Only way to know if a price is good is have another dealer who knows local costs and can see the job quote comparable equipment. As competitive as our area is, those seem a bit steep. But down there, they could be low. We online can't say.

We sell extended warranties at slightly over cost just to get people protected since today's stuff isn't the most reliable anymore, regardless of brand. He is pretty salty but again, see what other dealers down there say.

The extended warrenty is high , so I suspect his prices are high as well. A Trane, Ext War. which I did not get was 700, from my dealer. I would get at least two more quotes and see what is "reasonable" , I got 4 when I was looking it is well worth it.

Because of the pricing, I am leaning toward the Lennox Elite XP14 with the CBX27UH which, while a conventional blower, appears to qualify for Tax Credit. From other forums, Ryanhughes and Tigerdunes recommend changing the air handler to the variable speed model, CBX32MV, and perhaps with a Honeywell VisionPRO IAQ thermostat for better humidity control. However, this combination does not appear to qualify for Tax Credit. Any other pros and cons?

Can I obtain an EquiGuard extended warranty myself or must it be done only through the dealer at whatever rate he choses?

bajau

I find your quotes on the high side for what should be a very competitive market for the coastal SC area.

You are looking at a 2 1/2 ton system?

I would not purchase a new system without a VS air handler.

here are the AHRI HP Directory performance/eff numbers. .

1292343 Active Systems XP14 SERIES LENNOX INDUSTRIES, INC. XP14-030-230* CB27UH-030-230*+TDR+TXV 28600 12.50 15.00 27800 8.50 16600

The above system qualifies for the tax credit but not VS air handler; with a VS air handler, the XP14 will not qualify for the tax credit.

I personally think Trane and AmStd coils hold up better to a harsh salt water coastal environment. much better numbers than the Lennox XP14. make the comparison.

1382160 Active Systems XL15I WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWX5030A1 4TEE3F39A1 30000 13.00 15.75 30000 9.00 18000

same numbers from AmStd Heritage 15 system.

1382161 Active Systems HERITAGE 15 AMERICAN STANDARD, INC. 4A6H5030A1 4TEE3F39A1 30000 13.00 15.75 30000 9.00 18000

I would not purchase a third party ext agreement.

IMO

you might check ebay for the compressor and air handler...you can buy separately and then pay contractor to install....you can get a 2.5 ton system complete for $1899 or so....I suspect if you buy the hardware and have contractor install you can get installation for about $2000 +/-

New bids from reliable contractor show how REALLY variable market is. Same 2.5 ton Lennox XP14 with the CBX27UH for $4715. instead of $6319. from Service Experts.

They also bid $5920. for a 2.5 ton Trane XR14c with 4TEE3F30 or $7220. for a 2.5 ton Trane XL 15i with the same air handler. Service Experts wanted $7921. for the XL 15i. Is the XL 15i that much better than the XR14c, or the Lennox XP14 for that matter?

bayau

The XL15i should not be $1300 more than the XR14c.

The XR14c has some nice numbers and you want the 4TEE3F39A1 air handler not the 4TEE3F30 air handler. see below numbers.

1382197 Active Systems XR14 WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWR4030C1 4TEE3F39A1 30000 13.00 15.00 27400 9.00 18000

I do believe you will have a longer effective life from the Trane than the Lennox but have to admit the price of the XP14 is mighty attractive assuming tax credit qualification.

You might consider a quote on AmStd Heritage 15 2 1/2 ton HP system.

IMO

Thank you Tigerdunes. You have previously said in this forum that
1292343 Active Systems XP14 SERIES LENNOX INDUSTRIES, INC. XP14-030-230* CBX27UH-030-230*+TDR+TXV 28600 12.50 15.00 27800 8.50 16600
The above system qualifies for the tax credit but not VS air handler; with a VS air handler, the XP14 will not qualify for the tax credit.
However, you or someone else found
1292429 Active Systems XP14 SERIES LENNOX INDUSTRIES, INC. XP14-036-230* CBX32MV-048*+TDR 35800 13.00 15.00 35200 8.75 21200
which has there variable handler which appears to qualify.
But I do not know how to tell which systems are 2.5 ton and 3 ton units [I have one of each]. So brings up the question of balancing the values of price, function, ability to reduce humidity, and tax credit.
Can you please help clarify my options - pros and cons. Thanks

