crazy 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 not have either the XL16i or AmStd counterpart Heritage 16. I would stick with the XL15i or XR15. I would also look at the AmStd Heritage 15. I am not a fan of two stg equipment because of added upfront cost and marginal improvement in comfort and operating cost. Look at the PerfectFit media cabinet over the CleanEffects. IMO Good Luck!

Since you plan to be in your house less than 5 years, the savings from a 95% furnace wouldn't pay for itself, so the 80% furnace makes sense. Unless future homebuyers care about this nowadays. A heat pump with the 80% furnace would help save on the heating bill (assuming reasonable heating costs) because a heat pump is an efficient heat source down to even below freezing, then the furnace would take over at a specific set temperature or when the heat pump can't keep up (would require a good thermostat like the Honeywell VisionPRO IAQ). But, if the added upfront cost is significant, just a furnace and air conditioner would not be unreasonable given you are not planning on being in the home for more than 5 years max. Ideally for replacements I recommend 95% furnaces with air conditioners or 80% furnaces with heat pumps; but whether you choose an 80% furnace with air conditioner will be your decision based on the circumstances. 80% AFUE, 2-stage, variable-speed is great to have for comfort and would be my recommendation. I believe for the most part this is what you've been quoted (Trane TUD, Carrier 58CVA).

Your talking about the indoor and outdoor units being replaced? I don't normally talk about pricing, but if your getting the indoor unit air handler or furnace and coil, the outdoor unit or heat pump, thermostat, slab, and labor and materials- that's a give away. I can't help but think something is wrong or not what I'm thinking. The equipment and materials cost that much. Is this the R22 refrigerant system? Maybe they are having a sale because they won't be making that equipment next year. Make sure you will be able to get replacement parts such as coils, compressors and such in 9 years or you will have to buy a whole new system if they run out of parts.

Look at all the numbers. Trane pumps are light on heating, espcially when on an A coil for dual fuel. Also "16" model units may not hit 16 SEER in a lot of matches. Example: most of the matches for the 3 ton 16i show a heat output around 30,000 BTU. Hmmm, where did the other 1/2 ton go? SEER runs 14-15. It does better with TWE air handler though with the new 039 air handler, output again is around 30K. So look at www.ari.org and see output, SEER, EER and HSPF for the unit/coil combo you are choosing. Get away from the 2 stage outdoor unit. That really adds to the cost of the job. That unit on low is effectively about 80% of high, you won't notice a real big diff. Also the dehumidification capability of the 16i on low cool is poor. We just did a job using Nordyne (Tappan) equipment. Warranty blows away Trane's. 95% 2 stage variable speed furnace, 15 SEER R410a heat pump that qualifies for the tax credit so she's getting $500 off her taxes this year. Electronic air cleaner, UV bulb, chimney liner, Vision Pro IAQ, 10 year labor warranty on top of Tappan's 10 year parts and replacement pledge. Our price about what you are paying for the XL16i then take off the $500 tax credit. Oh and she got a new 50 gallon WH too. We also sell American-Standard but encourage people away from it just from the low heat output.