With 1000 square feet and 3 ton units being quoted (along with added costs of duct modification to support them), you definitely should look into getting a load calculation done -- especially since improvements in insulation have made. It is possible that even the 2.5 ton system you had before was oversized, as many systems are. Oversized systems are not energy efficient and do not dehumidify well. Many don't want to hear that their previous system was oversized when it had trouble keeping some areas comfortable. Some companies will throw more capacity at the situation and extenuate the current issues and/or create new problems. But system performance is dependent on many variables, including ductwork (size, insulation, layout) and installation practices. Since you obviously care about getting this done right, I would tell further companies you call that you are in need of a load calculation. If they don't want to, then don't bother with them in my opinion. 2-stage units do offer a noticeable improvement in all the areas you mentioned. As for the Infinity, the logic is pretty sophisticated in terms of dehumidification and control over airflow. But: sized, installed, and set up properly all three are important), you might be hard pressed to notice a huge difference over the Infinity system versus the similar 24ACB7 system with FV4C air handler AND TP-PRH thermidistat that tiger mentioned before. This thermostat can (and should) be wired to reduce blower speed as humidity rises too high. As for American Standard/Trane equipment, I certainly am a big fan so you know what my answer will be. The quality is good. And I really think their Hyperion air handlers are superior to others on the market. I like the all-aluminum coils (there have been big issues with conventional copper coils leaking only after 5-7 years due to formicary/galvanic corrosion). Several manufacturers have switched to all-aluminum indoor coils and more have plans of doing so. The Carrier does not feature an all-aluminum evaporator coil (it is tin-plated copper, which is an improvement). Also, I do feel the electronic expansion valve (refrigerant metering device) in the Trane air handlers does a much better job controlling refrigerant flow through the coil compared to conventional thermostatic expansion valves, which sometimes are at the mercy of the installer if installed in the field and not factory installed (again leading back to the importance of a proper installation -- the Carrier FV4C will have a factory installed R410A TXV). The 500-position EEV gets the coil very cold without letting it freeze and facilitates greater dehumidification. You may want to look at the XL16i (2-stage scroll) with TAM7 air handler. The XL20i, while expensive, really is the "best" 2-stage system on the market in my opinion and has dual compressors for 50%/100% capacity staging (longer efficient runtimes, better dehumidification). While 2-stage scroll systems are nice, the dropoff isn't as much in low (~75% capacity), so still very important not to (potentially) be oversized even in low stage. Please continue to keep us posted on how this goes. And good luck. No matter which system you end up choosing (single stage or two stage), Carrier or Trane (or some other mfg), when installed and sized correctly you should be very comfortable for years to come. This post was edited by ryanhughes on Wed, Apr 10, 13 at 12:59

Hey tigerdunes, I agree - getting a breaker installed properly and up to code is priority, so whatever path I take that will have to be part of it. I have Washington Gas and NOVEC Electric. Gas is First 25 therms 47.91â Next 100 therms 30.58â Over 125 therms 25.73â Gas bill for last month TOTAL THERMS (TH) USED 122.8 25.0 TH @ $.4796 $11.99 97.8 TH @ $.3063 $29.96 ALL APPLICABLE RIDERS $3.13 SYSTEM CHARGE $11.25 PGC @ $.5026 $61.72 NATURAL GAS SUPPLY SERVICE LOCAL UTILITY TAX $3.00 ST.& LOCAL CONSUMPTION TAX $2.29 TOTAL GAS CHARGES $123.34 IâÂÂve only been here since September 2011, but IâÂÂve typically averaged 125-130 for gas in the winter, 30-50 in the summer and anywhere from 60-85 in the fall. I donâÂÂt have the NOVEC rates handy at the moment, but I average $50-$70 most months and anywhere between $110-$160 in the summer. I believe I'm working with the original boiler for my baseboard radiant heating by the way. The costs weren't ridiculously high as you can see, but I am worried that it could crap out on me any winter now, which is why I was considering the heat pump to potentially help extend its life by offsetting the amount it had to work at all temperatures. Company A said the addition of a heat pump would probably add around $600-700 whereas Company B said that the addition of a heat pump would add $1,175. The heat pump coupled with the new electric work would be way past my budget, but if it saves me an additioanl $5-6k on paying for a new boiler next year while also dropping some monthly costs, perhaps it's worth it? Are the original quotes and the additional heat pump expenses in line for the DC Metro area (or in general), in your opinion? Thanks again for your help!

Tigerdunes,thanks for responding. House is 2125 s/f ranch. As stated above have 14 yr old 3ton Goodman R-22 heat pump with bad compressor. When it was working it seem to work well, except in extreme hot & cold would have to raise or lower thermostat to keep up and would run more. And you would feel cool air fist coming out of vents before heating. Never had a problem with air handler, 27 yr old Carrier, which is in the attic,except for a capacitor. The heat pump had condensor fan replaced, some capacitors, and last couple years had hard start on it. I was also told the line set would not have to be changed on the XR15, but according to specs on net for 3 ton Goodman, it has 3/4 and 3/8 as opposed to specs on XR15 which is 3/4 and 7/8? What size heat strip do you suggest? Your thoughts on changing the 27 yr old ductwork. If so, size and type recommended. Same size as existing or is size of duct related to type system/size system installed?

We were just down there again and dripping occurred again. Not the drain tube this time. They recommend replacement of course . Our 10 year old unit on the roof is a Reem (thats all I know) and this company also uses Reem. They will not replace just the air handler -- has to be both the inside and outside units. He said we'd have to find an unlicensed contractor to do that. $5,000 :(