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Heating & Air Conditioning

AC/furnace brand comparison advice

14 years ago

Our house is 18 yrs old. Has original builder-grade Armstrong AC/furnace. We are considering replacing both pieces of equipment.

Have had estimates for Armstrong & Goodman @ 6K to 9K

Also, for Lennox$7400 - $11,280

Any pros/cons to mentioned brands?

The recommended repair to the AC is about $500 .... maybe we should repair it.

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Comments (10)

ryanhughes
14 years ago
You haven't (or your dealer hasn't) provided enough information to help us advise you with each system proposal. You should have model numbers and the complete work scope. Lennox has some equipment that is much better than anything Goodman/Armstrong offers and some that is on the same levels. Does the quote involve any ductwork changes, etc.? Some of those systems might qualify you for the $1500 tax credit, and possibly for mfg. rebates as well. You should probably get more estimates, both for repair and replacement. I would not repair an 18-year-old system unless its a very cheap part.
rdhrunner
Original Author
14 years ago
Lennox estimate includes:
Use existing duct work, humidifier
New digital t-stat, line set, air pad
New flue pipe
Remove and dispose of old equipment
Low voltage wiring and condensation drain
Includes all material parts, labor, taxes and permits
Option 1 Lennox Gas Furnace G71/AC XC13 $7,480
Option 2 Lennox " " G71/ " XC15 $8,980
Option 3 Lennox " " G71/ " XP19 $11,280

Additional options include adding a heat pump for $1185;Pmac filter $385;or Powered humidifier $565 Would qualify for some rebates and tax credits

Armstrong AC GID 90,000BTU 937 13 SEER and Gas Furnace 36,000BTU
$6,000 + tax includes parts, labor and removal of old equipment

Same price for goodman 95% 90,000 BTU multi-speed blower $900 tax credit

Armstrong, 95% 80,000BTU variable furnace (?)
16 SEER AC 36,000 BTU RY10A $1500 tax credit $9,000

The Armstrong/Goodman estimates were not as clear as the Lennox estimates

By the way I live in NE Indiana ... we get some hot/muggy summers and cold winters.

Hope this helps. Thanks
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Thanks Mike, the amount of time you and tigerdunes spend helping people on this site is amazing and very appreciated. This was the 4th quote we've gotten. (not including a 5th contractor that never returned our calls) I've thrown out a Lenox dealer who didn't spend much time in the house and basically quoted an exact replacement for our old system. I also threw out another trane dealer who has a good reputation in the area, but was pushing very hard for high end systems and priced the items we really wanted thousands more than other 3 quotes. That leaves me with the 2 mentioned. Perhaps I need to get one more, but we felt very comfortable talking with the carrier dealer. We also let him know that we did not need top of the line on efficiency or features and would be frustrated if he quoted us as such. We wanted something that made sense if we planned to be in the house for less than 10 more years. Perhaps this contributed to the lower end furnace upstairs. Carrier seems to quote in a good, better, best format. He initially recommended going with the "better" option of lower SEER A/C and "comfort"level furnaces (similar specs up and down) for a couple thousand less, but since we aren't really sure about moving, I wanted to step it up a bit. The other wrinkle is that the carrier dealer has a sister company that does moisture and mold remediation. You may remember a post I made a while ago about my crawlspace & ductwork being a mess and a trunk line running up the inside of a large chimney to allow the single system to reach the attic. We've decided to do things right by switching to two systems and the carrier dealer was able to speak most intelligently about the situation. The sister company has been the best to work with for crawlspace remediation quotes, offers the longest warranty (25 yrs) and they've collectively agreed to negotiate a TBD additional discount if we go with both companies in a sort of package deal. I've asked the carrier dealer to come back with a hybrid quote that includes all "performance" level equipment with high efficiency furnaces on both floors, but keeping the system at 14 SEER instead of 15.5. Still waiting on that and will let you know when I get it. Given the information above, do you still think we need to walk away and find another contractor? Finally, Tigerdunes asked about living space split in an earlier post. There is about 1,740 down and 1,300 up. There is a large opening at the front of the house for stairs and an overlook to the foyer. 6 rooms downstairs (incl 1 half-bath) & 6 rooms up (including 2 full bath).
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rdhrunner
Original Author
14 years ago
One more thing .... our house is 2 story approx 2800 sf ... on a basement (approx 1,000 sf)
rdhrunner
Original Author
14 years ago
Here is another estimate for a Bryant AC/Furnace

We are pleased to submit the following proposal for your consideration.