Are the 1382160 Active Systems XL15I WEATHERTRON TRANE 4TWX5030A1 4TEE3F39A1 30000 13.00 15.75 30000 9.00 18000
and 1382161 Active Systems HERITAGE 15 AMERICAN STANDARD, INC. 4A6H5030A1 4TEE3F39A1 30000 13.00 15.75 30000 9.00 18000
the same system just with different names or is the Am. Std more like the Trane XR14c ?

bajau

according to the AHRI HP Directory,Lennox does not have a 2 1/2 ton XP14 or XP15 paired with a VS air handler that qualifies for the tax credit.

The Lennox XP14 system listed in your post is paired with a VS air handler and does qualify for the tax credit but this is a three ton system. Obviously a big hole in Lennox product line.

In your 10:42 AM post about the Trane and AmStd 2 1/2 ton systems;the XL15i and Heritage 15 are for all practical purposes identical HP condensers with the exception of Trane's funky covered top on the XLi series.

However, the Trane XR14c is a very nice system.

The major difference between the XL15i and XR14c is of course the condenser with the XL15i having the funny top, a little quieter, better performance numbers in heating, and a 12 yr warranty on the compressor.

see below.

Results
Metric Display Name XL15i XR14
SEER (Cooling Efficiency) up to 16.00 up to 15.00
HSPF (Heating Efficiency) up to 9.0 up to 9.0
Energy Star Yes No
Nominal Sound Level 74 76
Two-Stage Operation Single Stage Single Stage
Registered* Limited Warranty 12-Year Compressor, 10-Year coil, 10-Year functional parts 10-Year Compressor, Coil, and functional parts
Warranty (Extended) Optional Available Optional Available

if you could get either the Trane XL15i or Heritage 15 for $6500 or less plus the tax credit, then that would be my choice. They will simply hold up better and have a longer operating life than Lennox.

IMO

Thanks Tigerdunes. Load calc shows 2 ton, not 2.5 ton needed. So does Lennox XP14 have a variable handler which can qualify? Same question for Trane XR14c or XL15i, or Am. Std Heritage 15?

Got new quote today for Carrier 25HPA24 with FX4CNF024 plus 25HPA36 with FX4CNF036 both for $18,893 including Aprilaire HEPA filter and UV light, Honeywell 8000 Smart-tstat, mastic air tight seal ductwork, catch wrap dampers, vibration isolators, access doors, ... Does that sound fair? Thanks

Good equipment quoted above, but the FX4 isn't the fan coil I'd want. It's the Comfort Series model and not variable speed. Instead I suggest the FV4BNF003T and FV4BNF006T, respectively for the 2 and 3 ton systems. They qualify for the tax credit, though only one is necessary since $1500 is the cap.

I have no bad things to say about any of the Carrier equipment I've seen installed in other homes.

Question for Tigerdunes or Ryanhughes, this Lenox 3 ton qualifies, but is it not linked to a 4 ton air handler which may stress my system? 1292429 Active Systems XP14 SERIES LENNOX INDUSTRIES, INC. XP14-036-230* CBX32MV-048*+TDR 35800 13.00 15.00 35200 8.75 21200 . Is there another option? Also any options for a 2 ton Lennox XP14 ?

Or should I stick with a Trane XR14c for $1200. more than the Lennox. Here the XL15i is $1500 more than the XR14c? Thanks.

Trane XR14c: 4TWR4024C1 and 4TWR4036C1 linked with the same 4TEE3F39A1 air handler work in a 2 ton and 3 ton system with out undue stress to present ductwork?

Also, How do you properly put in data to the AHRI site and have it find the right system?
Keep forgetting to aSK THAT.
Thanks.

No added stress by going to the larger air handler. Hopefully the installers know to lower the airflow to the required 3 ton level. Sadly some don't.

Keep it simple with AHRI. So, for Trane, you can just go to the heat pump search page and put in 4TWR4036C and 4TEE3F to find all possible matchups.