HVAC questions - new system quotes

12 years ago

Our a/c unit needs to be replaced and I am not sure which system to go with. We have two units and we need to replace the lower level unit (main floor and finished basement). Our furnace is basic builder grade, installed in 1998, but it still works fine. Unsure as to whether we should just go ahead and replace. We are located in Northern Virginia, with summers that are quite humid.

I've received several estimates and here are the different options we have been given with the lowest quote for each (prices include rebates):

Option 1, ($7,581): Carrier Infinity Series 80 two stage gas furnace 58CVA090 with Infinity Series 17 3 ton two stage a/c 24ANB736

Option 2, ($8,428 but this is for 48 month 0% financing. I need to find out the pay now cash discount): Trane XV80 two stage gas furnace with Trane XL15i 3 ton a/c

Option 3, ($4,300): Carrier Comfort Series 16 a/c 24ACC636 only

Option 4, ($4,819): Trane XL15i a/c only

I feel that all the companies I have contacted are solid, with good reviews so that doesn't seem to be a deciding factor. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

mike_home
12 years ago
If you currently have humidity issues in your house, then I suggest getting a 2-stage AC. This will mean you will need to get a variable spped furnace. It would be a good idea to replace the current furnace given the age and quality. Option 1 is a very good system assuming it includes the Infinity controller.

Is the furnace located in the basement? If so is it possible to install a 95%+ efficiency furnace? In my opinion it is worth the extra money if you plan to live in the house for several years.

Did the contractors do a load calculation? These sizes seem large considering it is for the first floor only.
0
tigerdunes
12 years ago
Virginia

What size living area for the main floor? And what size for finished basement?

What size furnace and AC are you replacing?

I would prefer a 95% condensing furnace correctly sized over the 80% eff
model.

On option 3 and 4, it would be a waste of money getting either of these high eff outside condensers and airing with an older builder grade equipment. It is like paying good money and not being able to achieve the capability of the equipment.

If you do decide to stay with the 80% eff furnace, then change the condenser to the HP version.

IMO
0
Related Discussions
carrier hvac or trane hvac
Q
Comments (5)
Jt Some questions please. What is your location? What size home living area? What size furnace and eff are you replacing? What size AC are you replacing? I would like to know the exact mdl number evap coil for each quote. What thermostat is proposed for the Carrier quote? That is a big difference between the 96% eff Carrier furnace and the 80% eff Trane furnace-both 60 K input. That would be about 56 KBTUs output on the Carrier and about 48 KBTUs on the Trane. Not insignificant. I don't care for some shortcuts that homeowners make particularly on reusing linesets and using existing thermostats that shortchange a nice furnace's operational capability. Post back with the info requested. IMO
...See More
Replacement HVAC System Quote and Questions
Q
Comments (2)
"A" is obviously more thorogh because he is testing the ductwork. You don't have to get a new t-stat but I would recommend a 7-day digital programmable stat (Home Depot has them for $100 or less). Ducane is a low-tier Lennox brand. That model puts out 55,000 btu cooling (60,000 is a full 5 tons), 11 EER, 13 SEER, 51,000 btu heating at 47 degrees, 31,000 btu heating at 17 degrees, 7.7 HSPF. The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is weak. Not sure if this is due to the nature of a packaged system. What is the parts warranty for the Ducane? Labor warranty? There are no back-up electric strips being installed in the Ducane? Post model number of the Lennox for comparison. Parts warranty for Lennox? Labor warranty for Lennox? Your operating costs for cooling are determined by EER and not SEER. Your heating costs are determined by HSPF. The higher these 2 numbers, the lower your operating costs. Best to you.
...See More
Quote for new HVAC System, reasonable?
Q
Comments (5)
No problems if installed correctly. This is really a misnomer because it applies to ANY equipment. That is the problem that can't be ignored. I am an opponent of the mini split for the simple reason they are more or less single room air conditioners. In other words you are going to need space on a wall in every room to mount the cooling/ heating head. (more equipment) The mini splits could all go down at the same time... this depends on the design of the system. They make multi head capable condensers... meaning multiple cooling heating heads connect to one condenser. If the condenser goes down, there is no cooling in any head. If you put in multiple heads and multiple condensers for those heads then that is even more equipment to maintain. The only way yours are still functioning is that they have been maintained. Maintenance is not free and if you don't know how to do it, you are more likely to damage the system. Look at the facts you'll see I am right. If you save anything up front in a mini split you WILL pay for it at some point in the future. More equipment = more cost. No way around that and repairs will be much more complex. Watch the video below for in depth look at how much fun you might have...
...See More
Is my HVAC high limit switch working or not? Two HVAC pros said it is.
Q
Comments (25)
WHAT IS A HIGH LIMIT SWITCH? https://www.newcentralairconditioner.com/ The high limit switch in your gas furnace is a small part with two very important jobs. This switch plays a role in the normal operation of your furnace. Turning the fan motor on and off is the high limit switch’s main job. This is the role it plays in every cycle of your furnace’s normal operation. But that’s not the only thing that the high limit switch does. It’s also safety device that helps prevent your furnace from overheating. The high limit switch consists of a long temperature-sensing probe attached to a metal mounting plate. From the mounting plate, the switch is wired to the blower fan motor and to the gas valve. The switch is generally located just past the heat exchanger. This is so that it can detect the temperature of the supply air. In other words, the air that’s about to be blown into your home.
...See More
Related Professionals
Beverly Hills Solar Energy Systems · Coto De Caza Solar Energy Systems · Emeryville Solar Energy Systems · Greenwich Solar Energy Systems · Los Angeles Solar Energy Systems · Old Saybrook Solar Energy Systems · Voorhees Solar Energy Systems · Weymouth Solar Energy Systems · Brentwood Home Automation & Home Media · Burr Ridge Home Automation & Home Media · Grand Rapids Home Automation & Home Media · Tucker Home Automation & Home Media · Weatherford Home Automation & Home Media · Douglasville Fireplaces · Oak Hill Fireplaces
virginia16
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for your input. I would estimate the living area for the main floor and finished basement to be around 2,900 sq ft. We are replacing a 3 ton 10 seer AC. I think the furnace is 70,000 btu.

I met with another company yesterday, and I liked this company the best. I still would like some advice though. We are leaning towards the following option, which he recommended:

Carrier 58CVA090-16 Infinity series variable speed furnace
Carrier 25HMB636 Infinity series 3 ton/16 seer two speed heat pump

The total installed price quoted is $8,855. More than we wanted to spend but Carrier's extended labor warranty for years 2-10 is rolled into this price. Is the extended labor warranty recommended? On another company quote it was listed separately at $650 and I don't know if that is something we should try to negotiate out of.
0
mike_home
12 years ago
I recommend getting the Carrier labor warranty if you plan to live in the house for another several years. It will pay for itself after one repair. If you sell your house it can be transferred to the new owner for a fee ($150?).

I think you are better off spending the extra money on a 95% AFUE furnace and dropping the heat pump if you are looking to save some money.
0

HVAC questions - new system quotes

Comments (4)

mike_home

tigerdunes

Related Discussions

Related Professionals

virginia16
Original Author

mike_home

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

HVAC questions - new system quotes

Comments (4)

mike_home

tigerdunes

Related Discussions

Related Professionals

virginia16Original Author

mike_home

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

virginia16
Original Author