Hi guys..... Living space approx. 2100-2200 ft. Replacing 23 year old system - York AC (can't read anything on any labels). We think it is 3 ton but can't be positive. Bryant 80% 100000 BTU unit - 394GAW036100A I live in Springfield, VA They are replacing the high voltage wiring that runs outside our home now (along a brick wall) to inside our home. And will have to perform flue piping changeover for XV95. XV95 - TUH2B080A9V3VA XL15i - 4TTX5036A1000A Trane 4TXCB03UBC3HCA Coil April Aire 5000 EAC April Aire 700 Humidifier Trane 803 thermostat Cost: $11,500 ($9950 without humidifier and EAC) I got another quote with the same components except it has a XV95 - Model TUH2C100A9V4VA. So here it is: XV95 - Model TUH2C100A9V4VA XL15i - 4TTX5036A1000A Trane 4TXCB03UBC3HCA Coil April Aire 5000 EAC April Aire 700 Humidifier Trane 803 thermostat Cost: $8771.00. Though, I am not as confident in this company's abilities. They seem to "waffle" some, and don't answer my concerns very quickly. And will answer verbally, but are slower in giving me written estimates. Could just be they are very busy, I guess. Thank you. By the way, the HVAC company I had here today was impressed with my questions. He said most people don't grasp the knowledge enough to ask the right questions. He said I must be talking to people who know their stuff. You're good!

I live in the Seattle area as well, and I was considering the same thing last year. I went with Heat Pump and 80% for a variety of reasons, but the main one is that relatively speaking, our electricity is cheap and you have more redundancy with Heat Pump and 80% furnace. 95% of the year, the heat pump gives me enough heat to keep my house at 71 degrees 24/7. When it gets below 32 degrees or so outside (which isn't very often), the furnace kicks in to supply heat. If the heat pump ever fails, you can use the furnace for heat at any temp. And since 95% of the time, you are running on Heat pump anyways, the gas usage of the 80% eff furnace isn't going to matter much. Remember that because a heat pump gives you MORE heat energy than you put into it (by moving heat from the outside to inside), it is over 100% efficient! No gas furnace can make the same claim. I went with a Bryant Evolution system though and not any of the brands you mentioned. Their evolution control is the best in my opinion and I have been totally happy with it. Whichever way you go though, you do definitely need to make sure you have enough air return. No matter how good the system, an insufficient return will cause all sorts of problems.

dhome to answer your last question about reliability or condensation issue, I have a five yr old XV90(paired with HP) which was Trane's top of line at the time. Not one problem. I have never used the second stage of this furnace. Kind of like buying something and placing it in a drawer. BTW, I'm also in a Southeast location. That's a tough call as far as XV80 vs XV95 because of the small price difference. You will have to decide on that. with the heat pump condenser, you will probably just use the furnace when temps drop below freezing when heat loss really drops off. That's why I think the XV80 is a better fit for your area/climate. But $400 is really a small difference. a dilemma. I will admit I prefer the Trane over the Lennox. Let me know if you have any questions. IMO

I'm still waiting for a response from the Contractor, who has been sick the last few days, and I am still pushing for the HW Vision Pro IAQ Stat to be installed. Another question. I am thinking about going with the Air Handler with Heat Strips as the backup system to the Heatpump, instead of having the Gas Furnace. The main reasons for going with the Air Handler and Heat Strips is because the Effeciency ratings are actually higher for the Heatpumps with this configuration, and according to the Contractor the Air Handler and Heat Strips are less complex and should have fewer problems. My question is two fold. 1 - Do you agree with that statement and do you think going with the Air Handler and Heat Strips over the Gas Furnace is a good idea? 2 - Any feedback on what we can expect for the Heat that the Heat Strips put out, vs what we would have with the Gas Furnace? My wife is not thrilled with the so called "Heat" from our existing Heatpump, but that should be better with these new Heatpumps. But she Loves the Warmth of the Gas Furnace when that kicks in, and she wants to make sure that we aren't giving that up by going with Heat Strips vs the Gas Furnace. So any additional advice and input would be greatly appreciated since we have no experience with Air Handlers and Heat Strips as a backup heat source. Thanks!