Wow - I didn't realize that was a 5-ton blower, thanks for bringing it to my attention. I have two quotes for the Bryant 2-stage a/c 187B with 986T furnace. The one with the 100K BTU is about $9450, (includes installation of 2 dampers) and qualifies for a $500 electric co. rebate. The one with the 80K BTU furnace is about $8901, (no dampers/different contractor), also qualifies for the $500 rebate. I don't have a quote for a single stage a/c with the 986T furnace, but have one for 126B with 925T, 100K BTU, roughly $7100 (w/2 dampers). All a/c units are 3-ton.

I apologize for not answering sooner. I had eye surgery yesterday for Entropion and had an eye bandage on until this aM and now with the nedications my vision is still not very good. The cube relationship - double the flow for a compressor requiring eight times the input power has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with moto efficiency. Overall heat pump efficiency IS affected by motor efficiencies and thus a lower compressor motor efficiency will have a effect on HP Overall Efficiency. However, when comparing overall HP efficiency at two differing compressor loads, the motor efficiency differences are second order effects. Let's imagine a 100% efficient power source for a compressor - be it a motor, a steam turbine, or a pneumatic motor. Double the mass flow rate requires eight times the input power. Nothing to do with driver efficiency. In the real world of not 100% devices, to increase power by a factor of eight might require, say, nine times as much electical or steam or air input to the motor. (Just an example.) An electrical analogy where a resistor is put acros a ideal source battery's output. The resisitor is by nature frequently regarded as 100% efficient in converting electrical energy to heat energy. In this case there is not a cubed relationship, but rather a squared relationship between current and power. 12 volt battery with a 12 ohm resistor across the terminals. One amp of current. The resistor dissipates 1X1 X12 - 12 Watts.(One amp squared times 12 ohms = 12 Watts.) Add a second battery in series with the first. We now have 24 Volt battery source across 12 ohms. Now have 2 amps. (Each battery is providing one amp of the two amps) The resistor now dissipates 2 X 2 X12 = 48 Watts. (2 amps squared times 12 ohms equals 48 Watts.) NO change in the resistor's efficiency but doubling the voltage doubles the current and yields FOUR times the power. To complete the analogy, you could add a small resistor in series with the battery that might represent internal resistence and/or other reall losses in battery performance. This would tweak thye result away from a actual squared law... similarly, differences in pump efficiencies can be modeled in compressor and pump model studies. This is done all the time in ship design and other commercial applications. Mike. re your example of motor power... some humor (?) If a hen and a half lays an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs does nine hens lay in nine days. Nope, not nie. :-).

I have the Carrier Furnaces with are similiar to the Bryant products. I also have a two story home with two systems. I believe the 355CAV is a 3 stage furnace, and the 355AAV is a two stage. I have the 3 stage furnance, but have only had them for 6 months. I don't feel $400 extra for the 3 stage is worth it. I think down grading would be fine. I do suggest upgrading the 355AV on the first floor. It is an extra $950, but you will get a 15% more efficient furnace which will eventually pay for itself. I do recommend the 10 year labor warranty for the two systems. I have this, but it was bundled into my quote. $1200 sounds a little high for this, but I have no data for comparison. Did you get quotes from other Bryant dealers?

I received the following quote below for an 1200SF house and I live in MA. The quote is for re-doing the entire system from 'ugly octopus' to high efficient furnace! can someone tell me if this sounds reasonable for the cost? I have additional quotes coming in but am not sure what to expect... thanks! Price Includes: Bryant High Efficiency (95%) Gas Fired Furnace  New plenum and return set up with EZ Change Filter Rack  All Ductwork required (re-hung and layout configuration)  New Return Boxes  All PVC venting required  All gas plumbing hung and secured  All high and low voltage wiring  New 5-2 programmable Variable speed thermostat  Condensate pump and drainage  Removal of existing furnace and oil tank  Termination cap for exhaust and supply combustion Total Parts and LaborÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ$9,600