Where in Maryland? I'm in the Montgomery County area, and I can provide some recommendations if you're in this area. In fact, I think our home is VERY close the same size and age as yours (and I have a 3.5-ton system, though a 4-ton may be a better fit). Who knows, maybe we're in the same general location. : )

"CARRIER HEAT PUMP PERFORMANCE SERIES 15 SEEER HPA042-48" -- So, is it a 3.5-ton system or 4-ton system? Obviously this contractor doesn't know, since it should say 25HPA542 or 25HPA548. Sizing is very important, so it's imperative that he sizes the system right.

"CARRIER AIR HANDLER FX4CNF042-48" -- Same issue with unclear sizing. It should say 042 or 048, not both. The FX4C has a high-efficiency blower I believe, but it is definitely not variable-speed. You'll need the FV4B air handler (Performance) or FE4A air handler (Infinity).

Ask your contractor for a load calculation to determine sizing. I'm not a huge fan of Carrier (generally expensive repair parts, leaking coil issues [though maybe not for air handlers so much], etc.), so I would look for quotes on Trane and Lennox, but that's just me... You're looking at the right SEER units in my opinion. Careful with Sears; they usually sub out their work I believe--and I've heard bad things.

alina

I personally prefer Carrier and Trane HPs over Lennox HPs due to better performance numbers depending on system model/configuration.

4 ton Performance 15 HP with Infinity Air Handler and Infinity controller
1483170 Active Systems PERFORMANCE 15 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HPA548H30 FE4AN(B,F)005+UI 48000 13.00 15.00 48000 9.00 30000

4 ton Performance 15 with VS Performance Air Handler
1169079 Active Systems PERFORMANCE 15 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HPA548H30 FV4BN(B,F)005 48000 13.00 15.00 48000 9.00 30000

excellent numbers

IMO

www.ahridirectory.com

Ryan, we are in Gaithersburg, so your recommendations will be very appreciated! Thanks for your explanations. We were talking about 4-ton unit with this contractor, so I hope that he meant 048. I can not reach him and ask about variable speed blower option. I left a message for him. Hope he will call me back.
We have 2 more estimations scheduled. The Carrier rebate time will end on June 30th though... I wonder whether this will affect the quotes...
Thanks Tigerdunes for the detailed configurations! I still do not understand some of the numbers. What is the difference between 25HPA548H30 and HPA048? What do these numbers
48000 13.00 15.00 48000 9.00 30000
mean?

Sorry for more questions...
I do not think we will go with Sears.

I'm in the Potomac area. I really think Don Hoffacker's A/C & Heating is a great company. The sales rep. is a nice guy. They deal with Bryant and Trane. Their prices are very reasonable in my opinion. I am curious who you got the $6k price from if you didn't mind sharing. That's a great price for our area I think. I do think Carrier's heat pumps are good products (Bryant/Carrier - same thing). The 25HPA548H30 is a special Performance 15 with greater heating performance (note the 9.00 HSPF). Some contractors may not be familiar with the H30 versus the A30 (standard). 13.00 (very good) is the EER of the system, which is the efficiency rating for hotter, 90+ degree days (which we are experiencing right now generally). 15.00 is the SEER (milder temperature rating). My neighbor had a 25HPA542 (Performance 15 - 3.5 tons) installed by Glenmont and seems to be very satisfied. They got the variable-speed blower. It's extremely quiet (outside at least).

alina

4 ton Performance 15 HP with Infinity Air Handler and Infinity controller

1483170 Active Systems PERFORMANCE 15 PURON HP CARRIER AIR CONDITIONING 25HPA548H30 FE4AN(B,F)005+UI 48000 13.00 15.00 48000 9.00 30000

translation

1483170 AHRI Matching Number
Performance 15 HP Model Name
Carrier Manufacturer
25HPA548H30 Model Number
FE4AN(B,F)005+UI Infinity Air Handler w/Infinity Control
48,000 number of cooling BTUs
13.00 EER Eff
15.00 SEER EFF
9.00 HSPF heating EFF
48,000 number of heating BTUs @ 47 deg
30,000 number of heating BTUs @ 17 deg

all excellent numbers

on your quote, it appears dealer is quoting both 3 1/2 ton and 4 ton

3 1/2 ton=42,000 BTUs
4 ton= 48,000 BTUs

hope that helps

TD

Ryan, I received this proposal from Argent heating and cooling agent. I think that it might have a catch because the proposal was not detailed. It only says:
Equipment:

