So your original thread for my response.

Thanks to everyone for your input. Based on the feedback from the pros so far, I see that next steps are as listed below. Please let me know if I've misunderstood or missed anything: 1 - Ask dealer to provide, in writing, load calculation support for a 2.5 vs 3 ton system 2 - Ask dealer to provide, in writing, that existing ductwork (both supply and return) is sized correctly to handle the additional CFMs provided load calculation indicates going up in size to a 3 ton condenser. 3 - Ask dealer to provide, in writing, that existing lineset is sized properly to manufacturer spec and ask dealer to warranty any future issues with lineset (critical parts are connections at each end) $1000 to replace is not advisable unless existing lineset is not properly sized. 4 - Get additional quotes on equipment noted in proposal #1 from other Carrier dealers (along with load calcs). Current dealer pricing is very high. Remove Greenspeed model 25VNA036A003 from scope given we have a gas furnace for the first floor (this is overkill) 5 - Existing proposal for backup heat model FC-2901N09 is satisfactory (9KW that is field convertible to 3 phase) Ask dealer to install staged heat strips and specify in proposal. 6 - Continue to use current 4 ton central A/C until it dies. Not necessary to replace at this juncture. 7 - Discuss lock out temperatures with installer to ensure proper energy usage. Some additional comments/concerns: @tigerdunes - in response to your last post, we are running emergency heat strip intermittently for heat. I have been turning the fan on upstairs to draw heat from the first floor furnace to keep temperature comfortable on second floor (around 68F) Thankfully, there hasn't been a need to keep emergency heat on constantly. @tigerdunes - thank you for suggesting additional equipment. In your opinion, is the incremental cost of the two-stage Infinity 25HNB636A003 (proposal #1) worth the investment vs. the lower priced systems you suggested? I'm trying to make the best cost/benefit decision since we do not have any plans to move from this home. If it were your home, what equipment would you choose? @mike_home - you noted early on that the proposal pricing for #1 seemed high @ approx $7K. Is there a price range that is more reasonsable for a 3 ton system provided everything else remained constant - same backup heat, infinity controller, using existing lineset? What about a 2.5 ton system? (i.e. $5-6K for 2.5 system is fair, an additional $500-$800 for a 3 ton system, etc) @mike_home - you recommended getting a 4 inch media filter. Dealer proposed upgrade to a Aprilaire 2210/2410 Air Cleaner for $300. Is this worth the additional investment or do you have another suggestion? @ryanhughes/tigerdunes/all - you indicated the existing VP 8320s could be reprogrammed and used. Since they are full touch screen models that appear superior to the SYSTXCCUID01-V Infinity controller proposed which isn't a touchscreen, I was curious to the advantages of replacing vs. using the existing ? What are the drawbacks? I'm very pragmatic about changing my filters every 3 months so I don't need a controller telling me to do so if that's the only advantage. @ALL - Should I only pursue Carrier dealers at this juncture for quotes on equipment? Since I have multi-speed Carrier 59TP5 Performance Series 95 gas furnace, I am assuming you all are recommending that I do not pursue Trane/Lennox or another manufacturer as it would create a mismatched system? This was the one point I didn't hear a lot of feedback on other than the Trane having true electronic demand defrost. Again, MANY THANKS to all of you for the invaluable advice.

andrew I am also opposed to ductless since you have a ductwork system in place. not certain why it would even be considered. however, dealer will need to perform a professional load calc for correct sizing for split system and make an evaluation of your ductwork system as far as adequate sizing both supply and return lines, leals, insulation qualities, etc. these are my minimum specs for a new HP system. both outside and inside units should be replaced to have a properly matched system. 15 SEER, 12.5+ EER, 9 HSPF best matching VS air handler full BTUs in both cooling and heating for your rated size R-410a refrigerant(same as Puron) scroll compressor preferred electronic demand defrost preferred thermostat with "dehumidify on demand" feature staged backup heat strips new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset you want a thorough inspection of your ductwork system. size, overall condition, supply and return lines, insulation qualities, leak test, etc. any hot/cold spot issues in your home should be addressed. I would only use authorized dealers for the various brands that provide quotes. see mfg websites. I would look at Trane/AmStd,Rheem,Carrier/Bryant. a pad for the outside HP condenser is relatively inconsequential whether poured(which I prefer) or preformed. matching new and correctly sized refrigerant lineset would be required along with a good thermostat. you will also need a backup heat strip for those cold days which I will assume presents no problem. IMO