We J.O. Mory will furnish & Install the following:
Â 1 Â Bryant 95% Var Speed, 3 stage Furnace 355CAV060100
Â 1 Â Bryant 16 Seer 2 Stage Air Conditioner 187ANA036
Â 1 Â Bryant Coil CNPVP3621
Â 1 Â Bryant Controler SYSTXBBUID01
Â 1 Â Bryant 4 inch filter system
Â Connect to existing duct system
Â Connect wiring, gas piping, drain, copper lines
Â Install PVC venting to back wall
Â 10 Year Parts and Labor Warranty
Â This system comes with a $1000.00 mail in rebate. Exp 6/30/09
Â Tax credits of up to $1500.00
Â
Notes: Remove and haul away existing equipment.

I. Work proposed above to be done on normal business hours during the weekday (Monday through Friday). Any work done outside this timeframe shall be done only upon agreement of the parties and shall be charged at J. O. MoryÂs normal overtime rates for nights weekends, holidays respectively.
II. Payment Terms are as follows:

Unless specifically outlined herein, any other items are excluded. We propose hereby to furnish material and labor in accordance with the above specifications

For The Sum Of:ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ$ 9091.00

With Approved Credit, this system can be yours for only $ a month.
ryanhughes
14 years ago
The Bryant system quoted above would be an excellent system. Your pricing, if that is before all rebates and tax credits, is very reasonable ($6591) given the scope of work. Great to see a 10-year p&l warranty, hopefully from Bryant.

The Lennox XC15/G71MPP would also be a very good system (any mention on thermostat? The ComfortSense 7000 from Lennox would be the Signature system thermostat). But the Lennox is not 2-stage cooling like the Bryant. Also, the Lennox dealer states "flue pipe," which I would hope means installing intake and exhaust PVC venting.
rdhrunner
Original Author
14 years ago
ryanhughes ... thanks for your imput. Very helpful. The Lennox estimates do not specify which thermostat would be used .... only "new digital thermostat"

I'll check with the dealer to see if the P & L on the Bryant system is from Bryant.
rdhrunner
Original Author
14 years ago
the 10 yr P&L on the Bryant system is from Bryant ....
ryanhughes
14 years ago
How comfortable were you with the company quoting the Bryant system? It's a great system if installed properly. Should give you good control over your indoor comfort.

However, did they look at your ductwork? If they are connecting it to your existing ductwork with no changes, I hope they've determined that what you have is adequate.

Secondly, I'm looking at the furnace sizes you've been quoted: 80k, 90k, and 100k--I'm wondering which is correct, as I'm sure you are. The Bryant is 3-stage, so it has high, medium, and low, which gives a little leeway in the sizing, but you want to make sure what you have is properly sized. It should be sized for the maximum heat loss. Bryant also makes that furnace in the 80k size. So, before signing, I'd ask them their thoughts on furnace size.

Lastly, make sure you tell them you want the tin-plated copper coil: CNPVP3621(ATA). This is a better coil than their standard copper coil. This coil has pretty much become a standard now so they may very well be planning to install it already. Doesn't hurt to ask though.
rdhrunner
Original Author
14 years ago
ryanhughes, You are so helpful. I can email the Bryant company with the questions you pose. Good questions and suggestions. Will let you know what I learn. thanks
rdhrunner
Original Author
14 years ago
Wow ... the rep from the Bryant company is quick to reply to my queries. Here is his response to the questions you suggested that I ask:

Hello Christy,
Question #1) Yes your duct system is fine, we will be hooking to your
existing duct system.
Question #2) Your home is about the same as mine....I have a 100,000btu
furnace and a 3 ton AC, which works great. I have this same furnace, you
will love it. We grantee our install and sizing of equipment.
Question #3) ON my quote it state's I'm putting in the CNPVP3621 coil, it's
a good coil. If you want a tin plated one I can get them they are a lot more
money and they are a not stocked item. Remember everything is cover for 10
years parts and labor. I have this same coil in my house...its 12 years
old..no trouble at all.

The Bryant company seems reputable

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