CARRIER HEAT PUMP PERFORMANCE SERIES 15 SEEER HPA042-48
CARRIER AIR HANDLER FX4CNF042-48

WILL PROVIDE CONNECTIONS TO EXISTING ELECTRICAL AND DRAIN
WILL PROVIDE DUCT TRANSITION
OUTDOOR SLAB ELECTRICAL DISCONNECT AND ALL LABOR

Work to be Performed:

Remove and dispose existing heatpump. Install above listed equipment
All necessary sheet metal transitions from existing ductwork. Complete explanation of operation and maintenance.

Warranty:

5 year parts/ 10 Compressor / 1 years labor.

Do you think that they would charge us for other stuff (strap, etc.)? I understand that Performance or Infinity air handler would add to that price. Do you think that we should go with 3.5-ton equipment considering that we do not use basement and a couple of smaller bedrooms most of the time? Also, what do you think about copper vs. aluminum pipes in Carrier/Trane devices? We like top of the line products, but the price might be too high for the area. We should not "overimprove" the house. The remodeling we've done in our North Potomac townhome helped us to sell it in one week on the very soft market, but it was all about design/expensive materials. Nobody cared about top of the line AC and appliances we installed.

TD, thanks for the translation. That does help! I will print it and use with other contractors :)

I am not sure if they would do a "change order" during the job, but it looks like from the proposal, all materials and labor are included. I like to get in writing something like "all materials and labor included."

I can't tell you what size to go with from here. A load calculation needs to be done to get the correct sizing (few companies will do one -- I know Hoffacker's can should you request). Usually, if the old size did the job well (humidity removal, cooling, heating, etc.), then it should be fine to replace. It's always a good idea to get a load calculation. Usually you would notice if the system was sized incorrectly. If it had good run times (no short cycles that cost more money and put wear and tear on the system), the that's a good sign.

Trane's aluminum spine fin coils outside seem to have been very reliable (especially on coastal environments), but you'll get mixed reviews on this. Carrier and Trane are both good products, so I don't think you can go wrong with either. I've just heard that Carrier's copper coils have leaking issues (though they created a tin-plated coil, which is supposed to be better -- NOT SURE if the air handlers use this coil). That's not to say a Trane coil can't leak. I would focus on finding a good contractor.

Good luck Alina, and please keep us updated! : )

I just put an infinity in my house and love it!! I can recommend the Carrier dealer we used, ServiceWorks out of Springfield, Va. Rich is the owner and great to work with. They beat everyone else around here. Initially I wasn't happy with the fit and finish, but that was after the first day, they said they wanted to get the system up and running (It was HOT that day), then they came back and spent alot of time sealing ductwork with some glue like stuff (mastic?), and finishing work on the lines and wrapped everything with the silver insulation sheeting,even replaced the breaker box on the outside of the house, it turned out nice. submitted my rebate online ($1025.00), good to go!! The June 30 deadline is for the purchase, and the install is end of July I beleive, the rebate is why I went with the infinity over the performance, the price difference wasn't that much (to me)...Phone: Cell:202-369-7759 / office 703-455-0738...

mastergunnera8,
Thanks for the information! I will call them tomorrow. I already called Don Hoffacker's A/C & Heating Ryan recommended, but their estimator is out for vacation. Do you mind sharing the price? We've got our second estimation from ARS. $8700 for the Performance equipment and $9200 for Infinity (including humidifier). Still hefty...
The guy who offered $6000 for Performance 15 + Comfort air handler does not reply to my messages and emails...

Alina,

$6000 sounds suspiciously low for Carrier Performance equipment, and he's not responding to calls, so I'd be a bit concerned myself. The ARS price sounds high, but they're a big company it seems. Try United Air Temp; they deal Amana, Goodman and American Standard products. I've had experience with them and so have some of my neighbors. One of my close neighbors is very pleased with them.

Alina, I'm more than happy to share my experience and bid information with you if you'd provide your email (in a spam-proof manner -- you-at-something.com).