lots of reasons. some you can solve by lateral moves, others not so much. so think of this. you work at pizza hut. a customer comes in and wants to eat there, but brings their own pizza. offers to pay you to cook it..but minimal payment for use of your tools expertiese ect. sounds crazy doesn't it. but to the pizza hut worker/mgr..it is insulting, cheap and not something they would be willing to do. so how to get them to do it...overpay them. where is your profit from what you saved online now? and hopefully, before they slid your pizza into their pizza oven..the didn't spit on it. why...cause its human nature. think about some wisea$$ comming to your job and expecting you do do whatever you do..for lesser cost, cause they got a deal. people want to save money..we get it. and online prices look so much better than actually paying for the things you don't see when you purchase your equipment from hvac installer. we have experience, insurances, support if things go wrong. even then for you online shopper... who warranties the equipment? sure you can go online & warrenty with mfg but that leads to second question...who services the unit? the guy you hired to install it? see...when you 'think' you know more than the company you hire..it leads to some very human responses. hvac company will charge you a premium price to install equipment you purchase from someone else. they will hesitate to do the work..then as things go wrong..you'll pay over and over for undercutting them in the first place. so..think it would be simpler to hire one company to do the discounted profit install and another to do any work later? ahhh in a perfect to you world. we talk to each other..and in my area we all know who will jack us, pick apart every move we make..and who has the faith in us to just let us do our jobs. we charge them accordingly. ever wonder why one bid is $xx higher than the other one..your personality tips us off. so we know going in..that it will take longer than usual due to interference. so pita charge is added. we call it different things, but it is the cost of doing business with someone questioning every move due to some half baked idea that they know more than us. sure you can hire some hack..save a few more bucks..but we make really good money going back and straightening out these jobs. really good money. what you save upfront...you pay in the long run times 2 or 3 times more. this company who agrees to do work on the side is stealing from the company owner by doing work on the side. want to hire a crook to do your install? think of what they risk by doing this..losing their job..and having a hard time in the hvac community cause now every owner knows they can't trust them.. hey but you got a deal! good techs, are paid well by their employers and would NEVER do this. a company that agrees to do an install of online equipment..is either the low ball guy who does it fast bad & cheap..or you lucked into a good company going through a slow time who needs the work. the latter being about as common as wings on a pig. install is as important as equipment. you'll read us commenting upon that over and over. good equipment & bad install..you get crap. problems over and over. I'm in the trades. While I don't do hvac, I am licensed and have experience. Even went to school for it. I go to heat pump association meetings & know all the players in my area.and how they all gossip like a bunch of teenagers. so last summer...I was ready for my central install. ran all my duct, inside conditioned space, built fur downs for duct. converted my linen closet into heating closet. platform installed & sealed, supply plenum ready to be installed. Return sealed & filter rack installed. I had heating system(ahu) delivered & we sat it in place, did all the electrical. did electrical & pad for condensing unit. ran copper lines. ran wire for tstat and had tstat installed. condenser delivered. because I can buy from my local supply house, the first company I called to do the start up was realate to supply house manager. (and start up was ONLY to braise the copper lines & check refrig charge..sub cool & super heat) first cost quoted to me for this hour and a half job $1000. break down that cost for two guys. next price..$1050 getting the picture yet? and keep in mind this was just for using torch, gauges & maybe a little 410. so I did it myself. took me an hour. in the rain. borrowed torches & tank of 410, used my own gages. paid my friend a couple of hundred for use of torches & the lb of freon I didn't use. but..see..I know what I'm doing. you..you really don't have a clue. folks will always buy online, but if you check back with them..or read posts later from them...then you hear the issues. we hear them all the time. but..do what you will..its a free country. I'm not losing work on this...just giving you the benefit of my experience with this. best of luck