Thanks, Mike. That gave me some good questions to ask. I called Thermo Pride, and the CHX1-75 is rated 95% and qualifies for the credit. The company installing it would be the same one who installed our current oil furnace, and one of the other vendors looked at the install and said it looked good (he was trying to say how he would do better, but he had to stop and say well, they actually did a pretty good job here...)We always had very good, prompt service from this company for our previous furnace, which was ancient. I don't think we ever had a service call on the Thermo Pride except the annual maintenance visits. The other two companies are very reputable, long established family businesses. No one showed me a calculation for the size offered. They all based it on sq ft, and they all knew what furnace I currently have. It was interesting that the Carrier was only 60K but the others were 70-75K. We heat with electric now, but when that dies, we'll replace with a gas hot water heater, unless the on-demand ones come down in price by then. The money we save for three years or so will pay for the new furnace.

Are you referencing new ducts, programmable thermostat, high voltage wiring, equipment, and inspections? If so, $9,500.00 for the job is not to high. The variable speed may be $2,300.00 per ton. I am assuming you are speaking of the air handler as being variable speed. To answer your other question, for all practical purposes, you may never recoup the additional expenses. The energy savings in terms of dollars and cents are not worth the increase cost, normally. The cost to repair a variable speed blower is much higher than a multi-speed air handler. FYI, a per ton price is never a good conversation point for a change-out. At $1900, two tons equals $3800.00 Three tons equals $5,700.00. The difference is $1,900.00. But the equipment cost could be as little as $400.00 different. And, the labor is the same. Per ton price cause some contractors to oversize just to be able to charge more. We replaced a 5-ton unit in New Orleans for a 3.5 ton unit. The 3.5 ton unit will do a better job with the humidity. In Durham, NC, our customer asked us to replace his 3.5 ton A/C unit and furnace for a 2.5 ton A/C because of the humidity problem that he wanted to solve.

Thanks Tigerdunes: Electricity use is as follows: First 1,000 kWh 6.778 â per kWh Over 1,000 kWh 7.500 â per kWh ( I use about 800 kwh without AC and 1300 Kwh with it) Propane: 2.69per gallon - usage in winter used to be approx 350-400 gallons per month! I agree that the mark ups for the Heat Pumps condensor are outrageous. The cheapest price I was quoted was $5310 for a Trane XB14 unit, or $5225 for RUUD. I started shopping in May, have had 4 contractors out here, and still see major issues with each contractor. The one I like the best is from Sky Heating, as he was the most thorough, and company got the best reviews. He had the lowest prices as well, but they are still about 3 times the wholesale cost. I have the money to pay for the more expensive systems, but I just can't find a good reason to do that. won't, on principle, as I feel they are purposefully marking them up. This kind of stuff happens to everyone, but seems to happen a bit more to single women ?!? (kind of a sexist comment, but I have noticed this to be true). Back to the subject at hand - I looked at QualitySmith.com for nationwide averages for installation on various Trane Heat Pumps - I compared it to the bids I received: Trane Installation costs (range nationwide) XR15:Install cost $4500-$10,000 (quote= $8100) XB14 Install cost = $3000-$7500 (qutoe was $5300) XB13 install cost =$2500-$6500 (quote was $6400) I noticed in another post that you were recommending a SEER 13 unit, but did not like the Trane XB13 (SEER 14-15) but not the Trane units. You specifically wrote that wrote that you would not get a Trane XB13. I was wondering if you liked any of the Trane models that I have listed? What Brands/models do you like that are SEER 13? Any suggestions for how to find a more competitive bid? I tried Bargaining with one contractor, and I could tell he was completely resistant to it- giving me less information each time I contacted him; strong arming me to come back and meet with me again, etc. Here are some other Brands I received bids for - they also seemed a bit high but are cheaper than others: : Carrier 25HBC5 Comfort - SEER 14.5 FOR $6289_ York YHJFLX series SEER 14.5 for $5869.00 RUUD 4 ton Achiever SEER 14.5 $5225 I would like to pay less than $5000 but that has not been possible. With 5000 Square foot home, and the logs not chinked, I don't envy the contractors for trying to decide what would work best. A two zone system is preferred in houses like this but the cost to retrofit is exorbitant. Desperately confused in Oregon! Thanks again

Both Trane and Rheem are good company. I like them both myself, I have a Trane in my own home w/ A/C only along with a two stage XV90. for your area, go heat pump with a two stage gas.. the Mod may be an overkill for your area. My cousin lived in KC for 3 years and had heat pump and had no trouble keeping his home warm. The Rheem may be a bit quieter than the Trane. but I don't think the Trane is loud. Just as long everything is installed right, and sized for YOUR home, you should be good. Go with the dealer who you feel will stand behind the products, and the workmenship, and sizing (Comfort).