Trane HVAC Install Advice Appreciated!!

kansas_2007

16 years ago

Great site for information. I have enjoyed reading everyone's experiences Good and Bad. I live in Kansas and getting HVAC quotes has been a pain. I have called the big boys and been blown off as a shopper or no return phone call to set up appt. Called the independants and no follow up. One guy came over spent and hour on a saturday at my house and have not heard from him in 6 weeks. Frustrating.

Manual J calc's don't seem to be necessary around here. They look at what you have and size accordingly. I believe they fear the consumer won't want to pay or can't afford any upgrade pricing for changes.

What I did find was an independant 4 man shop referred by a friend. Seemed very informed and professional. Spent an hour walking around the house inspecting and asking questions about comfort etc.

House is 20 yrs. old 1600 SF ranch in the midwest KANSAS. Following is the qoute. I just would like to know if there are any other questions I need to have answered. The price seems reasonable. Replacing a Lennox system which worked well ( They said 3Ton because had a 41 in model #). Anderson double pane windows and reasonably insulated.

Also quality of components recommended or should I request other brands. Media filter/Humidifier, etc.

Trane XL14i 3Ton 4TTX4036B1000A

Trane Coil 4TXCB036AS3HCA

Trane XV80 TUDO80R9V3K 80,000 BTU 80% 2-Stage Var

New Copper Lineset

New Fused Disconnect Box

New Honeywell IAQ Stat

New Perfect Fit Media Air Cleaner

New Aprilaire Humidifier

Warranty 10yr. Compressor and Parts, 20 yr. Heat Exch., only 1 year LABOR warranty. Total installed price $ 5500.

Thanks in advance for response. They said duct work looked good with returns/registeres in all rooms reasonably sufficient. Some back bedrooms are hot which the Var speed should help, but to add registers and make returns larger would be expensive.

I am not opposed to spending money for quality and price is not the main determinate since I plan on staying here another 20 years.

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Comments (6)

tigerdunes
16 years ago
Kansas

A very nice system quoted and I would also add very good pricing.

You might consider some ductwork modification to those back bedrooms to increase airflow CFMs.

One suggestion. I simply don't care for 80% AFUE gas furnaces. Nat gas was once a value fuel for winter heating. No longer is that the case. Nat gas pricing is subject to supply/demand issues, energy speculators, and possible market manipulation by the integrated producers. I would either upgrade to the XV90 Mdl or my first choice would be to change XL14i to the heat pump model assuming reasonable electric rates.

IMO
Good LucK!
kansas_2007
Original Author
16 years ago
Tiger

Thanks! I will check on price difference between XV80 and XV90. Also, check into heat pump.

Your comments appreciated.

Kansas
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kansas_2007
Original Author
16 years ago
Contractor coming to check on mod to venting to bedrooms. At this time bedrooms hot and hasn't hit 100 yet.

We will discuss heat pump and 90% furnace prices at that time.

My question is if 1 year labor warranty is standard in the industry. I worry that 2 years from now system dies and I am out $1,000 or more to install new warranty equipment.

I am very comfortable with the contractor and they have been very responsive. I don't want to insult them and I know they have to make a living, however, based on their bid do they have room to extend the warranty. I don't know if the price reflects bare minimum and that is why labor warranty is low.

Getting estimates around here is like pulling teeth. Two guys never showed up or returned calls. Another spent one hour at my home and 6 weeks later I still have not heard from him. I refuse to chase someone down to spend money with.

I am being unreasonable. Great site with lots of professional information.

Also is the thermostat indicated going to control humidity in the house summer and winter? Do you set humidity wanted on the thermo?

Thanks
daddo
16 years ago
That's a very good price on all that they are doing. The extended 10 year parts and labor warranty is cheap insurance and they may have a special deal on that system. It would be worth the money.
tigerdunes
16 years ago
KANSAS

You have a great system quoted. Like you, I refuse to chase down people who are so unprofessional as not following up with either a quote or a telephone call.

A 10 yr ext warranty that includes both parts and labor can vary between dealers. Price range should be $500-$600. Warranty is provided through Trane not the dealer and can be transferrable if you later decide to sell home. You already have a great quote but the dealer may have some wiggle room on the extended warranty depending on how busy he is.

The Honeywell IAQ stat is great at controlling humidity.

The only change that I would make in your equipment is going to the XL14i heat pump condenser over the AC condenser that was quoted plus the matching HP evap coil. This will give you a dual fuel heating system sometimes referred to as a hybrid.

My opinion.
Good LucK!
kansas_2007
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all your help. I am glad I found this site to become somewhat educated in HVAC. Homeowners are leary and to be truthful (as I have found)it is hard to find a HVAC professional that seems responsive. Maybe it's me but it seems they don't want to deal with anyone that has alot of questions. They just want to see what you have, Replace with same equipment and move on. I do feel bad for the good HVAC specialists because there is a lot of time wasted on price shoppers. To be honest I suffered sticker shock at first but this site allowed me to get comfortable with what needed to be done and the cost. I think I finally found one and hope the install goes without a hitch.

Due to all your advice I decided on the XL14i Heatpump for the above system. The contractor also added a 10 year labor warranty from his company, which I am comfortable with. Also the first year maintenace is free. Really a nice guy with 3 employees. Total Cost $ 6000.

I may have been able to get the job done for less with different equipment, but this contractor was the most responsive of those I contacted. Carries both Ruud and Trane but was really pushing the Trane so I took his advice.

Once again Thanks I will continue to Lurk. Hopefully I will report back after install with Glowing reports.

Kansas

Trane HVAC Install Advice Appreciated!!

Comments (6)

tigerdunes

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Trane HVAC Install Advice Appreciated!!

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tigerdunes

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