually for the modulating furnace and lower cost, but everyone keeps saying how great the Infinity controller is.

I have York Builders stuff now, which made me actually not consider York at first.

The York guy is a smaller business, I kinda like that. Going back and forth,I want to sign tomorrow!

What do you think about the prices?

Prices are within what I'd expect for these types of systems. Did you factor in the 95%+ furnace $1500 tax credit?

You can see on HVAC-Talk I left out my thoughts on Carrier so as to not get a rise out of the big Carrier guys over there.

York's builder stuff and the Affinity line of equipment is a whole different ball game.

Yup, prices are net of tax credits. I stuck with Checkbook quality rated contractors with more than 100 comments, reviews to get the best chance of a good install. I got some quotes at 13K!!

Carrier quote

what is your electric rate/kwh?

what is your nat gas cost/therm?

what area of country do you live?

IMO

Why the Carrier quote? I am in No VA with with cost per BTU about 25% less than gas at a COP of 3. Balance would be set no lower than 40 for HP by personal choice.

The options have been refined a bit and I am down to two contractors:

Option 1: $7,000
York
YPC9C80C16MP11 Affinity Modulating 98% furnace
FC48C Coil
CZH048011 Affinity 8T Condenser
Honeywell FC 200 Media filter
Honeywell IAQ

Option 2: $6,750
Carrier
58MVC080-1-20 ICS 3 Stage Furnace
CNPVP4821ATA Coil
24ANA748A Infinity 17 Condenser
Carrier Media Filter
Infinity Control

Downgraded from Infinity 21 to 17 with almost no efficiency loss (no scroll compressor). Upgrade to 3 stage furnace. Overall lower price

Option 3: $7,100
Lennox
G71MPP-60C-090 Modulating 95% Furnace
CX-34-49 Coil
XC21-048-230 Signature Condenser
HC 10 Media Filter
Comfortsense 7000 thermostat

This is not the lowest pricing around, but these are good reputable contractors, so that is more important, than the lowest price.

All are around the same price, but the Carrier set has the second tier Infinity condenser, York and Lennox are the most efficient models. The Carrier Infinity 21 would be the most expensive.

A heat pump would be about $800 more. If I were to consider a HP, I think I would go with York because of the better efficiency and heat output numbers. Unfortunately the modulating furnace is overkill and with the rebates and tax credit, it makes no economic sense to downgrade.

Any comments?

noobs

refresh my memory. your location please.

on the Carrier furnaces, what are the three heating BTU outputs on the three stage and the two heating BTU outputs on the two stage.

post back..

TD

Consider the A/C efficiencies:
-Lennox: 12.5 EER, 16.85 SEER
-York: 11.75 EER, 16.25 SEER
-Carrier: 10.90 EER, 15.00 SEER

I won't push you in one way or the other, since that would be based on my personal choice and in reality as long as the install is done right either should do fine.

The Infinity 17 has to stop in between switching stages, while the other two have scroll compressors and can upstage "on the fly." All things considered, the York and Lennox options are more favorable in my opinion. But the Infinity control as many will tell you does have good features. Many of those features however are covered by the VisionPRO IAQ and ComfortSense 7000.

Tiger, I live in northern VA, similar climate to Ryan,with cost per BTU about 25% less than gas at a COP of 3. Balance would be set no lower than 40 for HP by personal choice.

The Carrier MVC heat outputs at 30K, 49K and 74K in three stages, the MVB does two stage at 49K and 75K

As far as heat pumps here are the stats:

Model: York Affinity 8T YZH04811
SEER: 16.4
EER: 11.7
HSPF: 9.4
Cooling: 46,000
Heating @47: 48,500
Heating @17: 37,200

Model: Carrier Infinity 16 24ANA648
SEER: 15.5
EER: 11.2
HSPF: 9.0
Cooling: 47,000
Heating @47: 47,500
Heating @17: 28,000

Model: Lennox Signature XP19-048-230
SEER: 16.25
EER: 12
HSPF: 8.3
Cooling: 45,500
Heating @47: 44,000
Heating @17: 26,400

Heating performance from the Lennox is so so as with the Carrier. The Infinity 19 has arguably worse stats than the 16. York looks like the winner for the HP?

So it seems like York or Lennox for straight AC or York for HP unless I want the Infinity controller and system (all else being equal)

Anyone have a three sided coin or other opinions?

I've eliminated the Carrier option based on performance, lack of modulating furnace and price being the highest.

Down to York or Lennox for straight AC or York dual fuel heat pump if the premium is OK.

Am I reading the performance numbers correctly? The York YZH04811 has the best numbers, right?

Correct overall but the Lennox would be slightly more efficient at high ambient cooling (approx. 95* outside) with an EER of 12 vs. 11.7. Not a big deal. This is for the heat pumps.

Look at the warranties, and consider the merits of each of the installers before making your final decision.

Tough choice even for me; you're comparing excellent systems (the York and the Lennox). If each has a 10 year warranty on all parts at least, should be a tough choice.

But isn't the York much better on heating? 5 year labor, 10 yr parts, life on exchangers, life on York compressor. Both guys will replace linesets, pads with isolation feet, ductwork changes, etc. That's why I'm not picking just by price.

Leaning towards Lennox for straight AC and York for HP, although I understand some prefer the York mod. Splitting hairs right now.

Went with the York HP setup:

York
YPC9C80C16MP11 Affinity Modulating 98% furnace
FC48C Coil
YZH048011 Affinity 8T Heat Pump
Honeywell IAQ

Good choice.

What about the contractor? This web site has info about the new tax credit with frequintly ask questions.

Here is a link that might be useful: $1500 tax credit information

noobs, if you don't mind me asking, who is the contractor that you went with? I live in Northern VA as well, and our A/C system is struggling, so we're looking at replacement options. I got one quote so far for a similar system, but the quote was significantly higher than your figures. So, I'd like to get in touch with your contractor.