3 tons sounds oversized unless they did a load calculation and came up with that much cooling required. Rule of thumb sizing (generally 500 sqft/ton) results in less efficiency and comfort, since it is often wrong. I'd question sizing before moving forward, and/or see what the next quote comes up with.

Both look oversized. We have similar climate and 80K 95% furnace will do 2200-2500 sq ft homes. 60K is probably too big unless the house is horribly built. Same with A/C sizing. 2 ton probably could do it unless lots of glass.

We just had a 4-ton Trane heat pump installed in our 120-year-old house here in Alabama(two days ago). Our square footage is 1,815, which may seem small for the 4-ton, but we have 12-foot ceilings. Alabama Power and our HVAC installer both figured in the CUBIC footage, which changes the 500sq.ft. per ton equation.
Actually, the 3-ton for 1,450 sq. ft. for a ranch house
(8' ceilings, I presume) seems about right by my math skills
(3 X500=1,500).

cjr

I agree with Baldloonie about the size of the furnace. More is not better and you don't want to oversize.

Consider requesting a load calc. The 60K XV95 most likely is a better fit for your size home.

the upgrade price for the XL15i HP is absurd. what size condenser are you replacing? you might consider an upgrade price on the XR13 HP model. what is your electric rate?

I would prefer Trane's Perfect Fit media cabinet because it fits the XV95 furnace like a glove fits a hand.

at a minimum, you want Trane's XL803 thermostat or identical HW equivalent.

could you explain the need for the chimney liner? The XV95 furnace is a condensing model that will require venting out the side of your home.

post back.

IMO

I have about 9 windows upstairs and about 6 vented glass block windows in the basement. I want the furnace/air to be able to make the basement livable also, even though I now its always going to be a bit colder down there.

I did not ask about a load calculation. Does that cost extra?

Tigerdunes:

Current condenser is a 2 Ton according to the install paperwork. It seems to do the job, although sometimes I think it runs a bit too long. Being as I am new to central air, it may just be the way it's supposed to be. The Trane dealer said he thought the 2.5 ton would be perfect. I also has a Rheem dealer in that said 2 ton max, so that is why I am looking for some advice here.

Electric rate right now is almost 7 cents a kwh now (although it will go up every year), so the heat pump is looking like a good option. I thought the price to upgrade from the XR13 to the XL15 was a bit steep even with the increase in SEER. It basically eliminates the heat pump from my budget if I can't get that price down. I want to make sure I can qualify for the entire rebate though.

The liner is for the hot water tank that will still be vented out the chimney.

Both dealers said this install would be very easy and it should be a single day job.

Forgot to mention, the current furnace is an 80% 105,000 BTU.

I"m in northeast ohio also. I upgraded my old a/c to a heatpump this past october so now I have dual fuel. My house is similiar to yours but 300 sq. feet bigger (brick ranch with insulatin in attic and good windows but no insulation in walls).

I think 2.5 tons is the correct size. I think 2.0 tons is too small. I think 80K btu is appropriate size gas furnace. Mine is 100K btu and it could be smaller cause it doesn't run much.

The extra cost for the heatpump is alot of money. Thats nuts. Shouldn't be that much more.

I would couple the 95% efficiency gas furnace with a heatpump. That heatpump really will save you money and provide a nice stream of even heat down to 25 degrees or 30 if you like it more comfy. I have a 90% efficiency gas furnace with 14.5 seer heat pump.

You should really consider some other brands from licensed independent contractors. You can save a bunch of money and still be completely satisfied with your equipment. My heat pump is a luxaire. It has the jacket around the the scroll compressor, very quiet. Runs like clockwork.

If you choose dual fuel, ask for the honeywell wireless focuspro thermostat kit. It comes with an outdoor temperature sensor that display the outdoor temp on your thermostat. It helps with switchover from gas to heatpump. Its all wireless too. It saves the installer lots of time. It works perfectly. Lots of great features like able to choose cycle time.

If you need any contractors numbers let me know. I've got a few that are surprisingly reasonable compared to your trane quote. These contractors I worked with are able to get other brands too like American std, bryant, etc.

What is the average cost of going from a central air unit to a Heat Pump? I assume there is no additional installation steps. On my quote there it is going from an XR 13 to an XLi15, so maybe that is why it is so large a number??

Neo:

Thank you for the input. I may take you up on that offer. I have not decided on a brand completely yet. I am still early in this process. My main reason for starting with Trane, besides their reputation, is the 36 months no interest financing. However, I had a Rheem guy in that I am waiting on a quote for, and I am going to schedule a couple Carrier quotes. I am getting my second Trane visit on friday. I also spoke to a Luxaire dealer and am waiting on some numbers from him, but I am having a hard time finding favorable reviews for their products online. Do you know of any sites I can check out?

The heatpump itself costs a few hundred dollars more than the outside airconditioner usually.

You need a fancier thermostat that controls a heatpump. And it requires some extra wires to the heatpump, furnace, and thermostat. The way to go with dual fuel is the honeywell focus pro kit. The kit is like $229. Which is alot for a thermostat but it saves time for the installer and is the right tool for controlling dual fuel. I love it. Its so nice to have the outdoor temp on my thermostat. I can easily change the switchover between gas and heatpump based on energy prices/comfort.

Luxaire used to be an independent company in NE ohio. This brand was popular around here for that reason. They have been bought out by York years ago. The name recognition still is very good around here though. Luxaire has a 10 year warranty on parts if registered online. I would go with the mid-level equipment cause it has the nice cabinet and a jacket around the compressor. They are quiet. They also have demand defrost which is the way to go for heatpumps. My neighbor has a 25 year old unit still working. My other neighbor has a lower end one that is so quiet, I initially thought it was a high end brand until I did more investigation.

My Luxaire heatpump and indoor coil was also manufactured in the usa. I think in oklahoma to be exact.

Take advantage soon so you can get the govt tax credit. Don't wait too long. Come fall everybody will be rushing and you may not get the equipment you want.

Thanks again Neo. I am still waiting to hear back from the Luxaire guy. Not making a very good first impression so far even thought he came highly recommended.

I got my second Trane quote and its even higher. Almost $9k for the XV95 and XL15i and wants almost $300 extra for the liner. I have not done any negotiating, but I almost feel as though some of the HVAC contractors are ramping up prices just because of the tax credit. My Rheem quote with a 15 seer hear pump and Variable speed 2 stage furnace only comes in around 6k. I am not sure if Trane is really worth the premium these dealers are asking, or are they?

that rheem quote isn't bad. Lots of people have rheem equipment and are very satisfied. If I understand correctly they have scroll compressors and demand defrost. I would verify that. I"m in alot of people's back yards. I have seen dozens of rheem a/c's running. The 10 seer model with scroll compressor. They are quiet enough.

Trane is expensive. Only really worth it if you have plenty of extra money to blow.

Knowing the prices of equipment like I do. I think it would be possible to get a 15 seer single stage mid-grade heatpump and 95% gas furnace installed with honeywell focus pro thermostat in the 5 grand range.

With the heatwave happening in NE ohio lately. HVAC guys may be busy and not in a hurry to give out a low estimate.

You can always ask the installer if they would be willing to do for less money when they aren't as busy.